HEATHER, a parish in the hundred of SPARKENHOE,
county of LEICESTER, 5 miles (N. by W.) from
Market-Bosworth, containing 411 inhabitants. The living
is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry of
Leicester, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's
books at £7. 17. 8,, and in the patronage of the Rev.
Paul Belcher. The church is dedicated to St. John.
There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists.
Here was anciently a preceptory of Knights Hospitallers,
granted in the reign of Edward VI. to Oliver St.
John and Robert Thornton: about the time of the
dissolution the value was computed at £39. 1. 5. per
annum. There is a coal mine in the parish.