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How did the town get its distinctive name? 'Ashby' first appears in the Domesday Book (1086) as 'Ascebi' which comes from two Scandinavian words - Aski's 'by' or settlement. Alan la Zouch had acquired the manor by 1160 and added his family name to distinguish it from other Midland Ashbys. The Zouch held the town until 1399 but although members of the family fought at Crecy and served their monarchs well, it remained in the backwater of national affairs. They did improve the manor house, building in stone a hall, solar and outbuildings, much of which can still be seen as part of the larger castle. The manor changed hands on several occasions in the 15th century, finally coming into the possession of James Butler, Earl of Wiltshire who fought for the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton and was beheaded after that defeat.

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