Stretton is a parish and village in Rutland, England.  Its name originates from Saxon times, and refers to its location close to a major road.  It grew up near Ermine Street, a Roman Road stretching from north to south, and was slightly set back from the road to protect the village from invasion.  Only Stretton’s two 18^th-century pubs – formerly known as the Winchelsea Arms and New Inn – developed on the side of the road to attract business from passing travellers.  Early records of the village date back to the Domesday survey of 1086.  At the time, the village was owned by the niece of William the Conqueror, and comprised of 40 acres of woodland and fields.  By the early 19^th century, Stretton was home to a self-sufficient community.  It had its own butcher, carpenter, grocer, baker and blacksmith, and many of its inhabitants were employed in agriculture.  The area remains relatively rural, and Stretton is surrounded by farmland, woodland and lakes.