In 1835 Risley was described as a small village and township, partly in the parish of Sawley, and partly in that of Sandiacre, in the same hundred as Ilkeston, about four miles, south, from that town, one and a half, north, from Breason, and about seven and a half, east, from Derby. This manor was formerly held by Sir Hugh Willoughby, the celebrated navigator, who sailed on the 10th of May, 1555, with three ships, in search of a north-east passage, and was frozen to death, with all his crew, in the January following. The township contained, in 1831, 252 inhabitants, being only an increase of twenty-seven persons in 30 years.