THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Se^cvx-cj? 7 u THE BRITISH, ROMAN, AND SAXON ANTIQUITIES AND FOLK-LORE WORCESTERSHIRE. BY JABEZ ALLIES, F.S.A. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE. MDCCCI/VI. 'j^ AH- u PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. In the Preface to the First Edition of this work, published in 1840, 1 stated that, in collecting the facts there detailed, my principal object was to show the unsubstantial nature of the doubts of Dr. Nash, and some other writers, as to whether the Romans had stations to any extent in the interior of the County of Worcester ; but that, in the pur- suit of this subject, I was led to discoveries relating to periods both prior and subsequent to the Roman occupation of these islands. Since the publication of that edition, many additional facts have been added relative to the Antiquities of the County, while various errors and doubtful etymologies have been expunged. In a few instances, the Border Antiquities of the neighbour- ing counties have been noticed, principally in connection with those of the County of Worcester. Relics, of a date later than that indicated by the title page, have in some cases been described ; these, however, were generally found on the sites of earlier antiquities. In conclusion, I beg to return my best thanks to all those who have kindly rendered me their assistance during the progress of these collections, particularly to .Tolm Clifton, Esq., and the other gentlemen at the Consistory Court of Worcester, for favouring me with the inspection 81 i )755 IV PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. of the Apportionments of Kent Charge for the county under the Tithe Commutation Act, amongst which documents I made an extensive and laborious search for all names of fields and places savouring of antiquity or peculiarity ; To H. C. Hamilton, Esq., of Her Majesty's State Paper Office, for much valuable assistance relative more particularly to our Anglo-Saxon Antiquities; To the Worcestershire Na- tural History Society, and to Dr. James Nash, Walter Jones, Esq., John Amphlett, Esq., and Mr. Eaton, for the loan of several ancient relics ; To the Archaeological Institute of London, and to J. H. Parker, Esq., of Ox- ford, for the use of some of their woodcuts ; and to the Society of Antiquaries of London, for the use of their copper-plate engraving of the Perdeswell Tore. The remaining Illustrations were prepared for the sole purpose of elucidating some of the descriptions contained in this volume. JABEZ ALLIES. 31, Hallifobd Street, Islington, September 1852. i *n* CONTENTS. After describing Worcester, from p. 1 to 54, the other places in which ancient relics have been discovered are classed under several supposed Itinera ; namely Iter I. PAGE From Worcester, southward, to Kempsey, Upton, Rip- ple, and Twyning* ; then westward to Eldersfield, Pendock, The Berrow, and Bromsberrow f ; then north-westward to Castle Morton ; and by the Midsummer Hill Camp and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Malvern Hills, north-eastward, to Powick, and back to Worcester, . . . 54, 74 Iter II. From Worcester, south-eastward, to Eckington, Ad Antonam, Strensham, Norton in Bredon, Bredon Hill (Kemerton)}, Bredon Hill (Conderton), Sedge- barrow and Iccomb, or Icombe; then north-west- ward to the Four Shire Stone, Dora, Badsey, Church Honeybourne, Quintonj!, Offenham, Cleeve Prior, Crowle, Bredicot, and back to Worcester 74, 9* * Twyning is in Gloucestershire, but nearly surrounded by Worcestershire. + This is in Gloucestershire, upon the borders of Worcestershire. I Also in Gloucestershire, upon the border of Worcestershire. This was a detached part of Worcestershire, but is annexed to Gloucester- shire by the Reform Hill. In Gloucestershire. vi CONTENTS. PAGE Iter III. From Worcester, northward, by Elbury Hill Camp to Droitwich, Ombersley, Salwarp, Stoke Prior, Lincomb in Astley, Hartlebury, Bromsgrove, Chaddesley Corbett, Belbroughton, Clent, Hagley, Hales Owen, and Dudley ; then westward, to Wassal Hill ; then northward, to Kenvaur Edge, and south-westward to Over Arley* ; then south- ward, to Ribbesford, Tickenhill, Soddington, Mamble, Stockton, Lindridge, Holt, Wichenford, Grimley, Bevere Island, and back to Worcester, . 98, 153 The chains of hills, with their antiquities, and the remarkable places adjoining them, are described in the following order : Itek IV. The chain of hills and adjacent places which run on the western side of the county, from the south to the north ; namely, the Malvern Hills, Bears Wood, Old Storage, Alfrick, Ankerdine Hill, Whitbournef, The Berrow Hill, Woodbury Hill, and Abberley Hill, 153,210 Iter V. The chain of Toot and other Hills, and adjacent places, which run on the east side of Worcester, from south to north ; namely, Cruckbarrow Hill ; Os- waldslow, in White Ladies Aston; The Round Hill, alias Cuggan Hill, in Spetchley ; Perry, or Pirie Wood ; Trotshill, Troshill, or Tootshill ; Elbury Hill ; Astwood ; Barrow Cop, in Perdeswell, and Tutnall, in Claines; and also Toot Hills generally, 210, 238 The following are the lines, or supposed lines, of the ancient roads, Vicinal-ways, Sail-ways, Ryckniold * Kenvaur Edge and Over Arley are in Staffordshire. t hi Herefordshire. CONTENTS. Vll PAGE Street or Ridge-way, and Foss-way ; with notices of the ancient camps and remarkable names of fields and other places in such lines : I.TER VI. From Wall Hills, near Ledbury and Malvern Hills, to Old Storage, Ankerdine, The Berrow, and Wood- bury Hills, 238,255 Iter VII. From Malvern Hills, partly through Worcestershire, and partly through Herefordshire, to Teubury, &c. 255, 201 Iter VIII. From Worcester, by Woodbury Hill, in Great Witley, to Tenbury, &c 201,270 Iter IX. From Droitwich to Stourbridge, .... 270, 275 Iter X. From Wall Hills Camp, in Herefordshire, partly through Worcestershire, and partly through Glou- cestershire, to Gloucester, . . . . . 275, 277 Iter XI. From Wall Hills Camp to the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Little Malvern Hill, and then to the Rycknield Street, at or near Tewkesbury, . . 277, 280 Iter XII. From Wall Hills Camp to Towbury Hill Camp, in Twyning Parish, Gloucestershire, . . . 2 SO, 282 Iter XIII. From Wall Hills Camp to Upton, or the Saxons' Lode. From tbe Herefordshire Beacon Camp to Hanley Quay. From Great Malvern Hill to the Hind, . . . 282. ;28(i V1U CONTENTS. PAGE Iter XIV. Portway from Kenchester to Frome Hill and StifforcTs Bridge, in Cradley, in Herefordshire, and through Cowley Park and Powick to Worcester ; and from thence to Ombersley, Hartlebury, and Wolverley, to Over Arley, 286, 290 Iter XV. The Western Trackway from Tewkesbury, through Worcester, to the Trench Lane and Droitwich, and from thence to Hadley Heath Camp, in Ombersley, Wassal Hill Camp, in the Parish of Kidderminster, to Over Arley, .... 290, 309 Iter XVI. The Upper Salt-way from Droitwich to Edgbaston, near Birmingham, ... . . 309, 316 Iter XVII. The Lower Salt-way from Droitwich to Alcester ; then southward by the Honeybournes, and through Weston-sub-Edge, to the Cotswolds, at Middle Hill ; and then to North Leach and Coin St. Aldwins, &c 316,323 Iter XVIII. The Lower Deviation Salt- way from Droitwich, along the Trench Lane, &c, to Pershore, Ashton-under- Hill, North Leach, &c. 323, 329 Iter XIX. The Rycknield Street or Ridge-way, and its Deviation Lines, ........ 329, 354 Iter XX. The Foss-way, . . 304. 358 CONTENTS. IX PAGE Also, the following Chapters, namely : Chapter I. On the places called Wick, Wich, and Wiccia, . . 358, 363 Chapter II. On the Bambury or Banbury Stone, in Kemerton Camp, otherwise Bambury Camp, on Bredon Hill, and on Ambrosiee Petrae in general, .... 363, 381 Chapter III. On Logan Stones and Hole Stones, . . . 381, 383 Chapter IV. On Hoar Stones, 383, 397 Chapter V. On places called " Oldbury," 397, 399 Chapter VI. On ancient spots called by the name of " Castle," . 399, 401 Chapter VII. Observations on the ancient names of Fields, &c, . 401, 404 Chapter VIII. Summary of the places called " Ridgeway," . . 404, 405 Chapter IX. The like of places called " rortway", . . . 405, 406 Chapter X. The like of places called " Street," .... 406, 407 Chapter XI. The like of places called " Vineyard." . . . 407, 409 CONTENTS. Chapter XII. On " Folk-Lore ;" particularly on the Ignis fatnus, or Will-o'-the-Wisp, and the Fairies, . . 409 to 470 The following are the principal contents of the " Folk-Lore :" Ignes fatui, as seen in December, 1839, and January, 1840, in Powick, Hob, Hoberdy, Hobany, Hob-goblin, Robin Dobbies, Cob, Knop, Knap, . Puck, Hob, Robin Good-fellow, Poake-ledden, Oseberrow, or Osebury Rock, in Lulsley, and the Fairies, Inkberrow and Upton Snodsbury, Fairies Hoberdy 's Lantern, Hob, Robin, Robert, Puck, and Pooka, or Phooka, Robin Hood, . Jack-o'-Lantern, Will, The Eternal Waggoner, Elf, Eoten, or Oughton, Pinket, Pixie, Wish or Wisked Hounds, Mab, Tom Thumb, Patch, Grim, Sib, Tib, Licke, Lull, Hop, Drip, Pip, Trip, Pinck, Pin, Tick, Tit, Wap, and Win, Pig-wiggen, Wiggen Ash, and Nornies, Tinker's Cross, in Leigh, Robinet, . Blackswell, Bates-Bush, in Lulsley, Black Jack, 418, 409 412 414 410 417 418 443 419 420 4-29 430 431 133 434 43:) 436 ib. 437 138 111 4 42 ti:; ib. Ill 14(i CONTENTS. XI PAGE Lulsley, Etymology of, ..... . 446 Alfrick, Fairies, 440, 447 Anglo-Saxon Elf, and Fairy Names, 451 Fairy Rings, .... 456 The Seven Whistlers, 459 The Devil's Dream, . 400 The Mysterious Black Cat, ib. Witchery Hole, 462 Old Coles, .... ib. Lady Lightfoot's Spectre, . 464 Devonshire Spectre, ib. Sir Thomas Boleyn's Spectre, . 465 Spunkies, .... 467 Kelpies, ..... 468 As to what causes an hjnis fatuus, 468, 470 Appendix, 471,473 ILLUSTRATIONS. Relic or Antiquity. Place where found. Angerona, one of the Roman \ Penates j Roman and Anglo-Saxon Relics, ] Castle Hill Ancient British Coin Roman Urn, Diglis Ancient British barbed Spear-head Diglis .... The like. British Museum . Anglo-Saxon Coin Ruins of St. Clement's Church Dane Skins, Worcester Cathedral Worcester Plate I. Wolstan's Seal Roman Fibula ) Pottery Kempsey Ancient British Spear-head Signet Thumb Ring, Saxons' Lode Upton {Morton Folliot, or Castle Morton Roman Urn ..... Powick Basin, or Mortarium . . Eckington . Plate II. Anglo-Saxon Relics f Norton in Bre-1^ I don . .) Ancient Earring (2 cuts) . . Bredon Hill Roman Urn Bredicot . Curious Ring (2 cuts) . . . ,, No. Page. . 14 ' 1 to 18 .18 . 26 . 2!) . 30 . 31 . 37 . 38 f 1 ] - 50 Is J . 52 . 1 . 54 2 . 55 : - 56 i) ) . 60 . 02 . 71 . 73 i \ o 74 ,3. 'M to - 76 l-'J . 84 . 95 , . !)6 XIV ILLUSTRATIONS. Relic or Antiquity. Place where found. Plate. No. Pag.-. Roman Urn Droitwich . Plate IV. L> ,, ,, . . . . Lineholt Com- " > Ancient British Celt mon, Ombers- ley Lincomb in Ast- L " 3 5) ' ' ley . J 4 ) !)H V )> Ribbesford . 5) * 5 ?> J> Holt . )) 6 Roman Fibula .... )? 7 Ancient British Celt Grimley 5? r 1 9 Stone Axe 5J ( 10 Knife . Bevere Isle ?? "J Barrow Hill, Tan Wood . ! Chaddesley Cor- ! . 125 i bett \ Ancient British Hone, or Flaying Knife (2 cuts) . Lindridge . 'Worcestershire i 14!) Ancient British Urn (2 cuts) . Beacon, Mal- , veni Hill \ 1(55 Celt Malvern Link . 167 Legend of St. Werstan (4 cuts) : 1. St. Werstan's Vision Malvern Church . 173 2. Dedication of the Chapel built 17;") by St. Werstan . r 1 3. The Grant of Edward the Con- t 177 fessor .... [ 4. The Martyrdom of St. Werstan . 179 Bedford Bridge and Gate-house, L . . . Plate V. 208 Banyan's Prison I Bunyaus Signet Ring (2 cuts) 20!) Ancient British Tore Perdeswell . Plate VI. 2:il Camp . fBredon Hill, Ke- L merton . } 3G5 The Bambury Stone ?? ih. Ambrosiae Petrae Coin . 378 The like 379 Sist of Subsmbm, The late Most Noble the Marquis of Northampton, The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Southwell. The Right Honourable Lord Foley. The Honourable General Lygon, M.P. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. Thomas Adams, Esq., Islington. .1. Allcroft, Esq., Lower Wick, Worcester. Miss Amelia Ann Allies, Worcester. Frederic Allies, Esq., St. John's, Worcester. Robert Allies, Esq., Hill House, Worcester. William Bland, Esq., Hartlip Place, Sittingbourne, Kent. Henry John Brown, Esq., Wilmington Squarp, London. John Bruce, Esq., Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, London. Professor Buckman, F.L.S. and E.G.S., Cirencester. Colonel T. H. Bund, Great Malvern. Solomon Cole, Esq., Worcester. John Cramphorn, Esq., Bellevue Terrace, South Sea, Portsmouth. Edward Dalton, Esq., D.C.L. and F.S.A., Dunkirk House, near Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Mr. Frederick N. Gosling, Worcester. William Grane, Esq., Bedford Row, London. William James Grane, Esq., Bedford Row, London. J. M. Gutch, Esq., Common Hill, Worcester. J. O. Halliwell, Esq., F.R.S. and F.S.A., Avenue Lodge, Brixton Hill. Rev. George Hodson, M.A , F.S.A., Henwick, Worcester. Edward Holland, Esq., Dumbleton. Thomas Jee, Esq., Peckleton Hall, Leicestershire. Lockhart Johnstone, Esq., Worcester. John Jones, Esq., Leigh, Worcestershire. B. (i. Kent, Esq., Levant Lodge, Upton. Andrew Lawson, Esq., Aldborough Manor, Borough Bridge, Yorkshire. Mrs. Leach, The Newarke, Leicester. Samuel Lewis, Esq., Finsbury Place, London. Mr. Mansell, Gloucester. Mrs. Montague Marriott, Montpelier Square, Brompton. William Mence, Esq., Ronkswood, Worcester. .lames Nash, Esq., M.D., Worcester. The Rev. John Pearson, Rectory, Suckley. Mr. George Robinson, The Fir Trees, Redditch. Daniel Rowland, Esq., Grosvenor Place, London. The Rev. Edward W. Stillingneet, Hotham, near Howden, Yorkshire. William Swainson, Esq., Walworth. William Jackson Taylor, Esq., Forest Hill. Surrey. Mrs. Thomas, White Ladies, Worcester. Boyes Thornton, Esq., Peckham. Chliiles Tucker, Esq., F.S.A., Suffolk Street, Pall Mall East. Albert Way, Esq., Wonhaiii Park, Reigate, Surrey. ('J copies.) The Rev Joseph Webster, Rectory, Hindlip. Joseph Wontner, Esq., Clapton. WORCESTER. It is stated in Grose's " Antiquities*" that "Worcester is generally allowed to have been the Braviniumf of the Romans, mentioned in the twelfth journey of Antoninus, twenty-four miles from Magna, now Kenchesterj, in Hereford- shire, and twenty-seven from Uriconium, now Wrottesley, in Staffordshire." But it is only of late years that any satis- factory evidence has been brought to light relative to the Roman occupation of the place. The following collections made upon the subject will, it is trusted, be found valuable, both as they respect the history of the City and County of Worcester, and also as adding to the general store of information relative to the olden times. In the year 1829, upon excavations being made to lay the basement of the house in the centre of Britannia Square, in Worcester, the foundation of a circular tower or fort of sandstone was found, about thirty feet in diameter ; while in the rubbish upwards of fifty Roman copper coins were discovered j|, some of Constantius, others of Constantine the Great, Decentius, * Vol. vi., Supp. + This agrees with Stukeley's account. Gale says Rushbury, Horsley says Ludlow, and others say Lentwardine. J This agrees with Horsley's account. Gale and Stukeley say Magna means Old Radnor, and that Ariconium means Kenchester. Gale, Stukeley, and Horsley say Wroxeter, in Shropshire. || It is also said that silver coins were found there, of Julia Mamaea, Julian, and Constans ; but as these were casually brought to me, I cannot vouch so well for them. Claudius Gothicus, and Magnentius; but the greater part too decayed to be deciphered*. This tower or fort was, most probably, one of those which Tacitus states that the Roman Propraetor, Ostorius Scapula, constructed on the Severn, in the reign of the Emperor Claudius the First ; they were erected on the east bank, to check the Britons on the other side of the river. John Ross, a writer on antiquities, who flourished in the reign of Edward the Fourth, has reported Constantius Caesar as the founder of Worcester, on the credit of an old British chronicle he met with ; and Andrew Yarranton, in his work entitled " England's Improvement by Sea and Land," &c. (the first part of which was published in 1677, and the second in 1698), states in the second, part, page 162, as quoted by Dr. Nashf, inter alia, as follows : " He says he found out a vast quantity of Roman cinders near the walls of the city of Worcester ; and within one hundred yards of such walls there was dug up one of the hearths of the Roman foot-blasts, it being then firm and in order, and w 7 as seven foot deep in the earth ; and by the side of the work there was found out a pot of Roman coine, to the quantity of a peck, some of which w T as presented to Sir Dugdale, and part thereof is in the King's closet ; by all which circumstances it clearly appears that the Romans made iron in England, and as far up the river Severn as the city of Worcester, where as yet there are vast quantities remaining." Dr. Nash (in the absence of further evidence) strongly expressed his opinion that these were not Roman relics ; but in the corrections and additions to the second volume of his "History," page 97, he relaxed a little upon the point, and stated that " In June 1797 an underground drain was made, the whole length of the Broad Street, Worcester, and about the middle of the street from the Cross, near the house of Mr. Morton, cabinet maker, not far from the Bell Inn, was found a bed of iron * Harvey Berrow Tymbs, Esq., presented these coins to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society. f Vide Vol. ii. of Nash's "History of Worcestershire ; " Appendix, p. cviii. cinders, which extended up Mr Morton's yard, and probably on to the walls of the city, near which was a considerable iron foundery in the time of the Saxons, or perhaps, as some think, of the Eomans. About two or three hundred yards from the city wall, up the river, is a place called Cinder Point, where a great quantity of the like scoriae are found. The specimen I have is very rich in metal. The cinders at Mr. Morton's and the Bell Inn were found to extend about forty yards in breadth ; and at another place, near the Cross, opposite Mr. Wilson's, about ten yards." I have several times examined the stratum of iron scoriae and clinkers at Cinder Point, on the east bank of the Severn, in a place called Pitchcroft, and find that the bed is extensive, and the clinkers very rich in metal. I have no doubt that this is the place referred to by Yarranton. The stratum lies by the river side about six feet deep, beneath the alluvial soil, and was most probably the rough and half-smelted ore thrown aside in the time of the Romans, they having, it is said, only foot-blasts to smelt the ironstone. The supposed fort of Ostorius before mentioned stood exactly opposite to Cinder Point, at the distance of about 500 yards, on a ridge of ground, just out of flood's- way, on the same side of the river, and would at all times guard the iron works. A few years ago, I saw a similar bed of scoriae and clinkers in the bank of a lane between English Bicknor Church and the river Wye, in Gloucestershire. This was pointed out to me by the Rev. Edward Feild, then Rector of that parish, and now Bishop of Newfoundland ; and also a mound in an adjacent pasture, from whence several years back a great quantity of clinkers were dug out, and taken to the iron works at the Forest of Dean, to be melted up again with iron ore, as such clinkers (like those at Cinder Point) are very rich in metal, and were considered greatly to improve the general mass ; but it is said that on account of a new mode in smelting, they are not now used*. These ancient works in Bicknor appear to have been flanked, overlooked, and * See an interesting Recount of the sites of Roman iron works in the above- mentioned districts, by Thomas Wright, Esq., F.S.A., in the "Gentleman's Magnzine," January IS52, p. 33, &c. defended by a tower or fort, which stood at the top of the rising ground by the churchyard, and the site of which is still plainly visible. I was informed by the late Sir Samuel Eush Meyrick that the like scoriae and clinkers are to be seen in the grounds adjacent to Goodrich Court. Mr. Spriggs, of this city, has shown me a coin of Nero, dug up in his presence, in Broad Street, near the top of the street called Doldy, when the drain, referred to by Dr. Nash, was made there in 1797. This coin was struck in commemoration of the closing of the temple of Janus, in Nero's reign, which was the sixth time. On the obverse it has the portrait of the Emperor, with the inscription, NERO CLAVD. CAESAR AVG. GER. P.M. TR. P. IMP. P.P. ; and the reverse contains the temple of Janus, and the inscription, PACE P.R. TERRA MARIQVE PARTA IANVM CLVSIT. S.C. This coin is very interesting, as it shows that Tacitus was wrong in his statement that the temple of Janus was not shut after the time of Augustus till the reign of Vespasian*. Paten notices a similar coin in page 113 of his work on Roman Coins, and remarks that although he was satisfied that the temple was shut by Nero, as the coin indicates, yet that the then state of the world did not justify it, and that was the reason why Tacitus and Orosius did not notice the fact. I have coins of Probus, Gratian, and Carausius, which were found a few years back in an excavated mass of soil upon which some old tenements stood in Doldy. In the " Stranger's Guide to Worcester," published in 1828, under the name of Ambrose Florence, the above ancient part of the town is noticed in page 13, as follows : " In the corporation book called ' Liber Legum,' made in the reign of Henry VII., it is ordered that all ' Walshe catell ' coming to be sold be brought to Dolday ; " and in page 11, it is observed that " General Roy, in his 'Military Antiquities of the Romans in Britain,' says, ' If, however, Worcester was really a Roman town, which is no way im- probable, it seems to be that which Richard, in his Choro- graphy, assigns to the Dobuni, under the name of Branogena; but winch, in his map, he calls Brangonum. This last is evidently the same with the name Wrangon, given to Wor- * Vide " Universal History," Vol. xiv., pp. 34. cester by the Welsh ; whence the Saxons changed it to Wrangon ceaster* ; and thence by corruption came its present name.'" And, in page 12, that " Nennius, an ancient British writer, gives a catalogue of the cities of Britain, the sixth of which is Cair Guoranegon, which is almost universally allowed by antiquaries to be our city; and, indeed, it is so called in the ancient British language at the present day." Upon the demolition of the old Saint Clement's Church in this city, Roman coins were found in the rubbish on digging up part of the ancient city wall which stood on the river side of that church ; and one of Domitian was discovered in the excavations for the new houses at Lark Hill Crescent, near Perry Woodf ; one of Valerian, an urbs Iloma, and a silver one, I think of Septimus Severus, upon digging the foundations of Dr. James Nash's house, in the High Street ; and one of Maximian in the excavations for the new Saint Michael's Church, in College Street. Coins have also from time to time been found at Dunn's Gardens ; at The White Ladies, and at various other parts in and about the City, as follows : A coin of Tetricus, discovered in the year 1843, as excavations were being made at the Commandery, in Sidbury ; one of Hadrian, dug up near the Cathedral; one of Trajan found, in the year 1844, upon digging foundations to rebuild the house No. 46, High Street; one of Carausius, discovered in 1844, upon exca- vations being made behind the houses which lie on the north side of College Street and on the south side of Lich Street ; and, in the year 1847, coins of Hadrian and Nero were found, in making a cutting to lay gas pipes in the Com Market. In January 1838, Mrs. Thomas, of The White Ladies, pre- sented a considerable number of Roman brass coins to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, as hav- ing been found at that place and at Cruckbarrow Hill ; among these there are several Greek ones, of brass. For the following * It is spelled Wigornaceaster in the Saxon Chronicle, i)'22, 1041. See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. . r ), r >8. Also see " Alfrick.'' + Vide "Ambrose Florence," page 130. description of them I am indebted to the kindness of J. Y. Aker- man, Esq., Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries*. 1. Titus. IVDEA (CAPTA). Judssa seated under a palm tree. 2. Antoninus C COS. IIII. The 4th Consulship of the Emperor. Security seated. 3. Colonial Imperial of Gordian the Third, struck at Caesarea, in Cappadocia, in the fourth year of that emperor's reign. The reverse has the representation of Mount Argaeus placed on an altar. 4. Gallienus. Re. : PROVIDENTIAE. Providence stand- ing. 5. The like. APOLLONI CONS AVG. A centaur bend- ing a bow. 6. Roman Empress of about the time of Gallineus. Oblite- rated. 7. Claudius Gothicus. Re. : (S)TATORI. 8. Quintillus. Re. : CONCORDIA. A woman holding two standards. 9. Tetricus the Elder. Re. : SPES AVGG. Hope walking. 10. Brass, of Probus. Struck at Alexandria. 11. Diocletian. Re. : CONCORDIA MILITVM. In the exergue, ALE (for Alexandria). The Emperor and Jupiter, supporting between them a figure of Victory. 12. Constantinus. Re. : BEATA TRANQVILLITAS. An altar inscribed, VOTIS. XX. In the exergue, P T R. Struck at Treves. 13. Constantine the Great. Re.: SOLI INVICTO COMITI. Apollo standing. 14. The like. Re.: MARTI CONSERVATORI. Man standing with spear and shield. * This batch also contained several British and foreign Mediaeval and later coins, such as a Philip and Mary, Elizabeth, Charles I., Geneva Civitas 1078, Byzantine, Liard of Louis XIV. of France, and an East Indian ; some of which may have been buried at The White Ladies with the bodies of persons who fell at the battle of Worcester, in 1651. See the subsequent note. 15. Magnentius, with the Christian monogram. ] 6. Brass, of Magnentius. Re. : Victoria augg. et caess. 17. Small brass, of Julian the Apostate. Head of the Empe- ror. Re. : A figure holding a standard. 18. Valentinian. Re.: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE. Victory holding garland and palm branch. 19. Valens. 20. Greek ? Head of Jupiter ? Re. : Male figure holding a standard and the hasta. Greek, of Catania. Head of Ceres. Re. : A tripod. Greek ? Re. : Male figure holding the hasta. Greek. Helmed head. Re. : OPOY (magistrate's name). A female figure. Greek ? Greek, struck at Alexandria. Head of an emperor. Re. : Female figure with turretted crown, standing, holding the hasta. Greek Athens. Helmed head. Re. : Minerva fighting. 27. Greek, of Beotia. Head of Jupiter. Re. : A trident. 28. Greek, of Thebes in Beotia. Head of Neptune. Re. : Trident. 29. Greek, of Beotia. Re. : Trident. 30. Carthage. Female head. Re. : A horse's head. 3 ] . Catania. Head of Ceres. Re. : Upon a drain being made at The White Ladies, in 1842, across the lawn in front of the house, several Roman and Greek coins are said to have been found. The following Roman have been deciphered, viz. : 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 20. Antonia Augusta, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Faustina Augusta, Diva Faustina, Commodus, Crispina, Caracalla, Gallienus, Claudius II. Tetricus, Carausius, Gratian, Brass. Valens, Silver. 8 And the following Greek brass coins, viz. : A coin of the series called uncertain Roman. Obverse Head of Mercury, with the Petasus ; four dots over the head denoting quadrans ; supposed to have been struck in Campania, after its conquest by the Romans. Reverse Roma, over prow of a vessel. Coin of Arpi, in Apulia, anciently called Hippion. Reverse A horse, apfanot. Coin of Augustus, struck at Alexandria. Reverse An Ibis L IH , 18th year. Coin of Hiero II., Syracuse. Reverse A trident, iepg.* Mrs. Thomas kindly presented these last-mentioned Greek coins to me. For the description of them, I am indebted to Albert Way, Esq., and a friend of his. Upon the last-mentioned discovery being made, I was sent for by the late Captain Thomas and Mrs. Thomas, and upon my arrival at The White Ladies, I saw the trench which had been cut through the lawn, and the coins lying on a table in the hall, where they had been placed by the Captain and his Lady, who informed me that they received them from the workmen as they were found in the cutting. Upon my communicating these facts, in the following year, to several numismatists, and showing them the coins, they enter- tained considerable doubt as to the finding of such Greek coins in that locality, and suggested that the workmen might have practised some deception in the matter, I therefore, in December 1843, applied to Mrs. Thomas for any particulars she could give relative to the first-mentioned find of coins ; and in reply she informed me that those coins which she gave to the Worcester- shire Museum, were collected by her late father, Richard Ingram, Esq., who told her that some of them were from time to time dug up at The White Ladies, and that others of them were found in a field adjoining the south-west side of Cruck- barrow Hill, where he intended to have built a houscf; and that * In the earth above the coins, several human skeletons were found, probably the remains of persons killed at the Battle of Worcester, in 1651. + But his death, in 1811, prevented it. 9 upon felling some trees and levelling the ground for that purpose, several of the coins were discovered ; but Mrs. Thomas could not tell whether any of the Greek coins in this first batch were found at Cruckbarrow Hill*, and I should think that they, like the others of that class in the second batch, probably were found at The "White Ladies. There is an account in the " Archseologia "' of 1846 f relative to Greek coins having been found on the site of a Roman villa at Acton Scott, near Church Stretton in Shrop- shire, and the villa from this circumstance is attributed to tho time of Ostorius. This strongly corroborates the case in ques- tion, since The White Ladies ; the supposed fort of Ostorius in Britannia Square, and the supposed Roman iron works at Cinder Point, on the bank of the Severn, are all in a line with each other. Under all the circumstances stated, it seems not improbable that The White Ladies is the site of the Roman governor's house, and that it was so occupied from the time of Ostorius downwards through many generations, the Roman coins found there appearing to indicate such a continuous occupation. There also is a road from Worcester, called Port- field's Road, which begins at the foot of LowesmoorJ, and runs by Harbour Hill and Portfield's Farm towards Elbury Hill, &c. Its name shows that this was a Roman port, or military way||. Having thus detailed all the facts that I could glean, relative to the case, it becomes necessary to enter a little into the ques- tion as to the truth of the finding of such interesting Greek coins at Worcester. The objection, as I understood it, was, that such coins had not been found so far inland in England. We will, therefore, argue first as to the truth of the finding ; and secondly, as to the reasonableness of it, drawn from the fact of its having occurred in the line of the operations of Ostorius. * See title " Bevere Island," as to a Greek silver coin supposed to have been found tliere. A coin of the Consulate was found at the Castle Hill as will be stated in its place. + Vol. xxxi., No. 2, pp. .3:39 to .345. I See hereinafter as to this name. See as to this name in the accounts of Hagley, Hindlip, and Malvern. || The word "port" also means an enclosed place, for sale and purchase, a market. See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 500. 10 Now, with respect to the finding of the first batch, I would ask, is it at all probable that some unknown person did, from time to time, deceive the late Mr. Ingram, through the agency of the workmen ; or that the workmen themselves did from time to time deceive him with these remarkable coins. And with respect to the second batch, is it at all likely that such person, or some other unknown person, did, thirty-one years after the death of Mr. Ingram, find out that Captain and Mrs. Thomas were going to have a drain made hi the front of their house, and took that opportunity to deceive them through the agency of the workmen ; or that the workmen themselves deceived them with such curious coins. And again, is it at all probable that a numismatist would have practised such a deception, or rather such a chain of deceptions, unless to support some favourite theory; but do we find that any theory was advanced upon the subject? In fact, the first batch of coins appears to have remained many years in the possession of the late Mr. Ingram, and afterwards in that of Mrs. Thomas, without being particularly noticed, and their peculiar character was not even dwelt upon until I submitted them to the numismatists, as before stated; although, had I been earlier aware of their peculiar character, I should, in the first edition of this work, have brought them forward as an additional proof of my state- ment, relative to the supposed Fort of Ostorius, in Bri- tannia Square, and the supposed Roman iron works at Cinder Point. Another objection has been raised, which is, that the coins may have belonged to a collector, or collectors, and that they were some time or other buried, either by design, during civil commotions, or by accident, and afterwards dug up again, from time to time, in the manner before stated. Now it possibly might have been so, but in that case they must have been buried in various places. It also is possible that the late Mr. Ingram may have collected some of the first batch of coins from various sources, and added them to those which he said were dug up at The White Ladies and Cruckbarrow Hill ; and in that case the question is, whether the first batch of Greek coins were part of those which were dug up at either of those places. The 11 second batch of coins, however, is much more satisfactory, as they were the subject of investigation as soon as found, and all of them appear to have been either Greek or Koman. With respect to the locality itself, in Nash's " History," Vol. i., p. 209, it is stated that the Nunnery of St. Mary Magdalen, at Whistone, is now called The White Ladies, and that Whiston, or White-stone, is called from a white stone or cross erected there ; and that in William the Conqueror's time this stone was pulled down, and used to build a lavatory for the monks of St. Mary*. In Green's " History of Worcester," Vol. i., it is stated that "a mile being measured northward from the end of the High Street, a stone pile, with carvings, was erected at the mile's end, which was called the White Stonef, and gave name to a district or tithing without the city, called Whit- stones to this day." Having thus pretty well exhausted the subject, both pro and con, relative to The White Ladies' coins, we must now refer to the account of tbe remarkable find of Greek coins at the site of the Roman Villa at Acton Scott, in Shropshire, mentioned at p. 9. It is observable that Acton Scott lay in the range of Ostorius's operations as well as Worcester, and the forts which he constructed on the Severn are said to have run from Uriconium, Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury, to Worcester and Gloucester}. This goes far to prove that the coins found at the one place would naturally correspond with those found at the other. In conclusion, I shall beg leave to quote what Mrs. Frances Stackhouse Acton has said, at the end of her very interesting account relative to the relics and coins found at Acton Scott. " The building fronted the south, and stood on a bank, at the foot of which runs a small stream. The walls were formed of the sandstone of the country, laid in soil, except at the angles and terminations, where mortar was used. They were Heming's Chart, pp. 342, :W) ; anil Thomas's " Worcester Cathedral," A., p. 21. t Or Whitestan, ibid. \ See further as to these forts, under the head Rycknield Street. 12 twenty inches in height, and were not sunk below the floors of the hypocausts; they varied in thickness from two feet three inches to eighteen inches, and were level at top. There was no indication of the superstructure, except that a large quantity of travertine, with mortar attached, and many fragments of tiles, with patterns rudely scored upon their surface, were found in the soil; and I have since seen that the Koman lighthouse within Dover Castle, which is said to have been the work of Ostorius, is built of travertine, flint, with a great deal of mortar, and courses of tiles at intervals, bearing patterns on them very similar to those found here. As Ostorius, according to the relation of history, erected a line of forts on the Severn, and spent some time in conquering the inhabitants of Shropshire and Herefordshire, the coincidence is not without interest. " In the soil were found six Greek coins : one of Neapolis, two of Smyrna, a rare one of Andros, one Egyptian, and one of Parium, in Mysia. " No well authenticated discovery of Greek coins has been recorded as having occurred in England, and some doubt of the fact which I have stated has been expressed. The labourers employed had, however, all worked for me for more than twenty years; they had nothing to gain by imposition, and from the long-established custom of bringing all curiosities to me, I am sure if one of them had posseseed such coins, I should have had them before. I have no suspicion that they could have been placed where they were found by any other person. " We have evidence of the presence of Roman soldiers during the erection of the villa, and it is related that before Claudius visited Britain, he had employed troops to subdue some insurrections of the Lycians and Rhodians, and had restored some Princes of Asia Minor to their kingdoms, who had been unjustly dispossessed by his predecessors ; and may we not, therefore, account for the discovery of these coins by supposing that they may have been brought to England by soldiers who had previously been in the East? I believe their date will justify this supposition. I am indebted to the 13 kindness of Mr. Birch, of the British Museum, for a descrip- tion of these coins." But to return to Worcester. Upon sinking a well, in the year 1844, at the house No. 12, in High Street, belonging to Dr. .lames Nash, there was found, at a depth of about eighteen feet, a small bronze figure of a female, with one leg close behind the other, a wreath or chaplet round her head, her right hand at her mouth, and her left grasping herself behind. This figure, the property of Dr. James Nash, is two inches and seven-tenths long. The limbs are much corroded, and it has very little patina upon it. The Central Committee of the British Archaeological Asso- ciation, before whom it was exhibited, consider it to be of Roman workmanship*. Similar small Roman statues of Mercury, Mars, Ceres, and Apollo, were dug up at Exeter in July 1778, the height of the largest not exceeding four inches and a half. These were considered to be penates, or household godsf. Several penates have also been found at Cirencester*. With respect to who this little image represents, it is possible that the following extract from a work entitled " Mystagogus Poeticus, or the Mvses Interpreter," &c, by Alexander Ross, third edition, 1053 or 1655, p. 148, may throw some light upon the subject. " Angerona was the goddesse of silence at Rome, as Harpo- crates was the god of silence in Egypt ; she was so called from Angina, the squinzie, which causeth silence, and which she had power to send and cure, or she was so called ab ango- ribus, from curing the anguishes and pains of body and mind, and was worshipped in the chappell and on the altar of Volupia the goddesse of pleasure, to show that they who with patience and silence endured the paines and anguishes, at last attained to great pleasure ; her feasts were called Angeronalia, kept about the middle of December; she was painted with a cloth * See " Archaeological Journal," Vol. ii., p. ~. + Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," title " Exeter." + See the work entitled " Illustrations of the Remains of Roman Art in Cirencester," published 1850, p. 111. He is represented with his finger on his lip. 14 about her mouth, and was called the goddesse of (3ov\ri<; teal Kaipwv, of counsell and occasions, because a wise man should be careful of his tongue, counsells and occasions, or of the time*." See further as to Angerona in the Memoir of M. Sichel, Revue Archeologique, at Paris, 8vo., 1846, vol. iii., pp. 224-327, 364--371. This author has figured one as the head of a stylus, or acus crinalis, in p. 369, and others in PL 51, Nos. 1, 2. But in Vol. iv. of the same work, published in 1847, p. 20 and fol- lowing, and p. 140, M. Letronne denies that they represent Angerona at all. It is worthy of remark that all the figures represented in the above work exhibit a position of the hands corresponding to the figure in question, yet they have not the one leg behind the other ; therefore it is pretty clear that the latter is meant for a recumbent figure, and it is depicted as such in the woodcut here given, of the actual size. Under all the circumstances, however, the case appears to require further investigation by antiquaries, as there may still be some question as to whether these figures represent Angerona or not. Camden, in his " Britannia f," says, " Worcester was probably founded by the Romans when they built cities, at proper intervals, on the east side of the Severn, to check the Britons on the other side of the river. It formerly boasted Roman walls. It has now a tolerably strong wall." * Macrob. L. i. ; Sat. c. 10 ; Rosin. L. ii., c. 10, &c, L. iv., c. 1 ; Alex, ab Alex. ; Gen. dier. L. iv. ; Plin., Festus, Turnebus, &c. + Vol. ii., p. 352. Edition 1790. 15 In Britton's " History and Antiquities of Worcester Cathedral*," it is stated that " Dr. Stukeley, who appears to have visited the city and several other places in this part of England, in 17*21, and afterwards published an account of his antiquarian researches in his ' Itinerarium Curiosum,' says, no doubt but this was a Roman city, yet we could find no remains but a place in it called Sudbury, which seems to retain in its name some memorial of that sortf." To this Mr. Britton added, This place is now called Sidbury evidently a corruption of Southbury, or borough. Since Camden, Stukeley, and Green wrote their respective works, a vast mound of earth the keep of the ancient Norman castle, on the south side of the Cathe- dral, has been entirely taken away, and some Roman antiquities were found, in 1833, at or near its base, viz., an urn or jug of red earth, with a handle ; coins of Vespasian, Caligula^, Nero, Tiberius, Adrian, Antoninus Pius, &c. ; and in a field near Upper Deal was discovered another Roman urn, containing twenty copper coins of Carausius. The real extent of the ancient castle cannot now be ascertained ; but the lofty mound called the keep, with its ditches, &c, occupied an area of between three and four acres. The apex of the keep mound measured more than eighty feet above the high-water mark of the Severn, which flowed close to its western base." The above discoveries at the Castle Hill were also noticed in the " Gentleman's Magazine," Vol. i., No. 1, new series for January 1st, 1834 ; and, in addition, it is therein stated that in about the same level as the coins therein mentioned, " were dis- covered a well, curiously quoined with stone, and remains of buildings, which plainly show that the spot was occupied before its artificial elevation for the purpose of forming the donjon keep of Worcester Castle during the middle ages." This hill was composed of sand and gravel, with sandstone foundations as outworks, and Mr. Eaton, who purchased it, and had it removed, has, from time to time, obtained a great many * Page 4. The work was published in 1835. + Bishop Lyttlctun was also of that opinion. \ Not Caligula, but Augustus. It had the shape of a cone harrow. 16 more Roman coins and other relics out of strata of blackish earth, which lay in places principally under, but sometimes also in the hill. I have seen these coins and relics, and they clearly show that the elevation in question was thrown up (partly, at least,) either by the later Romans, upon an old Roman locality, or by the Saxons, Danes, or Normans ; and that the black stratum which contained the coins was the ancient surface of the ground, which had been previously occupied by the Romans*. The hill and its ramparts and fosse are delineated in a map of the city, as it stood at the time of the great battle, in 1651. The Roman coins collected by Mr. Eaton at this locality amount to between eighty and ninety in number. The following is a list of those made out. Augustus 1 in number. Tiberius 1 Claudius 1 7 Three of them are good. Nero 1 A very fine coin. Vespasian 2 One rather fine. Titus 1 Rather good. Hadrian 1 Antoninus Pius 1 Faustina 1 1 A beautiful coin. Diva Faustina 1 Marcus Aurelius 1 Obverse good. Julia Mamaea 1 The like. Gordian III 1 Posthumus 1 Victorinus 3 Claudius II 2 Tetricus 3 Aurelian 1 Maximian 1 Carausius 5 Obverse of two rather good. Allectus 1 Constantine 1 Reverse rather fine. Urbs Roma 1 Valens 1 Gratian 3 Focas 1 * Part of the hill, probably, was formed of the materials excavated when the fosse was made, which ran from the hill to near where Edgar's Tower now stands. 17 And four or five caked together in a mass of oxidation. Also a silver coin with two portraits on the obverse, one partially behind the other (which is said to have arisen from a second stroke with the die). The reverse exhibits a horse galloping towards the left ; it is of the latter part of the Consulate*. There was also found in the same place half a Saxon silver penny of iEthelred II. f, con- taining the hand of Providence on the reverse. A very fine and perfect silver coin of Cnut. Obverse The head of the king, with the sceptre : legend, CNVT HEX. Reverse The Saxon cross, with the inscription, ELWINE ON WIHR, meaning that Elwine in Worcester was the mint-master. Portions of another coin of Cnut. Obverse Head of the monarch, with CNVT RECX. Reverse LEOFWI [N] E ON LVN ( ) London ; and a silver coin of Eadgar. Likewise a silver coin and half another of one of the Henrys. A silver coin of one of the Edwards, and another of Charles the First ; several Irish and other copper farthings of the latter monarch, and Irish copper coins of James the Second ; also coins of several other English monarchs ; various tradesmens' and abbey copper tokens ; also Scottish coins and Nuremberg tokens, which no doubt were brought here in the civil wars, in Charles's time. These latter coins are very frequently found in and about the City. But to return to the Roman relics. The rest of the Roman coins found in the hill are either so decayed or so worn that I can- not decipher them ; but the principal part have the iron crown. The latter coins in the list tend to show that the hill probably was thrown up, principally, at least, in the time of the later Romans; perhaps partly by Constantius and Constantine, and partly afterwards, to strengthen the south side of the City, and to communicate with the Kempsey camp, where a memorial of Constantine has been found. The other interesting relics which Mr. Eaton collected at the hill, he has kindly allowed me to make drawings of. The principal * In the first edition, I stated that it probably was a Greek eolonial one. + This was cut through, ami each half donbtless passed a-- a halfpenny. IB part of them are seen in the accompanying Plate I., all of the actual size, except the celt, urn, and bell. No. 1. An ancient British bronze celt, found in black soil within the base of the hill. It is four inches long, and one and two-eighths wide, and one inch thick in the centre. It has four parallel indents on each side. The greatest part of the loop is broken off, and part of the head. Several of the celts engraved in the first volume of Camden, page ccvi., resemble the one in question in many respects, except that they have not any of the indents. No. 2. A Roman urn or jug. Nine inches and a half high, twenty-four inches in circumference round the middle, ten inches and a half round the foot, eight inches round the narrowest part of the neck, and eleven inches and a half round the mouth. It is in the finest state of preservation, and was found about sixteen or eighteen feet deep in the hill, and about a third of the way up it. There are several nearly resembling it in Montfaucon's work on Grecian and Roman Antiquities, Vol. iii., Part I. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Roman brass fibulae or brooches--. Eight are of the bow shape, but of different patterns, and the other is circular}-. The acus is entire to those numbered 3 and 10. Fragments of the acus of most of the others are also in the collection. The fibula, No. 3, is very large, and weighs nearly an ounce and a half. It looks something like a Roman galley, and has a single moulding round the edge, a double one along the front (which is the lower side of the drawing), and a dotted one along the middle. The front view is given of the fibula, No. 6, with the fragment of the acus appearing behind. There are several patterns of fibulae in Montfaucon's workj, but none exactly like these in question. The whole were found in the black stratum under the hill, the largest one near the outside of it. * Vide general observations relative to fibulae, in the account of Kempsey. + It is possible that this fibula is Anglo-Saxon, as it corresponds with types of that period. The peasantry, in my younger days, used to wear rather similar ones made of pewter as shirt brooches. I Vol. iii., Part I., p. 40, &c. Plate. 1 pM Anti'quftukr firm Ifu C. 22 nail instruments, "the divided lower extremities serving to extract dirt from beneath the nails, whilst the hole in the top would allow it to be suspended or tied up, perhaps with other articles of a similar nature*." The bronze tweezers from the Castle Hill are most probably either Roman or Anglo-Saxon; for one of the Cirencester relics, figured in the above-mentioned work, p. 105, is a pair of tweezers, with what is therein considered a nail instrument attached. The following is the description given : "A pair of well-formed tweezers, like our modern instrument of the name, has an iron axis through its rounded top, upon which the nail instrument freely moves ; this is an exceedingly simple instrument, and, like all of its kind from Corinium, is simply ornamented with engraved lines or circles." Now it is worthy of remark, that the Castle Hill tweezers have a bronze axis through the rounded top, upon which probably was attached an instrument similar to the one mentioned above, which may have been either a nail instrument or a comb-cleaner, or both. In the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. viii., p. 188, a very similar pin to the one in question (with a head of green stone) is figured, and described by Mr. Buckman as having lately been found at Cirencester. There are some Roman tweezers in the British Museum. It is also observable that in a rather scarce work, published by Thomas Browne, M.D., in 1658, and entitled, " Hydriotaphia, Urn-burial, or a Discourse of the Sepulchrcll Umes lately found in Norfolk," in a field of Old Walsingham, the author, in pp. 14, 23, refers to brazen nippers to pull away hair, as found in the urns. In the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. v., pp. 235, 230, there is a lithographic engraving, and also an account of Roman tweezers of bronze with an ear-pick appended, found at Cbesterford. Amongst numerous Anglo-Saxon sepulchral relics found at Little Wilbraham, Co. Cambridge, exhibited by the Hon. * One with an pye was found at Droitwich with Roman relics, and then thought to have been the acus of a fibula. See under " Droitwich." 23 R. C. Neville at the Society of Antiquaries, 14th January, 1852. was a pair of bronze tweezers, with an ear-pick attached to it. Before leaving the Castle Hill, I must notice that the workmen found several genera of recent species of sea shells in the native gravel bed under the hill, which are in Mr. Eaton's possession, namely, Turritella, Murex Erinaceus, Buccinum Macula, and Purpura Lapillus. These correspond with some of the several genera of recent species of marine shells which I procured, through the workmen, from the bottom of the gravel beds at Kempsey, Powick, and Bromwich Hill, near this city, all which latter shells, Sir R. I. Murchison, has noticed in his work on the Silurian System*, in proof that an ancient arm of the sea formerly divided England from Wales. Since that work was published I have obtained Turritella and Cardium from Bromwich Hill; Purpura Lapillus and Turbo Littoreus from Kempsey ; and Turritella from the gravel bed at Northwick ; which last place lies up the Severn, within about a mile of this city. In the vale between Worcester and Elbury Hill is a farm called " Port Fields Farm," in the parish of Claines ; the road from it to Worcester (which runs partly in the parish of St. Martin and partly in Claines) is called the " Port Fields Road." Tins name, as before statedf, proves it to have been a Roman port, or military way. The owner of the farm, Mr. John Trevis, informed me that it is called by the above-mentioned name in the earliest of his title deeds, which run back to the time of Henry VIII. About fifty or sixty years ago it got the nick-name of " Skelton's Barn," from the corpse of a person who committed suicide having been found in the barn. The road runs on eastward from this farm, by the " Virgin's Tavern," between Leppard and Elbury Hills, and towards Warndon and the Trench Woods. A supposed Roman hypocaust was discovered at the hill, by Sidbury ; tbe particulars of which are as follow : In January 181:}, as the workmen of Mr. Holland, builder, were making an excavation for a building yard, in the marl bank, Vide Vol. i., pp. 5:12, 533, 534, 554. + See p. 0. u just above Sidbury Place, on the south side of the London Road, opposite the Fort Royal, an ancient square underground apartment was discovered. Its walls consisted of bricks and tiles, in alternate courses, set in marly clay ; the south-east corner being about seven feet high. There was a double course of tiles between each course of bricks in the walls to the height of about three feet four inches from the floor, and then they ran in single courses of tiles and bricks to the top*. The foot of the high and solid marl bank was excavated in a very square and even manner, to encase the walls of the apartment. These walls, which were eleven inches thick, had been subjected to considerable, although not excessive heat (as they were not vitrified) ; their interior was quite black, and the marl against them much pul- verized by heat. The north and south sides of the apartment were each ten feet wide, and the east and west sides eleven feet. The entrance was at the north side, next the road, and appeared to have been of the whole width of the apartment, except that the wall was nine inches thicker at each side of the entrance, forming square sections of pillars which were two feet four inches broad. The floor was paved with a double course of bricks which were very black. The under course did not reach to the walls by about nine inches on the east, west, and south sides, the inter- vening part being marl ; but the upper course of bricks, covered the whole of the floor, and the flooring came out beyond the entrance about two feet six inches, and terminated at a slight trench. The marl under the floor was also much pulverized by the heat to which it had been subjected. The apartment was only three yards distant from the road, and the floor was upon a level with the road, or nearly so. The covering of the apartment had fallen in, perhaps ages back, and the whole was filled up with bricks, tiles, and earth. In the soil near the western side of the apartment, but unconnected with it, a fragment of a sandstone Gothic moulded shaft was found, and also a piece of blue lime- stone Gothic tracery ; both in the early English style. A Dutch cupper coin, with the name Hollandca upon it, was also discovered * These alternate courses very much resembled those in the Roman pharos al Dover Castle. See "Old England," Vol. i., p. 27. 25 between the marl and the western wall, to which place it had probably slipped from the upper part of the bank, as the workmen were demolishing that wall, it being evidently of a much later date than the apartment; and foreign copper coins, principally Dutch and German, are frequently dug up in and about this city. The bricks of the walls and of the floor of the apartment were nine inches long, four inches and a half wide, and two inches thick ; and the tiles in the walls were twelve inches long, six inches and a half wide, and about three quarters of an inch thick. There were also some bricks in the walls which were only one inch and a half thick. Upon first seeing the apartment, I was inclined to think that it was an ancient military oven, erected outside the walls of the City, at a short distance (about 220 yards) from Sidbury gate, to supply such troops with bread as might be stationed on the adjoining heights, now called the Fort Royal, &c. ; but the late Harvey Eginton, Esq., architect, having examined the apartment with me, suggested that it might have been a Roman hypocaust ; and its height, situation, and ancient appearance, strongly favoured that opinion. I was informed that there was a flue-hole through the top of the wall, at the south-east corner of the apartment, at which a flue might have passed to warm the rooms above ; but the top of that corner was broken down by the workmen before I saw it. Whatever other flue-holes there might have been were destroyed when the covering fell in, in days of yore, which brought down all the upper part of the walls, except the corner in question*. The two fragments of stone, in the early English style of architecture, most probably were part of a chapel, which must have formerly stood hereabouts ; for Leland, who made his " Itinerary " in the reign of Henry "VIII., soon after the dissolution of the religious houses, states, " There is a fayre suburb without Sudbury Gate. There is in this suburb a Chappel of St. Godwald. What this St. Godwald was I could not certainly learne. Some sayd he was a bishop." At the top of the height, above the spot in question, called * The above particulars 1 communicated to the Worcester Journals, in January 181'?. 26 Green Hill (which lies opposite the Fort Royal or Park), there was, till lately, a considerable mound of earth, most probably the site of the fort erected by King Stephen on the London Road, when he laid siege to Worcester Castle. It may, however, have been much more ancient. The other fort which he built was on the Bath Road : the mound on which it stood has also been removed. In an old trench at the top of the ridge, between the supposed hypocaust and the mound, an ancient British coin was dug up by Mr. Holland's workmen, and also Roman coins of Alexander Severus, Gallienus, Victorious, and Tetricus the younger. The ancient British coin is of common type, and I am informed that it cannot be appropriated to any particular chief, nor as yet to any particular district. The obverse of it probably represents a head, and its reverse exhibits a horse galloping towards the left. (See the woodcut.) This is the only ancient British coin which has come to my knowledge as having been found at Worcester. Some of the tiles found in the supposed hypocaust have a groove or channel across them. Several of these tiles I exhibited at a meeting of the Archaeological Institute. Some of the members considered that they were Roman roofing and paving tiles, and that the grooves or channels might possibly have been made to receive either the recurve of Roman flanged tiles, or to carry off the water, or they might have been to enable workmen to break them in half when needed*. The mortar or cement in which they were set still adhered to them, containing much pounded brick, and this was considered a further proof of the workmanship being Roman. In the " Journal of the Archaeo- logical Institutef," these tiles are described as Anglo-Roman ; and * hi this latter case, they might either have heen paving tiles or wall tiles. + Vol. vii., pp. 302, ;103. 27 it is further added, " The fragments exhibited presented some unusual peculiarities of fabrication, some of these tiles having been deeply grooved, in a manner differing from the scoring of common occurrence, serving to retain the mortar firmly : another tile, apparently for roofing, was formed with a knob at top, as a means of attachment. Lyon, in the ' History of Dover Castle,' speaks of wall-tiles in the Roman pharos, formed witb hemispherical knobs at the angles ; but this contrivance is unusual." The fragments of the tiles in question are so imperfect, that it is impossible to say decidedly whether the channels ran along or across them ; the former was most probably the case, as they are in the middle of the lengthwise centre of the tiles, but would not be quite in the middle crosswise*. As Sidbury, or Southburyf, lies on the south side of Worcester, it is probable that it was so called from its position in regard to the City. There is a Saxon charter, dated a.d. 903, in MS., Cotton, Tiberius A. XIII.}, which seems to establish this view. It is a grant from Bishop Oswald to Cynethegu, of two and a half manses or hides of laud, at Oddingley, in Worcestershire. The charter goes on to say, " Thonne is ealles thais landes the oswold bisceop bocath cynethegne, thrinde healf hid and VI. aeceras at haranlea and XL. aecera be eastan Lawern, and sc haga be suthan byrig se is XII. gerda lang and IX. gcnla brand," &c. That is, in English, " This is the whole of the land which Bishop Oswald gave to Cynethegn, two and a half hides, and six acres at Harley, and forty acres east of Lawern, and the enclosure by the south beorb, [or borough,] which is twelve yards long and nine yards broad." * See the " Arclncologia," Vol. xxx., Appendix, p. 537, relative to channelled bricks found in Roman foundations at Thornlinm, near Maidstone, in Kent. + Leland, Habingdon, and others, wrote it " Sudbury," and it is so spelled in Siixton and Speeds' Map of 1(110, and also in the map in " Boscobel." * Printed in "Cod. Diplom.," No. 507, which work also mentions Suthbyrig (Sudbury), in Suffolk, Nos. OSS, (i!)!>. 28 In a survey of the Forest of Feckenham, 28th Edward I.*, the name is spelled Southburi. There are frequent instances of towns similarly designated on account of their position. Sidbury, or Chidbury Hill, in Wiltshire a vast oval fortification, encompassed with two deep ditches lies south of Everley. (Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 158.) There are also Sidbury in Devon and Salop, Sudbury in Derbyshire and Suffolk, and Southbury (Chapelry) in Kent. In the " Worcester Miscellany " for 1829, it is contended that Sidbury, like Silbury Hill, in Wiltshire, is of ancient British origin, and derived from the Keltic word Sul, the Sun ; and that the adjoining heights (now called the Fort Royal, or Park) were dedicated to the worship of Sul, or the Sun, the Keltic Apollo. This etymology, however, appears to be invalidated, for in early times it was designated as above. Still the " bury," or " burrow," most probably was of ancient British or Roman origin; for the Saxons thus distinguished the fortified places of the Britons and Romans. In September 1844, several Roman and other relics were found at Diglis, near Worcester, the particulars of which I com- municated to the Worcester journals in that month nearly as follows : At the south part of the cutting, across the meadow at Diglis, for the Severn Navigation Lock, at the depth of about twenty feet in the alluvial soil, were portions of small trees, bushes, and hazel nuts, intermingled with fragments of stags' horns and bones ; a little nearer to the river, southward, at the depth of about twenty-five feet, portions of an oak tree ; and still nearer the river, at the depth of about thirty feet, a great number of bones of the deer kind, and of short-honied cattle f and other animals, together with fragments of Roman urns and pans of red earth, and a piece of Samian ware ; a little nearer to the river, at the same depth, the horns and part of the skull * See Nash, Vol. i., Introduction, p. 65. + A small extinct ox, the Bos longifrons of Mr. Owen ; fragments of the bones of which I sent to him. See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vi., pp. :>4, 35, and 127. 29 of a stag or red deer (Cervus elaphus), weighing twenty-one pounds*. Alongside of this latter relic, was part of the under- jaw of a horse, and a smaller antler ; also the greater part of a fine Roman urn, of slate-coloured potteryf, eight inches high, and twenty- six in circumference (see the woodcut here represented). It seems probable that there were Eoman or Roman British pottery works near to the spot in ques- tion, like those discovered on the border of the Severn at Bow Farm, in the parish of Ripple J ; and it is worthy of remark that the Diglis pottery, both red and slate-coloured, exactly corresponds in character with that discovered in the Roman burial-ground at Kempsey||. A coin of Marcus Aurelius was also found at the cutting. It appears to me that there was an ancient dyke at the spot, and that the rill of water which ran into the Severn having, in ages past, been diverted into another channel, the dyke became gradually filled up by the alluvium occasionally deposited upon the plains by the floods of the river, and thereby all the relics were buried at the great depth at which they lay ; in proof of this, it may be remarked that the stratum on which they rested was muddy grit, The antlers of the stag, or red deer, I presented to the British Museum, affixed upon a block of the oak tree. + Antiquarians have been in much doubt how such pottery was coloured. Perhaps the following extract from the " Archaeological Journal " (Vol. i. p. 280), relative to a communication from Mr. Edmund Tyrell Artis, as to a Roman pottery-kiln discovered in the vicinity of Castor, in Northamptonshire, will throw some light upon the subject The kiln " appears to have been used for making the bluish-black or slate-coloured kind of pottery, so frequently met with wherever Roman remains are found in England. This colour, Mr. Artis has ascertained, was imparted to the pottery by suffocating the fire of the kiln, at the tune when its contents had reached the proper state of heat to ensure a uniform colour." Also see " Remains of Roman Art in Cirencester," pp. 78, 79, relative to how the colour was produced by chemical action. J See Ripple. || See Kempsey. 30 such as wo find at the bottom of water- courses ; and my opinion is, that in the Roman time the Blockhouse stream, and other rills from the adjacent heights, ran into the Severn at the point in question. In some proof of this, the black seam pointed that way through the whole width of the south part of the cutting. It would have taken an immense time for these relics to have been buried upon the surface of a level plain by the alluvium, at the depth they were ; for it will appear in the accounts of Pitchcroft and Ripple, that the alluvium upon the level plains on the borders of the Severn has only accumulated about four feet since the Roman time. Several of the fragments of the oak tree, before mentioned, still retain the bark. Fragments of bark also appear upon the oak coffin of a supposed ancient British chieftain, preserved in the Scarborough Museum, the particulars of which I commu- nicated to the Society of Antiquaries*. In the same year (1844), about a mile and a half below Wor- cester, and half a mile below the Diglis Lock, a bronze spear-head of very unusual shape was dredged up by some workmen employed in the improvement of the navigation of the Severn. It is ten inches and a half long, two inches and three quarters broad, and weighs eight ounces. A woodcut of it, as here repre- sented, was given in the " Archaeological Journal," Vol. ii., p. 187. It is there stated to be of " remarkable form and singular fashion, the blade being flat, and of greater breadth than usual ; terminating at the lower extremity in a shape more resembling the barbed head of an arrow, than the head of a long-handled weapon." It is figured in the " Proceedings of the Archaeological Institute at York, 1846," p. 39, plate v., fig. 4, and noticed in p. 34 of that work. It was also exhibited at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries of London, 29th May, 1851, when a * Vide " Archseologia," Vol. xxx., pp. 45^ to 402. 31 paper was read by Mr. Akerman " On some of the Weapons of the Celtic and Teutonic races." There is some difference of opinion as to the use to which this remarkable and probably unique spear-head was applied. Some suppose it to have been a war spear, others a fish spear. If it were a long-handled war spear, it is open to the objection that it could not have been withdrawn if thrust into an enemy beyond the barb ; it seems therefore probable that it was a missile spear. The length of the blade would have been an objection to it as a fish spear ; and Dion Cassius, Lib. lxxvi., says the Britons did not eat fish, although the sea abounded with them ; still, however, they may have caught and cured* fish as an article of barter with the Phoenicians and Gaulsf. In the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. v., p. 342, various forms of Greek and* Roman spears are represented with the amentum, or leathern thong, tied to the middle of the shaft, which was of assistance in throwing the spear ; but none there delineated have the barb. And in p. 339 of that Journal, there is a quotation made from Herodotus, who, in V. 49 of his work, states that the barbarians " carry bows and a short spear." In the " Art Journal," No. 150, June 1851, p. 170, there is copied from the " Harleian MS.," No. 003, the figure of an Anglo-Saxon horseman whose spear is barbed ; the head of it is not lengthy, like the one in question, but is short like that of an arrow. The following is a woodcut of a bronze spear-head in the British Museum which was purchased in London, and is noticed in the manu- script book entitled, " Acquisitions of Antiquities," 1847-1848, as * See m the " Account of Droitwich," as to the probability that the ancient Britons not only used salt, but made the Saltways. + See a wood-cut of another spear-head, in the account of Kenipsey. 32 follows, " Spear-head or sword ; flat, leaf-shaped Made, the edges turned up ; there is no ferrule, but a barbed spike to insert it into a shaft or handle. It is one foot two inches and a half long." It will appear by the woodcut that this weapon is very narrow in proportion to the Worcester one. These are the only specimens of barbed spears which have come to my knowledge. In the year 1847, a curious leaden chest was found near Worcester, the particulars of which I communicated to the Archaeological Institute ; and the same appeared in their Journal--, as follows : " At the south end of the tunnel of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton railway, at Eainbow Hill, close by Worcester, portions of lead and wood, which apparently had formed a little reliquary or chest, were, in the year 1847, found by the excavators in a mass of earth, which fell down into the excavation. This box is said to have lain about eight or ten feet deep in the earth. It measured, taking the largest piece of lead as a guide, twelve inches long and seven inches broad ; it may, however, be questionable whether the smaller plate of lead was an end-piece or a plate at the top of the box. Its length exactly corresponds with the breadth of the largest piece. The box possibly may have been the depository of a heartf. The lead is perforated with an immense quantity of nails, by which it was attached to the wooden box, the thickness of which was con- siderable. A few days after the workmen had brought me the remains of the box, one of them furnished me with a small silver coin of Queen Mary, found, as he stated, in the mass of earth which had fallen down with the box ; there is, however, no evidence that the box and the coin are of the same age." To which the editor of the " Archaeological Journal " added as follows : " It may deseiwe notice, that the Saxon coins and ornaments discovered in Cuerdale, as also the collection of coins of the Conqueror, found at Beaworth, Hants, had been deposited in small leaden cists. Several instances might be cited of the * Vol. iv., p. 140. t See an account of heart-burial in a leaden pot in " Hone's Every Day Book and Table Book," Vol. iii., Tart 2, p. 210. 33 interment of a human heart in such a receptacle, in mediaeval times ; and similar sepulchral deposits, of more remote antiquity, have been found in England. A cubical leaden cist, measuring eighteen inches square, was discovered in the parish of Donning- ton, Sussex, during the formation of the canal between the river Arun and Portsmouth. Within it was found enclosed a glass vessel, containing bones and ashes. Interments of an analogous character have been noticed in the north-western parts of France." Subsequently to the discovery of the chest*, I made repeated inquiries at Eainbow Hill, in order to ascertain whether any coins or other relics had been found there by the workmen, but without success. In the review of the first edition of this work in the " Gentle- man s Magazinef," it is remarked, " There is, in our opinion, no necessity to hesitate in pronouncing Worcester a Roman station of importance, placed from an early period as a link in the military defences on the left or eastern bank of the Severn. This defensive line may be traced at a glance from Uriconium, Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury, on the north, through the Brano- vinium of Antonine, which was the Caer Brangon or Vran- gon of the Britons, the Saxon Wrangonceaster, softened to Wor- cester ; and proceeding southward to Glevum, Gloucester. Now these three places, exclusive of tangible remains, bear the indu- bitable stamp of a Roman origin in the distinctive appellation, ' ceaster,' so commonly affixed to the Roman castra or military forts by the Saxons." Dr. Nash, in page cvii. of the appendix to his second volume, says: " To speak my mind freely, I do not take Worcestershire to be any part of the Cornavii, but of the Dobuni ; nor do I think the city of Worcester had a being in the Roman times, for there are no footsteps of any Roman ways leading to this city, nor are there any coins or antiquities found in any quantity^;. All This chest I gave to the museum of the Archaeological Institute. + For November 1840, p. 509, &c. * So little were the antiquities of the county known a century ago, that the map of Worcestershire, in Herman Moll's maps of England and Wales, published in 1747, is decorated round it with antiquities belonging to the neighbouring counties, because this county did not supply any. ]> 34 betwixt the Avon and the Severn was formerly thick and wild wood- land. The Arden of Warwickshire joined to that of Feckenham, in this county, which, with the forest of Ombersley, included all the north part of the county between the Stour and Severn, quite down to Worcester ; and the forest of Horewell, southward, ex- tended from Sudbury gate to within a mile of Tewkesbury." He also added : " Some have imagined that the Romans would not neglect so fine and navigable a river as the Severn, but would certainly follow the course of it from Gloucester ; but at that time the Severn was not navigable about Worcester, it being used chiefly for fishing, there being, long after the time of the Romans, three wears within two miles of Worcester; Revere, Rarbourne, and Timberdine." This view, however, is disproved by the numerous Roman coins and relics which have been discovered in and near Worcester since the Doctor wrote his History. At Kempsey, not far from this city, in the line between it and Tewkesbury, the sites of a Roman camp and burial-ground have been discovered. A little further on, at Ripple, the site of a Roman pottery ground. In the parish of Ombersley the site of a Roman camp and pottery works have been brought to light ; and Roman relics at Droit- wich ; and within three miles of Worcester, on the north-west side, there is a place called Oldbury*, situated in the parish of St. John, near Rroadheath and Crowneast (vulgarly called Crowsnest). This place has not been noticed by Dr. Nash ; but in his account of the parish of Halesowen, he states that the name of the place there called Oldbury denotes that there was a Roman camp or station in that localityf. Oldbury is a fine, open, upland situation, just such a one as the Romans would have selected ; it commands a full view from the * There is a place called Oldbury Gardens at Tewkesbury, where Roman coins and relics are frequently dug up ; vide Bennett's History of that place, page 17. Also see Notices of Tewkesbury, Oldbury, and Halesowen. f Vide further notices relative to the antiquities in the neighbourhood of Worcester, in the subsequent account of the Western Trackway from Tewkes- bury, through Worcester, to Droitwich ; and in the other ancient lines of road to and from Worcester. 35 highest part, called Oldbury Hill*, of Worcester, and of Tutnall, Elbury, and Cruckbarrow Hills, which flank the city on the north- east, east, and south-east ; of Bredon Hill, on the south-east ; and of the Malvern, Old Storage, Ankerdine, Berrow, Woodbury, and Abberley Hills, on the south-west, west, and north-west ; and it appears to be the highest ground in that part between the above ranges. From what has been said, it is clear that this county was not so much covered with wood in the time of the Romans as Dr. Nash imagined ; and the wears referred to by him upon the Severn may have been constructed in later times, as the Cinder Point iron works tend to prove that the navigation of the river was free during the time of the Roman dominion. ANCIENT BRITISH PERIOD. That Worcester, or the heights on the east side of it, were regularly inhabited by the ancient Britons, will, I think, clearly appear in my subsequent description of the chain of hills from Cruckbarrow to Tutnall. The following remarks in relation to Lowesmoor may also tend to throw some light upon the subject f : It is stated in p. 9 that there is a place on the eastern side of Worcester, adjoining Port Fields Road (which leads to Harbour, and Elbury Hills), called Lowesmoor. Now this name, if correct, indicates that ancient lowest or barrows, stood there. In Saxton and Speed's " Map of the City and County of Worcester," published in 1610, and in the map contained in the work called " Boscobel," the part called Lowesmoor is represented as con- sisting almost entirely of open fields, lying on the north-east side * " An appellation almost always connected with Roman occupation, and in this instance probably the castra testiva, or summer quarters of the garrison of Worcester." See " Gentleman's Magazine" for November 1840, p. 510. + Also see what has been said as to Sidbury, at p. 20. * Or lows. Intitled, " An exact Ground Plot of the City of Worcester as it stood fortified 3rd September, 1051." See the third edition of that work, published in 10*O. of St. Martin s Gate*. Supposing barrows to have been there, the first question is, whether they belonged to the ancient Britons, to the Romans, or to the Anglo-Saxons ; however, it seems most probable they were either ancient British or Anglo-Saxon, since it appears that the usual manner of the Romans was to bury without a tumulusf. The next point to be discussed is the etymology of Lowesmoor. Was it the moor of the barrows, or the moor of a person called Lowe? According to Nash's " History," Vol. i., p. 203, it was spelled Losemore, in the time of Edward I.; and in the 19th " Further Report of the Commissioners for Inquiring concerning Charities " (p. 508), it is stated that in a deed, dated in the second year of Elizabeth, a piece of land, called " The Fort," is described as situated in Windmill Field, near Little Losemore and Great Losemore. In a lease, granted by the Bishop of Wor- cester in 1668, it is spelled Losemoore ; in another lease (1751), Losemore ; while a map of Worcester, by John Doharty (1741), has it Lowsemoor; and a map by G. Young (1779), Lowesmere. These are the earliest mentions of the name I have succeeded in discovering, and from them it appears that the etymology is uncertain. In the absence, however, of further evidence, it may reasonably be inferred, from the ancient British localities which surround it, that it owes its designation to the lowes or barrows which it contained. SAXON PERIOD. In connection with this period, there is a most interesting and unique Saxon gold coin of Edward the Confessor, found at Wor- cester, when the church of St. Clement was being taken down. It belonged to Thomas Henry Spurrier, Esq., of Edgbaston, near Birmingham, now deceased. This coin has been examined by some of the first numismatists in the kingdom, and is declared to * The map in " Boscobel " represents Frog Gate as lying near St. Martin's Gate. Other maps, afterwards published, give Frog Gate, but omit its name. It appears, however, by " Saxton and Speed's Map," that Frogge Gate and Frog^e Mill were near the Severn. + See Notices of Knnpsey and Powick. 37 be genuine. It is said to be the only Saxon gold coin which has been found*. It is hi a high state of preservation, and weighs fifty-four grains and a quarter. On the obverse there is a quarter side-face portrait of the king, with a sceptre, and the inscription, " EDWERD REX," in Saxon characters. On the reverse, there is the name of the minter, and the place where it was minted, as follows : " LYFINC ON WIRING." This Wserinc is by some supposed to mean Warwick, by others Worcester. (See the woodcuts of the obverse and reverse of the coin here represented.) Dr. Nasb, in his " Historyf," speaking of St. Clement's Church, says : " This church was built by the Saxons after they had fortified the city against the incursions of the Britons. The parish to which it belongs lies on the other side of the river Severn ; and there is a monkish tradition, that it was begun to be built on the side of the river where the parish lies, but that angels, by night, took away the stones to the place where it now stands ; but the true reason why it was there built, was for its security ; that, whatever fate their houses might meet with, their church might be safe from the devastations of their enemies. It has, at the west end of it, the remains of a bulwark, and a gate by it, which openeth upon the Severn, above the bridge, called ' St. Clement's Gate.' " I give the above extract, because it strongly bears upon the subject. This ancient church was taken down about twenty-five years ago, and rebuilt on the other side of the river. Some portions of the old walls still remain, containing circular arches ; these, M. H. Bloxam, Esq., of Rugby, describes as early Norman. It appears, from his work on "Gothic Ecclesiastical Architec- * Hut sen infra. I Vol. ii., Appendix, p. 128. 38 ture," published in 1838, that there are very few specimens of Saxon buildings remaining in the kingdom, and that it is a common mistake to call all erections Saxon which contain circular arches. Perhaps, therefore, the whole of this church was early Norman, or rather of the time of Edward the Confessor, when Norman architecture began to be introduced. This view appears to be favoured by the circumstances relative to the finding of the coin above mentioned. Some writers state that the tower of this church, which was united to the city wall, was beaten down by the Cromwellites. In a view of the City, engraved in 1732, for Buck's " Views," the then bridge is represented as abutting close upon the old St. Clement's Church ; and in an old map, which probably was a reprint from that in the work called " Boscobel," the bridge and the city wall close to the original rz^~^ delaM'> tte: tower of the church, together with the bulwark referred to by Dr. Nash, are all represented. The following notice with respect to this church (of which see 39 the woodcut) appeared in the " Archaeological Journal* : " " Mr. Wright exhibited a drawing of part of the ruins of old St. Clement's Church at Worcester, which was pulled down a few years ago when the new church of St. Clement was built. They have the apparent character of very early Norman work, and the church itself appears to have been an ancient structure. The arches, though in character early Norman, might be of the reign of Edward the Confessor, when Norman arts and customs were introduced rather largely into England." But to return to the coin. In the course of the year 1837, several papers appeared in the " Numismatic Quarterly Journal," and " Gentleman's Magazine," respecting it. The principal question appears to have been, whether it really was struck for circulation, or as a kind of medal or curiosity ; some numis- matists regard it as a piece struck in gold from the die of the penny of Edward the Confessor. Another point has arisen as to where this coin was minted : and the question is, whether Waerinc means Warwick or Worcester. Green, in his History of the City, and Nash, in his History of the County of Worcester, have given an engraving f of a coin of Edward the Confessor]:, with the word Warinc upon it, amongst the Anglo-Saxon and English coins which they say were minted at Worcester. It has been asserted that this word forms the first two syllables of the Saxon name of this city ; on the other hand, it is contended that Wcerinc means Warwick ; a gentleman of that opinion stated, in a letter to me, that Camden, " although a great antiquary, knew but very little about numismatics, and * Of the British Archaeological Association, Vol. i., pp. 261, 262. f III the former work, No. 10, Vol. ii., p. 113; and in the latter, No. 4, Vol. i. Intr., p. 91. X Obverse Eadward Rex. Reverse Purcl on Wcerinc. Vide Camden's " Britannia," Vol. i., p. 173, in explanation of coin, No. 29, in Plate 2, of Saxon coins in that work. The last-mentioned coin is one of Canute and contains the word Verin, which Camden has set down as Worces- ter : p. 175, of the first volume of that author, has also been cited in proof that Edward the Confessor did coin money in this city. 40 frequently assigned coins to the wrong monarchs." He gave some instances to that effect, and added, that " the Saxon names for Worcester are Wigea, Wihr, Wir, Win, Wice, Wiger, Wigr, Wiher, Wihre, Wihri ; while the names for Warwick are Wearwi, Warinc, Waerhica, Verinew, Weric, Werin, and Waerinc." This shows that several of the Anglo-Saxon coins which Dr. Nash and Mr. Green have described as minted at Worcester, must have been minted at Warwick*. Camden f says: "The question whether the Saxon kings coined any gold is yet undetermined. The latest controversy on the subject between Mr. Pegge and Mr. North was not so much on the general question, as whether the coins produced by the former were genuine, which Mr. North argued they could not be, on account of the great deficiency in weight}." DANE SKINS. I must now advert to the very curious fact, that vestiges of human skin might be seen attached to the north doors of Wor- cester Cathedral as late as forty years ago, when those doors were replaced by new ones. The extraordinary spectacle I myself frequently saw before the doors were removed. The particulars of the case, and of the existence of the doors in the crypt of the cathedral to this day, I mentioned to Albert Way, Esq., who thereupon communicated a very interesting paper upon the subject of " Danes' Skins " to the Archaeological Institute (Vide " Journal," Vol. v., pp. 185 to 19'2). This paper, which he has kindly allowed me to subjoin, is as follows : * See " Gentleman's Magazine " for November and December 1S40, and January 1841, in proof that Warwick was the place of mintage. t Vol. L, p. 10S. X As to the probability that gold was struck in small quantities in the Anglo-Saxon times, though not from the die of the penny like Mr. Spurrier's piece, see Mr. Akerman's remarks on the Saxon mint, in the Jubilee edition of King Alfred's works. 41 " Some Notes on the Tradition of Flaying, inflicted in Punishment of Sacrilege ; the Skin of the Offender being affixed to the church doors. " It may be known to some of our readers, who have chanced to visit the eastern counties of England, and are acquainted with the picturesque site of the little town of Linton, or the adjacent rural hamlet of Hadstock, that a strange tradition yet darkly subsists amongst the peasantry in that locality, dating, as it would appear, from times anterior to the invasion of the Normans. It relates to the cruel and summary vengeance there supposed to have been inflicted upon a sacrilegious Dane. Few years have elapsed, since the curious traveller who visited that secluded spot, upon the borders of the counties of Essex and Cambridge, was wont to be directed to the north door of the little church, regarded by some as of Saxon date, to seek beneath the massive clamps and hinges for a relic of the Pirate Northman, whose skin had been attached to the door, a ghastly memorial of ecclesiastical vengeance, and a warning to all who might approach the church with like unhallowed intention. " I am not aware when the earliest mention of this singular tale was recorded by any antiquarian writer of the last century. Sir Harry Englefield laid before the Society of Antiquaries, in 1789, a plate of iron, taken, by permission of the rector, from the door of Hadstock church, Essex, with a portion of skin, con- sidered to be human, found under the iron. " The tradition regarding that church had been recorded by Morant, in his " History of Essex," with the statement that a second similar tale had been preserved in the village of Copford, in the same county. These, however, are not solitary examples of the existence of such popular relations in England. Having learned that one of the doors of Worcester cathedral had been reputed by common belief to bear a coating of human skin, the circumstance appeared so singular, connected with the village traditions in a remote eastern county, already mentioned, that I was induced to address myself to a zealous and intelligent investigator of Worcestershire antiquities, Mr. Jabez Allies, 42 F.S.A., through whose kindness my curiosity was quickly gratified. The singular fact had, indeed, previously arrested the attention of the indefatigable Worcestershire antiquary, the late Dr. Prattin- ton, of Bewdley, amongst whose extensive collections for the " History of the County," bequeathed to the Society of An- tiquaries of London, and preserved at Somerset House, occurs the object thus described ; " ' A portion of skin, supposed to be human, according to the tradition that a man, who had stolen the sanctus-bell from the high-altar in Worcester cathedral, had been flayed, and his skin affixed to the north doors, as a punishment for such sacrilege. The doors having been removed, are now to be seen in the crypt of the cathedral, and small fragments of skin may still be seen beneath the iron-work with which they are strengthened*.' " Having been induced to follow out the investigation sug- gested by such ancient traditions, with the conviction that all means of adducing evidence to substantiate or disprove them would quickly be destroyed, in the present course of church restoration, I sought without delay to procure specimens, un- deniably authenticated, of the supposed human cuticle in ques- tion, with the intention of submitting it to the test of scientific examination by one of our most skilful comparative anatomists. " By the prompt kindness of Mr. Allies I shortly received, not merely a fragment of the skin taken from the great northern doors of the cathedral of Worcester, but a careful drawing from actual measurement, for which my best thanks are due to Harvey Eginton, Esq., F.S.A., of Worcester, whose knowledge and judg- ment in all that is associated with ancient architecture is most honourably esteemed in his county. The old doors had been removed about forty years since to the crypt, and replaced by new wood-work : their date is considered by Mr. Eginton to be the fourteenth century ; and there can be little doubt that they are coeval with the work completed during the time of Bishop Wake- field, when the north porch, the principal entrance from the city, is supposed to have been erected, about the year 1380. The * " A Catalogue of Antiquities and Miscellaneous Curiosities in the pos- session of the Society of Antiquaries of London," p. 46. 48 vaulting of the north aisle of the nave had only been constructed towards 1327. " On close examination of the old doors, which, as usual in principal entrances of large churches, were in several pieces, so that the lower leaves only, or a moiety of them, might be un- folded, unless some occasion of unusual ceremony required the whole to be thrown open, Mr. Allies succeeded in obtaining from the inner side of the door, where it was traversed by a massive bar of wood, several small portions of skin. The wooden bar corresponded in position with an exterior one of iron, attached by bolts or nails passing through the internal bar of wood, and there rivetted. He was decidedly of opinion that the skin had been laid upon the wooden leaves of the door, at the time of its original construction. ' I recollect,' observes Mr. Allies, ' a horrid tale used to be told when I was a boy, that some person in times of yore had been skinned alive for sacrilege, and that his skin was nailed upon the inside of the north door of the cathedral. This tradition is still known to several persons in this city, who recollect seeing the skin on the inner surface of the doors, pre- viously to their removal.' " The supposed human skin obtained from Worcester, in con- sequence of the obliging researches of Mr. Allies and Mr. Eginton, was forthwith submitted to a gentleman eminently skilled in the use of microscopic observation for investigating minute details connected with comparative anatomy. I allude to Mr. John Quekett, Assistant Conservator of the Musuem of the lloyal College of Surgeons, by whom I was favoured with the following report. " * I have carefully examined the portion of skin winch you forwarded to me for my inspection, and beg to inform you that I am perfectly satisfied that it is human skin, taken from some part of the body of a light-haired person, where little hair grows. A section of the specimen, when examined with a power of a hundred diameters, shows readily that it is skin, and two hairs which grow on it I find to be human hairs, and to present the characters that hairs of light-haired people do. The hairs of the human subject differ greatly from those of any other mammalian 44 animal, and the examination of a hair alone, without the skin, would have enabled me to form a conclusion. I may state that this is the second occasion in which, from the hairs alone, I have been enabled to pronounce an animal substance to be human.' " Encouraged by this result, I lost no time in the endeavour to obtain a fragment of the Dane's exuvia? from Hadstock, in order to subject it to a similar test. Through the kindness of the Hon. Eichard Neville, who had noticed the tradition pre- served at that place, in his interesting memorials of researches made by him near Chesterford and Audley End*, I obtained such a sample. The door, being much decayed, had been re- moved in 1846, but part of the original wood- work, with the massive nails which served to attach the skin, is in Mr. Neville's possession, as also a piece of the robber's hide, of considerable thickness, and considered to have been tanned previously to its being laid upon the wood. This relic had been given by the rector of Hadstock, the Rev. C. Towneley, to Mr. Neville, who, in a very obliging manner, supplied me with a portion to facilitate my inquiries. Again I had the satisfaction of receiving from Mr. Quekett an answer wholly corroborative of the popular tradition. His opinion was thus expressed : " ' I have been again fortunate in making out the specimen of skin you last sent me to be human ; I found on it three hairs which I have preserved ; I shall shortly send you a drawing of them, as compared with one from a living subject, and you will at once see their identity. I should further state that the skin was in all probability removed from the back of the Dane, and that he was a fair-haired person.' " On communicating this satisfactory verdict to Mr. Neville, he informed me that Mr. Towneley had likewise just ascertained the fact by scientific examination of these remains. The next step was directed by the information supplied by Morant, in relation to the church of Copford, in Essex. On communicating the object of inquiry to the rector, the Rev. Kennett C. Bayley, he kindly sent me the following reply : ' There are no remains of * " Antiqua Explorata," the result of Excavations made by Hon. 1!. ('. Neville, &c., p. ;J4. Saffron Walden, 147. 8vo. 45 skin on the door at the present time. I have, however, in my possession, a short MS. account of the parish, written during the incumbency of John Dane, 1689--1714, wherein is the following: " ' the doors of this church are much adorned with flourished iron- work, underneath which is a sort of skin, taken notice of in the year 1690, when an old man of Colchester, hearing Copford mentioned, said, that in his young time he heard his master say that he had read in an old history that the church was robbed by Danes, and their skins nailed to the doors ; upon which some gentlemen, being curious, went thither, and found a sort of tanned skin, thicker than parchment, which is supposed to be human skin, nailed to the door of the said church, underneath the said iron-work, some of which skin is still to be seen.' " " Mr. Bayley added, ' Since writing the above I have heard that what remained of the skin was removed about four years ago. I hear, however, of two pieces in this neighbourhood, and if I can succeed in procuring either of them, I will forward it to you.' This obliging promise was fulfilled on the ensuing day. The fragment had been taken by a carpenter in the parish from underneath the iron-work of the door, about the year 1843, when the church was under repair. He gave it to a Mr. Eley, a miller at Copford, from whom it was procured by Mr. Bayley. " The issue of the third appeal to the discriminating judgment of Mr. Quekett proved likewise conclusive. His answer was this : ' I am happy to tell you that I have succeeded in making out the Copford specimen to be human, as well as the others ; I have shown the hairs from this as well as from the others to some friends who were sceptical, but they are now quite of my opinion. I have had drawings made, and I desired the artist to draw a human hair by the side of the others, so that there can be no doubt of the identity of the hair. I must ask you to allow me to mention the subject at our Microscopical Society, to show how valuable the microscope is in determining doubtful points of this nature.' " The value of natural science as a friendly ally to archaeology, hi supplying conclusive evidence on a question which must, with- out such aid, have been left to vague conjecture, has been strikingly shown in the present instance. The singular cor- 40 roboration of the truth of popular tradition, thus undeniably established, may serve to remind us that no circumstance, however apparently trivial or absurd, is without utility in the investigation of the history and usages of ancient times. " Having an opportunity of stating these facts to Lord Bray- brooke, he had the kindness to communicate the following curious passage from Pepys' Diary, taken from the highly valuable additions which have been made by his lordship in the recently published edition of those remarkable memoirs. "' April 10, 1661. To Kochester, and there saw the cathe- dral observing the great doors of the church, as they say, covered with the skins of the Danes.' In early times the Thames had been frequently the resort of the Danes, and the men of Kent were continually harrassed by their rapacious cruelty. In the year 999 they went up the Medway to Roches- ter, according to the " Saxon Chronicle," and made a most fatal foray, overrunning nearly all West Kent. Rochester cathedral was rebuilt by Bishop Gundulph, towards the latter part of the eleventh century. He succeeded to the see in 1077. " Hitherto I have been unable, after repeated inquiries at Rochester, to trace any other statement regarding this fourth example of such a singular tradition ; but the report of so minutely accurate an observer as Pepys must be regarded as of unquestionable authority. Lord Braybrooke subsequently ob- served, that he had been informed by Mr. Neville that the north door of Hadstock was that upon which the skin was nailed, and suggested the inquiry, ' Was this the case at Copford as well as Worcester? because that aspect was always unpopular for pur- poses of interment, the sun never shining on the graves so situate.' Mr. Bay ley has since informed me that the skin was on ' the south door, none on the north. ' " Other examples, it has been reported to me, are to be found in the north-eastern parts of the country, in the neighbourhood, probably, of the coast, long infested by the cruel plunderers from the North, and I hope that these notices may prove the means of drawing forth further information on the subject. I have thought the facts which have come to my knowledge well deserv 47 ing to be recorded in full detail, at the risk even of appearing tediously circumstantial. In a very few years it would be im- practicable to substantiate these traditions by a chain of con- clusive evidence, such as I have now been enabled to adduce. That so barbarous an exhibition of summary punishment should have been permitted in comparatively uncivilized times, in remote and defenceless villages, exposed by their vicinity to the coast to frequent inroads of the pirates of the Baltic, may appear less extraordinary, but it must be admitted, that the exposure of the skin of a criminal within the walls of cathedral churches, or upon the doors of their most frequented entrances, was a savage display of vengeance, which it is very difficult to comprehend. At Worcester, moreover, this was done in no days of barbarism, or disregard of judicial enactments : the reign of Richard II. was marked by the rapid advance of civilization, the introduction of foreign refinements and luxury. It is, indeed, possible that the skin, in that instance, might have been the vestige of a punishment inflicted long previously ; but its preservation in such a place, and at times such as the period when the northern part of that cathedral was erected, is a fact most startling and incomprehensible. " The question here suggests itself, by what authority, by what judicial enactment, was this barbarous punishment inflicted, not merely as summary vengeance in a moment of great popular in- dignation, in remote localities where the administration of the laws might be imperfectly maintained, but inflicted with the sanction of the Church, and the remembrance of the sanguinary deed carefully perpetuated. Many examples of such horrid torments might be found in ancient history, such as the martyr- dom of St. Bartholomew by the Armenians, the cruel eud of the Emperor Valerian, in the third century, flayed alive by Sapor, king of the Persians, or the fate of the Chief Justice Itinerant in the north of England, Hugo de Cressyngham, in the reign of Edward I., who was flayed by the exasperated Scots at Strivelyn, a.d. 1296. Knyghton thus describes the indignity thus inflicted upon the king's treasurer. ' Quern excoriantes Scoti diviserunt inter se pellem ipsius per modicas partes, non quidem ad reliquias 48 sed in contumelias, erat enim pulcher et grassus nimis, vo- caveruntque eum non Thesaurarium sed Traiturarium regis*.' Such atrocities have been committed in every age, on occasions of despotic tyranny or lawless commotionf. " Punishments of a very dreadful description were doubtless sanctioned by law in the Anglo-Saxon and later ages. In some of the early judicial enactments expressions occur which, at first sight, would induce the supposition that flaying was a punish- ment of no rare occurrence. ' Corium forisfacere, corium perdere, corium carere, cute privare, corio componerej,' and similar phrases appear, however, to have implied only such excoriation as might be inflicted by severe scourging, and for this it was mostly permitted to make a composition, corium redimere, called in Anglo-Saxon, hyd-gild, money paid by an offender to save his skin. It is indeed possible that in very rude times actual excoriation was inflicted, and afterwards commuted for severe fustigation, described in the dreadful terms above mentioned ; and occasion- ally it would appear that flaying is really implied in these enactments. For example, in the laws of Henry I., it is or- dained that if any man slay his lord, there should be no redemp- tion, ' nullo modo se redimat, sed de comacione (scalping) vel excoriacione, severa gentium animadversione dampnetur, ut diris tormentorum cruciatibus, et male mortis infortuniis infelicem prius animam exhalasse, quam finem doloribus excepisse videa- tur.' " Much more might be said in regard to the curious question of the legality of ' excoriacio? literally inflicted in pursuance of judicial ordinances of mediaeval times, but I must leave the subject to the consideration of those who are more versed than myself in ancient laws. The penalty for sacrilegious theft was mostly of unusual severity: according to the laws of Alfred, * Knyghton, " Decern Scriptores," col. 2519. + It is affirmed that amongst the dreadful cruelties of the French Revolution at the close of the last century, the skins of the victims were tanned and made into boots. \ See Ducange, Corium, Decoriare, Cutis, Crines, &c. " Ancient Laws and Institutes of England," Vol. i., p. 579. 49 robbery in a church was punishable by fine, and the guilty hand was to be struck off: this, however, might be redeemed*. In the case of spoliation by barbarian invaders, where probably successive bands had repeatedly laid waste the sacred fabric, it seems very probable that the enormity of the crime would readily be admitted as a justification of the most savage punishment. I am strongly inclined to the opinion that flaying was not a specific punishment for any particular offence or class of offences, but was an arbitrary mode of inflicting the penalty of death, in such instances as these, where the vindictive excitement of the occasion could not be satisfied by any ordinary modes of punishment." " Albert Way." In reference to the observation of Mr. Way that the skin affixed to the northern doors " may possibly be the vestige of a punishment inflicted long previously" to the erection of the northern porch by Bishop Wakefield, about 1386, it is right to add, that such in fact appears to have been the case. Upon reading his observation it occurred to me, that when Bishop Wakefield erected the northern doorway and stopped up the great western doorwayf, he in all probability removed the doors from the latter entrance to supply the former ; this idea, I communicated to the late Mr. Eginton, who replied by letter, as follows : " Worcester, Jan. 31st, 1849. Dear Sir, To-day I compared the doors in the crypt with the arch at the west end ; the yore doors formerly were there." The only remaining ques- tion, therefore, is the age of these ancient west-end doors. Now, it is said that the Bishoprick of Worcester was founded by Ethelred, King of the Mercians, at the request of Osric, or Oshere, a petty prince of the Mercians, in 079 or 680 ; that in 894, Duke Ethelred, Viceroy of Mercia, and his wife Ethelfled, daughter of Alfred the Great, rebuilt the city and also the church, minster, or monaster}', which had been destroyed by the Danes ; that St. Oswald built the Cathedral in 983 ; that in 1041 it was burnt with the city by Hardicanute's soldiers, in the revolt of " Ancient Laws," Vol. i., p. <'u. t The stone arch of this doorway still remains in the wall, hut it evidently was much disturbed when the ^reat window was erected above it. E 50 the citizens about the Danegelt ; and that in 1 089 it was rebuilt by St. Wolstan, with the exception of the nave, afterwards added by Bishop De Blois about 1 50 years subsequently. The historian Green, and others, are of opinion that the west end of the nave is part of St. Oswald's building*, and that it escaped the fire which consumed the rest of the Cathedral in the time of Hardicanute. This idea seems to be corroborated by the fact, that the western portion of the nave is in the Saxon style, and of white sand- stone, while the remainder is after the Norman model, and of red sandstone. Therefore, under all circumstances, the doors in question may be very ancient, although it is impossible to assign a particular date to them. The fact, however, of their containing what, in other instances, are commonly called " Danes' skins," appears to carry us back to those barbarous times to look for their date, although it is possible that those doors were erected at a later period, and contained the evidence of a later punishment for sacrilege that is, if there was such a punishment in later times. But if the skin in question really is that of a Dane, the doors consequently are Saxon ; unless, indeed, they were some time or other renewed!. And if the doors are Saxon, they are an additional proof that the west end of the nave is Saxon. And if the doors were renewed, still the skin may be that of a Dane, and have been transferred from the previous doors to those in question. It is here to be observed, that the bits of skin which I obtained from one of the upper flaps of the doors, adhered very closely to it, and there was an appearance of something like red paint upon the under side of the skin. The lithographic engraving, Plate 2, represents the doors with their dimensions, as prepared by Mr. Eginton, at my request, for Mr. Way. It will appear by No. 1, that the top of the doors is arched in the Saxon style. No. 2 represents the back of one of the upper flaps of the doors, with the strong band of wood across it, under which there are still portions * See Mr. Ashpitel's paper, in further proof of this view of the case, in the " Report of the Proceeding of the Archaeological Association at Worcester," published 1851, pp. 403 to 418. + Sec a general statement of Danish Relics in Worcestershire, in the account of Alfrick. fixate Z.p. 50 N't. W2. ^ O O O O a O o U o u O J M t^> Bad, t? Deer < o .- : EievaUcn A^ ri C "" " '-' g "V ^ PlOSl ' t-. r " ~^p 1 r * "$ i i mil l ' / i ,. , 7 # * -<. // A.?. J'^// //' h /(* of J.aor, ,'l: rea/ svxe MeasurtsrunJii <> former yprtti Drcr. .',,, ,//! 51 of the skin. No. 3 is the band of wood and the ri vetting of the nails, one-half of the actual size. The following is a copy of the letter from Mr. Eginton to Mr. Way, which accompanied the drawings : " Worcester, June 19th, 1847. My dear Sir, It has given me much pleasure to make the accompanying drawing of the existing portion of the ancient north door to our Cathedral. The head and the lower part have evidently been separate the lower ends of the boards, forming the head, having pieces of wood from six and a half to seven inches mortised into them, and the bottom of the lower half of the door the same. The position of the lower part of the door I have ascertained by measuring the planks, which agree with those in the head of the door. There is little in the iron-work to define very precisely its date ; but the general character of the door and iron-work is such as is commonly found in plain work in the middle of the fourteenth century. Yours truly, Harvey Eginton." In the commencement of the inquiry, as we were examining the doors in the crypt, Mr. Eginton observed, that they had no distinctive style or mark about them whereby to judge of their age ; but he added, that they might have been of the fourteenth century, when the north doorway was made. It is worthy of remark, however, that when we were in the crypt (and which was a year and a half before the point was raised as to their having been the western doors), he said that they had been altered some time or other. Now as Mr. Eginton subsequently (that is by his letter of 31st January, 1849) declared them to be the yore doors which formerly stood at the west end, I have no doubt that the alteration was made at the time they were removed to the northern doorway. WOLSTAN'S SEAL. In the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute" (Vol. hi., p. '-2G1) there is an engraving of the seal of St. Wolstan, accompanied by the following description : " At the recent meeting of the Institute at York, a remarkable original deed was exhibited, being a grant from St. Wolstan, Bishop of Worcester, of fifteen hides of land in Alveston, formerly 5-2 called from its Saxon occupant Eanulfestune, Warwickshire, to the monastery of Worcester. An im- pression of the episco- pal seal was appended (see the accompanying woodcut of it), and the deed bore date, the day of Pentecost, in the third year of King William the younger, a.d. 1 089. This docu- ment had been given by Dugdale in the " Monasticon," from transcripts in the " Worcester Cartu- lary," Cott. MS., Tib. A., xiii*., and the " Annales Wigornenses," Claud. A., x. He had printed it also in his " History of Warwickshire," from a very ancient register in the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Wor- cester ; and it may be found in " Heming's Cartulary," printed by Hearne, with the ancient Saxon description of the boundaries. The existence of Wolstan's original charter does not appear to have been noticedf. This deed, independently of its fine state of preservation, is of considerable interest, as fixing precisely the period of the completion of the new buildings erected by Wolstan. After reciting his purpose and endeavours to augment the monas- tery constructed by St. Oswald, his predecessor, both in the erection and appointments of the church itself, and increase of the establishment, he stated that he had added to the number of the monks, who were about twelve in number, and had formed a * i- e. " Heming's Cartulary." + " The various readings, noticed on collation with the original, have not ap- peared sufficiently material to justify the reprinting of this curious document at length. It deserves notice, however, that in the ' Monasticon ' the date had been erroneously printed M.lxxxviij., an error not noticed in the new edition. In the ' Hist. Warw.,' and Hearne's edition of ' Heming's Cartulary,' it is correctly given." 53 congregation of fifty, for whose sustenance he gave the lands in Alveston, long possessed unjustly by certain powerful persons*, and acquired by him with much labour and cost from William the Conqueror. He dated his gift from the twenty-seventh year of his episcopate, and the first of the occupation of the new monastery by him erected, of which the refectory and adjoining buildings, as also the crypt under the choir, and the transept, are now the principal remainsf. William of Malmsbury informs us that these works had commenced a.d. 1084, and he gives an interesting relation of the emotion of St. Wolstan, when, on their completion, the old church, erected by St. Oswald, a.d. 983, was about to be demolished^. It must be observed that Dr. Thomas has given a figure of the seal, in his work, entitled, " A Survey of the Cathedral Church of Worcester, with an account of the Bishops thereof," &c, A. 88. DOMESDAY SURVEY. In the " Archaeologia," Vol. viii., p. 440, Appendix, there is the following interesting passage : " Mr. Astle gave an account of an ancient MS. Register of the priory of Worcester, now [1765] in his possession, intituled, ' Liber irrotulatorius et consuetudinarius prioratus B. Marie de Wigorn.' containing, among other curious particulars, the follow- ing article : " ' Articuli hundredorum, or articles of inquiry sent by William the Conqueror to the sheriffs and Prepositi hundredorum, previous to his making the great survey of England ; also several of the common customs of Villeins, the Novae Provisiones Anglie in the reign of Henry III., with many other things of a public nature.'" * " These were, as we learn from Domesday, Bricstuinus, who, in the times of the Confessor, held a moiety of the lands granted by Wolstan ; Britnodus and Aluni being occupants of the remainder. See the statement of their recovery by the bishop, ' Domesday Book,' f. 2'18, b." + "The expression is as follows: 'Anno ingressionis nostre in novum monasterium, quod constraxi in honore dei genetricis, prime' It would appear by the context, that the church, rebuilt by Wolstan, had, as well as the monastic buildings, been completed previously to the date of his grant." } "Anglia Sacra," iL, 241. 54 Jiw 3. KEMPSEY. Several fragments of sepulchral urns, cups, and pans of various shapes and sizes, evidently belonging to the time of the Romans and Romanized or later Britons, were, in the spring of 1835, dug out of a gravel bed at Kempsey. Some of these vessels were made of a coarse dark clay, others of common red or brick clay. The fragments, which were discovered about three feet and a half beneath the surface, were enveloped in a black ash, and deposited in a cavity or cist of about six yards in circumference, over which a roof of broken pebbles and clay had been originally formed, but which had since fallen into the cist, and probably broke the vessels. There were also a few fragments of bones in the cist, apparently the bones of a horse, one of them being part of the jaw-bone of that animal, with several teeth in it. There was likewise found there part of a bronze fibula or brooch (vide woodcut here represented, No. 1, of the actual size) ; these were used by the men to fasten the tunic and chlamys, or cloak, on the shoulder, and by the women the vest- ment in front of the breast*. Some of the Roman fibula? are of the circular form, others oblong, and not very dissimilar (though much smaller) to the guard beneath the trigger of a gun, and with the acus or pin compressed into the socket, have been com- pared to a bow ready strung. The fibula in question is of the The scientific reader will excuse these occasional explanations, my object being that this work should be a kind of popular antiquarian history of the county. 55 latter form, but destitute of the acus, which probably had mouldered away. The remains of a horse, found in this cist, affords strong evi- dence that the ashes of a Romanized British chieftain were deposited there ; for such costly funeral sacrifices, although very common among our rude ancestors, and constituting a part of their religion, were much restricted among the Romans by the laws of the Twelve Tables. In other parts of the kingdom, frag- ments of the horns of stags have been found in similar cists, from which it may be inferred that hunters were buried there. About a dozen other cists, although not so large as the one already described, were likewise discovered in the course of the same year, near the same spot, whilst excavating for gravel ; they contained ashes, broken pebbles, and various articles of broken pottery ; and in 1836, and the three following years, several other cists were found there. One of them was of an oval shape, near tliree yards long, two yards broad, and about five feet deep in the gravel. The others were smaller, and not quite so deep. Some of the latter merely contained black ashes ; others, ashes and fragments of red earth pottery (the mouth of one of the urns being twenty-eight inches in circumference) ; the largest cist contained black ashes, and a broken pan of rather coarse materials, which, judging from a segment, was three feet in circumference. Several of the fragments have handles, some of which are of con- siderable thickness. One of the cists contained a specimen with zig-zag lines thereon, and pieces of urns, cups, and patera?, together with portions of the burnt bones and teeth of a horse. In another cist, an acus of a fibula of brass was found mixed up with similar relics (vide woodcut thereof, No. 2, actual size) ; and in the gravel a coin of Nero was discovered. The spot in question is situated about four miles from Worcester, in a ploughed field called the Moors, which belonged to the late Joseph Smith, Esq., on a ridge or precipice of ground, out of flood sway, which skirts tbe flat on the east side 56 of the river Severn, and lies between that river and the village of Kempsey, near the northern side of the mound or agger of a Roman camp, within the site of the southern end of which Kempsey Church stands. At an adjoining place, called the Parish Gravel Pit, were found, about twelve years ago, a small Roman vase and a piece of Samian ware. Most of the articles which are here described, I from time to time obtained of the workmen upon the spot, and deposited them in the Worcestershire Museum ; the others were presented by Mr. Smith. Woodcuts of some are here given : No. 3 is of the slate coloured, and Nos. 4, 5 and 0*, of the red ware. The most ancient mode of sepulture among the Britons was by simple inhumationf ; it is thought that the Phoenicians introduced into this island the mode of burial by cremation or burning. The * A similar one to that numbered 6, was found at Diglis, near Worcester. See p. 28 ; and another at Droitwich. It much resembles a common flower- pot in shape, except that it has a handle. + Vide Mr. Bloxam's work, entitled " A Glimpse at Monumental Architecture and Sepulture of Great Britain, from the earliest period to the Eighteenth Century," dated 1834, to which I am indebted for much of the above information as to the modes of ancient sepulture. 57 practice amongst the ancient Britons of depositing in the sepul- chres warlike instruments, drinking cups, and other articles, is likewise supposed to have been derived from the Phoenicians and Belgic Gauls. This custom is of great antiquity, and an instance of it occurs in the Book of Joshua, in a very ancient copy of the Septuagint, preserved in the Vatican, where it is stated that knives and instruments of flint were buried with his body in the tomb. The same practice is also alluded to in the Book of Ezekiel, wherein the prophet speaks of persons who were gone down to the grave with their weapons of war, and their swords laid under their heads. An instance of the practice of cremation is also recorded in the First Book of Samuel (Chap, xxxi.), wherein it is stated that the body of Saul and his sons were burnt after they had been taken down from the walls of Bethshan, and the bones were buried under a tree. There are also frequent allusions to the custom in Homer and the ancient classics. The sepulchral urns and cups of the Celtic and Belgic Britons, differ in many respects from those of the Roman era, from which they are in general easily distinguished. Those of the ancient Britons were coarsely formed on the wheel*, without the lathe ; in shape they bear some resemblance to a common flower-pot or truncated cone. The ornaments are rude, consisting chiefly of zig-zag and short diagonal lines, and many appear to have been moulded merely by exposure to the sun, or blackened by the funereal fire. Some are of a globular, others of a cylindrical form ; the latter being of the most ancient description ; and although the cinerary urns and drinking cups of the Romanized Britons and early Saxons were modelled after the Roman fashion, yet they generally correspond in shape with those of the ancient Britons. Some of the specimens above described are very much in accordance with these rules. The late Rev. Mr. Rudd, of Kempsey, had in his possession a fragment of a thick slab stone, one yard long and half a yard wide, containing a Latin inscription in honour of Constantine the * The Prophet Jeremiah, in describing the potter's tools in his time, says : " Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold he wrought a work on the wheels." J'idc C. xviii., v. -3. 58 Great. This was found in the camp, in the year 1818. The following is the inscription : VAL CNST ANTINO P F IN VICTO AVG* The same gentleman also had pieces of Roman tiles, which were found near the same placef. The agger of the above camp may still be easily traced, although, being a mound of gravel, it has been in many places much levelled. From what has been said, it is evident that the camp was a Roman one, and that the burial ground was likewise Roman, with the additional fact, that the ashes of Romanized British were also deposited in the same place. Great alterations being occasionally made at the site of the Kempsey camp, I will endeavour to give an account of it, as it appeared in 1840, fearing that in a few more years almost every vestige of it will have passed away. The western agger lay on the ridge of ground, or precipice, skirting the flat on the east side of the Severn. The north end of it commenced at the back of the garden belonging to the Par- sonage farm-house, and ran in a line from thence to within about fifteen yards of the south-west corner of Kempsey churchyard, where it turned round. Judging from a measure I made by foot- steps, this agger was about two hundred yards long. The southern agger appears to have run along the south side of the churchyard, and was about ninety yards long. The eastern agger ran along the east side of the churchyard and other property, and through the garden of Gore Cottage, into the orchard behind, and was about two hundred yards long. The northern agger ran from the above-mentioned garden and orchard to the north-west corner of the garden of the Parsonage * Valerio Constantino Pio Felici Invicto Augusto. + The slab and tiles were bequeathed by Mr. Kudd to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society. 59 farm-house, and was one hundred and eighty yards long or there- abouts. The rounded corner which lay in the garden was very perfect, until the latter end of the year 1836, when it was removed ; but the portion of the agger which lies in the orchard still remains entire, and measures twenty-six yards in width. I do not find any account of this Roman camp in Dr. Nash's " History." He, however, speaks of a Roman way in the neigh- bourhood ; for in Vol. ii., p. 23, it is stated that a deed, dated 1336, notices "the Portweye" at Bromhall, in the manor of Kempsey*. This place is called Cemesei, and Cymesige, in the Anglo Saxon Charters, No. 176 and 612, in the " Codex Diplomaticusf," and Chemesege in " Domesday Book." In the year 1844, a bronze spear-head was found in the Severn, the particulars of which I communicated to the Archaeological Institute ; it was thus noticed in their " Journal J :" " The spear- head was dredged up from the bed of the river Severn by some workmen, employed in the improvement of the navigation of that river, about a quarter of a mile below Kempsey Ferry, and the same distance above Pixam Ferry. They also found at the same spot, in the bed of the western side of the river, the remains of oaken piles, under the gravel, and of planking which had been fastened to the piles. These extended about half way across the river. The place is near the site of the Roman camp at Kempsey. This spear-head is formed of mixed metal, of very bright colour and hard quality, the edges being remarkably sharp. It measures in length ten [seven] inches and a half. The leaf-shaped blade terminates at the lower extremity in two loops, by means of which the spear-head, apparently, was securely attached to the shaft. This arrangement is not of uncommon occurrence, and it is well shown by the curious example of a stone mould for casting such weapons, found in Ireland, in Galway, as also by an Irish weapon represented in this journal . In the present instance See ante, p. 9, relative to Romnn port [or military] ways. + Also see " Heming's Cartulary," as to Kymesei, Kemesbege, Kemesege, Chemcshege, Kemesige, Kemesei, and Kemesey, p. 5, &c. J Vol. iii., p. :)54. "Archueologia," Vol.xv.,pl.xxxiv. "Archaeological Journal," Vol.ii., p. 187. 60 there is a flat lozenge-shaped appendage on each side, a variety in the fashion of these weapons, apparently intended for the more secure protection of the cord passing through the loops. In some examples, a single loop on one side is found to have been accounted sufficient." This spear-head belongs to Walter Jones, Esq., of Worcester. A woodcut of it is here given. A few years ago a Roman coin was dug up at the Ketch between Kempsey and Worcester. UPTON. Cooke, in his "Topographical Library," published in 1830, (title "Worcestershire," p. 156) says: "In the year 1787, a circular cavity was discovered by a shepherd's boy in a corn field in the parish of Upton ; upon examination it was found to be the entrance to a cavern of considerable dimensions, sunk about ten feet below the surface, and extending in every direction about twenty feet. At about thirty or forty feet is a body of water, of the estimated depth of about one hundred and forty feet. Various conjectures originated from this discovery, some attri- buting these excavations to a convulsion of nature, others to the hand of art." The following extract from Vol. I. of " Old England," Chap, i., p. 22, may throw some light upon the preceding quotation : " Tacitus, in his account of the manners of the Germans, says, ' The Ger- mans were accustomed to dig subterraneous caverns, and then to cover them with much loose mould, forming a refuge from wintry storms, and a receptacle for the fruits of the earth. In this manner the rigour of the frost is softened.' Tacitus also says that these caverns are hiding places for the people upon the irruption of an enemy. Hasted, the topographer of Kent, describes many such in the heaths, and fields, and woods, at Crayford. He says, that at the mouth, and thence downward, 61 they are narrow, like the tunnel or passage of a well ; but at the bottom they are large and of great compass, so that some of them have several rooms, one within another, strongly vaulted, and supported with pillars of chalk. Diodorus Siculus expressly says that the Britons laid up their corn in subterranean repositories. The caves of Hawthornden were at once hiding places and store- houses ; and it is not cariying our fancies too far to believe that the shelved cavities of the rock were receptacles for food, in small portions* the oatmeal and the pulse that were thus preserved from worms and mildew." Some antiquaries are now of opinion that certain classes of these wells, which contain chambers, were either Roman ceme- taries, or hermits cells, or granaries, and that others of them, not containing chambers, might have been either wells or rubbish holes. It is said, that on the hill at Southend, near Upton, traces of intrenchments appear ; and Dr. Nash, in his " Historyf," remarks that ' Stukeley, in his 'Itinerarium Curiosum.'p. 65, first edition, says : ' There was a road along the Severn from Worcester to Upton, where antiquities are dug up. I take the town to be the Upocessa of RavennasJ.' The road, he says, ' went to Tewkes- bury, and joined the Rickning Street,], but no remains are now to be seen.' " This appears to be the road referred to in our subsequent account of Ripple, a great part of which is still remaining. In January, 1846, a thumb ring was found at Saxon's Lode, the particulars of which I communicated to the Archaeological Institute, and an account thereof appeared in their " Journal," Vol. III., p. 268, as follows : " A ring formed of silver, con- siderably alloyed or plated with baser metal, and strongly gilt, * Such was the case at Kemerton Camp ; see the account. + Vol. iL, p. 444. I In Luckombe's " Gazetteer," 1790, it is stated that Roman coins were often dug up at Upton. In Grose's "Antiquities," Vol. vi., it is stated that a paved way leads by Upton to Gloucester. I! Or Rvcknield Street. M was found in dredging in the bed of the Severn, in January last, at a place called Saxon's or Saxton's Lode, a little southward of Upton, which supplies a good example of the signet thumb ring of the fifteenth century ; the hoop is grooved spirally, it weighs 17 dwts. 18 grs., and exhibits the initial "H." Signet rings of this kind were worn by rich citizens, or persons of substance, not entitled to bear arms. Falstaff bragged that in earlier years he had been so slender in figure that he could readily have crept through an 'alderman's thumb ring;' and a ring thus worn, probably, as more conspicuous, appears to have been considered as appropriate to the attire of a civic dignitary at a much later period. A character in the Lord Mayor's show, in the year 1664, is described as ' habited like a grave citizen, gold girdle and gloves hung thereon, rings on his fingers, and a seal ring on his thumb.' " The ring in question belongs to Hilary Hill, Esq., of Worcester, who kindly allowed me to exhibit it to the Archaeological Institute. A woodcut of it is here represented. KIPPLE AND TWYNING. In consequence of a report that some ancient pottery had been discovered at Bow Farm, in the parish of Ripple, about three miles from Tewkesbury, and thirteen from "Worcester, I repaired to the spot in October 1838, and found that a drain, twelve feet deep and upwards, had been made across a pasture*, on the eastern border of the Severn, in Worcestershire, and the next field but one to the verge of the county of Gloucester. About seventy yards from the river, a slight rise, which lies parallel with the Severn, had been cut through. Mr. W. T. Horniblow, Pull Court is situated nearly opposite to this pasture, on the western side of the river. 03 the tenant, and the workmen informed me that all the way through that part they found, at the average depth of about four feet, a stratum of black ashes and cinders, with pieces of pottery ; that also occasionally below the stratum they found similar fragments of pottery, and that the earth above the black stratum appeared to have been a gradual accumulation, which, in the course of time, had been deposited upon the plain by occasional overflowings of the river. The trench had been filled up again before my arrival, but I picked up several pieces of the pottery and oxidated bits of iron which had been excavated. Mr. Horniblow had previously collected several of such fragments in the course of the work, all of which I have deposited in the Worcestershire Museum. He and the workmen said that they had examined the earth above the stratum very carefully, and were satisfied that it had never been disturbed since it was deposited ; but that the earth, for four or five feet deep beneath the black stratum, appeared to have been disturbed some time or other. He also said that he was informed by an old workman, that about thirty- five years ago he assisted in cutting a like drain across the north- end of this pasture, where they found, at about the same depth, and in the same line, a similar stratum of ashes, cinders, and pottery. Upon examination these specimens proved to be fragments of Eoman sepulchral urns and pans, exactly like those (now in the Worcestershire Museum) discovered in the cists of the Roman burial ground, at Kempsey ; but I am satisfied that this pasture at Ripple was not a burial ground (for it is not out of flood's-way), but that it was a Roman pottery ground where they made their sepulchral and other pottery, of the clay which they excavated at or near the spot*. At two subsequent examinations of the mould thrown up from a depth of about four feet, several fragments of pottery, both red and black, were discovered ; also bits of burnt wood and oxidated iron. I also found a few pieces of unburnt coal in the alluvial soil above the bed, which I presume had been washed * There are brick-works now within a mile of the place, both above anil below it. G4 there from the coal-fields by the floods. I was rather curious to sift this point to the bottom, because the presence of coal ashes in the bed would have proved that the Romans used coal as well as wood at the works. I have also since examined the bed of scoriae and clinkers at that part of Cinder Point where it encroaches upon the bank of the Severn, and found several pieces of burnt wood, but no burnt coal, in the stratum. There were a few bits of unburnt coal in the alluvial soil above the bed, some of which were rounded, showing that they had been rolled there by the floods. Within a mile of the pasture, to the north-east, is a very remarkable elevation, called Towbury Hill, lying in Twyning parish, Gloucestershire, and overlooking the spot in question. On the summit of the hill (which is composed chiefly of marl) is the site of an ancient camp, of rather an irregular oblong square shape. This hill, which is evidently a natural formation, is pared down at the sides in steep slopes, and rounded at the corners ; but whether the Romans formed the camp, or whether it was a more ancient one, of which they merely took possession, I cannot pretend to determine. Mr. Bennett, in his " History of Tewkes- bury," has described it at some length, and given reasons for believing that, after the time of the Romans, it was occupied by one of the Mercian kings. This camp appears to be about two hundred and forty yards long on the western side, three hundred on the northern, and one hundred and twenty on the eastern, and southern sides. Within the square, at the south-east corner, is a circular tumulus surrounded by a trench, answering to the Roman pra3torium*. At the foot of Towbury Hill, on the western side, runs a small brook, which divides Worcestershire from Gloucestershire ; over * A fragment of a brass spearhead of the time of Charles I. was lately found beneath the surface at Towbury Hill. It is conjectured by Leland that the house of King Offa, or of King Kenulphus, stood upon this hill, which be calls " Tetbyri Castelle," with double ditches (see his " Itinerary," Vol. vi., p. 71); and within about a mile of which is the Mythe Tute, or Royal Hill. There are places called Great Towbury and Little Towbury, in the parish of Leigh. 05 it there is an ancient bridge, called Bow Bridge, from which Mr. Horniblow informed me there were traces at intervals of an ancient paved road all the way to Tewkesbury, in the line of an old bridle-road across the fields, by the Mythe Ttite, and that this road, or track-way, was generally about four feet wide, and made of blocks of lias stone, set edgewise against each other ; that it was reported that similar traces of it were formerly discoverable from the above-mentioned bridge towards Ripple village, and he thought that it probably continued from that village to within half a mile of Severn Bank, where traces of such a road still exist, with one branch leading towards Upton, and another towards Pershore ; that it runs from Severn Bank, nearly in the line of the Upton bridle-road, to the turnpike at the bottom of Stoke Hill, situated about seven miles from Worcester, where, crossing, it turns in an easterly direction, and is still traceable, for about a mile further on in a direction towards Pershore ; between this place and Defford Common it is said that traces were also formerly visible. I examined the whole line of this ancient road, from the southern foot of Bow Bridge to the Mythe Tute, and found it very perfect in some places. It does not follow the line of the of the present parish road (which, after passing the bridge from Ripple, runs in an easterly course to the Tewkesbury turnpike-road, between Brockeridge and Shut-honger* Commons, where there are lias quarries), but takes a southerly direction, parallel with the brook, along an old bridle-road, and by the foot of the rising grounds which skirt the vale of the Severn. It is traceable in nearly a continuous line all the way from the bridge to the foot of Shut-honger Common, where it is probably lost under the soil, which, in the course of time, has been washed by the rain from the steep of the hill ; but it soon appeal's again at the south-west corner of the common, and con- * "Honger" from the Saxon "hangra," which Morant supposes to come from the old word "hangre," a bill. See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," relative to Ongar in I'ssex. Others from " hangra," a meadow or grass plot, usually by the side of a road, the village green. See " Codex Dip." Vol. Hi., Preface, p. xxix. With respect to the word "Shut," see Mai vein Hills. 1- 66 tinues, in a very perfect state in most parts, all the way to the Mythe Tute, where it runs round the north side of that hill near to the turnpike-gate, and is now lost ; but it probably extended to the Eycknield Street, on the other side of Tewkesbury. This road was made of blocks of lias set edgewise against each other across the road ; both sides of it have a strong coping or edging of larger lias blocks, similarly set in the line of the road, a little raised above the cross pieces. This, without the coping, is exactly four feet wide ; the coping generally makes it from two to four inches more, but at insecure parts the coping was made wider with extra blocks to strengthen the work, and the whoie road is nearly double the usual breadth up the steep at the side of the Mythe Tute*. I should think there is scarcely so perfect a specimen of an ancient road in any part of the kingdom, as from the south-west corner of Shut-honger Common to the Mythe Tute. Every one must be struck with the narrowness of this paved way ; in fact, no cars, with axle-trees more than four feet in length could go upon itf. The most perfect portions of it are those which are close to the foot of the rising grounds, and partly covered with the detritus from the slopes. Supposing this road really went to Pershore, instead of turning along the vales to Kempsey and Worcester, it is probable that there was a branch to the latter places. I have been informed by several persons that blocks of stone, similarly placed, where found about sixteen or eighteen years ago at a spot in the Bath Road, on the Kempsey side of Worcester, at the depth of four or five feet in the earth, and leading along under the bottom of the hill towards the canal basin. Now, although this is not sufficient evidence of such a road having passed that way out of Worcester, yet it has con- siderable weight ; and it may, perhaps, some time or other, be further traced at the foot and beneath the detritus of the rising grounds which there skirt the vale of the Severn. Tn the first edition of this work T considered that this was a * This liill has all the character of an ancient tumulus, and probably con- tained one of Ostorius's forts as it lies upon the eastern border of the Severn. See Ryeknield Street. + This, and its occasional sharp turns, show it was only n bridle-road. 67 Roman road, but in the " Gentleman's Magazine " for November 1840, p. 511, it is stated, that a similar fine specimen of a road, but of the middle ages " in daily use for foot passengers, may be seen on the western road between Calne and Chippenham." If, however, the road in question is not Roman but mediaeval, it is still worthy of attention*. The appearance of Bow Bridge is in many parts very ancient ; I allude particularly to its extraordinary parapet, which runs over the northern side, and appears to have been intended as a passage out of flood 's-way, when the water covered the carriage road. It seems originally to have been built wholly of lias, but brick- work has since been introduced in parts where arches have been either cut or repaired, to give passage to the water at the time of high flood. One of these arches is in the Anglo-Saxon style, like those represented in Bloxam's work on " Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture," p. 28 ; but whether it formed part of the original structure, or was introduced at a subsequent period, as well as the real age of the most primitive part of the bridge, I must leave to those who are skilled in architecture to determine. The arch over the rivulet has lately been rebuilt of brick-work. The parapet varies from twenty t.o thirty-six inches in thickness, and there is a channel worn along the top of it. It has been repaired from time to time at the top, with old tomb-stones, Sec. It extends very considerably beyond the channel of the stream on either side, to the points out of flood's-way, and it is about four hundred and thirty feet long, gradually sloping down level with the ground at the two ends, and running from four to five feet high towards the centre. As this remarkable parapet is very much in the shape of a bow, I presume that the bridge was therefore designated by that appropriate name. There is another circumstance worthy of remark connected with these researches, namely, the amount of alluvial soil, or detritus, which has accumulated in the vale of the Severn, by the occasional floods, since the time of the Romans. At Pitchcroft Ham, upon the top of the bed of scoriae and clinkers, at the part next the river, the accumulation is six feet thick and upwards : * See further relative t<> it in the aceounl <>f tin- Western Traekwav. 68 and on the east side (as appears by the stratum at the bottom of the ditch), between three and four feet, the average being about four feet, as at Hippie. ELDERSFIELD. GADBURY BANKS. There is a remarkable elevation in this parish called Gadbury Banks*, which I examined in company with Mr. Lees. It is situated in the centre of what may be called a fine amphitheatre, is about sixty feet high, and of an irregular oblong shape, slightly rounded at the corners. Judging from a measure we made by footsteps around the top of the hill, it is about 360 yards long on the south-east side, 230 on the south-west, 390 on the north- west, 130 on the north-east, and 112 across the centre. The top is a dead level, and was covered with standing corn at the time of our visit. The sides are very steep and thickly covered with wood, except on the south-west and part of the south-east sides. It is admirably situated as a place of refuge, ambush, and strength, being in the centre of a basin, and quite detached from the sur- rounding elevations. Looking at it from a distance, no one would suppose that there is any land free from wood at the top. The hills within a few miles of it are the Malvern Hills, May Hill, Conygree Hill, Hartpury Hill, Corse Grove, &c. It appears to have had a tail lying eastward, which was cut away, except the extreme point, and that was probably left as an outwork. There is a trench entrance along the site of the tail into the platform on the north-east side, and another smaller one at the north-west corner. It is thought from its position, &c, to be the site of one of the ancient British towns. There is a place called Gadbury Hill in Castle Moreton, and Gadnals Grove in Sutton in Tenbury, also Gadbidge in Whit bourne, in Herefordshire, and Gads Hill, near Rochester, and the * Alias Gadbury Hill, or Gadbury Coppice. It is the property of Sir E. H. Leclmiere, Bart. A hill situated in Barrow Cliff's, near Scarborough, very much corresponds in character with Gadbury Banks. See my account of it in the " Archicologia," Vol. xxx., pp. -101, 402. 69 "Codex Dip." mentions Godeshyl (No. 1258); Godshill in the Isle of Wight, which Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. 345, suggests means the Hill of Woden. There is also Goddis Pit in Acton Beauchamp. It is probable that Gadbury may be derived from the Saxon Geata, who is supposed to be no other than Woden*, although he appears in the " West Saxon Genealogy" as a progenitor of Woden f. He is mentioned in the " Textus Roffensis," as being so deeply smitten by the beautiful Maethhild, that the pain of love took all sleep from him. Asser also says that the heathens worshipped him for a god. We meet with Gattibeorh, or the burgh of Geat, in the " Codex Diplomatics, " No. 1083; Gatatun or Gatton, in Surrey, No. 317; Gattesden now Gaddesden, in Hertfordshire, No. 410; and in "Domesday Book," Gadenai and Gadenay, in Lincolnshire ; Gadesbi and Gadesbie, in Leices- tershire ; Gadetune, in Hants ; Gadintone, in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire ; and Gadredehope, in Herefordshire. In the "Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vi., pp. 175 and 239, &c, there are accounts of a very remarkable tenure of lands in the manor of Broughton, Lincolnshire, by the service of the " gad-whip." A woodcut of one of the whips is therein given (p. 245), the handle of which is described as five feet eight inches long. These are considered to have been used for driving oxen, and that the butt-end of the haudle was used as a goad, hence the name of gad or goad- whip. In some proof that Gadbury Banks is the site of an ancient British town, it may be observed that Strabo says, " The forests of the Britons are their cities ; for, when they have enclosed a very large circuit with felled trees, they build within it houses for themselves and hovels for their cattle. These buildings are very slight, and not designed for long duration*." Caesar remarks, that " what the Britons call a town is a tract of woody country, surrounded by a vallum and a ditch, for the * See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. 370. + See Roger of Wendover's " Flowers of History," formerly ascribed to Matthew Paris, by Giles, Vol. i., p. 14!). \ See " Old England," Part i., p. 1!). 70 security of themselves and cattle against the incursions of their enemies*" PENDOCK. An account of this parish will be found in the descriptions of Cruckbarrow Hill and the Rycknield Street. THE BERROWf. PENDOCK PORTWAY. We also examined a road, which runs near by Gadbury Banks, in the direction of the Malvern Hill Camps at the Herefordshire Beacon and Midsummer Hill ; part of it, for about half a mile, in the parish of the Berrow, is called the Pendock Portway. This is crossed at one end by the Tewkesbury and Ledbury road. There is also Port Ridge Field, Little Portridge, and Portnells in the Berrow. Vide p. 9, &c. relative to Roman Port ways, and the account of Hagley and Cruckbarrow Hill. BROMSBERROW. CONYGREE HILL. We also visited a remarkable hill in this palish, which, although actually lying in Gloucestershire, is upon the border of Worcestershire. It is called Conygree, perhaps from its being a fine locality for rabbits, as the soil is of the new red sandstoue formation, into which they can easily burrow. This elevation, which lies near the church, is of an oval form, and about fifty feet high. Judging from a measure we made by foot-steps, it is about seven hundred yards round the base. There is a very ancient yew tree at the top, which measures twenty-five feet round the stem, at about a yard from the ground. The whole of the hill is planted with trees. The ascent is by a path, which winds round the hill to the top from the south side, in an easterly direction. A trench encircles the apex, into which the winding path runs. It is thought to have been a hill-altar were the Druids held an annual assembly for judicial and other purposes. Sep " Old England," Fart i., p. 10. + It was formerly railed Bercwe. <>r Berga. 71 It might also, although only partially artificial, have been used as a barrow, as I have suggested with respect to Cruckbarrow Hill. It is remarkable that this hill closely corresponds in cha- racter with the following description of Irish crom-lechs in the " Archaeologia," Vol. xvi., p. 268 : " Taimhleacht Lochlanna, that is to say, ' The Monument of the Danes,' a stupendous and beautiful pyramid of earth, having a spiral footway from the base to the summit. This Leacht is encircled by an extensive and broad rampart of earth, probably where the congregation of the people assembled ; by the country people called ' a Mote.' " CASTLE MOKTON; OR, MORTON FOLLIOT. We also examined a tumulus in this chapelry, of an oval form, and situated near the chapel, not far from Buddenhill. It appears to be about 190 yards round the base, and thirty yards along the top, and is said to be fifty feet in height. It has a deep trench round the south side, and an agger fourteen yards across. It is called " Castle Tump," and was most probably the foundation of the keep of an ancient castle said to have stood there*. Dr. Thurnam, in communicating to the Archaeological Institute a description of an ancient tumulus (probably of about the eighth cen tury) at Lamel Hill, near York, after describing the discoveiy of several relics, states as followsf : " The most interesting object found at the same level, is, however, the brass seal of the keeper of a chapel dedicated to the blessed Mary at Morton Folliot. This seal (see the woodcut) is probably of the four- teenth or fifteenth century, and bears the inscription, ' S\ Comuue C'todi Capelle bo Marie de Mort' * Vide Nash, Vol. ii., p. 109. + See the " Journal i if the Institute," Vol. vi., pp. 35, 3fi. 72 Folliot.' It has for a device a figure of the Virgin and Child, and beneath, that of an ecclesiastic with the hands uplifted in the attitude of prayer. It is difficult to understand how this seal can have made its way from Morton Folliot in Worcestershire to Lamel Hill*. " The discovery of this seal, and of counters, at the depth at which they were foundf, seems to afford the proof that the upper part of this mound has been disturbed within the last 300 years. I incline, indeed, to a conjecture that the hill was turned over and raised to a greater height by Fairfax's army in 1644, for the purpose of obtaining a more commodious site for their battery^." Lamel Hill is also further described in the Journal of the Institute, Vol. vi., p. 123, &c. It has since been doubted whether the seal was found at Lamel Hill. This, however, is of little moment, as it is a very interesting relic. Dr. Nash, in his account of Castle Morton, Vol. i., p. 109, says as follows : " This Morton, lying in the parish of Longdon, is comprised in " Domesday Book " in the survey of Longdon . It is uncer- tain whether Castle Morton or Morton Foliot be the original name. The hill, which is situated on the south, near the chapel- yard of Morton, was the foundation of the keep of the castle, and gave name to Castle Morton ; and the castle, as it is formed like the Conqueror's castles, was in all probability nearly coeval with the Conquest ; and this village is called Morton Foliot in the appropriation of Longdon parsonage, which proves that the Foliots did anciently inhabit here. We may hence conclude, that the Foliots of Morton Foliot were formerly owners of the castle of Castle Morton, but that the castle subsisted before their time." * " Castle Morton, Worcestershire, was anciently known as Morton Folliot." t Seven feet. I This seal is also figured and described in the " Proceedings of the Archoeo- logical Institute at Lincoln, in 1848," p. 40. Part of the possessions of the Monastery of Westminster. Sec Nash, Vol. ii., pp. 107, 111. POWICK. Two sepulchral Roman urns, containing burnt human bones, were, in or about the year 1832, dug up at Powick village, at the point of the tongue of land between the roads leading to Upton and Malvern. They lay about nine feet below the surface. One of the urns was accidentally broken to pieces ; but the other is quite perfect, of a fine shape, made of red earth, eleven inches high, and nine inches in diameter; the mouth five inches, and the neck and bottom respectively three and a half inches across. The perfect urn has a double rim round the mouth, two indented lines round the small and thick portion of the neck, and two similar lines encircle the part which may be termed the shoulder. (See woodcut thereof.) The broken urn is one inch smaller than the perfect one, a little infeiior in manufacture, and has only a single rim round the mouth, and is without the indented lines. These sepulchral urns were deposited simply in the ground, with- out a tumulus, according to the usual man- ner of the Piomans. They are now in the Worcestershire Museum, and were presented by the late Eight Honourable the Earl of Coventry. A little to the west of the village of Powick, on the brink of the same range of elevated ground, two urns, similar in size to those already described, were about the year 1833, dug up*; they contained the bones of children ; parts of the cranium, with their sutures, and some of the bones of the arm, were, at the time they were discovered, entire ; but, having been deposited in a wet spot, they, shortly after they were found, crumbled to pieces upon exposure to the air. A coin of Claudius Gothicus, and of Constantine, jun., were also found in the same neighbourhood, and arc now in the Worcester Museum. The village of Powick is three miles from Worcester, and situated within a mile of the Teme, on the north, and about the same distance from the Severn, on the east. * This discovery was made at the time of tlir additions to Ham Hill Flonse. 74 iter ECKINGTON. Between the village of Eckington and the river Avon, a Roman or Roman -British pan or hasin, of whitish material, was found by the railway excavators, several feet deep hi the earth. It was presented to the Worcestershire Museum by Mr. Milne, one of the contractors, who informed me that several ancient foundations of buildings were discovered at the same spot. The woodcut No. 1 represents the basin one- sixth of the actual size. Nos. 2 and 3 are half-size sketches of two marks which are upon the rim of the basin near the spout. A basin, nearly similar, is delineated in " Old England," Part ii., p. 44, amongst a collection entitled, " Roman Antiquities found on the site of Paul's Cross." A fragment of another, which was found about 1778, on digging at Duntocher, in Stirlingshire, together with other pottery and relics, said to be Roman, may be seen in Gough's " Camden*," where it is * Second edition, Vol. vi., PL vi., p. 103. Also scr the edition of 1780, Vol. iii , p. 3(52. described as " a piece of a vase, like our wash-hand basins* of white clay, which has the maker's name in raised capitals on the rim,' BRVSC . F,' for 'Brusci nlius.f" AD ANTONAM. There has been much dispute concerning the position of this Roman station ; it most probably lay near to the village of Eck- ington, where ancient foundations were discovered by the work- men in the line of the railway near the Avon, as before described. Upon an inspection of this spot, I found it to be about two hundred yards from the north side of the village, and within three-quarters of a mile of the river. Mr. Milne and one of the workmen pointed out to me where the relics lay, and informed me that during the cutting for the railroad they discovered there, at the depth of several feet, a great many human bones, frag- ments of potteiy, drains, bricks, stone foundations of buildings, and a rough quoined well, about four feet wide and ten feet deep, which passed through about four feet of soil and six feet of gravel, and was filled up with earth and rubble, having fragments of the bones and horns of the ox and deer species at the bottom, which was shaped like a basin ; and that two other quoined wells were discovered there, filled with blackish earth. I found some specimens of the pottery in the mound of earth and gravel which had been thrown out there, some resembling the Roman or Roman-British pan, before described, as discovered at this excavation, and others exactly like the Roman red earth pottery wbich I found at KempseyJ. See further particulars relative to " Ad Antonam," in the account of the Rycknield Street, where the subject comes more regularly under notice. STRENSHAM. There is an old trench road which passes not far from the cottage where Butler, the author of " Hudibras," is said to have * They are by some antiquaries described as " mortaria." + Or it may mean, Bruseus fecit. J See page 5-1, &c. 76 been born, and through a pasture on the south side of the Moat Farm-house, and up what is called Green Hill and the Park Grounds, to that part of the hill where Strensham Church stands, and from thence most probably it crossed the Avon, at one of the fords, to Eckington. G. Bryan, Esq., of the Moat Farm, and Dr. Grove, the rector of Strensham parish, kindly pointed out to me the above line of intrenchment from the pasture to near the church. Before leaving this farm, I must notice that there is a double moat, forming nearly a square, at the eastern side of the house, with a high ridge between the moats. The present old house is supposed to have been built of the materials of the ancient (perhaps baronial) seat, which no doubt stood in the centre of the moats. This property belongs to John Taylor, Esq., of Strensham Court*. NORTON IN BREDON. In this chapelry have been found various Anglo-Saxon relics, consisting of several iron bosses or umbos of shields, and spear- heads, a knife, fragments of a sword, with part of the scabbard mounted in brass, and a blue and a reddish-yellow bead. These were presented to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, in the year 1838, by one of the engineers em- ployed in making the Birmingham and Gloucester railway. They were discovered by the workmen whilst excavating at Norton Pitch, a place near to Bredon Hill, upon which there is the site of an ancient camp, hereafter described. I am informed by an experienced jeweller that one of the above- mentioned beads is malachite, and the other amber ; they are rather flattened, and perforated in the centre. Malachite, although generally green (as the name from the Greek, " marsh- mallow," indicates), is still found, massive and of a smalt-blue colour, in Cornwall f. These relics are represented in Plate 3, one-sixth of the real size, except the beads (Nos. 12 and 13), which are of the actual Strensham is supposed to be the Strengesho in Eadgar's Charter, a.d. 972. See " Codex Dip.," No. 570. + Vide " An Elementary Introduction to Mineralogy," by Mr. Win. Phillips, fourth edition, enlarged by Mr. Robert Allan, p. -{20. V*- F/MZe J o 75 ^ :<*.' S****: - . i^i^s A 13 m .;.. /v ,> ///// /-///////. . ///./ JyvvV'/v //; Brrrfrn 77 size. One of the umbos still contains a rivet which fastened it to the shield ; but the umbos, spear-heads, knife, and blade of the sword are a complete mass of incrusted rust. The scabbard of the sword is so decayed that it appears like touchwood, and the mounting of it, which is either brass, copper, or bronze, is almost reduced to a powder, resembling verdigris. Fig. 6, which is plated with silver, was at first supposed to have been the button or stud which attached the scabbard to the belt, because there is an impression of part of the head of the stud upon the scabbard ; it is more probable, however, that it was one of the studs which fastened the umbo to the shield, and that the impression was made by the scabbard having lain in the earth upon the stud. The latter has the shank or rivet attached to it (which is of an oblong square shape), and also a fragment of iron and wood. The iron most probably being part of the umbo, and the wood a por- tion of the wooden shield. In Vol. xv. of the " Archaeologia," Plates xviii. and xix. p. 344, there are relics very similar to some of the above-mentioned, which were found in Sherrington Barrow, Wiltshire ; among them was a bit of silver, which is supposed to have covered the projecting part of the umbo of the shield. See also the " Pro- ceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London," in 1843, 1844, No. 2, p. 29, where in describing some relics discovered at Stow- ting, in Kent, said to be Anglo-Saxon, it is stated that " the weapons are all of iron, some of the bosses of shields have the summit of the umbo plated with silver, and were attached to the wooden shield by silver-headed rivets, or studs. A few similar instances have occurred in other parts of England ; but the curious fact, that the art of plating silver upon iron was known at a very early period, has never been noticed as it deserves." In the "Journal of the Archaeological Institute*" there is an account of Anglo-Saxon relics found at Long Wittenham, Co. Berks, among which there are iron studs plated with silver, attached to bits of iron, which the writer supposes to be parts of the umbo or boss of the shield. * Vol. v., pp. 2!)1, 202, 203. 78 Several relics corresponding to some of those found at Norton Pitch were discovered in the neighbourhood of Fairford, in Gloucestershire, and are described in the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxxiv., pp. 77 to 82. BREDON HILL, IN THE PARISH OF KEMERTON. At a land-slip at the top of Bredon Hill, which happened at the beginning of the present century*, a considerable quantity of wheat, of a parched appearance, and which had been buried in the earth, was discovered. This is supposed to have been an ancient granary, but of what people is uncertain. A specimen of the wheat was presented to the Worcester Museum by Mrs. Davies, of Elmley Parkf. Wishing to know the particulars, I wrote to Mr. William Prior, of Kemerton, who, in reply, informed me that about thirty-five or forty years ago, after a very wet season, as the late Miss Martin, of Norton, was riding along the parapet on the top of Bredon Hill, in the field called Kemerton Camp, her horse began to sink into the ground suddenly and rapidly ; that she however kept her seat, and the horse, which had gone down about four or five feet below the level of the firm ground, sprang up and regained his footing. That so soon as Miss Martin had recovered from her surprise, she saw that a land-slip had occurred, and that she had landed on the firm side of the chasm, which at that time opened about thirty feet wide at the surface, and about forty feet deep} ; but that it is since partially filled up by the crumbling down of the sides. That he was at the house of the late James Martin, Esq., of Overbury, some few weeks afterwards, when a portion of the parched wheat, found in the excavation, was shown to him and some other gentlemen, and the general opinion was, that it was a part of the stores left * About the beginning of the last century, a hillock on the side of the hill, containing about an acre, with its trees and cattle, slipped nearly 100 yards down. (See Laird's "Topographical and Historical Description of Worcester shire," p. 304.) + Now Lady Pakington. + Some sav the chasm was about 200 yards long. 79 behind by the Romans, Saxons, or Danes, at the time when they were there encamped. That in this opinion the late Dr. Nash, who was then present, coincided, and said that there could be no other way of accounting for it. That a few years after, whilst ploughing the Camp Field, some ancient swords mounted with brass were discovered, which the late John Parsons, Esq., of Kemerton, claimed, as Lord of the Manor, and afterwards gave to his house steward, the late Mr. Blomer. Whether these swords were of as early a date as the Roman, Saxon, or Danish time, I cannot ascertain ; but I have two swords which were found in the Camp Field when it was ploughed up, of the age of one of the Charles's, and this goes to show that the Camp was also used during the Civil Wars. I was informed by Mr. Moore, Jun., of Elmley, that the wheat which he saw taken from the land-slip on Bredon Hill, consisted of a few grains found promiscuously in the broken earth, about the year 1836 ; that he did not see any fragments of either straw or ears ; that the grains were black, or nearly so, and that a slight pressure between the fingers would reduce them to a powder ; but that the form of the grain was quite perfect. He also added that he was lately informed that as the chasm opened it exposed to view a vein of black earth, about four or five inches thick, immediately under the soil which in some places, was not more than six inches deep, but varied to eighteen inches or two feet ; that the black earth was supposed to be decayed wheat, as quan- tities of perfect grains were found in it ; that there was no appear- ance of straw or ears of corn ; and that the chasm beneath, on both sides, was a solid but craggy rock, impossible ever to have been opened before. From the above account it does not appear that in this case there was any chamber or vault in which the com was deposited, but that it lay under the earth upon the ledge of the rock along the brow of the hill. Perhaps this was the spot where it was either charred or deposited in small quantities for immediate use, and that there was a more regular granary at or near the spot. Tins idea appears to be in a measure corroborated by what has been before stated relative to ancient granaries, in p. C> I , 80 namely, " that the shelved cavities of the rock were believed to be receptacles for food in small portions." That there was a regular granary at the spot in question, or at least a cave which might have been used as such, is quite evident from the following passage in Dr. Derham's " Physico-Theology," who, in speaking of caves containing stalactites and stalagmites, in p. 70, says : " Such like caves as these I have myself met with in England ; particularly on the very top of Bredon Hill in Wocestershire, near the precipice, facing Pershore, in or near the old fortress, called Bemsbury Camp, I saw some years ago such a cave, which, if I mis-remember not, was lined with those stalactical stones on the top and sides. On the top they hung like icicles, great and small, and many lay on the ground. They seemed manifestly to be made by an exudation or exstillation of some petrifying juices out of the rocky earth there. On the spot, I thought it might be from the rains soaking through, and carrying with it impregnations from the stone, the hill being there all rocky. Hard by the cave is one or more vast stones, which, if I mistake not, are incrusted with this sparry, stalactical substance, if not wholly made of it*." From the above account (which was written about 1712) it is evident that the cave lay on the Worcestershire side of the Camp, and near to the place where the charred wheat was found ; for the learned Doctor not only says it was " in or near the old fortress called Bemsbury Camp," but that " hard by the cave, is one or more vast stones," meaning, no doubt, the immense stone there called the Bambury Stone, which, with its companions, I shall hereafter more particularly describe in the account of the " Ambrosiae Petrae." The cave probably was destroyed by one of the land-slips before stated. With respect to both ancient and modern granaries, the fol- lowing may be added upon the subject : In " Malcolm's Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of * These stones, and the rock beneath them, are porous freestone, called inferior oolite, and being charged with lime, would form stalactites, &c, as above described. 81 London from the Koman invasion to the year 1700. He says (Vol i. p. 13), " We are not informed how they (the ancient Britons) used their grain ; whether it was made into anything like bread, eaten raw, or prepared by fire : their method of pre- serving it was by putting it into subterraneous receptacles, in the ear, and thrashing it daily as they wanted it. Now, it appears doubtful whether any possible means could be contrived to pre- vent wheat, thus circumstanced, from becoming absolutely mouldy and decayed, and utterly unfit for food, certainly for seed, in our humid climate." Perhaps the best answer to the above is, that the ancient Britons parched their corn before placing it in subterranean granaries for long keeping* ; but whether it was parched in the ear and then thrashed out, or parched after it was thrashed, may be a question. Dr. Adam Clarke f says, " According to Mr. Jones, the Moors of West Barbary use the flour of parched barley, which is the chief provision they make for their journeys, and often use it at home ; and this they cany in a leathern satchel." In " A Narrative of Ten Years in Tripoli," by Richard Tully, Esq., the British Consul I, Letter of April 20, 1784, p. 49, he remarks, " We passed through a street [in Tripoli] noted for its corn-wells, or rather caverns, dug very deep in the earth. They are situated on each side of the street, at about thirty yards distance. They are designed for magazines to lay up corn in, where they say it will keep perfectly good 100 years." Dr. Nash, in Vol. ii., page 234, speaks of Kemerton Camp as follows : " On Kemerton Hill, in Gloucestershire, though only a few yards distant from Worcestershire, is a large camp, of a triangular shape, two sides of which are defended by the steep precipice at Bredon Hill, looking to the north and west ; the south and east sides are guarded by two ditches, about twenty * Similar subterranean granaries are mentioned l>y Tacitus in bis account of tbe customs of tbe Germans. See "Gentleman's Mag." for Nov. 18-10, p. 511. f Commentary on tbe 28 th verse of tbe 27th cbapter of tbe Second Book of Samuel. J Second edition, published 1817. G 82 yards wide each* ; the whole ground within the camp is upwards of twenty-one acres. It was ploughed two or three years ago, and several iron weapons found, of so rude and bad workmanship, as bespoke them rather Danish or Saxon than Roman. A plan of it is here given f." Upon a visit which I made in 1840 to Kemerton Camp, I found the intrenchments in most parts to be still very deep and perfect}. The land-slip is also yet visible. The scene we witnessed from the summit of this hill was (owing principally to a heavy storm which came on) truly magnificent ; and upon its partially clearing up, the sun, which was fast declining westward, broke through the murky clouds in that direction, and scattered " the many hues of heaven" over the whole expanse between us and the Malvems, and painted upon the dark curtain towards the Cotswolds a splendid double rainbow ; while the Avon shone in silvery whiteness, and seemed in imagination to be like the wand of Shakespeare calling up the genii around to meet in the " bloody field by Tewkesbury." In the Corrections and Additions to Nash's " History," Vol. ii., p. 29, the learned Dr. remarks : " It is the general practice of antiquaries to refer all the intrenchments which are found on hills, &c, either to Roman, Saxon, or Danish invaders, without reflecting that the unfortunate inhabitants thus invaded, whether Britons or Anglo-Saxons, had both more leisure and more pressing occasion to prepare such fastnesses and places of retreat for their wives, children, flocks, and herds, &c, when their country was likely to be overrun by these cruel invaders. The first Saxons were near two centuries in subduing, extirpating, and expelling the Britons ; who, before they were entirely destroyed or driven out from their native plains, we know, made many vigorous struggles in their defence ; and, in the intervals of the successive * And also two aggers. f- See woodcut of it in the account of the " Ambrosia? Petrre. ' 1 It is, however, to be feared that the young trees which have lately been planted in the trenches of the camp will, in course of time, very much destroy its appearance. 83 attacks made upon them, would doubtless fortify the heights in every part of the kingdom that could afford them any place of refuge or asylum to retire to from the open country, which could not be defended when those furious assailants made their de- structive inroads. The same retreats would, in like manner, serve for shelter afterwards to the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants, when invaded by the Danes, and perhaps be fortified with additional intrenchments. Such I judge to have been the origin and use of these vast lines, &c, on Kemerton Hill, and of many similar ones in other parts of the kingdom, as on Borough Hill, near Daventry," &c. &c. In the " Archseologia," Vol. xix., p. 172, it is stated, that " Bredon Hill is not a part of the Cots wold Hills. It stands in the vale by itself, and on it is an intrenchment of about 170 yards by 130. On two adjoining sides, the brow of the hill is a sufficient defence ; on the other two, it is defended by two banks and ditches, which are near fifty yards asunder, and not straight or quite regular. Were they then thrown up at different times? The entrance is at one corner. Drakestone, Uley Bury, Broadridge Green, Painswick Beacon, Church Down, Whitcombe, Crickley Hill, and Nottingham Hill, are seen from it." As the Roman camps are generally square or oblong, with the angles obtuse or rounded off ; and, as the camp in question is of a rather triangular shape, it is probable that it is ancient British, and that it was in after ages occupied by the Romans, Saxons, and Danes. Mr. May, in his " History of Evesham," p. 365, in speaking of the Roman occupation of Bredon Hill, says, it " abounds with copious and unfailing springs ; and a vast number of coins, of the higher as well as lower empire, have, during late years, been ploughed up there. Among such of these as the writer has hitherto met with, occur those of Vespasian, Severus, Gallienus, Constantine, and Valentinian." An earring of silver (weight (50 gr.) was found with Roman brass coins of Allectus, Quintillus, and Constans, the acus of a fibula, and a silver penny of one of the Edwards, in a field 84 called Nettlebed, upon the Beckford Estate, situate on the south side of Bredon Hill, near the ancient camp. On the lower part of the ring appears a cavity formed to receive a gem*. (See the woodcut.) With respect to the etymology of the word " Bredon," Dr. Nash says, the hill was anciently called Breodum ; and, that " Bullet in his ' Memoires de la Langue Celtique,' says, Breeden may be the name of a great forest : Braidd, Great ; and Den, Forest." " Breedon has also been observed to signify a place at the root of a hill; Braidd, extremity; and Don, Hillf." This latter appears to be the better etymology, as the village of Bredon \ lies at the bottom of the hill. BREDON HILL, CONDERTON. In Dr. Nash's account of the parish of Overbury, he says : " On Conderton Hill is a small oval camp, one hundred and sixty-five yards long, and seventy-one yards wide : tradition, which is better than conjecture, supposes it to be Danish. Some few Roman coins have been found in the fields." (Vide Vol. ii., p. 234.) Mr. Bennett, in his " History of Tewkesbury," p. 17, says: " In the neighbourhood of these {i.e. the Kemerton and Conder- ton) camps, especially near the latter, a number of Roman coins have at various times been discovered." * See my account in the " Archaeological Journal," Vol. iii. pp. 207, 268. t See Nash's " History," Vol. L, p. 128. I The name is spelled Breodun in several Anglo-Saxon Charters. See " Codex Dip." No. 120 ; 120 App., Vol. iii., 138, 140, 145, 148,248, 261, 514. 514 App., Vol. vi., and 674, 805. That work also notices Bredun in the Charters, No. 984, 990 (Bradden in Northamptonshire), and Breowoldsham, No. 1309. The names Uferebreodun and Uuerabreodun (Upper Bredon) occur in the Charters, No. 308, 308 App., Vol. iii. ; and 514, 514 App., Vol. vi., and in Heming's " Cartulary," p. 520 ; and Overbury is called Ufere- breodun in that work, p. 306, &c. 85 SEDGEBARROW. In Mr. May's "History of Evesham," second edition, 1845, p. 365, it is stated that, " upon deepening the channel of the brook at Sedgebarrow, about eighteen years ago, two oval-shaped spear-heads of bronze, of most perfect workmanship, with portions of their staves attached, were found stuck into the bank, at a depth of several feet. Pieces of Roman defensive armour were likewise found ; together with the sharpened half of a celt, formed of basalt, and a portion of another ; as though the rude Britain and the polished Roman had fallen here together in the death-struggle, each leaving his weapon to tell of the event. These fragments, together with part of a steel band, apparently from the shoulder, and retaining the bronze rivets that attached it to the cuirass, are in the possession of the Rev. William Pashley. Several very large antlers were dug out at the same time ; but, strange to say, no pains were taken to preserve these memorials of the wild denizens of our ancient forests." ICCOMB. This was a detached parish of Worcestershire, until annexed to Gloucestershire by the Reform Bill. In describing this parish, which lies near Stow, in Gloucestershire, Dr. Nash says : " Here is a camp, supposed to be Danish : it has a single ditch, which in many places is ploughed down*." Iccomb was anciently spelled Iccacumb, Icancumbf, Ican- cumbe, Icomb, Iccecumbe, Icacub, Ickacumb, Yccacumbe, Ycumb, and Ikecumbe. FOUR SHIRE STONE. This stone, which stands near Moretoii-in-the-Marsh, in the counties of Worcester, Gloucester, Warwick, and Oxford, is stated in Laird's " Topographical and Historical Description of * See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 1. + See " Codex Dip.," Offa's Charter, No. 14(1, and Edgar's Charter, No. 514, 514 App. Vol. vi., dated !MS4 ; also see Nash, Vol. ii., p. 1. The authenticity of i he above-mentioned Charter of Kadgar is doubted. See " Oswaldslow." 80 Worcestershire*," to be " situated on the spot where the battle was fought, about 1016, between the English and Danes, when the latter, under Canute, were totally defeated with great slaugh- ter by King Edmund Ironside;" and that " there also, at a small distance, is a fortification or barrow, which Camden and Plott consider as of Danish origiu, but Gough seems of a different opinion, and considers it as British." The above-mentioned fortification or barrow is, I presume, that situated in the piece of land called Barrow Ground, and lies at the southern corner of Chastleton parish, Oxon. about two miles from the Four Shire Stone, which stands at the northern extre- mity of the parish. The field is bounded on the west and south- west by Freeboard Lane, which divides it from Adlestrop, and southward and eastward by Daylesford and Com well. The forti- fication or barrow is nearly a circle, and including the single agger or mound which surrounds it, contains 176 yards in diameter from the north-west to the south-east side, and 165 yards in diameter from the south-west to the north-east side. The area, which is perfectly flat, amounts to half an acre and sixteen perches. The agger is thirty feet wide and about sixteen feet high on the outside of it, the ground within it being about eight feet higher than the surrounding land. In the Ordnance Map it is called Chastleton Hill Camp, but the name " Barrow Ground," and the very circular character of the agger appear to favour the idea of its having originally been a barrow. It may, however, have been afterwards used as a camp by the Romans, Saxons, or Danes. A bye-way passes through it from east to west, which is the " regular direction of the Praetorian way in a Iloman Campf." On the brow of the hill range, between Bourton-on-the-Hill and Cutsdean, there are several camps, or earth-works, of a square shape, with a rivulet running along a dell on their west side. This dell is called Kill- Danes-Bottom J. * Pp. 394, 395. + See " Gentleman's Mag." for June, 1842, p. 622. I Vide under the head of Ambrosia? re tree, for the description of a plate called Woeful-Danes Bottom. 87 In the explanation of the Saxon map in Gough's " Camden*," it is stated that Camden, in his " Notes on the Saxon Chronicle," places Scierydan at the above-mentioned Shire Stone. DORN. This hamlet is in the detached parish of Blockley, belonging to Worcestershire, near Moreton-in-the-Marsh. It is stated by Cookef, that " The Fosse-way runs out of Gloucestershire through the village of Dorn. According to tradition, this village was formerly a city of some consequence ; and the many old foundations, and Roman and British coins found in this neigh- bourhood, seem to countenance the probable truth of the report. At present, however, Dorn can only boast the possession of a few farm-houses." Nash I says, that " Dorn is supposed to have been a Roman station. Many small coins of base metal have been found here. One of Carausius was lately in the possession of the Rev. Mr Selwyn, the vicar." " Dorn has its name from a little stream running here, called Duran, which, in the ancient Celtic, signifies ' rivulus,' or little stream." Nash|| likewise informs us, that " The Rev. Mr. Miles, of Worcester, had several Roman coins found at Dorn : the earliest was a denarius of Severus ; the latest, a brass coin of Crispus. Among them were Etruscilla, Carausius, Allectus, &c, of brass." BADSEY. Mr. May IT, describing various ancient relics found in this parish, states that, " at about a mile's distance eastward from Badsey Church, upon a farm occupied by Mr. Gibbs, of Knowle Hill, and seated on a gentle slope, is a field now called 'Foxhih 1 .' * Vol. i. Int. p. clxiv. + " Topographical Library," title Worcestershire, p. 108. J Vol. L, p. 101. Baxter's " Glossariuiu Antiquit. Brit.," p. 11. || Vol. ii., p. 20, of the Corrections and Additions. *t\ May's " History of Evesham," second edition, p. 244. 88 Here pieces of coarse, dark, gritty pottery are widely strewn, intermixed with fragments of finer quality, coloured red. Human bones, in beds, and those of animals, apart from the former, intermixed with antlers of deer and the horns of small cattle, have also been recently disturbed. Rude slabs of stone, occa- sionally laid kiln-wise, and bearing marks of fire, have likewise been exposed. These we at first regarded as places where the ware was baked ; but Mr. Gibbs remarks, that the soil being wholly upon gravel, there is no material for pottery any where near. No coins appear to be found here, with the exception of one of those small copper Constantines that elsewhere commonly occur ; but what is perhaps earlier than our Roman coinage a rude bead or annulet of pared bone, one inch in diameter, and a fourth of an inch thick, has been preserved. As soon as the present crop will permit, Mr. Gibbs intends to open the ground for careful examination. Meanwhile, from what we have hitherto seen, we are disposed to regard the site as that of a British settlement ; but whether so occupied before the Roman invasion, we are not at present prepared to assert." In 709, Coenraed, Ceured, or Kenred, and Offa, granted lands in Baddesig to the monastery which Bishop Egwin intended to found at Evesham*. CHURCH HONEYBOURNE, AND QUINTON WAY. It is stated in the " Rambler in Worcestershire," by Mr. Noakef, that " a human skeleton, a spear-head, together with several swords, and some other relics," were dug out in the line of road near the church in this parish. In Church Honeybourne there is a road called the Quintou Way, near Podon, or Podenj, and not far from Selenslode and Hollow Breche, as appears by Terriers, in the " Registry of the May's "Evesham," p. 24. Also Nash, Vol. ii.,p. 52 ; Dugd. " Monast.," Vol. i., p. 145 ; and " Codex Dip.," Charters of Coenraed, No. 61, 61 App., Vol. hi., dated 709. Of " Egwi," No. 64, dated 714; and of " Eadweard," No. 289, 289 App., Vol. iii., dated 860-865. t Published in 1848, p. 230. t See the account of Old Storage, as to this name. 89 Consistory Court of Worcester," of the date of 1585 and 1715. This road was most probably a branch from the Buckle Street, or Boggilde Street*, and led from Church Honeybourne, by Meon Hill Camp, to Quinton Field, which lies about three miles to the north-east in Gloucestershire. A mile further on is a place called Upper Quinton, and about the same distance further is Lower Quinton. There can be little cause to hesitate in saying that these villages took their names from the above-named Quinton Field, where the game of quintan was no doubt played. The name of this place is written " Cwentun," in " Codex Dip.," No. 244. There are places called Upper Quinton and Lower Quinton in Bockelton ; Quinton Oak in Northfield ; Twinton in Upton Warren ; the Quintins in Kempsey ; Quinton in Holt with Little Witley ; Quinton Piece in Romsley, in Hales Owen ; First Quinton Field, Upper Quinton Field, and Lower Quinton, in Warley Wigorn, in Hales Owen ; and First Quinton Field in Ridgacre, in Hales Owen all in Worcestershire : and Near Quanton Croft and Far Quanton Croft, in Arley, Co. Warwick. In " Domesday Book," mention is made of " Quenintone," and " Quenintuue," in Gloucestershire ; and " Quiutone " in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. As some of my readers may not be acquainted with the nature of the game of quintan, I shall subjoin the following extract upon the subject, from Malcolm's " Anecdotes of the Manners and Customs of London, from the Roman Invasion to the year 1700," Vol. hi., p. 8. *' The quintain, mentioned by Howe, had its origin from a whimsical idea ; and those who practised with it were compelled to exert no trifling degree of agility to avoid the heavy blows it inflicted. " In this instance, a strong post was placed erect in the ground, on which a piece of wood turned by means of a spindle ; at one extremity a bag of sand was suspended, and the other presented a surface sufficiently broad to make it practicable to Descrilicd in the Recount of the Lower Suit Wav. 90 strike it with a spear when in full gallop on horseback ; the pressure from the spear caused an instantaneous whirl of the wood, which was increased by the weight of the sand, and that saluted the back of the horseman in no very gentle manner, if the speed of his courser happened to be less than that of the quintain." OFFENHAM. In this parish (the alleged residence of the Saxon king, Offa) two coins, one of Faustina II., the other of Canute, were a few years since dug up at the Court Farm House, near the Moat. The obverse of the latter contains the head of the king, with his sceptre and the inscription, CNVT RECX (Cnut Rex.) in Saxon characters ; and the reverse bears a Saxon cross, with the mint- master's name and the place of mintage namely, BRVNCAR ON LVND, which some say means Bruncar in London, but I have it on very good authority that, as the moneyer's name is Bruncar, it is most likely a Danish coin struck at Lund in Schonen. These coins were in the possession of the late Rev. Mr. Digby, of Offenham, Canon of Worcester Cathedral. The parish is called Uffenham and Offeham in several Anglo-Saxon Charters*, and Offenha in " Domesday Book." It signifies the ham of Offa. There is a place called Dead Men's Aitf in Offenham, where bones have been dug up, supposed to have been those of some of the slain at the battle of Evesham. " On the north side of the village there is a large stone, almost overgrown with ivy ; it has no inscription remaining, but has been supposed to be a memorial set up in the rudest times}." The following extract from Dr. Nash's " History " may be taken in proof that Offa had property in Offenham : " Kenred, King of * See " Codex Dip.," No. 61, 61 App., Vol. iii., pp. 289 and 789. + Or Island. { See Laird's " Topographical and Historical Description of Worcester- shire," pp. 375, 388. Vol. ii., p. 202. 91 the Mercians, and Offa, King of the East Angles, gave to the Abbey of Evesham seven mansse in Offenham. This Offa and King Kenred were the greatest benefactors to the Abbey. They died monks at Home. In " Domesday" we read, the church of Evesham held Offenham ; there is one hide free." CLEEVE PRIOR. In the year 1811, two jars of Roman coins were found in this parish. The following letter upon the subject, from the late E. Rudge, Esq., of Evesham, appeared in the " Gentleman's Maga- zine" for December of that year : " Wimpole Street, Nov. 15. " Mr. Urban, I send you an account of the discovery of two earthen pots, the one containing gold and the other silver Roman coius, found by a labourer while digging stone in a quarry at Priors Cleeve, about five miles from Evesham, Worcestershire, on the 22nd of October last ; the pots are of red earthenware, and I am informed are about eighteen inches wide, and about the same height. They were full of coins, which poured out from the pots when broken by the stroke of the pick-axe. The quantity of gold coin was as much as the fortunate discoverer could carry home at twice. They are of very pure gold, in the most perfect state of preservation ; but amongst them are several of copper plated with gold. The silver coins are worn, and appear to have been in circulation. There can be little doubt but these coins were de- signed for the payment of the Roman troops stationed in that part of Britain, and may have been buried about the year 403, during the various disturbances which existed at that period. " In 1781, fifty gold coins were dug up in Stanmore Common, near Bentley Priory, and amongst them were several of Valen- tinian and Gratian, similar to those described below. The fol- lowing inscriptions I have copied from such as I have seen, and which are but few, for the discoverer, apprehending a claim from the Lord of the Manor, refused soon after their discovery, any information respecting them ; so that whether there were other coins in the pots than what I have described, remains to be ascertained. 92 " Situation of the pots when discovered. The pots stood upon stone of eight inches in depth, in a stratum of clay of eighteen inches ; over the pots was placed stone of four inches in depth, and above that the natural soil, sixteen inches deep from the surface." Mr. Rudge then fully detailed the inscriptions which were upon the coins. The names of the emperors are as follow : GOLD COINS. SILVEB COINS. Valentinianus I. Constantius. Gratianus. Julianus. Valentinianus, jun. Valentinianus I. Theodosius I. Gratianus. Mag. Maxim us. . Theodosius I. Mr. Rudge also communicated the particulars to the Society of Antiquaries*, and added that the coins were found on the site of a Roman road leading from Camden to Alcesterf. Mr. May, in his " History of Evesham," published in 1834, states that the spot where the coins were found lies " a very few yards west of the existing road, at its entrance into Cleeve from Middle Littleton," and mentions a coin of Constantine as one of the number ; he also suggested, that they " might possibly have been secreted by some Roman commander prior to an encounter, in which his forces were routed, and himself slain." In the " Companion to Greenwood's Map" it is stated that a goldsmith of London " offered the finder three hundred pounds for them, which he refused." The discovery is also noticed in the " Worcester Journal" for the 31st of October, 1811, where it is stated, that " counterfeits were discovered among them, executed in a most excellent manner, being copper plated with gold. The silver coins were not in so good preservation as the gold. The execution of these coins is of course not very good, the art of cutting the dies being at that pex*iod very much upon the decline. The man has acknowledged that he found one hundred of the gold coins ; the silver most probably greatly exceeded that number." * Vide " Archseologia," Vol. xvii., pp. 320, 330. + Sec further relative to that road in the account of the Ryeknield Street 93 The Rev. R. D. Stillingfleet, Vicar of Cleeve Prior, in answer to some inquiries I made respecting the coins, stated that Thomas Sheppey, the man who found them in the first instance, conveyed them secretly to his own house ; that he afterwards took them to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, (the Lords of the Manor), who, after reserving a few of the coins, returned him the remainder. Mr. Stillingfleet further added, that " there was a discovery made near the village, in the year 1 824, of a number of human skeletons, on a bank immediately above the river Avon, and not very remote from the field in which the coins were found." I have seen several of these coins in the possession of the Rev. Allen Wheeler, of Worcester, and the Rev. Wm. Brown, of Bredi- cot ; in addition to some of the above, they have coins of Valens, Valerian, D.N. Fl. Victor, and Gordiauus Pius. Sheppey stated that a goat's head was found in the excavation, which was perhaps a votive offering made upon depositing the coins. After writing the above, I went to Cleeve Prior, and saw at the Rev. Mr. Stillingfleet's, in addition to those previously mentioned, a gold coin of Arcadius, and two silver coins, one of Vespasian, and another which I could not decipher. T. Sheppey, the finder of the urns and coins, informed me that the quantity of gold coins found in one of the urns (which would hold about two quarts) amounted to about six pounds in weight ; that there were about three thousand silver coins in the other urn, which would contain about a gallon ; that the goat's head was found four or five yards from the unis, about four feet deep, in a cavity made in the quarry, which cavity was of the shape of a basin at the bottom ; that he was offered seven hundred pounds for the coins, which he refused ; that he considered they were altogether worth about one thousand pounds, but could not tell the total amount received for them, they having been sold in parcels at various times. I also examined the spot where the coins were found near the vilbige, and where the bones and skeletons were discovered on Cleeve Terrace, and saw an iron arrow-head in Mr. Stillingfleet's possession, which was found with the skeletons. A large hewn stone called by the inhabitants Batowen, stands at the place and 94 it is most probably the base of an ancient cross. The Avon flows at the foot of the Terrace, and there is a ford and Cleeve Mill at the spot. Perhaps the skeletons may be those of some of the soldiers who fell in this part of the line between Kenilworth and Evesham, in the battles between the barons and Henry III. In conclusion it is as well to remark, that the late Rev. Mr. Digby, Canon of Worcester Cathedral, informed me that one of the urns also contained gold coins of Valens, Magnus, Maximus, and Arcadius, and he gave me an account of 255 of the gold coins, and of 832 of the silver coins. CROWLE. Dr. Thomas* says, that Beortulf, King of the Mercians, gave Eadberht, Bishop of Worcester, five manses at Crohlea; and that, in the time of Canute, and of Leofsius, Bishop of Worcester, " one Simund, a Dane, a soldier of Earl Leofrick's, endeavoured to dispossess the church of what they had at Crowle, for he so plagued it with suits and trespasses, that he drove away the farmers, and they were forced to grant it to him for his life, on condition that he should serve for them in the wars by sea and land, and should acknowledge the prior as his lord, by paying yearly a horse or money in lieu thereof f." Dr. Nash, in the first volume of his " History," p. 281, says : "In a field in this parish, adjoining to Hodington, was dis- covered, nearly two centuries ago, a stone coffin lined with lead j, and containing the bones of a man, almost mouldered away, with an earthen pitcher or urn at the head of it. These were supposed to have been the remains of some Danish warrior who had fallen in battle : an opinion which seems to be confirmed by the quan- tities of human bones frequently ploughed up around the place, * Page A, 27 and 01 of his Survey, &c, of Worcester Cathedral. Also see Nash, Vol. i., p. 279 ; and, Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 345, 572. + Heming's " Cartulary," p. 205. I It will he ohserved in the account of Hadley Heath camp, hi Omhcrsley, that a leaden chest was found there. 95 and the traces of fortifications till of late distinguishable, though now overgrown with woods. Dr. Thomas imagines this person was Simund the Dane. The stone of which the coffin was made so nearly resembled what is produced out of Burford quarry, in Oxfordshire, that a friend of Mr. Habingdon, a great naturalist, did not hesitate to affirm it was hewn from thence*." BREDICOT. As some workmen, in the summer of 1839, were excavating in the line of the Birmingham and Gloucester railroad in this parish, they found, at the depth of about two feet in the earth, under the spreading boughs of a very large and ancient pollard elm, just by Bredicot Court, a small Roman um of red clay, four inches and one-eighth high, eleven inches and a half round the middle, six inches round the neck, and four inches round the foot. (See woodcut thereof here represented.) In shape it resembles a skittle, and I am informed there were about 140 small copper coins in it, which were distributed amongst the workmen ; but the urn and sixty-two of the coins having been procured for my inspection, by Henry Chamberlain, Esq., of the above court, I found, after clearing them of much oxidation, that they were all Roman, and that the heads upon fifty seven of them had the iron crown. Those of the emperors I made out are as follow : Seven of Gallienus ; eleven of Claudius Gothicus ; and one of Probus ; also one of Salonina, wife of Gallienus ; and the following of the usurpers in Gaul and Britain : one of Posthumus ; nine of Victorinus ; twenty-four of Tetricus ; and four of Carausius. In the " Universal History!," the revolt of the Britons in the reign of Gallienus, and the names of the usurpers acknowledged in Britain, are stated ; and it is worthy of remark that the Bredicot urn contained coins of all of them except Lollianus and * Habingdon MSS. t Vol. xix., pp. 1C1, 102. 90 Allectus. It is doubted whether a genuine coin of Lollianus has ever been found*. The urn in question, which is quite a little history of those times, was probably deposited at Bredicot (which lies between two and three miles from the site of the ancient camp at Elbury Hill) in the civil wars between Carausius and Allectus, for I do not find that it contained any coins of the Constantine family, who succeeded them ; however, as I have only seen part of the coins (the others having been carried away by the workmen), the evidence is not absolutely conclusive upon the subject. I pro- cured the urn and about forty of the coins for the Worcestershire Museum. Bredicot is situated about four miles north-east of Worcester. In 1846, a ring was found near Bredicot churchyard, and presented to me by the rector, the Rev. Wm. Godfery, which I sent for the inspection of the Archaeological Institute, and which 4-THERKTfrLrrHG'irri.mMf is figured and thus noticed in their Journalf. " The ring of base metal, plated with gold, and inscribed with a cabalistic or * Since the above was written, I find in the " Illustrations of the Remains of Roman Art in Cirencester," p. 142, the following, in the list of Roman coins discovered there : " Laelianus. An usurper in the reign of Gallienus. Base Silver. Obv. IMP . C . LAELIANVS . P.F. AVG. Rev. PAX . AVG. A female holding an olive branch." Lollianus and Laelianus are supposed to mean the same person. There is still, however, a question whether this coin of Laelianus is really genuine. + Vol. iii., pp. 207, 268. Also see p. 357 of that Vol. ; and p. 7s. f Vol. v. 97 talismanic legend, was recently dug up, near to the churchyard at Bredicot. It appears to be of the fourteenth century." (See the woodcut of it.) Since writing the above, I am told, the inscription, subdivided as follows, THE BAIGVTH GVTHANI, is in a dialect of the Saxon, and means, " the ring of Guthanus ;" most of the letters are English, and may have been made in imitation of an earlier model. :&% $ ttx $$$. DKOITWICH. At this place was discovered an urn, supposed to be of the Koman, or Romano-British period, formed of coarse gritty clay, and of a dark colour ; it is scored with lines arranged lozenge- wise, and measures about six inches in height, by fourteen in circumference, at the widest part. (See an engraving of it, Plate 4, No. 1.) It was found at a depth of three or four feet, at Mr. Ellins's salt works, in St. Peter's Parish, and is in the pos- session of the Rev. W. Lea. In the adjacent soil were found remains of a human skeleton. The urn resembles in form one found with Roman remains near Bagshot*. Shortly afterwards further discoveries were made, the follow- ing particulars of which I communicated to the Archaeological Institute \ : " In pursuing my further researches relative to the Roman occupation of various parts of Worcestershire, I was anxious to discover evidences of such occupation at Droitwich, the Salinas, or supposed Salinee J, of the ancients. In addition to the Roman urn found there during the excavations for the foundations of Mr. Ellins's salt-works, the particulars of which I communicated on a former occasion , a fine Roman tesselated pavement has since been discovered, about eight inches beneath the surface, in Bay's Meadow, on the northern bank of the river Salwarp, close * See " Archeeologia," Vol. vii., PL xvi. And " Archaeological Journal," Vol. iv., pp. 73, 74. t Vide " Archaelogical Journal," Vol. iv., pp. 140 to 149. J In the country of the Dobuni. See " Archaeological Journal," Vol. iv., p. 73. ' H. J)rciiwu:h J) C'f IV '// GrnbeTsley . \ r AttUy. i //W7 x /a a Grimier GruiiltV Vevert Is It 99 to the town of Droitwich, and on the northern limb of the Stoke Prior branch of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton rail- way, being near the spot where that branch joins the main line. " This branch, on entering Droitwich from Stoke Prior, passes at the back of Mr. Ellins's salt-works, and, crossing the Wor- cester and Birmingham turnpike road by means of a viaduct, runs along the ridge called ' The Vines,' which lies below Doderhill Church, and proceeds to a point a little beyond Wood's salt-works, where it is divided into two parts ; a little further on, upon the northern limb of it, is the spot where the tesselated pavement was found. " A large portion of the pavement has been presented to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, by the gentlemen acting officially upon the line. The Rev. William Lea, of Droitwich, invited me to the spot on the 3rd of April instant (1849), where I had the satisfaction of examining the pavement, and of witnessing its removal. It measured about three yards long, and two yards and a half broad, (but there may have been more of it on each side of the cutting), and it was curiously ornamented, in compartments, with various inter- laced figures, formed of white, red, and blue-coloured stones or tessera, a little larger than dice. The meadow was formerly a ploughed field, and the pavement lay at the bottom, between two plough lands ; and the plough must, for centuries, have passed over the pavement, within a few inches of it. The cement in which the pavement was set is extremely fragile ; and probably the constant action of moisture and drought which continued for so long a period in the hollow between the two lands, materially tended to render it so. At a few yards distance, towards the east, fragments of a similar pavement were dug up, of which I have sent specimens for inspection. These were found much better cemented together than the former, owing, perhaps, to their having been in a drier situation, under one of the lands. The tesserae of one specimen are much smaller than any of the rest. Whether the white and blue tessera; are composed of natural stone or artificial, I cannot pretend to determine ; the red ones, evidently, are bits of brick. If they are natural, 100 the white may be oolite, and the blue, probably, are lias. If artificial, the white may have been made of either macerated oolite, or of a species of fuller's earth called ' walkers clay*,' which is found in some places in this county ; but I am at a loss to guess of what material the blue may have been made, unless it were macerated lias. " There were red sandstone foundations of a building at the spot, which appeared to have been of considerable extent, but we did not discover any Roman bricks. A small piece of the trans- parent talc (said to be the lapis specularis of the Romans) was found amongst these remains ; but whether, as it has been con- jectured, it was used in the windows of the building in question, in the same manner as we now use glass, I cannot pretend to decide. I am informed that, at a short distance from these foun- dations, a layer of human bones, in a state of crumbling decay, was discovered. Various relics, such as iron spear-heads, a fibula, key, bronze pins, fragments of tile scored with lines, and of pottery of various kinds, usually found near sites of Roman occu- pation, including a portion of ' Samian' ware, ornamented in relief, were found near these remains f. Amongst the earthen- ware may be noticed a fragment of one of those singular flat vessels, formed of whitish clay, with a broad recurved margin, and a spout, frequently discovered with Roman remains*; also red pottery, ornamented with chevrons, circles, and dots of white clay, in relief. A portion of a small vessel of red ware was found, resembling one preserved in the Museum at Worcester, which was found in one of the cists in the Roman burial-ground at Kempsey (see the woodcut, p. 56, No. 6). Another speci- * " A walker, (Watcher, Dutch,) a fuller." Bailey's Diet. f A considerable number of these remains, with specimens of the tesselated pavement, were sent by the Rev. William Lea, of Droitwich, and myself, for the inspection of the Archaeological Institute ; and those that belonged to me I presented to their museum. I These vessels are usually marked with a stamp near the spout. Repre- sentations of some, found in London, may be seen in tbe " Archaeologia," Vol. viii, pi. x.: vol. xii., pi. li. ; and of one found in Eckingtou in p. 74 of this work. 101 men, in my possession, was found with Roman remains, during the formation of the Severn navigation lock, at Diglis, near Wor- cester. An ornamental bronze pin, double-pointed, like the nock of an arrow, and perforated at the other extremity, was found in the earth where the pavement lay*. A bronze pin was found amongst Roman relics, during the demolition of the Castle Hill at Worcester, resembling this in its bifid point ; but the head, which is not perforated, is formed of stone, or vitrified paste f. " A large number of Roman brass coins have been found all along the line at Droitwich, some previously to, and others during the cuttings, particularly in ' Bay's Meadow,' and in that part called ' The Vines,' which is a high ridge on the northern side of the river Salwarp, well exposed to the sun, and very suitable for a vineyard I ; possibly it may have been so used even by the Romans, or in later times by the brethren of the Friary of St. Augustine, in Wich, or Doderhill, or by the prior and convent of Worcester, who possessed considerable property there . " The Roman coins which have been found at Droitwich amount to a considerable number. I have seen about fifty in the hands of different persons ; and among them were brass coins of Hadrian, Gallienus, Claudius II., several of Carausius and Con- stautius. I have also examined a collection belonging to a gen- tleman, late of Droitwich, now resident at Worcester, which includes coins of Maximian, Carausius, Constantius, Licinius, This may possibly have been the acus of some kind of fibula; but see below, note +. + See woodcut of the Castle Hill relic, p. 18, and an account of its proba- ble use, pp. 21, 22. J It is stated that formerly it had several terraces running along it, one above another. There are a great many fields, and other places in Worcestershire, called by the name of " Vineyard;" and it has been supposed by some writers that the Romans planted vineyards iu Britain. See the general account of the Vineyards. Also Dr. Nash's notice of the above-mentioned place, called " The Vines," in his " History of Worcestershire," Vol. i., p. 307. The subject of the culture of the vine in Britain is discussed at length in the papers by Pegge and Daines Barrington, Archteologia," Vol. i., p. 321; Vol. iii., p. (i7. 102 Constantine, Crispus, Magnentius, Valens, and Gratian, and about sixteen others, which I cannot decipher. He states that most of them were from time to time found at ' The Vines,' when that part was used as gardens. And it may be remarked, that on the side of an elevation, called Pigeon-house Hill,' by Longbridge, at the north end of Bromsgrove Lickey, which is on or near the supposed line of the Upper Saltway from Droitwich to Birmingham, seventeen Roman coins were found, now in the possession of the same gentleman ; and I have identified the following : Claudius II., Dioclesian, Maximian, Constantius, Constantine, and one on which may be read ' Constantinopolis.' " From all these facts, we now have abundant evidence of Roman occupation at Droitwich, which heretofore had been only matter of conjecture. Dr. Nash remarks, in his account of Droitwich, ' This town was probably known to the Romans. In the map published by Mr. Bertram of Copenhagen, and prefixed to the " Britannicarum Gentium Historian Antiquas Scriptores," it is noticed by the name of " Salhue," though some imagine the " Salinae " of the ancients means Sandy, or Salndy, in Bedfordshire, or perhaps some of the Lancasliire or Cheshire wiches*.' " The question remains for investigation, whether the salt- springs at Droitwich were known to and worked by the ancient Britons. Although we have not as yet found any relics in proof that they were, yet it may be safely concluded in the affirmative, as the Upper and Lower Salt-way ran from Droitwich towards the extremities of the kingdom ; and they arc generally admitted to have been British f." With respect to the substances of which tesserae were made, see " Illustrations of the Remains of Roman Art in Cirencester, the Site of ancient Corinium," p. 49, &c, from which it is pretty evident, that what we have before described as white, or rather cream-coloured, are oolite ; and that the blue, or slate coloured, * " History of Worcestershire," Vol. i., p. 302. + See Mr. Hatcher's observations on the Salt-ways, in his " Commentary on Richard of Cirencester," p. ll(i; and the "Introduction to the Beauties of England," p. (>1 103 are lias. With respect to Sandy or Salndy above referred to, it is situated on the Roman or Ikenild Street, in Bedfordshire, and is supposed by some to be the Hakijvai of Ptolemy, and the salinse of the geographer of Ravenna. See the " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries," Vol. ii., 1851, No. 24, p. 109, wherein Roman relics found at Salndy are described*. It must also be stated here, that iron nails, of somewhat peculiar form, occurred amongst the Droitwich relics; and I learned from the late Dean of Hereford (Dr. Merryweather) that nails, identical in form, had been noticed at Kentchester, sup- posed to have been used in Roman times, to fasten the tiles of roofing. The Dean had also found similar nails in the course of recent investigations of Roman remains in Wiltshire. They most nearly resemble what are termed " clout nails." The surface of the little chest found at Rainbow Hillf, near Wor- cester, in railway operations, was thickly set with nails of similar form, but mostly of greater length J. An ancient urn, apparently of Roman fabrication, was also discovered in excavations during the formation of the railway at Droitwich, in 1847. This vessel, as it was supposed, from the appearance of decomposition which it had suffered, had been used in early times in the manufacture of salt. It is seven inches high and twenty-two inches round the broadest part j|. (See an engraving of it, pi. 4, No. 2, p. 98.) A curious discovery was also made near Droitwich, the par- ticulars of which I gave to the " Worcester Herald," and which appeared on the 27th January, 1838, as follows : In the month of December, 1837, as the sexton was digging a grave in the recently consecrated ground of the parish of Saint Mary Witton, which lies upon a rising spot adjoining the Wor- cester road, near Droitwich, his spade suddenly penetrated into Also see the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxxi., p. 254, relative to a fine Roman urn found in that parish. + See p. 32. J See " Archaeological Institute Journal," Vol. vL, p. 404. Ibid. || I presented it to the Museum of the Archaeological Institute. 104 a hollow place ; and upon digging further, two parallel rows of circular arches were found, which appeared to be of great anti- quity, from the curious form of the bricks of which they were built, and the mouldering condition of them upon being exposed to the atmosphere. Hearing of this, I visited the place ; and finding that the exca- vation was filled up again to prevent depredation, by the direction of the Rev. John Topham, the rector of the parish, he, at my re- quest, kindly promised to have the same reopened for the inspec- tion of such archaeologists and others as might wish to attend ; and accordingly, on the 3rd January, 1838, several gentlemen attended the reopening at my request ; among whom were Matthew Hol- beche Bloxam, Esq., of Rugby, and Thomas Henry Spurrier, Esq., of Edgbaston, near Birmingham; and, upon inspecting the arches, we all agreed that they were built of the flooring of the ancient church, which formerly stood within thirty yards of the spot, and that they were not Roman or Romanized British, or early Saxon, as had been supposed. The arches were rather flattened, and there were several of them in each row, and each of them was two feet two inches high, two feet four inches broad, and six and a half inches deep ; that is the depth of the length of the bricks of which they were built ; these bricks are five and a half inches broad, and one inch and three quarters thick, and are squared at the corners on the one side. The intervening space between each arch was five inches ; that is the diameter of the encaustic tiles which filled up the sides between the arches to the bend of them, and which tiles were cemented horizontally upon one another with red cement. The whole resembled the skeleton of the back of a horse or an ox. The bricks in the arches were strongly cemented together, and the edges of them and of the tiles, which were inwards, were highly vitrified, proving that strong fires had been used within the arches. The crowns of the arches were several feet deep beneath the level of the ground. At the bottom of the archways there was a quantity of black ashes of burnt, wood, and a few fragments of a burnt bone, thought 105 to be that of the stag kind ; and the archways were nearly filled up with apparently filtrated earth. Now the question is, what were these archways built for ? The only guess we could give upon the inspection was, that they were ancient stoves upon which salt-pans or furnaces were placed for the converting of brine into salt. But then why should stoves have been erected upon this elevation so far out of Droitwich, unless salt-springs existed, and were worked at the time in question. The Rev. Mr. Topham and Mr. Frances, of Droitwich, kindly presented me with several of the encaustic tiles for the Wor- cestershire Museum. These are said to have been made in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. One of them contains the representation of an archer with a long bow, dog, trees, and something like an owl ; another has two birds with their backs towards, but looking at each other ; another has a lion ; another has the first half of the alphabet in Longobardic characters ; another has fleur-de-lis ; and another has the ancient symbol of the Christian faith, viz., a fish enveloped in its own bladder, like an oval ring, styled by antiquarians " Vesica piscis." This sym- bol is often mentioned in works on antiquarian remains, but is said to be very rarely found either in museums or in the cabinets of the curious. The Greek word 'l%0u<;, a fish, being the anagram signifying " Jesus Christ the Son of God the Saviour," and by this secret sign were the early disciples of the faith known to each other. Dr. Nash, in his account of Droitwich, says, " the parish of St. Mary Witton was united with St. Andrews, 13th Charles II. No remains are discernible of the buildings of the church, nor is any account preserved of its arms, monuments, or paintings. It stood on a rising ground to the south-west of the town, near the turnpike road leading from Droitwich to Worcester. Many 1 mi nan bones are seen here, part of the churchyard having been cut away to widen the road." Some time after the above-mentioned investigations were made, I communicated the particulars to Albert Way, Esq., late Director of the Society of Antiquaries, who gave it as his opinion that it 106 was the site of encaustic tile works, as stated in the " Gentleman's Magazine," 1844*, as follows: " With regard to the tiles with impressed designs in red and white, it may be affirmed that they were manufactured in this country, from the fact that kilns for burning them have been dis- covered, and especially one, which was brought to light in 1833, in the immediate vicinity of the Priory of Great Malvern. This kiln supplied, there can be little doubt, the rich variety of tiles which, as it appears either by the dates imprinted on them, or the distinctive character of ornament, were fabricated at the period when the Priory Church was rebuilt, about the middle of the fourteenth century. " A representation of this kiln, with a description by Harvey Eginton, Esq., F.S.A., may be seen in Dr. Card's account of the Priory Church. In December, 1837, a second kiln, of similar construction, was discovered near Droitwich, in a recently con- secrated cemetery in the parish of St. Mary Witton. A number of tiles, identical with those still existing in Worcester Cathe- dral and the Priory Church of Malvern, were found piled up therein ; but, from an erroneous idea, as I believe, that this kiln was an ancient salt-work, no sufficient notice was taken of the discovery. The tiles found at this place appear to be of the fourteenth century." I have only to add, that the piles of encaustic tiles which were found within the arches at Droitwich, and which were built up in columns with cement, probably were wastrel tiles, which were so used, between which to burn or bake those which were being manufactured. OMBERSLEYf. A mass of fragments of Roman red earth pottery, and a few pieces of Samian ware, were discovered by Mr. John Amphlett, of Tapenhall, in two mounds, on Hadley Heath Common, in * New Series, pp. 402, 493. + Otherwise, Ambresley, Ambreslege, Anibresloy, Ombresley, and Ambersley. It is called Ambreslege in " Domesday Book." 107 this parish ; which mounds, upon the enclosure of the common, about the year 1815, were levelled. These mounds appear to have been the relics of Roman pottery works. One of them stood within, and the other just without the site of a Roman camp at that place. Mr. Amphlett presented some of the specimens of the pottery to the Worcester Museum, and they exactly correspond in character with those which I obtained from Kempsey and Ripple. Dr. Nash, in the second volume of his " History," page 216, says that " Bishop Kennett, in his ' Parochial Antiquities,' pages 23 and 24, derives the name Ambresloy* from Aurelius Ambrosius, whom Gildas makes of Roman extraction, and who survived the murder of his royal parents. Other historians report him to be the son of Constantine, King of Britain, by a Roman lady, born about the year 435. The Bishop supposes Ambresloy, like Ambrosden, to have alluded to some camp or scene of action of this victorious prince, who defeated the Saxons under Hengist, at Wippedflit, in Kent ; then marched to York ; in his return from which place to Winchester and Salisbury he would naturally pass through Worcestershire." But Ambresley more probably was derived from the word " ambre," as we shall state in the section entitled " Ambrosia? Petrae." A few years back, upon visiting Hadley Heath, in company with II. B. Peake, Esq., and Mr. Amphlett, the latter gentleman pointed out to us where the intrenchments lay, relics of which still remain in places, though much effaced by the plough and spade : there are, however, several sections of them in that part of the common which has not been enclosed. Mr Amphlett thought that the lines of intrenchment extended round an oblong square of between two and three miles in circumference, and informed us that the workmen, who were employed at the enclosure, dug up, at the south-east side of the camp, a leaden chest, upon which was an inscription ; that the finders broke it to pieces, and The learned Bishop thus describes the place in question : " A parish in Worcestershire ; though corruptly called Oinbresly, is truly Anibreslev or Ambresloy, as in a donation of hinds by Kgwyn, Bishop of Worcester, to the monastery of Evesham, in that county.' (Spehuan, " C'oncil.," Tom. l,p. 200.) 108 sold it as old materials ; and that a tumulus close by, which con- tained burnt bones, was levelled. He likewise pointed out to us that part which is considered to have been the prffitorium. It lies in a ploughed field, now called Castle Hill, and abuts against a copse called Knight's Grove. This prsetorium was about eighty yards long and seventy broad, and the trench all round it is still visible, particularly so on the wood side. In the same field as the pratorium, one of the mounds, which contained the fragments of pottery, stood ; and we found several specimens at the spot. Mr. Amphlett also said, that near this mound the upper or concave stone of one of the ancient hand-mills was discovered, named by the inhabitants, " querns*." We also examined the spot called " Priest Stile," where the other mound stood, which contained the fragments of pottery, and of which pottery we found several specimens. This place lies near the north-west corner of the camp. The same observations which I made relative to the situation of Oldbury, near Worcester, apply with equal force to this locality, as it is a fine upland situation, and would communicate with nearly all the principal hills in the county, particularly with the northern ones. There is a trench, which runs through the site of this camp, and thence in a southern direction to Salwarp Brook, to a point called Harford ; and Mr. Amplilett considered that it was a Roman road, which went from thence to Newland Common, in Salwarp parish, and joined the Trench Lane. An ancient British celt, in bronze, and of an early form, was, a few years back, dug up about nine inches below the surface, in a field which was formerly part of Lynal (Linnal or Lineholt) Common, by Borley, in Ombersley. It was, in the year 1844, presented to the Worcestershire Natural History Society by the Hon. and Rev. W. Talbot, the vicar of that parish. * There is a nether, or convex stone, of one of these mills in the Worcester- shire Museum, which was found in a hog at Pool, near Stourport ; it measures thirty nine inches in circumference. It is said that the more modern querns arc not concave and convex, but flat, and approximate to those of the modern com mills. There are flat querns in the Scarborough Museum. 109 This celt, which was cast in a mould, is six inches and a quarter long, weighs seventeen ounces and a half, and has a fine and highly-polished patina incrusted upon it. (See the engraving, Plate 4, No. 3, p. 98.) SALWARP. We also examined this district, and considered that the Trench Road, referred to in the account of Omhersley, lay in or near the line of the present lane, which runs eastward from near Salwarp Brook, at Harford, to the Birmingham and Worcester turnpike- road at Copcott Elm, near Droitwich, where it crosses and con- tinues round the north end of Nevvland Common to the Trench Lane, which runs south-eastward through Oddingley, and along the east side of the Trench Woods*, through Hodington to the turnpike-road. It most prohahly, however, crossed there, and continued southward along or near the present by-roads to Per- shore, or it may have gone more to the south-east to Evesham, and there joined the Rycknield Street. Mr. Amphlett was of opinion that it continued from Hadley Heath northward to Wassal Hill Camp, near Bewdley ; but of this he said he had no certain information. He also supposed that another Roman trench road branched northward from the north end of the Trench Lane, at Newland Common, in or near the line of the present by-road, which runs from thence through Droitwich ; and he said that it could be distinctly traced in places through Chad- desley, Bluntington, Tan Wood Common, Hill Pool, and over Harborow Hill (where there is an intrenchment,) towards Wich- lairy Hill, &c, and that this road is called the King's Headland at the latter part ; that there was a viaduct at Hill Pool over Barnett Brook; and that traces of the road are very distinct in several parts from Bluntington, through Tan Woodf, to Hill Pool, for * The Trench Lane is crossed at the northern end of the Trench Woods by the Birmingham and Bristol railway. t As to the origin of this name see " Ohaddesley Corbett." 110 more than a mile, and occasionally onwards to Harborow, and from the latter place almost continuously to Stourbridge Com- mon, where, by a place called Green's Forge, is a vast camp called the Churchyard. This no doubt is the road which Bishop Lyt- tleton spoke of, as passing in the line from Stourbridge Common to that of Hagley, and he suspected that it also proceeded through Clent and Chaddesley towards Worcester* ; if so, it probably either crossed at the north end of the Trench Lane, and proceeded through Oddingley by Cold Harborough, or Cold Harbour, and Smite Hill in Hindlip, and through Warndon and by Trotshill or Toots- hill and Elbury Hill, and along the Port-fields Road, by Harbour Hill, and through Lowesmoor to Worcester. Or it continued along the Trench Lane to the south-east end of the Trench Woods, and then branched off westward through Crowle, and by Ravenhill in Tibberton, and through Bredicot and the trench at Kings Hill, at the north end of Perry Wood f, to Worcester, and passed out of the city on the Sidbury side, and through Kempsey and Severn Stoke and joined the Rycknield Street near Tewkesbury. We also examined Newland Common, which is a fine upland situation like Oldbury, and found that there is a deep trench, which runs southward from near the road at the north end of the Common to the highest part, now called Bunker's Hill. A person of the name of Thomas Garfield, who was, as we passed, working in the Trench Lane, told us that the trench on the Common was much deeper before the enclosure than it now is, and that about the year 1822, six or seven years after the enclosure, whilst re- moving some tumps or mounds of earth, four or five in number, which lay about twenty yards apart from each other, upon the top of Bunker's Hill, he found that each mound contained a kind of iron hoop or ring, about five feet in diameter, four inches broad and two inches thick ; that these rings, nearly decayed with age and rust, were situated in the centre and at tbc bottom of the mounds, which were composed of sifted earth, and were * Vide Nasi), Vol. ii., Appendix, p. cvii., &c. + See the remarks respecting this trench in the account of Perry Wood. Ill each about eight yards in diameter and five feet high ; no appear- ance of any bones or ashes being observable in them. I was not able to form an opinion as to what purpose these mounds and rings served, or to what people they are to be attributed ; but the late Sir S. R. Meyrick, in a letter to me, remarked " that the large iron rings, if tending towards a cone, like one side of a quoit, may have been the edge-guards of Anglo-Saxon convex shields, but then the iron bosses should have been found in the centre." STOKE PRIOR. Having heard that some antiquities were found in the line of the Birmingham and Gloucester railway, at Stoke Prior, west of the salt works, in a piece of land belonging to the vicarage, I went there in 1839, when the workmen exhibited to me two rude bracelets made of brass found near to each other about three or four feet deep in the marl, together with fragments of a human skeleton, portions of which I saw. Pieces of the bones were within the bracelets at the time they were dug up. Some hewn blocks of sandstone, perhaps part of the foundation of a building or tomb, had also been excavated within a few yards of the spot, and likewise fragments of the bones of some animal ; it appeared that in days of yore holes had been dug there three or four feet deep, and filled up again with large un- broken pebbles from a gravel bed. These holes evidently were not cists, as the pebbles were not broken, like those at the cists at Kempsey *, and I was at first very much puzzled to assign any use to them ; it may, however, be inferred that they were holes or ovens in which food was cooked, or cakes baked, and which the Welsh denominate Greidiols, and the English Gredles f. This custom seems to be alluded to in the epic of " Fingal" in Ossian's Poems, of which the following is an extract ; and also the note which Mr. Macpherson added to it \ : * See p. 54. t See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., p. 54. J See Denham and Dick's edition, ISO"), Vol. i. " Fingal," Book i., p. 159. 112 "It was on Crorala's shaggy side that Dorglas placed the deer* ; The early fortune of the chase, before the heroes left the hill. A hundred youths collect the heath ; ten heroes blow the fire ; Three hundred chuse the polished stones. The feast is smoking wide." The bracelets are not exactly of equal size ; the smallest, which is the thickest and broadest, being quite plain and edged at each end ; while the other is slightly ornamented with two or three indents at each endf, and quite blunt. I am informed that a brass gilt armilla or bracelet of the late British or early Saxon era, and like the two in question, was found in 1 780, in a barrow on Chatham Downs ; and, since I was at Stoke Prior, I learned that the fragments of two tiles were discovered at the spot in question, one of them containing two or three circles upon it, within each other ; but I rather think they are encaustic, and of a later date. A bracelet very similar to the beaded one is given in Mont- faucon's work on " Grecian and Roman Antiquities {." LINCOMB IN ASTLEY. An ancient British celt, of the earliest form, cast in bronze, was, in the year 1843, found in the cleft of a rock, 21 feet inches below the alluvium, and about 45 yards from the bank of the river Severn at Lincomb in Astley. This celt was found on making a cutting for the lock for the improvement of the Severn navigation. (See an engraving of it, Plate 4, No. 4, p. 98.) It weighs nearly one pound and a quarter, and is about six inches * " The ancient manner of preparing feasts after hunting is handed down by tradition. A pit lined with smooth stones was made ; and near it stood a heap of smooth flat stones of the flint kind. The stones, as well as the pit, were properly heated with heath. Then they laid some venison in the bottom, and a stratum of the stones above it ; and thus they did alternately till the pit was full. The whole was covered over with heath to confine the steam. Whether this is probable I cannot say ; but some pits are shown, which the vulgar say were used in that manner." + This one is in the Museum of Practical Geology in London. J Vol. iii., Part i., p. 50, fig. 3. Lincomb is partly in Astley, and partly in Hartlebury. 113 and a quarter long, three inches broad at one end, and one inch at the other. Upon it is a highly polished patina. These par- ticulars were furnished me by Mr. Lutley, of Worcester, one of the contractors for the navigation works. A similar celt is depicted and described in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. ix., p. 8, and stated to be " of the form known to the antiquaries of the North as Palstaves." HARTLEBURY. It was remarked by the late Mr. Watson, in Fasciculus II., of the " Statistical and General History of Worcestershire*," that, " when standing upon Hartlebury Common, in such a situation as to exclude the view of the surrounding country, an individual might easily be carried in imagination to the plains of Wiltshire, with all their recollections and associations. Immediately be- neath the brow of the hill are a number of mounds, in appearance like tumuli f; behind is the village of Torton (Thorstown ?) ; a few miles to the right is Tan \ Wood ; towards the south , at the distance of five miles, is Woodberryj| (Woodesberry ?) with the surrounding district, Witley, the Holy Place ,: ; while beneath lus feet the lichens creep upon the arid soil, and here and there is seen a little yellow flower or harebell, sheltered by a patch of of furze or heath. Though there are no remains of Druidical structures in this neighbourhood, still the coincidence of names of places with those upon the Wiltshire Downs is remarkable." Dr. James Nash, of Worcester, has a copper coin of the Roman Emperor Alexander, found at Lincomb, in Hartlebury parish. * Published under the superintendence of the Statistical Committee of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, 1839, page 6 of" The History of the the Parish of Hartlebury," by Kenrick Watson, Esq., of Stourport. + " Stone arrows have been found near to these mounds." I " Tan, pronounced Taan, is a Welsh word signifying fire." See the account of Tan Wood in the description of Chaddesley Corbett. || Woodbury. If The parish of Great Witley has been described by the Revs. Thomas and John Pearson, in Fasciculus I. of the above history; and Areley Kings, and Shrawley, in Fasciculus III., by Mr. Watson. I 114 BROMSGROVE. The following notice of " The Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove" is mainly extracted from a pamphlet published by me in the year 1845, under the title of " The Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove, Home the Hunter, and Robin Hood." In the introduction to " The First Sketch of Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor," edited by J. 0. Halliwell, Esq., Mr. Halliwell remarks : " It is a singular fact, that no allusion to the legend of Home the Hunter, as he is called in the following sketch, has ever been discovered in any other writer. We are entirely ignorant of the date of the legend. In a manuscript, however, of the time of Henry VIII., in the British Museum, I find ' Rycharde Home, yeoman,' among ' the names of the hunters whiche be examyned and have confessed' for hunting in his Majesty's forests. Is it improbable to suppose that this was the person to whom the tale related by Mistress Page alludes? She speaks of him as no very ancient personage : ' Oft have you heard since Home the Hunter died.' Connected as the ' Merry Wives of Windsor' certainly is with the historical plays, the manners and language throughout are those of the time of Queen Elizabeth ; and it is only convicting our great dramatist of an additional anachronism to those already well known of a similar character, in attributing to him the introduction of a tale of the time of Henry VIII. into a play supposed to belong to the commencement of the fifteenth century." Upon perusing the above-mentioned work, I wrote to Mr. Halliwell, stating that I recollected hearing a ballad in my juvenile days, which might possibly have reference to the legend of Home the Hunter, but that I could only remember the con eluding verse of it, " In Bromsgrove Church his corpse doth lie Why winded his horn the hunter? Because there was a wild boar nigh, And as he was a jovial hunter." This led me, at Mr. Halliwell V request, to make considerable search after the ballad ; and at length I ascertained, from a 115 carpenter, of the name of John Cole, that he used to hear an old man sing it about fifty years ago ; and that the burden of the song was, that the district about Bromsgrove, in the days of yore, was principally covered with wood, and much infested by a wild boar, who was the terror of the neighbourhood. That the Jovial Hunter, upon a wild lady, or witch, appearing to him, determined to destroy the boar. That he proceeded to the attack by first winding three blasts, east, west, north, and south, with his horn *, which, the boar hearing, prepared for the encounter by whetting his tusks between his fore feet. That after a long and desperate battle the boar fell dead, and thereupon the wild lady again appeared to the Jovial Hunter, in great anger, and charged him with having killed her pretty spotted pig. The only lines Cole could recollect are as follows : " Oh ! lady, oh ! lady, what bring'st thou here Wind went his horn, as a hunter; Thee blow another blast, and he'll soon come to thee, As thou art a jovial hunter. " He whetted his tusks as he came along Wind went Ins horn, as a hunter;" And Cole concluded his narrative by saying that Bromsgrove was, from the above-mentioned circumstance, formerly called Boar's Grove. This name, however, appears to have been a fiction to suit the legend, as it is called Bremesgrefa and Bremes- grasfa in Anglo-Saxon Charters, and Bremesgrave in " Domesday Book." There is a place by Shepley Heath, near Bromsgrove town, called Burcotf, which is vulgarly supposed to be a corrup- tion of Boarcot * ; and an old story lias been handed down in the district, that the devil kept a pack of hounds at Hales Owen, This brought to my remembrance the two following lines of the ballad; " He blew a blast, east, west, north, and south, For as he was a jovial hunter." + The name of this place is spelled Bericote in " Domesday Book." There were, in Anglo-Saxon times, places called Burcot, in Hants and Somerset. (Sec " Codex Dip.,'' No. 3.16, *1(>.) " Bur" means a bower in Anglo-Saxon. J There is a place called Boreley, or Borley, in the neighbouring parish of Omberslev. 116 vulgo, Hell's Own,) and that he and his huntsman, " Harry-ca- nab*," used to ride on wild bulls, and hunt the wild boars on Bromsgrove Lickey. Shortly after obtaining the information from Cole, a gentle- man, whom I had requested to make some inquiries after the ballad, brought me the following lines, which he said he took down in writing from a man of the name of Benjamin Brown, of Upper Wick : I. " Sir Robert Bolton had three sons Wind well thy horn, good hunter; And one of them was called Sir Ryalas, For he was a jovial hunter. II. " He rang'd all round, down by the wood side Wind .well thy horn, good hunter ; Till up in the top of a tree a gay lady he spy'd, For he was a jovial hunter. III. " Oh ! what dost thou mean, fair lady, said he Wind well thy horn, good hunter; Oh! the wild boar has killed my Lord and his men thirty, As thou be'stt a jovial hunter. IV. " Oh ! what shall I do, this wild boar to see Wind well thy horn, good hunter; Oh ! thee blow a blast, and he'll come unto thee, As thou be'st a jovial hunter. V. " Then he blow'd a blast full north, east, west, and south, For he was a jovial hunter; And the wild boar heard him full into his den, As he was a jovial hunter. * This word " nab" may come from the Swedish word " nappa," which means to catch unexpectedly, to come upon unawares, to seize without warning; but vide the sequel. + Or beest. 117 VI. " Then he made the best of his speed unto him, Wind went his horn, as a hunter ; And he whetted his tusks as he came along To Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter*. VII. " Then the wild boar, being so stout and so strong Wind well thy horn, good hunter; He thrash'd down the trees as he came along, To Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter. VIII. " Oh! what dost thou want of me, the wild boar, said he Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; Oh ! I think in my heart I can do enough for thee, For I am a jovial hunter. IX. " Then they fought four hours in a long summer's day Wind well thy horn, good hunter; Till the wild boar fain would have gotten away From Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter. X. " Then Sir Ryalas draw'd his broad sword with might Wind well thy horn, good hunter; And he fairly cut his head off quite, For he was a jovial hunter. XI. " Then out of the wood the wild woman flew Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; Oh ! thou hast killed my pretty spotted pig, As thou be'st a jovial hunter. XII. " There are throe things I do demand of thee Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; It's thy horn, and thy hound, and thy guy lady, As thou be'st a jovial hunter. * Brown's ballad did not contain the second and third lines of this verse ; but they are supplied from the lines which Cole recollected, as stated in p. 115. 118 XIII. " If these three things thou dost demand of me Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; It's just as my sword and thy neck can agree, For I am a jovial hunter. XIV. " Then into his locks the wild woman flew Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; Till she thought in her heart she had torn him through, As he was a jovial hunter. XV. " Then Sir Ryalas draw'd his broad sword again Wind well thy horn, good hunter*, And he fairly split her head in twain, For he was a jovial hunter. XVI. " In Bromsgrove Church they both do lie Wind well thy horn, good hunter ; There the wild boar's head is pictur'd by Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter." Brown afterwards sang, and also repeated the ballad to me ; and I found the copy to be quite correct. He said he could neither read nor write, and that he learned the ballad by frequently hearing a countryman sing it about thirty-five years ago. He also said that Bromsgrove was formerly called Boar's Grove. Some time after this, Cole brought me another version of the ballad, which he said he wrote down from the mouth of a person of the name of Oseman, of Hartleburv, as follows : I. " As I went up one brook one brook Well wind the horn, good hunter ; I saw a fair maiden sit on a tree top, As thou art the jovial hunter. 119 II. " I said, fair maiden, what brings you here? Well wind the horn, good hunter ; It is the wild boar that has drove me here, As thou art the jovial hunter. III. " I wish I could that wild boar see Well wind the horn, good hunter, And the wild boar soon will come to thee, As thou art the jovial hunter. IV. " Then he put his horn unto his mouth Well wind the horn, good hunter ; And he blow'd both east, west, north, and south, As he was a jovial hunter. V. " The wild boar hearing it into his den Well wind the horn, good hunter ; He whetted his tusks, for to make them strong, And he cut down the oak and the ash as he came along For to meet with the jovial hunter. VI. " They fought five hours one long summer's day Well wind the horn, good hunter ; Till the wild boar he yell'd, and he'd fain run away, And away from the jovial hunter. VII. " Oh ! then he cut his head clean off ! Well wind the horn, good hunter ; Then there came an old lady running out of the wood, Saying, you have killed my pretty, my pretty spotted pig. As thou art the jovial hunter. VIII. " Then at him, this old lady, she did go Well wind the horn, good hunter ; And he clove her from the top of her head to Iter toe, As he was the jovial hunter. J ,} 120 IX. " In Bromsgrove churchyard this old lady lies Well wind the horn, good hunter ; And the face of the hoar's head there is drawn hy, That was killed hy the jovial hunter." The only further evidence I obtained relative to the ballad, was from Mr. Maund, of Bromsgrove, (the author of " The Botanic Garden,") who stated that he had met with a person who once knew the ballad, but could only recollect the following lines ; " Sir Rackahello had three sons Wind well your horn, hrave hunter ; Sir Ryalash was one of these, And he was a jovial hunter." It appears pretty evident, from the variations in the different extracts and accounts I have given, that there must have been several versions of this legend*. Upon an examination of these ballads, a question was raised, whether the Windsor legend and the Bromsgrove legend at all referred to the same person, or at least to persons of the same family ; and what led me at first to suppose that they did, is the constant reiteration of the words Home and Hunter in the ballad ; but as the Bromsgrove legend makes no allusion to the story of the stag's horned ghost, the evidence is not sufficiently strong to found an argument upon. Brown, in his account of the ballad, says he understood that the picture of the boar's head was still to be seen in Bromsgrove Church. Now this, most probably, referred to the crest of the Stafford family in that church ; for Dr. Nash, in his account of Bromsgrove, vol. i., page 150, has given the pedigree of this family from the time of Edward I. to Henry VIII., and also a quotation from Habingdon, relative to an alabaster monument then in the chancel, but now in the body of Bromsgrove Church, of * T liave no means of knowing what the title to the Rromsgrove ballad was. Cole said ho thought it was the "Jovial Hunter."' and I have assumed it to lie, so. 121 Sir Humphrey Stafford, of Grafton, Knight, and Eleanor*, his wife, with the family arms, and a boar's head for a crest, upon a helmet ; and states that he was slain by Jack Cade, 28 Henry VI., 1450f, and that his son and heir, Sir Humphrey Stafford, of Grafton, Knight, was attainted and executed, 1 Henry VII., 1485, at Ty- burn, and adds, " a report prevailed that Humphrey Stafford was drawn upon a hurdle from the Forgate, or North Gate of Wor- cester, to the Cross, and there put to death ; but this was without foundationj." The Doctor mentions the coats of arms of several other families who were buried in Bromsgrove Church ; but the coat in question is the only one which contains either a boar's head or a boar. The Stafford monument, which I visited in August 1844, is in the north-east corner of the northern aisle of the church , behind the tomb of Sir John Talbot, Knight ||, and his two wives. It is a fine piece of sculpture, remarkable for the net-work head-dress of Eleanor. Under the head of Sir Humphrey is the figure of a boar's head, and the sexton then assured me that there was no other representation of a boar's head or boar either in the church or churchyard. It becomes a question, therefore, whether the Jovial Hunter was one of the Stafford family. It seems possible that the family may have taken the boar's head as a crest from some great feat done by one of them in killing a wild boar ; or the legend about the boar may have been an old story engrafted upon the crest of that family. A circumstance of the latter kind did actually occur with respect to the tomb of Sir Ralph Wysham, in Woodmanton Chapel, in Clifton-upou-Teme Church^. * The Doctor, in his narrative and pedigree, has described her as " Eleanor ;" but under bis picture of the monument she is called Elizabeth. Now, this Sir Humphrey's mother was Elizabeth, and hence, perhaps, the mistake arose. f At Seven Oaks. I "Appendix to Hales." It was said at the time of my visit, that on account of some contem- plated alterations Ibis tomb was to be removed to the tower of the church. | lie died Idtb Sept., 1550. ; See Clifton. 122 With respect to the point, whether the story was merely en- grafted upon the crest of the Stafford family, it will be observed that Oseman's ballad, which begins " As I went up one brook," says nothing about the Boltons ; and as that ballad is much more simple in its construction than the other, it is probably the most ancient ; and if so, the engrafting must have taken place, for both ballads are based upon the same adventure. In fact, it does not appear unlikely that Sir Humphrey Staf- ford (the 2nd), whose tomb is in Bromsgrove Church, as before stated, either was or was at least represented to have been the Jovial Hunter. Sir Ralph Stafford, of Grafton, Knight, had three sons by his wife Maud ; their eldest son Sir Humphrey (the 1st) had three sons by his wife Elizabeth ; and their son Sir Hum- phrey (the 2nd) had three sons by his wife Eleanor ; therefore, so far, either of them exactly agrees with the ballad ; Sir Ralph was married 49th Edward III., 1374, and Sir Humphrey (the 1st), who would answer to Sir Robert Bolton or Sir Raccabello, died 7th Henry V., 1418 ; Sir Humphrey (the 2nd), who would answer to Sir Ryalas, Sir Ryalash, or the Jovial Hunter, was killed in 1450 ; and Sir Humphrey (the 3rd) was executed at Tyburn in 1485, as before stated. Notwithstanding all this, it is not impossible that the original or real Jovial Hunter was a person of the name of Breme (which, in Anglo-Saxon, means renowned or famous) and that he having been buried at the place in question, it was therefore called Bremesgrefa, Bremesgraefa*, or Bremesgrave f . There was a person of the name of Breme, of Suffolk, killed at the battle of Hastings ; he is entered in " Domesday Book " as one of the persons holding lands in the time of Edward the Confessor ; and an ancestor of his, or some other Anglo-Saxon of the same name, may have been the Jovial Hunter. The above-mentioned * See these names in the Anglo-Saxon Charters, in the " Codex Dip.," Nos. 183 and 186, dated respectively 804 and 821823. The word grefa, grsefa, means a hole, trench, or vallum ; and graf means a grove. See " Codex Dip.," Vol. iii., Preface, pp. 26, 27, Also see hereafter, as to " Hoar Grave," &c, in the account of Hoar Stones. + See " Domesday Book." 123 person is thus noticed in the Index to Sir Henry Ellis's " General Introduction to Domesday Book": " Breme liber homo Regis E. qui fuit occisus in bello Hastingensi Suff. 409 b*." With respect to the name Harry-ca-nabf, it is stated in the "Athenaeum" for Saturday, October 10th, 1846 J, that it is another version of the wild huntsman, and that " the name Harry-ca-nab is an addition to the Satanic nomenclature. It is, perhaps, related to the epithet Old Harry,' alias ' Old Hairy ;' or possibly to the ' Domina Hera quae volat per aera,' mentioned by Grimm in his ' Mythologie.' " There also is an account of the Wish or Wisked, or Spectre Hounds of Dartmoor, and of the famous spectre hunt of Odin, " the Wild Jager of the German Forests," in the " Athenaeum " for March 27, 1847, p. 334, No. 1013. Also see Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., pp. 346, 349 ; and the chapter in this work, on " Folk Lore." There was, according to tradition, another mighty hunter, of the name of Callow ; and we have Upper and Lower Callow's Field, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Callow's Leap , near the Bridge's Stone, in Alfrick ; Callow's Grave, near to Tenbury ; Callow-end, near the Old Hills, in Powick ; Hither and Further Callow Field, and Callow's Piece, in Martley ; Callow Lane, in Stoke Prior ||. And in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Oddingley there was a place called Callow Hill ; and Callew Hill, or Callow Hill, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of BredicotH. * There were, in Anglo-Saxon times, places called Bremela, and Bremelham ; also Bremerleah (Bremerley, Worcestershire). See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 817 and 570. " Domesday Book " notices a place called Breme in Wilts. In Heming's " Cartulary," Bromsgrove is spelled Bremer gref, Bremergraf, Bremesgraf, Bremesgrafe, Bremesgrfe, and Bremesgrsefan. + See p. 116. J Page 1043, No. 989. It is a very deep precipice, with a brook running at the bottom. See Alfrick and Folk Lore. || There also is Callow-brain Orchard, in Upper Sapey, Herefordshire. % See Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 355, 357 ; and Nash's " History," Vol. ii., Appendix, pp. 51, 53. 124 CHADDESLEY CORBETT. The name of Tan Wood, in this parish, appears to he of Celtic origin. The Rev. W. L. Bowles, in his " Hermes Britannicus," when describing Tan Hill, in Wiltshire, states that " The name of the Celtic God of Thunder, it is well known, is Taranis, or Tanarus. In Lucan, it is Taranis ; but an inscription, on an altar, found in Cheshire, has the remarkable words, ' D. O. M. TANARO,' ' To the great Jupiter Tanarus.' This stone remains a singular corroboration of the veracity of Lucan in his names of the Celtic Gods ; and of Csesar also, who enumerates Jupiter. " The name, either Taranis or Tanarus, signifies the same deity ; for Taran is Celtic for thunder, and Tan for fire* ; to which name, originally, the lightning might have given rise ; and from hence was derived the name of the sacred fire called the Bel-tan, or Baal-tine, flaming on such heights, and answering each other from hill to hill, through all the consecrated precincts of the Druids ; so that, if called Taranis, it is from thunder, as Tanarus is from lightning or fire." Besides Tan Wood, there are Tan Wood Meadow, Lower Tan Wood Meadow, and Tan Wood Field, in Chaddesley Corbettf." In August 1844, I visited part of Tan Wood, and found that the common had been enclosed about forty years previously. The scene, from the fine artificial tumulus called Barrow Hill, is very extensive and beautiful. On the east and south-east appears Bromsgrove Lickey. Further to the south, the Cotswolds and Bredon Hill. On the south-west, the Malverns, the Berrow, Woodbury, and Abberley Hills ; while, on the west, north-west, and north, are Stagbury, the Clee, Hagley, and Clent Hills. Barrow Hill appears to be about 115 yards long, and 90 yards wide at the broadest part. In shape it is something like a pear, with the narrow part towards the west. The top is bare, but its steep sides are covered with a plantation of oak, fir, and various * It is Tan in Welsh, and Teinidli in Irish. + It also contains places called Far Long Barrow Field, Long Barrow Field, Little Barrow Field, nnd Cross Barrow Field. 125 other trees, planted perhaps when Tan Wood House was built. There is a round tump at the east end of the summit of the tumulus, as represented in the woodcut ; and the whole hill is very perfect in its appearance, except at the northern side, which has undergone some excavation. I was informed by an old inhabitant, that about forty years ago a great number of fine oaks were cut down at Tan Wood, by order of the Lord of the Manor, which, I presume, was done preparatory to the enclosure of the common. Ran Dan Woods are partly in Chaddesley Corbett and partly in Belbroughton. Mr. Halliwell, in his " Glossary of Archaic Words," explains Randan as meaning, in Gloucestershire, " noise or uproar*. The Worcestershire words "tang rang," "rang tang," have the same meaning f . Supposing the name of Ran Dan Woods, in Chaddesley Corbett, means noise and uproar, it probably alludes to the noise and uproar attendant on the chase J ; and the In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology" (Vol. i., pp. 27, 199, 200, 288), it is stated that " Ran " is tin' wife of Oegir, the stormy ocean ; and that her name signifies plunder and robhery; and that " Dain " means a hart, and also a dwarf (ibid., pp. 13, 33, 151, 155). + Mr. Halliwell gives Han, rebellious ; atul Tang, sound of a bell. J See p. 114 to 122 as to wild boar hunting in the neighbouring parish of Bromsgrove. There are fox covers in the Han Dan Woods; but fox-hunting in the West of England is doubtless too modern a sport from whence to derive the name in question. See Hone's " Every Day Hook, and Table Book," Vol.iii., p. 115, where the commencement of anything like regular l'ox-hunting in the West is set down at about the year 17:10. 126 following extract from Dr. Nash's " History," Vol. i., p. 184, appears in a measure to favour this opinion : " 28 Edward I. William Corbett was certified to be Lord of the Manor of Chad- desley Corbet, with its members and woods ;" and that " Edward I. issued out his mandate to Peter Corbet, who probably was a keen sportsman, in these words: ' Rex omnibus ballivis, &c. Sciatis quod injunximus dilecto & fideli nostro Petro Corbet quod in omnibus forestis, & parcis, & aliis locis infra comitatus nostros Gloucester. Wygorn. Hereford. Salop. & Stafford, in quibus lupi poterunt inveniri, lupos cum hominibus, canis, & ingeniis suis capiat et destruat modis omnibus quibus viderit expediri." See Pennant's " British Zoology," Vol. i., p. 62. The hunter of the wolves* was usually in the king's pay : 1 3 Henry II. three shillings were ordered to the hunter in Wor- cestershire, who caught the wolves in the forest : 17 H. II., three shillings : 27 H. II., three shillings : 5 John, 3 shillings." There does not seem to be any mention made of this hunter upon the rolls of Henry III., and after his time f. Such remarkable names of places as Tan Wood, Astwood Hill, and Barrow Hill, being joined together, strongly prove the Celtic character of the place ; and in fact such names designate all that an ancient community required, namely, a sacred altar or place of worship of the Celtic god of thunder, a sacred hearth \, and a place of sepulture. It is also worthy of observation that three remarkable places, bearing names importing that they were simi- larly occupied, are found together in the parish of Claines, near Worcester, namely, Elbury Hill, Astwood, and Barrow Cop. There is a river called Tanaro, in the kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia. Tanera, two isles, Scotland, par. Loch-broom, Sh. Cromarty. Tanfield, chap, in the parish of Chester-le-Street, middle div. Chester-ward, Co. Pal. Durham ; Tanfield in York- * The " Codex Dip.," No. 59, Vol. i., and 59 App., Vol. iii., mentions Wolfandun (Wolfdown), Co. Worcester. + Vide the ancient " Dialogue concerning the Exchequer," published by Madox. \ That is, if thr name of Astwood Mill was derived from Asia, relative to which see Claines. 127 shire ; the like in Lincolnshire ; and there are departments and rivers in France called Tarn, and Tarn and Garonne. There are places called Hither, Further, and Upper Tin Mea- dows in Cakebold, in Chaddesley Corbett; Tin Hill in Church- hill ; Tyne Fields, or Tin Fields, and Near, Far, First, Second, and Third Tin Fields in Hartlebury ; Tin Meadow in Waresley, in Hartlebury ; Tin Meadow, Tin Meadow Hop-yard, and Tin Meadow Orchard, in Suckley ; Tin Meadow in Elmley Lovett ; Tin Meadow in Bromsgrove parish ; Tin Meadow in King's Norton ; Tin Meadow in Northfield ; Tin Close in Martley ; Tin Croft, in Lower Smite, in Warndon ; Upper, Middle, and Lower Tin Fields, in Clent. All the above-mentioned are in Worcestershire. There also is Tin Hill in Boras ton and Wliat- more, Co. Salop*. Tin, or tind, is a provincial term meaning to " tin," " tind," or light the firef, and most probably is derived from Tan, the Celtic name for lightning, or fire. Tonih also means fire in North Africa ; Tein, fire in Gaelic ; and Teinde, fire in Algon- quin, North America. (See " Chambers' Edinburgh Journal" for February 1844, p. 09.) Tin, the Cornish metal which the Phoenicians traded in, may also have been so called from its whitish or shining appearance. In the Anglo-Saxon times there were places called Tan, or Taan, (see " Codex Dip.," Nos. 1051, 1052, 10(14, 1005); also, Tandun, 1083, (Tandon river); Tanhlaw, 590, (Tanlow), Hants; Tan-lea, 1155, (Tanley), Hants; Tanmere, 1235, (Tanniere), Hants; Tannera hole, 518, 518 App. Vol. iiL, 700, 700 App. Vol. vi. ; and Tantun Tantunes land, 374, 374 App. VoL hi., &c, and Taunton, Somerset. + Herriek, in his account of Candlemas eve, speaking of the Christinas brand, says, " Part must be kept wherewith to teend The Christmas log next yeare." (See Hone's " Every Day Book," Vol. i., p. 204.) 128 SARN OR SERN HILLS, YARN HILLS, AND DARN HILLS. Within about a mile of the MytheTute, near Tewkesbury, there is a hill called Sarn Hill* in Bushley parish, Worcestershire f. In Gough's Camden (Vol i., p. 387), it is stated that the British word Sarn means a pavement ; and it seems, therefore, probable that a Druidical seat of judgment may have formerly stood at the hill in question, from the floor or pavement of which its name was derived. It is spelled Searn Hill in the Ordnance Map, Sern Hill in the Map of Isaac Taylor, and Gough's Camden, and Sarn Hill in the " Further Report of the Commissioners for Inquiring concerning Charities." There is a place called Starn Hill in the parish of Elmley Castle, Sarnsfield parish, in the hd. of Wolphy, Co. Hereford. A reef of rocks, called Sarn| Badrig, or Patrick's Causeway, extending out to sea about twenty-one miles from the coast of Merionethshire ; Sarn Helen, called the " Paved Way of tbe Legion," in the latter county, and Sam Helen, called Helen's Road, in Caermarthenshire. Old Yarnhill, and Old Yarnhill Meadow, in Feckenham; a hill, formerly called Yarnborough||, but now Ambury, in Stour- bridge ; Yarnell Lane in Bromsgrove ; Sivy Yarn, in Upper Sapey, Co. Hereford ; Yarnsbury Camp, in Wiltshire ; and Yarn- ton, in Oxfordshire. DarnhillH Orchard and Darnhill Homestead, in Knighton-on- * A road, called Wood Street, runs by this hill. + See Itinera xi. and xix. J The large stones at the Grey Weathers on Marlborough Downs, Wiltshire, of which Stonehenge is said to have been built, are called Sarsen or Sassen stones by the country people. Sarsen is a Phoenician word for a rock. (See Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 101), and Scear signifies a rock in Saxon. The word Yarn, in Welsh, means a seat of judgment. (See further thereon under the head Malvern Hills, and Ambrosise Petrse.) || So in old writings. Tf Query whether this name is a corruption of Yarn, or comes from the Saxon Deor (deer.) 129 Terae ; Darnhale, now Darnhill Grange, or Grane, in Cheshire* ; and " Domesday Book" mentions Darenden, in Kent ; Darneford, in Wilts ; and Darninton, in Yorkshire. I must here notice some interesting corroborative evidence relative to ancient pavements as seats of judgment. In the 16th verse of the 24th chapter of Exodus, the subject is referred to as follows : " And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and as it were the body of the heaven in his clearness." And the following is Dr. Adam Clarke's commentary thereon : " A paved work of sapphire stone] or sapphire brick-work. I suppose that something of the musive or mosaic pavement is here intended ; floors most curiously inlaid with variously-coloured stones, or small square tiles, disposed in a great variety of orna- mental forms. Many of these remain in different countries to the present day. The Romans were particularly fond of them, and left monuments of their taste and ingenuity in pavements of this kind, in most countries where they established their domi- nion. Some very fine specimens are found in different parts of Britain." In the 1 3th verse of the 1 9th chapter of St. John, it is stated, " When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat, in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha." The following is the learned Doctor's commentary thereon : " The Pavement.] AiOocttocotov, literally, a stone pavement ; probably it was that place in the open court where the chair of justice was set, for the prefects of provinces always held their courts of justice in the open air, and which was paved with stones of various colours, like that of Ahasuerus, Esth., i. 6, of red, blue, white, and black marble ; what we still term mosaic work, or something in imitation of it ; such as the Roman pavements frequently dug up in this and other countries, where the Romans have had military stations." " Gabbatha.] That is, an elevated place ; from n^3 Gabah, * See (tough's " Camden," K 130 high, raised up ; and it is very likely that the judgment seat was considerably elevated in the court, and that the governor went up to it by steps ; and perhaps these very steps were what was called the Pavement. John does not say that Lithostroton, or the Pavement, is the meaning of the word Gabbatha ; but that the place was called so in the Hebrew. The place was probably called Lithostroton, or the Pavement: the seat of judgment, Gabbatha, the raised or elevated place. * * * " Lightfoot conjectures that the Pavement, here, means the room Gazith in the temple, in which the grand coun- cil, called the Sanhedrim, held their meetings." Under all circumstances there appears to be considerable pro- bability that the Sarn Hills contained ancient British seats of judgment; and as the Druidical worship and ceremonies are con- sidered to have come from the East*, it seems natural to suppose that the British Druidical seats of judgment should correspond with their Eastern antitypes. ROBIN HOOD. The memory of the famous Robin Hood is preserved in the names of numerous places in and about Eeckenham Forest : thus, in the parish of Chaddesley Corbett, there is a field called Robin Hood's Oak; likewise, in Grimley, a field designated Robin's Acre ; fields named Robin's Piece, Big Robin's, and Little Robin's, in Tardebigg ; and pieces of land named Robin's Field, Big Robin's Field, and Robin's Hays, in Northfield ; Robin Hood Piece, in Doderhill, near Droitwich ; Robin's Hill, in Alvechurch ; Robin's Field, in Luttley, in Hales Owen ; and Robin's Meadow, in Stoke Prior. We propose now to offer some short account of Feckenham and various other forests in the north of Worcestershire. Dr. Nashf states: " Among the forest-rolls remaining in the closet of the old Chapter House of Westminster Abbey (where the King's Bench and Common Pleas records are now kept, anno 1778), is one entitled on the back, ' Rot. de Foresta de Pyperode in * See hereafter, under the head Ambrosiae Pet roe. + " History,'' Vol. i., Introduction, p. t\H. 131 com. Wigorn. temp. It. Johan." Which forest seems to have con- tained within its hounds part of Chaddesley Corhett, Bel Broughton, Bromsgrove, Alvechurch, &c. Some woods in Chad- desley still retain the name of Peppyr Woods. In the " Inquisitio post mortem Rogeri Bishopsden," 18 R. II., he is said to have held at his death the office of bailiff of the forest of Feckeney, et Pyperode intra forestam de Feckenham. By this it should seem that Pyperode Forest was only a member of the large forest of Feckenham*." Other parts of the north of Worcestershire were included in Kynvare (Kinver) Forest; such as part of Pedmore, Hagley, Old Swinford, Chaddesley, Kidderminster, Wolverley, and Churchill. The boundaries of Feckenham Forest were much enlarged by Henry II., to the very great distress of the inhabitants ; in fact, the greatest portion of the north and north-east part of Worcestershire was included in it. The following, among many other places, were added to it by Henry, namely, part of Droit- wich, of Hanbury, of Rushock, of Hartlebury, of Chaddesley Corbett, of Forfield, of Coston, of Stoke, of Alvechurch, of Tardebigg (including the hamlet of Redditch), of Harvington, of Evesliam, of Fladbury, of Abberton, of Crowle, of Bredicot, and of Spetchley. Here, then, we have proof that the field called Robin's Acre, in Grimley, and the pieces of land called Robin's Field, Big Robin's Field, and Robin's Haysf, in Northfield; and Robin's Field, in Luttley, in Hales Owen, were situated near to the forests; and that the place called Robin Hood's Oak, in Chad- desley Corbett, Robin's Piece, Big Robin's, and Little Robin's, in Tardebigg, Robin Hood's Piece, in Dodcrhill, Robin's Hill, in Alvechurch. and Robin's Meadow, in Stoke Prior, lay in the midst of the forests ; consequently, it is probable that Robin Hood sometimes ranged in those parts, cither to chase the wild animals of the district, or to avenge the wrongs that his countrv- men were enduring under the odious forest laws. See Nash, Vol. i., Introduction, pp. ().'>, (ill, OR ; and Vol. ii.. Appendix pp. 107, 108. + As to this name, see " Folk Lore." 132 That he was at the hattle of Evesham, which lay on the south- east side of Feckenham Forest, is strongly substantiated by the following extract from " Old England," Part iv., Book ii. T page 118 : " Fordun, the Scottish historian, who travelled in England in the 14th century, diligently collecting materials for his great work*, which forms, to this day, our only authority for the facts of Scottish history through a considerable period, states, imme- diately after his notice of the battle of Evesham, and its con- sequences to all who had been connected, on the losing side, with the general stream of events to which that battle belongs, ' Then from among the dispossessed and the banished arose that most famous cut-throat Bobert Hood and Little John.' If any one rises from the perusal of the mighty events of the reign of Henry the III., with the conviction that Simon de Montfort, to whom, in all probability, England owes its borough representation, was a rebel instead of a martyr, as the people called him, and that the words so freely used by Dr. Lingard, of pirates, banditti, and rebels, were properly applied to Simon de Montfort 's followers, then also they may accept Fordun's opinion that Robin Hood was a cut-throat, but not else ; they will otherwise, like ourselves, accept his fact only, which is one of the highest importance, and beyond dispute as to its correctness, however strangely neglected even by brother historians. Fordun's work was continued and completed by his pupil, Bower, Abbot of St. Colomb, who, under the year 1 266, noticing the further progress of the events that followed the battle of Evesham, says, ' In this year were obstinate hostilities, carried on between the dispossessed barons of England and the Pioyalists, amongst whom Roger Mortimer occupied the Marches of Wales, and John Duguil the Isle of Ely. Robert Hood now lived an outlaw among the woodland copses and thickets.' " About fifty years ago there stood near the village of Chaddesley Corbett, a very large and ancient oak, called Robin Hood's Oak. * He wrote about 1340. See Smith's Standard Library, " Robin Hood," p. 21. 133 It appears to have been cut down at the same time that the neighbouring fine oaks on Tan Wood Common were felled by order of tbe Lord of the Manor. It stood in the lane by a piece of ground which is still called Robin Hood's Oak*. The lane is now a bye-way leading from Beauty Bank to Bluntington ; and in consequence of a new road having been cut across the angle from Chaddesley village towards Bluntington has become almost useless. The views from thence are extensive and fine. On the east, Bromsgrove Lickey and the Ran Dan ridge of woods appear ; further to the south, the Cotswolds and Bredon Hill ; on the south-west, the Malverns, the Berrovv, Woodbury, and Abberley Hills ; and on the west, north-west, and north, Stagbury, Hagley, and the Clent Hills. It has been contended by some writers, that Robin Hood was born at a place called Locksley, or Loxley, which is said to have been either in Yorkshire or Nottinghamshire ; but it is remarked in Smith's Standard Library, " Robin Hood," pp. 4, 5f, that we have no evidence of any such place in either of those counties ; but of this by and bye. There is a township called Loxley, in the parish of Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, and a parish called Loxley, situated near to Strat- ford upon Avon, in Warwickshire ; and the question is, whether the latter place, which lay near to Feckenham Forest, was not the birth-place of our hero ; if so, it is probable that after the battle of Evesham he removed to Sherwood Forest, in Notting- hamshire, and to Barnsdale Forest, in Yorkshire. This appears, in some measure, to be corroborated by the following extract from the above-mentioned work : " Dr. Fuller* is doubtful as to the place of his nativity. Speaking of the ' Memorable Persons ' of Nottinghamshire, ' Robert Hood,' says he (if not by birth), by his chief abode this countryman." Edward I., in or soon after the 28th year of his reign, 1299, disafforested all the lands which his great grandfather, Henry II., had tyranically wrested from the people, and added to Feckenham The ground is numbered ">!(> in the Tithe Commutation Map. ^ Published in 1810, at IV\ Fleet Street, London. " 'Worthies of England,' lOGvJ, p. :):>0." 134 Forest* . As this took place only about thirty-five years after the battle of Evesham, it is not unlikely that Robin Hood was either then living or had not long been deadf ; and, in fact, that very interest- ing legendary poem, entitled, " A Lyttell Geste of Robyn Hode," (which is probably the oldest and most authentic that we have upon the subject,) describes a great many of his exploits as having taken place during a long course of years in Edward's reign. Mr. Spencer Hall, in his "Forester's Offering \," quoted by J. M. Gutch, Esq., in his edition of " Robin Hood," Vol. i., p. 75, says that " Robin Hood, or, as some authors have it, Robert o' th' Wood, was born at Loxley Chase, near Sheffield, in York- shire, where the romantic river Loxley descends from the hills to mingle its blue waters with the Rivilin, and the Don, a place well known to every grinder in Sheffield, and often alluded to in the poems of the people's laureate, Ebenezer Elliott, who is the owner of some land on the spot, but of which the last London editor of ' Ritson's Collection of Ballads,' could not tell the locality ; and so, after an elaborate research, concluded that no place in that, or the neighbouring county of Nottingham, now retained the name." There is a ballad relative to Robin Hood in Mr. Gutch 's col- lection. Vol. ii., p. '255, in style rather like the ballad of the Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove, and commencing as follows : " Bold Robin Hood ranging the forest all round, The forest all round ranged lie ; O there did he meet with a gay lady, She came weeping along the highway. "Why weep you, why weep you? bold Robin he said, What weep you for gold or fee ?" &c. &c. This ballad is printed in Smith's Standard Library, "Robin Hood," p. Ill, and is entitled " Robin Hood rescuing the three squires from Nottingham gallows." * See Nasb, Vol. i., Introduction, pp. 65, (ill. + Some of the places mentioned in pp. 130, 131, may have been called after Robin Hood's name upon disafforesting of the land.--. J Loudon, 1K41. Sec pp. 1 If., 1 Is. 135 Mr. Gutch observes that " this song, and its tune, as the editor is informed by his ingenious friend Edward Williams, the Welsh bard, are well known in South Wales by the name of Marchog glas, i.e., Green knight. Though apparently ancient, it is not known to exist in black letter, nor has any better authority been met with than the common collection of Aldermary churchyard. Ritson." BELBROUGHTON. In the year 1833, a Roman jar, containing more than one hundred coins of the early emperors, was found upon the Fern estate, near Farfield or Forfield in this parish. Mr. John Amphlett lias in his possession several of the coins of Adrian and Anto- ninus Pius, one of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and several of the Gordians and Philip, all which I have seen. Dr. Nash, in Vol. i., p. 56, of his " History," says Belbroughton was anciently called Behn, Belne, Beolne, and Balne Bereton. It is spelled Beolne in Heming's " Cartulary," p. 201, and Bellem in Domesday Book. " Here was formerly a wood five miles in extent, and in Nor- man times the manor of Forfield*, or Fairfield, formed a part of the great forest of Feckcnham, at which place the lords justices of the king's forest on this side Trent held their courts to de- termine causes concerning the breach of the forest lawsf." CLENT. This parish, lately a detached part of Staffordshire, was, till the reign of King Edward III., part of Worcestershire, and has been re-annexed to it by the Reform Bill. For the following facts respecting the antiquities of Clent, I am indebted to Mr. Timings, of that place. [n or about the year 1790, a large jar, filled with Roman gold and silver coins, was discovered by a labourer of the name of Benjamin Phillips, as he was making a new pool on Clent Heath, * Forfield is mentioned in the "Codex Dip.," No. 212. + See the " Humbler in Worcestersliire," pub. 1851, p. 'H~>. 136 a little below where the battle between the Romans and Britons was fought. In 1792. some silver coins were found in a meadow at Old Mill. In another meadow lying east of this, a jar of gold and another of silver coins were found by labourers ; and about the same date, upon pulling down an old wall in Rowley Regis parish, there was discovered a jar containing a great number of Roman coins. Mr. Timings, in his " Guide to the Clent Hills," gives a full description of the position of the Roman and British armies, and the battles of Walton, Clatter-Batch, and Clent Heath, and par- ticularises the ancient trenches on Walton Hills, the rampart on Clent Hill, tumuli, urns, bones, coins, and skeletons; he also describes Bar Beacon, and other ancient relics. In his " History of the Antiquities of St. Kenelms," he describes the barbarous murder of the young Mercian King Kenelm, in the year 819, by his unnatural sister Quendreda and Ascobert ; his first burial at St. Kenelms, and removal to Winch- comb Abbey ; and the discovery of several Roman and Saxon coins at different times at St. Kenelms, which place is situated at the east end of the Clent Hills, one mile from Clent village. This murder is likewise recorded by Dr. Nash, in his History, at considerable length. HAGLEY. Dr. Nash, in mentioning this place (Vol. i., pp. 485, 486), says : " In ' Domesday Book ' it is written Hageleia, from the Saxon Haga, domus, and Leag, or Lega*, locus, being probably the cbief residence of a great Saxon lord, and styled by way of eminence ' The Manor Place.' " " Hagley affords some considerable remains of Roman antiquity : a large camp on Wichbury Hill f, having on the south side a double agger, or deep ditch, now covered with wood. Several coins of the lower empire have been found in the adjoining fields, and particularly an earthern pot filled with them was taken out of a pool on the side of the hill not * Leag is not locus, a place, but it is a lea or ley. See " Abberley." * There is also a hill called the Round Hill, by Wichbury Hill. 137 many years since. In 1 738, a farmer, stubbing up an old tree which grew on the hill very near Wichbury Camp, discovered an iron chain almost rotten with age and rust, in which hung, as in a sling, a large round stone about the size of a man's head, a groove being cut quite round the stone the more commodiously to receive the chain. I have no doubt but this was a military weapon used by the Romans, though it is not exactly described by Vegetius, or any other ancient writer*. " On Clent Heath, about a mile and a half below Wichbury, are five barrows or lows, which were perhaps thrown up by the Romans f, the constant tradition of the inhabitants assigning them to those people ; and one which I caused to be opened several years ago affording a considerable quantity of burnt wood and ashes at the depth of fourteen feet. Two others have been since opened, in one of which, at about the depth of two feet, exactly in the centre, was discovered an urn filled with small human bones, very white, to the quantity of two quarts. The urn was broken all to pieces by the workman's spade, and appeared to be of very coarse ill-burnt clay \. At about the depth of two feet lower, on the west side of the tumulus, was found a pretty large quantity of bones, ashes, and burnt wood, lying promiscuously together. The last that we opened contained no urn ; but at the depth of two yards, exactly in the centre, was a circular cavity of about a foot diameter, and pretty nearly of that depth, filled wholly with human bones and burnt wood. I am of opinion that the Roman general or chief was honoured with an urn for his bones in the former of these two last-described lows or tumuli, and perhaps the bones of his principal officers are those which lay in * " Hearne's Glossary to Robert of Gloucester. Mangonel, tonuentum, catapulta bellica, mangonel ingin. ; an old-fashioned slin;.* (saith Cotgrave v. mangonneau,) or engine, whereout stones, old iron, &c., were violently darted. Some of the most ancient military weapons were slings. Our ancestors the Britons were expert at them. After slings, catapults, battering rams, and other engines." + Or more probably by the ancient Britons ; see pp. :!f>, 36, as to Lowes- moor. \ The character of the pottery tends to prove that the lows were aneieut British. 13b the same low heaped together, hut that the last-mentioned low- contained the bones of the common soldiers, or some of them at least, who fell in the action. " The inhabitants of Clent and Hagley talk of an engagement which happened on this spot between the Romans and Britons, and say the former were encamped on Wichbury and the latter on Clent Hill before the battle was fought. Harborow, which is the name of the lands and farm adjoining to the lows, carries in it something military, being a Saxon compound of \)ej\e (hero) exercitus, and Beft|e (Berie) campus, i.e., a plain where an army is assembled. Thus Mr. Hearne etymologises Harborough in Leicestershire. " Probably a neighbouring stream, called Horestone Brook, was so denominated from a stone or rude pillar erected near it by the victorious Britons, it not being the practice of the Romans to erect such pillars ; and hence the learned Dr. Plott conjectures that Baston, in the neighbouring parish of Kenvaur, is a British monument of a victory there obtained. A Roman road passes through part of Hagley Common, and is now called the King's Headland ; but I have some suspicion it was more anciently called the Portway, a name common to the Roman military high- ways ; for in a court roll of the manor of Clent, temp. Elizabeth, mention is made of a road styled the Portway, on the Lord's Waste, which could be no other than Clent Heath, adjoining to Hagley. A very rare and singular piece of antiquity, a small image of stone, about two inches in length, was found in 1752, at a considerable depth within a ragstone quarry, in Hagley Park. It is a very rude figure of a man, but ending in a term. The ablest antiquaries, to whose inspection it has been submitted, have all pronounced it Phoenician, being too rude for the work of a Roman artist : British it could not be, as the ancient Britons allowed of no effigiated idol. This image agrees in all respects with the teraphim mentioned in Scripture." I have extracted the whole of the above passage, because it strongly bears upon our ancient British antiquities, which 1 have described in the account of the hills. I have been informed by Mr. Timings, of Holy Cross House, Clent, that near Wichbury 139 Hill, round hewn stones are frequently found, supposed to have been used by the Roman slingers in their battles. There is a piece of land called Harbourough Ash, in Chad- desley Corbett; Harbour Hill, in Claines, near Worcester; Harbour's Hill Piece, in Stoke Prior; Harborough Hill*, in Shelsley Beauchamp, and Cold Harborough, or Cold Harbour, in Hindlip or Inlip. The latter name, with its alias, may tend to throw some light upon the etymology of the names of many places called Cold Harbour, noticed in the " Archaeologia," 1849, No. 1, Vol. xxxiii., p. 125, &c. The writer of that paper in the " Archaeologia f" endeavours to prove that, as the name Cold Harbour very frequently occurs at the angles or turns, and also at the junctions of Roman or more ancient roads, such places may have been so called by the Romans and Anglo-Romans, after the significant tortuosities of the coluber ; and that the term coluber may have been a vestige of the once almost universal ophite or serpent worship. He also refers to the opinion of some anti- quaries, that the word " Harbour" means a port, and that the prefix " Cold" comes from the word col, kohle, carbo. He likewise mentions various other conjectures ; for instance, that the prefix refers to the bleak or exposed situation of the places in question ; that the name Harbour comes from the Saxon hereberga, a post-watch on a hill, statio militaris ; that both the names come from the Latin caula-arva (British cobail-arbar), meaning enclosed or cleared spaces fur cultivation among the woods and forests which formerly covered England. In " Notes and Queries!" it is suggested by one writer that here-burh is an inland station for an army, in the same sense as a harbour for ships on the coast ; that Cold is a corruption for * There is Harbourne Meadow, in Northfield; but this name most probably means " Hoar-bourne; i.e. Hour a bound, and Bourn a rivulet, from the Anglo-Saxon Hume. See " Hoar Stones,'' Chap. IV. thereon. There is a parish called Harborne, or Harbourn, in Staffordshire, which is bounded by Bourn Brook on tiie south side of it, when: Staffordshire and Worcestershire unite. + Captain \V. II. Smyth, H.N., Director of the Society of Antiquaries of London. J Vol. ii., No. ;,|, Oct. l'.l. 1H.-.0, p. :;j|. 140 " Col ;" that Colerua in Wiltshire fortunately retains the original orthography, and in Anglo-Saxon literally signifies the habitation or settlement of a colony; and that all these " Col-harbours" mark the settlements, farms, out-posts, or garrisons of the Roman colonies planted here. It is therein likewise suggested by another writer that the word Cold or Cole may originally have been the Auglo-Saxon C5l, and the entire expression have designated a cool summer residence by a river's side, or on an eminence ; that the denomination appears to be the modern English for the A. S. Col Hereberg ; and that Colburn, Colebrook, and Cold- stream are analagous denominations*. It is stated in the " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London f," that, on January 16th, 1851, "a letter from Benjamin Williams, Esq., F.S.A., addressed to Sir Henry Ellis, was read in further illustration of the etymology of Cold Herbergh, or Harbour. A celebrated Anglo-Saxon scholar, he observes, writing to the editor of Notes and Queries,' remarks, that the spots called Cole or Cold Harbours are not always in cold situations. In corroboration of this, Mr. Williams observes, that according to Hire's " Dictionarium Suio-Gothicum," there is, or rather was, the Swedish word Kol, signifying fire, the very opposite of cool ; in that sense, however, there are various dialects of Germany and the north, in which the word Kol is used as denoting heat. The culinae of the ancients, the places where they kept living animals destined for sacrifice, Mr. Williams derives from the same source." In the " Art Journal," No. 156 \, there is a paper " On the Domestic Manners of the English during the middle ages, by Thomas Wright, Esq., F.S.A., &c," wherein it is remarked as " not improbable that the ruins of Roman villas, and small stations, which stood by the sides of roads, were often roughly repaired or modified so as to furnish a temporary shelter for travellers who carried provisions, &c. with them, and could, * It must be here observed that the word " Col "in Anglo-Saxon signilics a peak or sharp hillock, t Vol. ii., 1S51, No. 2b. J June 1KM, p. 171. 141 therefore, lodge themselves without depending upon the assistance of others. A shelter of this kind, from its consisting of bare walls, a mere shelter against the inclemency of the storm, might be termed a ceald-hereberga (cold harbour), and this would account for the great number of places in different parts of England which bear this name, and which are almost always on Roman sites, and near old roads. The explanation is supported by the circumstance, that the name is found among the Teutonic nations on the Continent. The German kalten-herberg, borne by some inns at the present day." Cold Harbour, the place in question, is situate by Smite Hill * in Hindlip. It most probably lay in the line of " The Western Trackway" from Worcester to Droitwich. See Salwarp, pp. 1 09, 110 ; and also Iter XV. And it is worthy of remark, in corrobo- ration of Captain Smyth's account of these localities, that no less than four roads or old lanes intersect each other at Cold Harbour f, the situation of which I am informed is generally flat, with the exception of one field called Castle Hill, which abuts on Smite Hill, and from its appearance might be supposed to scarp artificially. It is said that a castle or fort once stood on Castle Hill, and was at length destroyed by a battery placed on Newland Common. A cannon shot was about forty years ago ploughed up somewhere on the spot. Heming's " Cartulary J" notices a place called Oldbury in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Smite. It adjoins Castle Hill Field, and is commonly called Auld-berry . In the account of the Malvern Hills I have given a list of various places in Worcestershire, the names of which have the prefix Coll, Col, Cold, and Cald ; perhaps this prefix may originate in various sources, and it therefore becomes necessary that the history or nature of such places should be considered in order to ascertain the derivation of their names. Some may be derived * See Warndon, Iter XV., as to this hill having been the scene of a battle between the Anglo-Saxons and Danes. + See the Ordnance Map. Vol. ii., p. 355. See j)j). 34, :?.">. for the etymology of the name. 142 from Coluber, others from the Latin Collis, a hill ; others from the Anglo-Saxon word Col ; others from the Swedish word Kol ; aud others, again, from the bleakness or coldness of the situation, or of its accommodation, &c. In Halli well's " Glossary of Archaic Words," " Col" is given as meaning " charcoal." Now, it is not improbable that charcoal may have been burnt at some of these stations, as the Swedish " Kol" before mentioned would seem to indicate. In Lulsley there is a farm called Cold Place, a corruption of Colles Place, Colles or Coles having been the name of its owners during the reigns of Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I*. Here, then, we have a clear case, that the name Colles was corrupted into Cold, and in like manner the Latin words Coluber and Collis, or Col, the Anglo-Saxon Col, and the Swedish Kol may, in some cases, have been similarly changed. With respect to Hoar-Stone Brook previously mentioned, I here observe, that upon the border of Sapey Brook, in the parish of Tedstone Delamere, in Herefordshire, there is a high and large mass of calcareous incrustations, or travertine f, called the Hoar Stone, which, in the first edition of this work, I suggested was so named from its whitish appearance ; but the better opinion of Mr. Hamper upon the subject is given in the latter part of this work in the account of " Hoar Stones." HALES OWEN; FORMERLY CALLED HALES, AKD HALAS. This parish, until 183-2, was situated partly in Shropshire and partly in Worcestershire ; the whole, however, was in the latter county till the time of the Conquest, and has been re-annexed to it again by the Reform Bill. Dr. Nash J says : " This parish * See the account of Lulsley, and of Folk Lore in Lulsley, and the legend of Old Coles. + There is a much greater mass of travertine, called Southstones Hock, near Stanford Court, in this county, the property of Sir T. E. Wilmington, Burt. See the account of Stanford. { " History," Vol. i., j>. 509. 143 affords some Roman antiquities. A military road, called the Portway, passes through Warley Wigorn, and probably is a branch from the great Roman Ykenyld* Street, which passes within a very few miles of this place in its course from Edgbaston to Wall, near Litchfield, the Etocetum of the " Itinerary." In the road leading from Causeway Green, in Warley Wigorn, towards Oldbury, and near Langley, were found great quantities of iron cinders : whether they were British, Roman, or Saxon, I will not affirm f , but great quantities have of late years been carried away and worked over again to advantage. (See Pennant's ' Tour in Wales," Vol. L, page 64, where he mentions the same kind of cinders to have been discovered in other parts of the kingdom.') "A place called the Quintan, lying in Hales parish, so denominated from the ancient Roman sport still practised here, proves the Romans to have been stationed in this place. The learned antiquary, Bishop Kennett, in his ' Parochial Anti- quities of Burcester,' observes, that ' running at the Quintan was not continued in any part of Oxfordshire, except where the Roman ways did run, or where some Roman garrison had been placed.' In page 521, the Doctor, in his description of Oldbury Manor, situated in the then Shropshire part of Hales parish, added that ' Oldbury denoted a Roman camp or station ; and that a Roman road, called the Portway, passed very near, if not through it;' that ' the Portway seems to have been a vicinal road, branching from the Ykenyld or Rycnyld Street;' and that ' at Oldbury, in Wilts, there is a remarkable Roman camp, and in Warwick and Gloucestershire are villages so called, that were undoubted Roman stations." I have previously noticed a place called Oldbury in the parish of Saint John, near Worcester. DUDLEY. This place derives its name from Dodo, or Dudo, a Saxon prince, by whom it was owned at the time of the heptarchy, and * Or Rycknielil Street. + Vide whnt lias been previously said under the head " Worcester," p. 2, &c. 144 who built a castle here about the year 700. In " Domesday Book," it is called Dudelei. Dr. Nash says Dudley means the field of Dodo*. There is " Greystonef Field" in this parish. WASSAL HILL AND KENVAUR (OR KINVER) EDGE. Dr. Nash, in his account of the parish of Kidderminster, says : " On Wassal Hill, about half a mile from the banks of the Severn, are the remains of a small station or camp ; it lies about four or five miles west of a larger camp, on Kenvaur Edge. About the same distance east of Kenvaur Edge, on Wichbury Hill, there was another. These probably were the posts of Henry IV., when he blocked up Owen Glyndwr, after the burning of Worcester, 1405." (See " Monstrelet," c. v. ; and Hall's " Chronicles," pp. 18, 19.) Within the parish of Kinver, or Kinfare, Co. Stafford, " is an ancient fortification, forming a parallelogram, deeply intrenched on two sides, and on the other two defended by a hill. In the neighbourhood is a tumulus ; and here also was a large block of stone, called Battlestone, six feet high, and about twelve in girth ; but it has been removed J." Near Kinvaur Edge, on the Pigeon House estate, there is a remarkable sandstone, called " Bolt Stone." It runs rather tapering towards the top, and is said to be about seven feet high, and four feet square at the base. This stone went also by another name, as will appear by the following extract from " The Rambler in Worcestershire " : '"The Giant's Throw' was an upright stone of considerable magnitude, about a mile from Kinver Edge, and which, local tradition says, was thrown there by a giant standing on the Edge (it is generally customary to assign these wonders to the devil) ; but the best authorities believe it was an ancient British monument. It was removed by the owner of the * See Iter XVIII., title " Oddingley," as to Dodo. + See the account of Hoar Stones. J Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." Published 1851, p. 240. 145 field about ten years ago, and broken to pieces, because it was in the way of bis plough." OVER AELEY. Dr. Nash, in the Appendix to the second Vol. of his " History," quotes the following account, from Bishop Lyttelton, of tbe antiquities of Over Arley (which is not in Worcestershire, but Staffordshire) : " Some considerable Roman antiquities occur within the bounds of this manor. On the eastern limits I find an ancient road called the Portway (a name common to Roman vicinal ways throughout the kingdom), which probably led from Bra- nogenium (Worcester) to Uriconium (Wroxeter), and is at this day the post-road from Worcester to Shrewsbury- ; which latter rose out of the ruins of the ancient Uriconium. In Wulfruna's grant of this manor to the church of Hampton (from her entitled Wolverhampton f), the metes and bounds thereof are particularly described ; among which, one is denominated rcn-Ace or the street, by which the Saxons generally meant a Roman road or highway ; and this doubtless was the same with the present portway. " A large Roman camp also remains here, situated in Arley Wood, being nearly an exact square, with double, and on one side treble ditches. It was probably the work of Ostorius, who fortified many places near and upon the banks of the Severn, during his conflicts with the Silures and Ordovices. Query, too, if Castle Field, on the west side of the river, but within the manor of Arley, was not thus named from the Romans encamping there ; as no ruins of a castle, or any tradition of there ever having been one here, remains." It is stated in Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," that, at Hawkbatch, " a Roman town and bridge are said to have existed ; and many Roman coins have been found in that part of the parish." * An account of this portway, from Kenchester to Worcester, nnd from Worcester to Over Arley, is given in the latter part of this work. + Dngdale's " Monastieon," Tom. i., fo. DR8. I. 146 RIBBESFORD AND BEWDLEY. In the collection of miscellanea bequeathed to the Society of Antiquaries in London, by the late Dr. Prattinton, of Bewdley, is a celt of greenish stone, found in the bed of the river Severn at Ribbesford, on digging for gravel. The Doctor stated that he had it from William Parsons, Esq. The one end of it is a maul and the other an axe. (See an engraving of it, Plate 1, No. 5, page 08.) This celt is much smaller than the larger of the two found at Grimley*, being only five inches long, two inches and a quarter broad, two inches wide at one end, and one inch and a half at the centre. It weighs sixteen ounces. One exactly similar, found in Ashton valley, is delineated in Sir R. C. Hoare's " Ancient Wilts," PI. 8, p. 79. Ribbesford, in Heming's " Cartulary," is called Rebetforde, and in " Domesday," Ribforde. Bewdley, in Ribbesford, is supposed to be so called from " Beaulieu," meaning a beautiful situation. TICKENHILL. It is stated in Cooke's " Topographical Library," (title Worces- tershire, page 116,) that " a gold coin, of the Emperor Tiberius, was found, in a state of uncommon preservation, in the ancient forest of Wyre, about the year 1770 f." The above place is in the parish of Ribbesford. SODDINGTON IN MAMBLE. Laird's " Topographical and Historical Description of Worces- tershire," pp. 276 to 279, contains the following description of ancient relics discovered at Soddington, in this parish, a few miles east of Tenbury, upon taking down the old mansion of the Blount's family, and digging up the foundations in 1807 : " In digging beneath the oldest part of the farm, at the depth of abuut three feet, they struck upon an ancient focus formed of thin * See the siceount of Grimley. + Also vide Nash'a " History," Vol. ii., p. 277. 147 bricks, which had each of them a semicircular termination, and had evidently been framed in a similar mould. In digging at a small distance from the focus, five feet below the level of it, a pavement, laid with large thin bricks, such as the Romans are known to have used, and as are commonly to be met with at Verulam and other Roman cities, was discovered. " In levelling the ground near the house of Soddington, the labourers also dug up a vast number of curious tubes, which seemed to have formed an ancient aqueduct, the existence of which was previously unknown to any of the inhabitants, even by tradition. These tubes were formed of the finest clay, and ex- ceedingly well baked, being of a grey colour on the outside, and, when broken, of a dark colour in the interior. They appeared to be exactly of the same composition with the common Roman urns. Each tube was about two feet long, and about four inches in the total diameter, though the aperture for conveying the water was not more than one inch and three quarters. At one end were hollow tenons, and mortices at the other, all exactly fitted, to be air-tight without the intervention of mortar. " They were laid in the direction of a spring, which flows at the distance of a mile and a half from Soddington, at the summit of an eminence still higher than the site of the mansion, and they were traced a considerable part of the way to it. " Rut the most curious discovery, as related by an eye-witness, occurred in a Held within a quarter of a mile of the old house, where, in levelling a hillock on which an oak, quite decayed with age, besides other trees, stood, the workmen found, at the depth of about two feet from the sod, a complete brick-kiln con- sisting, by computation, of ten thousand bricks, the greater part of which were well burnt, but the rest only half ready for use. It was noticed that the kiln was not made as kilns usually arc at present ; hut, unfortunately, there was no person there qualified to give a correct description of it. The bricks also were both larger and thinner than those of the present day/' Mr. Milner*, who gave the account, thought Soddington was a * Gentleman's Magazine," Vol. lxxvii.. p. 1009. 148 Roman fort, the ground on the sides of it still bearing certain vestiges of a Roman intrenchment, and that the brick-kiln was worked by the Romans just before they abandoned the island, about the year 418. STOCKTON. Laird (page 285) speaking of Stockton Church and Village, says, " The hill seems to be cut into ancient intrenchments ; but we could not procure any information respecting them, nor can we find it even mentioned by any writer whatsoever." LINDRIDGE. There is a Toothill in this parish, the particulars of which will be given under the head Toothills, where the subject is fully considered. A hone, or flaying-knife, was found a few years ago in this parish, the particulars of which, accompanied by a drawing, I sent to the Archaeological Institute. The following notice of it appeared in their Journal, Vol. vi., p. 409. " Drawing of an implement, supposed to be of the early British period, formed of a green-coloured stone, and found six feet below the surface, in a gravel-bed, at Lindridge. It is a kind of chisel, or possibly it may have been used as a flaying-knife. At one end there are two perforations, and a third hole drilled only partly through. Dimensions : length, four and three quarter inches ; breadth, one inch ; thickness, about a quarter of an inch, dimi- nishing towards the ends. It was presented to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, by the Rev. Thomas Pearson, of Witley. " The objects of stone, found in barrows in Wiltshire by Sir Richard Hoare (' Ancient Wilts.,' PI. 2, 12, &c), mostly per- forated at the ends, and similar to this in general form, but not sharpened at the extremity, have been regarded as ornaments, or as whetstones*. Possibly, the curious example above given may * See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vi., p. 198, as to a whetstone, found with other Roman remains at Ickleton. 149 have answered a double purpose, both as a hone and an edged tool. (See also ' Archaeological Journal,' Vol. v., pp. 282, 293, 323." I la ~* |t. 48. + See ibid p. :I5:{ ; and ibid. . . .p. r>0. { See ibid. . . . .p. 350 ; and ibid. . . p. 5- r >. In Mr. Halliwell's " Glossary of Arcbaic Words," Cold Comfort is given, as meaning bad news. I| Also Coldridge, in Upper Arley, Co. Stafford; and Colwood, at Combe bank, in Dorsetshire. 160 was made in the year 1847, as will appear by the following account, which I submitted to the Archaeological Institute in September of that year, and which was inserted in their Journal* : " A few weeks since a discovery of Roman coins was made in Little Malvern parish, on the western side of the road leading to Ledbury, and opposite to the premises called Little Malvern Grove, within half a mile of the foot of the Herefordshire Beacon Hill. A party of visitors were rambling over the hills, and one of them struck his iron-pointed mountain staff into the turf, just upon the margin of a stone quarry, at the spot de- scribed, causing the turf and stones, with an urn containing about three hundred Roman brass coins, to fall amongst the rubbish beneath, from which they were picked out by various persons, and are now in the possession of Colonel Colston, Henry Trant, Esq., and in numerous other hands. All those which I have seen are of Dioclesian, Maximian, or Constantius, and they are in very perfect condition. The urn, judging by the fragments which I have seen, had become much decayed, and nearly pul- verized. I believe this is the first evidence of Roman occupation of the Herefordshire Beacon Camp. Some writers have supposed it Roman on account of the central praetorium ; but it appears more probable that it was originally British, and afterwards occupied by the Romans, and adapted to suit their own purposes. One of the coins is a large brass of Maximian. Obv. Laureated head, MAXIMIANVS NOBILIS C. Rev. A genius, naked, holding the cornucopia and discus. Genio Populi Romani, S. F." An account of this discovery was given by Mr. Vaux of the Bi'itish Museum, and was read before the Numismatic Society January 27, 1848 f. The following is an extract from their Journal : " On Monday the 15th of August, 1847, as Mr. Commissioner Mayne and his sons were out on a walk, they were induced to go in search of some geological remains, into a small quarry, on the Vol. iv., pp. :S5(i, 357. + Particulars were also given in the " Gentleman's Magazine," May 18-4K, p. 52G. 161 side of the road leading from Little Malvern to Ledbury. While turning over stones, Mr. Cox Mayne came unexpectedly upon a considerable number of second brass Roman coins, which were lying, as appeared to him, loosely thrown together a few inches under the surface at the top of the hill itself. " He immediately collected as many as he could lay hands on, amounting to about two hundred. " The news of this discovery rapidly spread in all directions, and people flocked from the village to the spot, and were rewarded by obtaining a few more specimens (probably the same as Mr. Mayne had previously exhumed) before nightfall. " The following morning, a man of the name of Fletcher came across from the parish of Colwall, on the Herefordshire side of the hills, and, on searching more closely, and turning over the soil, discovered another collection of similar coins, enclosed in a light red-coloured earthen pot, of undoubted Roman fabric, which he sold shortly afterwards, together with the coins, fifty in number, to Mr. Warden, one of the Directors of the East India Company. Some portions of the pot, which has been much shattered, I imagine, in the process of extraction, have been pre- served, and are to-night, by the kindness of Mr. Warden, exhi- bited to the Society. It will be observed, that there still adheres to the sides of the pot, some of the verdigris which covered the coins when found in it. It may be presumed, therefore, that the whole number of coins thus discovered, did not fall far short of three hundred ; for, besides those I have enumerated, which have been placed in my hands for the purpose of description, I saw some twenty or thirty in the hands of the gentlemen and cottagers in the neighbourhood ; and the post-master of the village informed me that for some days after the discovery, coins were continually passing in letters through the post-office. I found, on going down to Malvern, that it was very difficult to obtain a clear and satisfactory account of the order in which the discoveries took place, as almost every one to whom I addressed myself, had a different story to relate. I believe, however, that, on the whole, the above is as correct a version as it is possible to procure ; while the appearance itself of the coins, goes far to confirm the 162 truth of the narration. It will be observed, for instance, that those which were first turned up, and which I saw myself at Malvern, were covered with soft green eerugo, which peeled off immediately on being touched by the point of a penknife ; the result, probably, of exposure for a long period in the open ground, but at the same time in a dry pebbly soil : while those, on the other hand, which were found in the pot, had, to a great degree, resisted the effect of the weather, and retained the metallic lustre and brightness of the tinning, which most, if not all of them, had originally undergone. " Of these coins I have been able personally to examine about two hundred ; and I will now lay before the Society the results of tbat examination, at the same time exhibiting some specimens from the hoard, including those first discovered by Mr. Cox Mayne, and those subsequently placed at my disposal by Mr. Warden, with this remark, that so far as I know, no coins have been found except of the five emperors, Diocletianus, Maximianus Hercules, Constantius Chlorus, Galerius Maximianus, and Maxi- minus Daza, and that they fall therefore within the period between a.d. 286-311. They all are of the size called second brass, and in excellent preservation ; and the larger part of them so sharp and well defined, that they could hardly ever have been in circulation." Mr. Vaux then gives a very minute description of the coins, and some general remarks relative to the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, concluding as follows : " The district in which these coins were discovered was, up to the time of Constantine the Great, included in the province west of the Severn, called Britannia Secunda, and was probably under the military government of the 2* 1 Legio Augusta, whose usual head quarters were at Caerleon on the Usk. There is, however, no additional evidence of this fact, from the coins themselves. " The period of history over which they extend is one of peculiar interest, as well to the student of Roman history as to an Englishman. Then, for the first and indeed the only time, Koine saw her empire administered by six emperors, in pretended, if 163 not real, harmony ; and England, under the rule of the gallant rebel Carausius, for seven years successfully withstood the whole power of Rome, and made her first essay at dominion upon that element, which has since become peculiarly her own. " The comparative numbers of the coins discovered attest the presence of the legions of Constantius, so long the governor of the island, and who closed his victorious career at York, a.d. 306 ; while the large number of those of Diocletianus and Maximianus Hercules, who were associated with him in the empire, demon- strate the length of their united reigns, compared with the short duration of that of Maximinus Daza." MIDSUMMER HILL CAMP. About a mile and a half southward of the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, there is another remarkable camp on Midsummer Hill. This camp I visited in July, 18 12, and found it very perfect. It has a single vallum all round the crown of the hill, and an agger on the lower side of the vallum. In fact, it has a kind of double vallum and double agger; the ground above the upper side of the main vallum having probably been scooped out to raise a kind of agger on that side of the vallum. This camp is in shape like a high-quartered shoe, and at one part, on the north side (at the instep of the shoe) it runs down one steep part of the hill, and up another part, and terminates southward at the toe of the shoe, which overlooks the deep pass, dividing Midsummer Hill from Ragged-stone Hill. The heel of the shoe overlooks the deep ravine called the Gullctt, between the north side of Midsummer Hill and Warren Hill. This extensive camp has not been noticed as it deserves. THE RIDGE WAY. Between the Herefordshire Beacon and Eastnor there is an ancient road called the Bidge Way, which runs along the top of a fine hogs-back range of limestone. It is very remarkable that, on the western side of this most probably ancient British road*, * See the account "f the Kveknield Street. 164 and about midway from the Herefordshire Beacon Camp on the north-east, and the Midsummer Hill Camp on the south-east, and within two miles of these camps, there is an oak, about seventy or eighty years old, upon the upper branches of which are several fine mistletoe bushes growing. This is the first and only time I have seen it growing upon an oak. Mr. Lees, who accompanied me, and pointed out this interesting memento of Druidism, has noticed it in " The Botanical Looker Out*." It certainly is remarkable that this rare instance of the mistletoe growing upon an oak, should occur on " the Ridge Way," the name of which indicates that it was an ancient British roadf ; and it carries us back in imagination, to the time when the Druids marched forth in solemn array from their altar and seat of judgment at the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, to cut the sacred mistletoe from the oaks in the neighbourhood. It is supposed that the ancient Britons sometimes deposited branches of mistletoe in their tombs. In a pamphlet, containing a description of a coffin found in a tumulus which was opened at Gristhorpe, near Scarborough, in 1834, the writer, Mr. William- son, says, " A quantity of a vegetable substance, which was first believed to be dried rushes, was also found in the coffin ; some of it has since been macerated, and though the greater portion of it is so much decomposed that nothing but the fibre remains, in one or two instances we have been so far successful as to clearly dis- tinguish a long lanceolate leaf, resembling that of the mistletoe, which plant it has probably been : a few dried berries were amongst the vegetable mass ; they were very tender and most of them soon crumbled to dust ; they are about the size of those of the mistletoe." This coffin, which is now in the Scarborough Museum, was made out of the trunk of an oak tree, and contained a very per- fect skeleton of a supposed Brigantian chief, and also various spear- heads, &c. * First Edition, p. 18; Second Edition, pp. 51-55. + See further particulars in the account of the Rycknield Street, or Ridge Way. 165 THE WORCESTERSHIRE BEACON. A very interesting discovery was lately made on the top of this Beacon, the following particulars of which appeared in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute*." " Mr. Jabez Allies reported an interesting discovery, supplying an example of diminutive British fictilia, hitherto almost exclu- sively noticed in Wiltshire tumuli. He communicated also a detailed account, with drawings supplied by Mr. Edwin Lees, of Worcester, in whose possession the urn is now preserved. In November 1849, Mr. Lees visited the Worcestershire Beacon, on the range of heights immediately above Great Malvern, and met with some of the party engaged upon the new trigono- metrical survey, who showed him part of a human cranium, found three days previously, in excavating on the summit of the Beacon to find the mark left as a datum during the former survey. On uncovering the rock, about nine inches below the surface, just on the outer edge, towards the south of the pile of loose stones, the small urn (two views of which are here represented, of half the size of the original) was found in u cavity of the rock, with some bones and ashes. The urn was * Vol. vii. i>i>. Ii7, 166 placed in an inverted position, covering part of the ashes, and the half-burnt bones lay near and around it. Its height is two and a half inches ; breadtb at top, three inches. The bottom of this little vessel is nearly three quarters of an inch in thickness. The impressed markings are very deficient in regularity. Another deposit of bones, but without an urn, was also found on the north side of the heap of stones marking the summit ; and this heap, although renewed in recent times as a kind of beacon, very pro- bably occupies the site of an ancient cairn. " The discovery was made by Private Harkin, of the Royal Ordnance Corps, who gave the fragments of the urn to Mr. Lees. On further examination of the spot, some bones were collected ; and, being subjected to anatomical examination, they were pro- nounced to be the remains of an adult human subject, which had undergone cremation. The urn is of simple form, somewhat different in character to any found in Wilts ; it bears a zig-zag corded line both externally and within the lip, impressed upon the surface, as shown in the representation. " No discovery of any British urns, or interments, upon the Malvern Hills had, as Mr. Allies observed, been previously made. The conspicuous position of the site where this deposit was found, being the highest point of the range in the part adjoining Great Malvern, seems to indicate that it was the resting-place of some chieftain or person of note at an early period of our history." At the foot of the east side of the Worcestershire Beacon, there is a piece of ground called Twinbarrow*, situated at Barnard's Green, near the Moat Farm. Dr. Nashf says : " In the Link, in the parish of Malvern, was lately found, many feet under ground, a celt, weighing ten ounces, about five inches and a half long, of a mixed metal between brass and copper, with a small ring or loop, as here * Two barrows, adjoining' each other, are called Twinbarrow. (See Sir R. ('. Hcare's " History of Wiltshire".) Twinbcrrow is a personal name in Wor cestershire. + " History," Vol. ii., i. !')!>. 167 engraved ; it has a beautiful patina upon it." (See the woodcut here given.) A similar celt is represented in " Camden," Vol. i., p. 200. Montfaucon, in Vol. hi., Part 2, p. 339, has given a drawing of a Greek or Roman hatchet, very like the above. A Roman coin, said to be a Vespasian, was found a few years back on the east side of the Worcestershire Beacon, near St. Ann's Well, in a cavity which had been made by the sheep ; and a large Roman coin was a few years ago presented to the Wor- cestershire Museum, which was found by a gravel -digger near the road at the north end of the hill, three or four feet deep in the detrital matter, which had in the course of time rolled down the hill. On the obverse there is a portrait, without the iron crown ; the inscription is gone. The reverse contains a fine figure of a horse at full speed, with a warrior upon it, apparently in the act of striking with his spear. There are pieces of land below Great Malvern called Upper Radnor Meadow and Lower Radnor Pasture. " Rad," in Anglo- Saxon, means " council ;" and it seems probable that judicial and other meetings were held there* . There is a curious account relative to the Legend of St. Werstan (who appears to have been a hermit who founded an oratory in Great Malvern), detailed by Albert Way, Esq., in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," in 1945 f ; illus- trated by several woodcuts, from the painted glass in Great Malvern Church, depicting the legend. By the kind permission of tho Institute, I am enabled to lay the following copy before my readers. See Iter xiii. t Vol. ii., pp. 4.is(io. 108 THE LEGEND OF SAINT WERSTAN, AND THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ESTABLISHMENT AT GREAT MALVERN. " On the northern side of the choir of the ancient priory church of Great Malvern, in Worcestershire, three large windows, which compose the clerestory, still exhibit, in the original arrangement, a very interesting series of subjects taken from sacred as well as legendary history. These windows consist of four lights, which are divided into two almost equal stories by a transom ; and the painted glass, with which they are still in great part filled, appears never to have been re-leaded or disturbed, although in its present fractured and decaying condition, it greatly needs some judicious measures which might preserve it from further injuries. The window which is nearest to the northern transept, and most remote from the eastern end of the church, presents a very curious series of subjects, and of some of these it is pro- posed to offer to our readers a detailed description. They illustrate the origin of a Christian establishment in the wild woodland district, which, at an early period, contributed to render the hill country of Worcestershire an almost impenetrable fastness, and boundary towards the marches of Wales. It was by a very small beginning that Christianity found an entrance into this savage country ; but the primitive introduction of Christian worship, to which it will be my endeavour to draw the attention of our readers, ultimately led the way to the foundation of an extensive religious establishment, the Benedictine monas- tery, which, although considered as a cell to Westminster, occupied in this country a very important position. An in- teresting evidence of the beneficial tendency of a monastic institution, situated, as was the priory of Great Malvern, in a remote and inaccessible district, is afforded by the letter of re monstrance, addressed by the pious Latimer, then bishop of Worcester, entreating that an exception might be made in its favour, at the time of the general dissolution of religious houses*. * " Cott. .MS., Cleop., E. iv., f. '-Mil : printed in ucw edit., Monast. Aug, iii.. KA" 169 " The documentary evidences, chartularies, and records, which might have thrown light on the early history of Great Malvern, have either heen destroyed, or yet remain stored away in con- cealment, amongst the unexamined muniments of some ancient family. Some fortunate research may hereafter bring to light these ancient memorials ; at the present time little is known even of its later history, and the legend of the circumstances under which, in Anglo-Saxon times, the first Christian establish- ment was here made, is recorded only on the shattered and perishable glass, which has escaped from the successive injuries of four centuries. The priory church of Great Malvern was erected by the hermit Aid win, according to Leland's statement, about the year 1084 ; the Annals of Worcester give the year 1085 as the date of the foundation. Some portions of the original fabric still exist ; the short massive piers of the nave, and a few details of early Norman character, are, doubtless, to be attributed to that period. It appears by the Confirmation Charter of Henry I., dated 1127, that the monks of Great Malvern then held, by grant from Edward the Confessor, certain possessions which had been augmented by the Conqueror; but there is no evidence that, previously to the Conquest, any regular monastic institution had been there established. The evidence which was given by the prior, in the year 1319, may be received as grounded not merely on tradition, but on some authentic record preserved amongst the muniments of the house. He declared that the priory had been, for some time previously to the Conquest, 4 quoddam heremitorium,' a certain resort of recluses, founded by Urso D'Abitot, with whose concurrence it subsequently became a monastic establishment, formed and en- dowed by the abbot of Westminster*. It is not, however, my present intention to enter into the subject of the foundation or endowment of the priory, but to call attention to the singular and forgotten legend of the hermit saint, who first sought to establish Christian worship in the impenetrable forest district of this part of Worcestershire. " Several writers have described, in greater or less detail, the * " Plar. coram ll r ^> upud Ebor., term Mir, IJ Edw. II.. Moiiast. Angl." 170 remarkable painted glass, of which a considerable portion still remains in the windows of Great Malvern church ; of few churches, indeed, have such minutely detailed accounts been preserved, noted down long since, at a time when the decorations had sustained little injury. The full descriptions, which were taken by Habingdon, are for the most part accurate and satis- factory, and afford a valuable source of information ; a mere wreck now remains of much which attracted his attention, and has been preserved from utter oblivion in the notes compiled by him during the reign of Charles I*. It is however very singular that he wholly overlooked, as it would appear, the remarkable commemorative window, to which the present notice relates ; and Thomas, Nash, and other subsequent writers, have contented themselves with giving a transcript or abstract of Habingdon's notes, without any comparison with the original painted glass still existing. They have in consequence neglected the most curious portion of the whole, and it will now be my endeavour to set before our readers this feature of the ancient decorations of this interesting church, as a singular example of the com- memorative intention of such decorations, and, in default of direct historical or documentary evidences, an addition to the information which we possess, respecting the progressive establish- ment of Christian worship in our island, in early times. " Leland, who appears to have visited Great Malvern, in the course of the tour of investigation pursued by him during six years, and who had the opportunity of consulting the muniments, * " Thomas Habingdon or Habington, of Hindlip, Worcestershire, was condemned to die for concealing some of the agents concerned in the gun- powder plot. He was pardoned on condition that he should never quit the county, to the history and antiquities of which he subsequently devoted his time. There existed formerly a MS. of these collections hi Jesus College library, Oxford. In the library of the Society of Antiquaries there is a transcript made by Dr. Hopkins, in the reign of Queen Anne, with additions by Dr. Thomas. The notes on the Malvern windows have been printed in the ' Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Worcester, and Malvern Priory,' 8vo., 1728 ; Nash's ' History of Worcestershire,' ii., l'-M) ; and in the new edition of the ' Monasticon.' Dr. Thomas gave a Latin version in his ' An- tiquities <>f Malvern Priory.' " 171 to which the commission of inquiry, granted to him under the Great Seal, in the year 1533, afforded him freedom of access, has noted down that nigh to the priory stood the chapel of St. John the Baptist, where St. Werstan suffered martyrdom*. He had, perhaps, examined the singular subjects in the northern window of the choir, a memorial replete with interest to a person zealously engaged on such a mission of historical inquiry, and had listened in the refectory to the oral tradition of the legendary history to which these representations relate, or perused the relation which was then preserved in the muniment chamber of the piiory. Leland is the only writer who names the martyr St. Werstan, or makes any allusion to the connection which appears to exist between his history and the foundation of the religious establishment at Great Malvern. It is, however, certain, from the place assigned to the four subjects illustrative of the incidents of his life, in the window destined to com- memorate the principal facts of that foundation, that in the fifteenth century, when this painted glass was designed, the monks of Great Malvern accounted the ' certain hermitage,' ac- cording to the statement of the prior, in the year 1319, as above related, to have been the germ of that important and flourishing establishment, which at a later time had taken a prominent place amongst the religious institutions situated on the western shore of the Severn. " The remarkable painted glass, to which I would call atten- tion, is to be found in the upper division or story of the cle- restory window, nearest to the Jesus chapel, or northern transept. In the elevated position occupied by these representations, they appear scarcely to have attracted notice, the figures being mostly of small dimension ; and to these circumstances it is perhaps to be attributed that Habingdon and the writers of later times have wholly neglected so singular a series. The painted glass, which is preserved in the choir of this church, appears to have been executed towards the year 1400; some changes have, in recent times, been made, and the windows on the southern side have been filled with portions collected from the clerestory of the * " I. eland, Coll. ip'm ex ora. The following inscription formerly recorded his benefaction, rate pro anima ^Jofiannte i&alberne, qui tetam fenestram fieri fecit, and although it is not certain that such requests for prayers on behalf of the soul of the benefactor were not, in some instances, thus inscribed during his life-time, some persons will probably take the pious phrase as an evidence that the window was not completed until after the decease of the prior, which occurred about the year 1449. But some further circum- stances, in regard to the painted glass which is preserved in the windows of the choir, will be hereafter noticed, in the endeavour to ascertain its date ; I will now proceed to describe the four subjects which comprise the legendary history, as I am led to suppose, of St. Werstan, exhibited in the upper story of the window nearest to the northern transept. In the first pane is to be observed a representation apparently composed of two pictures, forming one subject; in the upper part are seen four angels, with golden-coloured wings, vested in amices and albs, the apparels of the former being conspicuous, and presenting the appearance of a standing collar. Each of these angels has the right hand elevated in the Latin gesture of benediction ; and they rest their left hands on the boundary stones placed at 173 St. Werstan's Vision. 174 the four angles of a square verdant plot, which appears in that manner to be set out and defined, being a more green and flowery spot than the adjacent ground, which seems to represent a part of the Malvern hills. In the centre of this piece of ground, thus marked out by the angels, appears a large white key. In the lower division of the same pane appears a figure kneeling, and looking towards heaven ; a hill, formed of several banks or terraces one above another, appears as the back- ground, and over his head is a scroll thus inscribed, jeanctug 32UerStanusi J&artir. He is not clad in the Benedictine habit, like other figures in the adjoining windows, but in the russet coloured cappa, or full sleeveless mantle, with a round caputium, or mozzetta, to which is attached a hood. Under the mantle may be distinguished the scapulary : the head is bare, and the hands are raised in adoration. There can, I think, be little question, that this first subject was intended to represent a celestial vision which indicated to the hermit, who bad fled from troubles or temptations to the wilds of the Malvern hills, the spot where he should construct an oratory, which would ulti- mately lead to the foundation of an important Christian insti- tution in those dreary wastes. The import of the silver key at present remains unknown, for the legend of St. Werstan is lost, and even his name has not been handed down in any calendar of British Saints, but the signification of this interesting repre- sentation can scarcely be mistaken ; the heavenly guidance, which fixed the wanderings of the pious recluse in the woodland waste of this hill country of Worcestershire, and pointed out the site of the primitive Christian foundation in that district, appears undeniably to be here set forth and commemorated. " In the next pane may be noticed a similar twofold dispo- sition of the subject represented. In the lower part appears the same hermit, clad in russet as before, the epithet i&larttr being, perhaps accidentally, omitted in the inscription. In the superior division are again seen the four angels vested in like manner in albs, which have apparels on the sleeves, over the wrists ; and these celestial messengers are engaged in the dedication of the oratory, which, as it may be supposed, had been raised by 175 176 St. Werstan on the spot miraculously pointed out to him in the vision. The angels elevate their right hands as hefore, in benediction ; one hears a processional cross ; another, who approaches the closed entrance of the chapel, bears the thurible, and seems prepared to knock against the door, and cry aloud, according to the impressive ancient ritual of the Latin church, ' Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may come in !' A third angel bears the cross-staff, and raises the aspergillum, or hyssop, as if about to sprinkle with holy water the newly completed edifice ; whilst the fourth touches the bell, which is suspended in an open turret, surmounted by a spire and finial cross. The roof of the chapel is coloured blue, as if to represent a covering formed of lead. In this pane we must at once recognise the representation of a miraculous dedication of the chapel, which had been built by the hermit Saint in obedience to a vision from above, and was now consecrated by the same ministering spirits who had been sent forth to direct him to undertake its con- struction. It is interesting to compare this subject with the curious drawing, preserved at Cambridge, which may be seen in a series of representations illustrative of the life of Edward the Confessor ; amongst these occurs the miraculous dedication of the church of St. Peter, at Westminster, by the arch-apostle in person, according to the legendary history ; St. Peter is there seen accompanied by angels, who perform the services of the attendant acolytes, in singular and close conformity with the curious representation at Great Malvern, above described. The drawings in question exist in a MS. in the library at Trinity College, and appear to have been executed towards the com- mencement of the fifteenth century. " In the third compartment of the window the eye is at once struck by the stately aspect of a regal personage, a figure of larger dimension as compared with those which have been de- scribed : he appears vested in a richly embroidered robe lined with ermine, a cape of the same, and the usual insignia of royalty. In his right hand he holds a charter, to which is appended the great seal, bearing the impression of a cross on 177 UAMOTr*. HAV(;of,fcc Tim Grunt of Kdwarri tlio Confessor. 178 red wax, and apparently is about to bestow a grant upon a person who kneels at his feet. The king is at once recognised by the inscribed scroll, j&c'g (StlfoatDug rex ; the figure of the suppliant, to whom the charter is accorded, is represented as of much smaller proportion than that of the sovereign, in accordance with a conventional principle of design in old times, by which persons of inferior station were often represented as of diminutive size, in comparison with their more powerful neighbours. Over the head of this smaller figure is a scroll, which bears the following inscription, 22tttU' m* : (JFtlfoaroug : It does not appear, in the absence of all legendary or historical evidence, who was the person thus designated, upon whom a grant was conferred by the Confessor, and who here appears a3 connected with the history of St. Werstan. He is clad in a sleeved robe and hooded cape, the former being blue, and the cape bordered with white : it is not properly the monastic habit, and it differs from that in which St. Werstan appears, as before described. It may be conjectured that the hermit, disturbed in his peaceful resting-place upon the Malvern heights by some oppressive lord of the neighbouring territory, had sent a messenger to intercede with St. Edward, and obtained by royal charter lawful possession of the little plot whereon the celestial vision had led him to fix his oratory. Certain it is, as recorded in the charter of Henry I., dated 1127, that amongst the possessions of Great Malvern were numbered lands* granted by the Confessor, although no regular monastic establishment appears to have existed previously to the Conquest. It seems therefore reasonable to conclude from the introduction of the subject now under consideration, in connection with the circumstances of the legend of that saint, that, according to received tradition, the period when St. Werstan first resorted to this wild spot, and established himself on the locality marked out by a heavenly vision, was during the times of the Confessor. " The fourth, and last subject of the series, which appears in * " ' I'na virgata terre in Baldeh, de feudo de Hanley, quimi Bex Edwardus dedit.' Carta H. Henr. I. a.d. 1127. In another charter of Henry I., cited in Pat. ">> Edw. III., per inspeximus, it is called 'Baldehala,' and in Plac. 12 Edw. II., ' Badenhale.' " 179 LAM0WC4M'.i The Martyrdom of St. Werstan. 180 the upper division of this remarkable window, appears to re- present the martyrdom of St. Werstan the hermit, and the chapel or oratory, which was the scene of that event, described by Leland as situated near to the Priory. On the steep side of the Malvern heights are represented, in this pane, two small buildings, apparently chapels : the upper one may, doubtless, be regarded as the same miraculously dedicated building, which appears in the second pane ; from its roof springs the bell-turret and spire, but precise conformity in minor details has not been observed in these two representations. At one of the windows of the oratory is here to be seen the Saint, who puts forth his head, bleeding and bruised, whilst on either side stands a cruel murderer, prepared with sword upraised to strike the unoffending recluse. These miscreants are clad in gowns which are girt round their waists, and reach somewhat below their knees ; the scabbards of their swords are appended to their girdles, and on their heads are coifs, or caps, similar in form to the military salade, but they do not appear to be armour, properly so called. These may possibly, however, represent the palets, or leathern head-piece3, which were worn about the time when this painted glass was designed, as a partial or occasional defence. Be this as it may, it deserves to be remarked that the short gown and coif-shaped head covering is a conventional fashion of costume, in which the tormentor and executioner are frequently repre- sented as clothed, in illuminations and other works of mediaeval art. An illustration of this remark is supplied by the curious embroidered frontal and super-frontal, preserved in the church of Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire, which were exhibited at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Association at Canterbury. The subjects portrayed thereon are the sufferings of Apostles and martyred Saints : the work appears to have been designed to- wards the early part of the fourteenth century ; and the tor- mentors are in most instances clad in the short gown and close- fitting coif. Beneath, not far from the chapel, wherein the martyr is seen, in the Malvern window, appears a second building, not very dissimilar to the first in form, but without any bell- turret and spire : possibly, indeed, so little were minute propriety 181 and conformity of representation observed, the intention may have been to exhibit the same building which is seen above, and a second occurrence which there had taken place. This oratory has three windows on the side which is presented to view, and at each appears within the building an acolyte, or singing-clerk, holding an open book, whilst on either side, externally, is seen a tormentor, clad in like manner as those who have been noticed in the scene above ; they are not, however, armed with swords, but hold bundles of rods, and seem prepared to castigate the choristers, and interrupt the peaceful performance of their pious functions. With this subject, the series which appears to repre- sent the history of the martyr St. Werstan, closes, and in the four compartments of the lower division of the window, divided by the intervening transom, are depicted events recorded and well known, in connection with the foundation of Great Malvern, namely, the grant and confirmation conceded by William the Conquerer to Aldwin, the founder ; the grant to him by St. Wolstan, bishop of Worcester; and the acts of donation by William, earl of Gloucester, Bernard, earl of Hereford, and Osbern Poncius ; benefactions which materially contributed to the establishment of this religious house. Of these, curious as the representations are, I will not now offer any description ; the circumstances, to which they relate, are detailed in the documents which have been published by Dugdale, Thomas, and Nash. No allusion has hitherto been found in the legends of the saints of Britain, or the lists of those who suffered for the faith within its shores, to assist us in the explanation of the singular subjects which are now, for the first time, described ; they appear to be the only evidences hitherto noticed, in relation to the history of St. Werstan, and the earliest Christian establishment on the savage hills of Worcestershire. In this point of view, even more than as specimens of decorative design, it is hoped that this notice may prove acceptable. " It is so material, wherever it may be feasible, to establish the precise age of any example cither of architectural design, or artistic decoration, that a few observations will not here be mis- placed, in the endeavour to fix the dates, both of the fabric of the later portions of Great Malvern priory church, and of the painted glass which still decorates its windows. The work of renovation or augmentation had commenced, as it has been stated, under Prior John Malverne, towards the year 1450 ; and it progressed slowly, as we find by various evidences. It has been affirmed that the great western window was bestowed by Richard III., whose armorial bearings were therein to be seen ; the nave ap- pears to have been completed during the times, and under the patronage of the liberal John Alcock, whilst he held the see of Worcester, from 1476 to 1486. But in regard to the eastern part of the building, it is to be noticed that the dates 1453 and 1456 (36th Henry VI.), appear on tiles which formed the decora- tion not only of the pavement, but of some parts of the walls of the choir ; being here used in place of carved wainscot, an appli- cation of fictile decoration, of which no other similar example has hitherto been noticed. The period at which the work had been so far completed, that the dedication of the high Altar, and of six other altars, might be performed, which took place probably on the completion of the choir and transepts, is fixed by an authentic record, hitherto strangely overlooked by those who have written on the history and antiquities of Malvern, and now for the first time published. This document is to be found in the Registers of Bishop Carpenter, the predecessor of Bishop Alcock in the see of Worcester. They are preserved amongst the chapter muniments in the Edgar Tower, at Worcester. This evidence has possibly been overlooked on this account, that those who searched for documents in relation to the date of the later building, did not bear in mind that no consecration of the new structure would take place, the church having been only embel- lished or enlarged ; the only evidence therefore, to be sought in the episcopal archives, would be the record of the dedication of the altars, which is given in the Register as follows : " Registrant! Carpenter, vol. i. f. 155. ' Consecracio altariuin in prioratu majoris Malvernie. Pemiltimo din niensis Julii, Anno Domini niillesiino cccc mo sexagesimo, Reverendus in Christo pater et dominus, dominus Johannes, permissione divina Wigorniensis Episcopus, erat receptus in monasterium bive prioratiuii majoris Malvernie per priorem et Conventum ejusdem, cum 183 pulsacione cainpanarum, et ibidem pernoctavit, cum clericis, ministris, et servientibus suis, sumptibus domus. Et in crastino die sequente consecravit ibidem altaria, videlicet, primum et suinmum altare, in lionore beate Marie Virginia, Saucti Michaelis Archangeli, Sanctorum Jobaunis Evangeliste, Petri et Pauli Apostolorum, et Benedicti Abbatis. Aliud altare in cboro, a dextris, in honore Sanctorum Wolstani et Thome Herfordeusis. Aliud in cboro, a sinistris, in bonore Santorum Edwardi Regis et Confessoris, et Egidii Abbatis. Quartmn, in honore Petri et Pauli, et omnium Apostolorum, Sancte Katerine et omnium virghiuin. Quiutum, in honore Sancti Laurencii, et omnium martirum, et Sancti Nicholai, et omnium confessorum. Sextum, in honore beate Marie virginis, et Sancte Anne, matris ejusdem. Et septimum, in honore Jesu Christi, Sancte Ursule, et undecim milia virginum." " The period, therefore, at which the work had so far progressed that the services of the church might take place in the choir of the new fabric, was the year 1460. It is worthy of obser- vation, that in the great eastern window, a careful observer may discern, here and there, scattered as if irrespectively of any original design in the painted glass, several large white roses and radiant suns, which appear to be allusive to Edward IV. They seem to have been inserted in various places, after the window had been filled with painted glass, as they manifestly do not accord with the propriety of the design, which consists of subjects of New Testament history. The painted glass to which the present notice chiefly relates, namely, that which has been preserved in the northern clerestory windows of the choir, may be assigned to this same period, the later part of the reign of Henry VI., or commencement of that of Edward IV. There is a great predominance of white glass, according to a prevalent fashion of the time : the skies are richly diapered, the alternate panes, or compartments, being red and blue ; the figures are slightly shaded, but scarcely any colour, with the exception of yellow, is introduced. " It is not very easy to fix the positions of the seven altars, described in the record of their consecration. The high Altar, dedicated in honour of the Blessed Virgin, St. Michael the archangel, St. John the Evangelist, St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Benedict, occupied the position wherein now is placed the altar-table. The two altars which are described as in the choir. 184 were, probably, one at the eastern extremity of the north aisle thereof, dedicated in honour of St. Edward the Confessor and St. Giles ; and the second on the other side, where is now a vestry ; this was dedicated in honour of St. Wolstan, and St. Thomas of Hereford. The fourth, dedicated in honour of St. Peter and St. Paul, may have been in one of the transepts, and the sixth, in honour of the Blessed Virgin and St. Anne, in the lady chapel, eastward, which is now totally destroyed, unless indeed that building was erected subsequently to the choir. The seventh, dedicated in honour of Jesus Christ, St. Ursula, and the eleven thousand virgins, was in the southern transept. It seems not improbable that some change in the appropriation of these altars might have been made at some latter period, for whilst the northern transept has been always traditionally called the Jesus chapel, the southern transept, long since wholly demolished, has been termed the chapel of St. Ursula. The tomb of Walcherus, the second prior, discovered in 1711, on the site of the cloisters, not far from the spot formerly occupied by the southern transept, is described as having been found about twelve feet from the chapel of St. Ursula*. " In the map of the chace and hills of Great Malvern, which was supplied by Joseph Dougharty, of Worcester, for the work compiled by William Thomas, and published in 1725, under the title, ' Antiquitates Prioratus majoris Malverne,' it is to be noticed, that above the Priory church, a little higher up the hill, towards the Worcestershire beacon, appears a little solitary build- ing, marked ' St. Michael's Chapel.' The position of the chapel, as it appears in this map, corresponds with the description which is found in Habingdon's notes on the windows of the church, as given by Thomas. In the lower part of the western window of the northern transept, or Jesus chapel, it is stated that there were to be seen the town and church of Malvern, and the chapel of St. Michael, situated on the side of the hill ; and in the southern corner an archer in the chace, about to let fly a shaft at a liindf. Not a trace of this interesting subject is now to be * " Nash, Hist, of Worcestershire, ii. 183." t " Autiqu. Prioratus majoris Malverne : descriptio eeclesia. 1 , p. 21." 185 distinguished. It must be observed that, although the Priory church, according to the account commonly received, was dedi- cated in honour of the Blessed Virgin alone, it appears, from a passage in the Chronicle of Gervase of Canterbury, that it was dedicated in honour of St. Michael also ; and Richard, ' Alius Puncii.'in his grant of the church of Leche to Malvern, expresses, that the donation was made ' Deo, et Sancte Marie, et Sancto Michaeli Malvernie*.' The high Altar of the new fabric, accord- ing to the document given above, was also consecrated in honour of the Blessed Virgin, and St. Michael the archangel. These facts would lead to the supposition that the primitive oratory had been dedicated in honour of the Archangel, on account of the miraculous vision of Angels, who first directed St. Werstan to undertake the work, and by whose ministry it had been consecrated. Nor was the memory of the same celestial guidance lost, when a more stately fabric was erected near to St. Michael's chapel ; the trace of it is preserved in the dedication of Aldwin's church to the Archangel, in the time of the Conqueror, as likewise in that of the high Altar, in 1460 ; and these facts seem to show that the monks of Great Malvern at all times, bore in mind, that the remote origin of that religious foundation was derived from the message of ministering spirits to the hermit Saint f. " A singular difficulty presents itself in this endeavour to bring together the few obscure details which relate to the legend of St. Werstan. Leland, and Leland alone, makes mention of the chapel of St. John the Baptist, nigh to the Priory, as the scene of his martyrdom. No other notice whatsoever has been found of any chapel thus dedicated. The ancient parish church, which stood near to the Priory, at the north-western angle of the present cemetery, was dedicated in honour of St. Thomas the Apostle, and no evidence has been adduced to show that any other chapel existed in the vicinity. May it be supposed that Leland wrote inaccurately in this instance, or that the * " Carta Ant. L.F.C. xviii. 11, in the British Museum." t " Ecton gives in 1?">4, 'Newland, St. Michael, Cap. to Malverne Magna. Wordsfield, Chapel to Malverne Magna, in ruins.' The former is the little church on Newland Green, on the road from Malvern to Worcester." 186 chapel of St. Michael might have been dedicated also in honour of the Baptist, and occasionally designated by his name ? The decision must be left to the more successful researches of those who take an interest in the history of the locality ; it will suffice now to suggest, that the forgotten site of the hermit's primitive chapel may still perhaps be traced, situated not far above the Priory church. No tradition is connected with the spot ; few even bear in mind that not many seasons have passed since it was commonly termed The Hermitage. It is only twelve or fifteen years since, that a gentleman named Williams, on his return from Florence, selected and purchased this picturesque site ; he built thereon a dwelling, in the Italian fashion, and applied to it the name of the Grand Duke's Villa, II hello sguardo. The neighbours now commonly call it Bello Squardo, or some- times, I believe, Bellers' Garden, and certainly it was not there that the curious traveller, in search of the spot where Christian worship was first established on these hills, in Anglo-Saxon times, would have lingered on his ascent to St. Anne's well. The Hermitage, at the time when it so strangely lost its ancient name, appears to have been an old-fashioned building, little worthy of the notice even of an antiquary : it had been fitted up as a dwelling-house, probably, soon after the dissolution of monasteries. An ancient vault, or crypt, of small dimensions, fragments of dressed ashlar, and a few trifling relics, have from time to time been found : several interments in rudely-formed cists, or graves fined with stones, were also discovered, which seem to show that the spot had been consecrated ground. Here, then, in default of tradition, or any more conclusive evidence, it may be credibly supposed that the simple oratory of St. Werstan had stood ; here did he suffer martyrdom, and here was the memory of his example cherished by those whose labours tended to the establishment of Christian institutions in the wild forests of this remote district of our island." " Albert Way." I must here add that Mr. Way kindly called my attention to the fact that, in Leland's " Itinerary," Vol. vi., fo. 79, there is 187 the following interesting passage relative to St. Werstan, which he was not aware of at the time he wrote the account of the legend : " Bede maketh mention that, yn his tyme, there was a notable abbay at Derehurste *. It was destroyed by the Danes. Werstanus fledde thens, as it is sayde, to Malvern." Mr. Way also added that " It appears by an ancient inscription formerly existing at Deerhurst Priory, as stated by Leland, that Dodo, or Doddo, a Mercian duke, and one of the cbief founders of Tewkes- bury' Abbey, built a monastery at Deerhurst, in honour of the Blessed Virgin f. Dodo is said to have died in 725. The authority for this statement, which various writers and local topographers have concurred in adopting, was a MS. history of Tewkesbury Abbey, from which Leland made extracts. There certainly were religious persons established at Deerhurst before 804, as appears by a charter printed in the ' Monasticon.' (Dugd. ' Monast.' Vol. i., new edition, p. 591, Append, to Worcester, Mon., No. 23.) The house was afterwards destroyed by the Danes, but rebuilt before 980, Elfege, Archbishop of Canterbury, having about that time been a monk there. (Leland ' Coll.' Tom. i., p. 19; Tom. ii., p. 249.) Edward the Confessor, according to Sir Robert Atkyns and Rudder, caused the monastery to be rebuilt and consecrated about 1056 1. Tbat king certainly gave it to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Denis, in France, as appears by the confirmation charter of William the Conqueror, preserved in the Cartulary of that house, and printed in Dugdale's ' Monasticon 1 (new edition, Vol. iv., p. 665). From that time it became an alien priory, and a cell to St. Denis." From the above statement it appears that, as the abbey was rebuilt by Edward the Confessor, it must have been burnt a second time by the Danes, an occurrence which most probably took place when the forces of Edmund Ironside and those of Cnut were, in the year 1016, drawn up at Deerhurst in battle It is said to have been founded in 715. Sec "Codex. Dip.," Charters N<>s. ISO, s-,24, s-jl), and H30, relative to Deorhyrst or Deerhurst. f " Dugdale, ' Mon. Aiifrl.,' Vol. iv., new edit., \>. (id I." J " Atkyn's ' Hist, "i' Glouc.,' i>. 385; Rudder, p. 403; also see Lysons' ' Antiquities of Gloucestershire,' p. I*." 188 array for some time, without coming to any engagement; and which, after the supposed single combat between Edmund and Cnut, ended in the treaty of peace and division of the kingdom, agreed upon by them in the Isle of Alney *, in the Severn, said to be near Gloucester. Now, taking the date of 1016, or thereabouts, as the time of St. Werstan's flight from Deei-hurst to Malvern, and supposing that he was about thirty years of age, this would make him about fifty-six years old when the confessor came to the throne, which took place in 1042. It may be as well to remark that an opinion has been enter- tained that the isle, where the supposed combat took place, was situated opposite to Deerhurst instead of near to Gloucester. Sir Eobert Atkyns, in his " History of Gloucestershire," p. 388, says, " There is a small island in this parish [Deerhurst] anciently called Oleneayf, and by the Saxons Alney, and now the Neight}, whereon it was supposed that the single combat, between Edmund King of England, and Canutus King of the Danes, was fought, to decide the fate of the kingdom, which had been worried by bloody wars. It produced a peace by dividing the kingdom, for neither king obtained an entire victory over his enemy. But the place of combat may more justly be assigned to have been a meadow near the city of Gloucester, which at this day is called Alney Isle." Now it appears rather incredible that the two kings should have gone as far as Gloucester to settle their dispute, while the armies lay at Deerhurst ; and it gives some countenance to the idea that the island, now called the Neight, was the place in question, un- less we suppose that the armies removed from Deerhurst to Gloucester during the settlement of the dispute. In the work formerly ascribed to Matthew Paris, it is stated that the single combat took place at Deerhurst, on a small island called Oseney, and that Edmund's army was on the west side of Or Olney, see " Chron. Sax," an. 1016. + Or " Oleneag," see " Camden." \ Or " Eight," ibid. The word is sometimes spelt Naight, Neyt, and Ait, see the account of the Amhrosiae Petrse. See also Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 270, first edition, 1789, where it is said that the isle lies between Aversbridge and Maysemore. 189 the Severn and Canute's on the east*. Now, as Deerhurst lies on the east side of the river, the abbey, according to this account, must have been quite exposed to the ravages of the Danes. The site of some encaustic tile-works was found at Great Malvern, the particulars of which have been already given in the account of a similar discovery at Droitwich. There is in the " Archseologiaf" an interesting description, by Edward Blore, Esq., of the refectory of the Priory of Great Malvern, with engravings of it as it appeared in 1837, being only two years before it was taken down. Mr. Blore considers it to have belonged to the early part of the reign of Edward III. BEAR'S WOOD. There is a remarkable conical hill in Cradley \, Herefordshire, near the western side of Old Storage, Alfrick, Worcestershire, called Bear's Wood, which is partly a wood and partly a common. An idea has been entertained that, in some cases where the term bear occurs in the names of places, it is to be considered a cor- ruption of the name Bard, and that such places were frequented by the ancient British bards. In Mrs. Bray's work, entitled the " Borders of the Tamar and the Tavy, the authoress speaks of a tract of land on Dartmoor, called Baird-down (vulgo Bair-down), and suggests that it means the hill of the Bards. Others have conjectured that the last British bear was killed there, and the place designated accordingly ; be that as it may, it is more than probable that we are indebted to the bears rather than to the bards, for the name of the hill in Cradley, for in the first place, the name at present, at least, is Bear, like the names of some other places mentioned below ; and, in the next place, the hill lies in a very romantic and woody region where such animals would naturally frequent. * See Giles's edition of " Roger of Wendover's Flowers of History," pub- lished in 1849, Vol. i., pp. 2>H\ 291. + Vol. xxx., Part 2, p. 514. J See Cradley. Vol. i., pp. T>7, fill, 7'->. 190 It is stated in the " Zoologist," No. 1, p. 8, in a notice of Bell's " History of British Quadrupeds," that, " in the days of Plutarch, bears were exported from Britain for the amusement of of the Romans." There is a piece of land called Bear-croft in Suckley, a parish adjoining Cradley ; Big Bear Hill, Little Bear Hill, and Upper and Lower Bear's Leasow in Tardebig ; Bearcrofts, or Astridge or Ashridge Hill, in Powick ; Bearlands Wood, Bearsland, and Upper and Lower Bearsland, in Warley Wigorn; Bearcroft Meadow, in Garlesford Court Farm, Great Malvern ; and Bear- croft, in the chapelry of St. Andrew, Pershore, all in Worcester- shire *. There is, likewise, Bearwood Common, near Pembridge, in Herefordshire, and Bere Forest, by Portsdown, Co. Hants. OLD STORAGE, OR STORRIDGE. The name of this beautiful promontory, or headland, is most probably of ancient British date, and derived from Tar, Tor, or Tarit. Mr. Bryant says the Amoniansf, in the early ages, built obelisks and towers, either upon artificial mounds or upon natural eminences, and called them Tar and Tor, which signified, in their language, and that of the Chaldees, both a hill and a tower. That they were oftentimes compounded, and styled Tor-is, or fire- towers, on account of the light which they exhibited, and the fires which were preserved in them J ; and that Turit, or Tirit also signified a tower or turret . In the Celtic, Taran means thunder, Taranis is the name of the Celtic god of thunder, and Tan means fire jj. This being the principal, and perhaps the most anciently- named hill in that locality, was probably in after ages called Old * A place called Bercroft (Benrcroft) is mentioned in Oswald's Charter, No. 680, in the " Codex Dip." Also, see Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii p. 355, which states it to be on the boundary of Hinibleton, Co. Worcester. + The descendants of Ham. I Bryant's " Ancient Mythology," Vol. i., pp. 309, 400. Ibid., p. 404. || See i>. 124. 101 Torit, Torrage, or Torage *, in contradistinction to other minor Tors in the vicinity ; and there is a hill called the Tar, or Tor Coppice at the foot of it. The S, added at the heginning of the word, is a common provincial vulgarism f. Old Storage is situated in the hamlet of Alfrick, in the parish of Suckley. The views from it are particularly fine ; no less than six or seven counties have been frequently pointed out to me from the summit, called the Beck, near a place named the Vineyard. If Sir Henry Spelman were right in his conjecture, that St. Augustine's Oak stood in Alfrick, I should think, from the known predilection and good taste of the ecclesiastics in the early ages for commanding situations and beautiful scenery, that the oak grew on the top of Old Storage ; and indeed, until within about twenty years, the remains of a very ancient oak did actually stand close to the Beck farm-house, near to the top of the hill, and within half a field's length of the modern Beck oak, which grows quite upon the pinnacle J. There is a slight trench running across the top of the common, from east to west, close by the spot where the ancient oak stood ; probably the trace of a sacred boundary. The following are particulars of some remarkable customs still observed in this kingdom (at which slight trenches are cut), and which clearly appear to be relics of the worship either of Baal or Pales. In Hone's " Every-Day Book," Vol. i., p. 594, published 1838, it is stated, that in Ireland, " May-day is called 'lana Beal-tina;' and May-eve, ' neen na Beal-tina;' that is, day and eve of Beal's fire, from its having been, in heathen times, con- secrated to the god Beal, or Belus ; whence also the month of May is termed, in Irish, ' mi na Beal-tine.' The ceremony practised on May- eve, of making the cows leap over lighted straw, or faggots, has been generally traced to the worship of * Then' are Great Storage Hill and Coppice, and Little Storage Hill, in Beoley; and a river called Torridge, near Little Torrington, Co. Devon. + As Stitchen Hill for Pitcher) Hill, Stitches for Pitches. See further remarks on St. Augustine's Oak in the accounts of Alfrick and Ahberlev Hill. 192 that deity. It is now vulgarly used in order to save the milk from being pilfered by the good people*." Mr. Hone also gives many instances! of the custom, iu various parts of the kingdom, of kindling fires, dancing round them, leaping over them, and passing through them, on Mid- summer-eve, Midsummer-day, All Saints'-eve, and All Saints '- day. And in Vol. ii., p. 659, it is stated that Dr. Jamieson, in his " Dictionary of the Scottish Language," mentions a festival called Beltane, or Beltein, annually held in Scotland, on Old May-day ; that a town in Perthshire is called " Tillee Beltein," i.e. the eminence (or high place) of the fire of Baal ; that, near this, are two druidical temples of upright stones, with a well adjacent to one of them, still held in great veneration for its sanctity, and, on that account, visited by vast numbers of super- stitious people ; that, in the parish of Callander (in the same county), upon " Beltein-day," they cut a circular trench in the ground, sufficient to enclose the whole company assembled ; that they kindle a fire, and dress a repast of eggs and milk, about the consistence of a custard ; that they knead a cake of oatmeal, which is toasted at the embers against a stone ; and after the custard is eaten, they divide the cake into as many equal parts as there are persons present, and one part is made perfectly black with charcoal ; that the bits of cake are then put into a bonnet, and drawn, blindfold, and he who draws the black bit is considered as devoted to be sacrificed to Baal, and is obliged to leap three times through the flame. In a work published in 1823, by W. Grant Stewart, Esq., on " The Highland Superstitions relative to Belton-eve," the author gives the following different interpretation to the name : " Belton is derived from two Gaelic words, conjoined ' Pale-tein,' signifying Pale's fire, and not Baal's fire, as some suppose. The strange relics of Pagan idolatry which gave rise to this feast was, no doubt, introduced into these countries, like many others of our more permanent superstitions, by the Druids. Pales (of whom we read in the heathenish mythologies) was the * A cant name for the fairies. f Vol. i., pp. 40, 847, 848, 854, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1422. 193 goddess of Shepherds and protectress of Flocks. Her feast was always celebrated in the month of April, on which occasion no victim was killed, and nothing was offered but the fruits of the earth. The shepherds purified flocks with the smoke of sulphur, juniper, box-wood, rosemary, &c. They then made a large fire, round which they danced, and offered to the goddess milk, cheese, eggs, &c, holding their faces towards the east, and uttering ejaculations peculiar to the occasion*. Those interesting relics of the religious opinions of our ancestors, until of late, remained pretty entire in some parts of the Highlands f." There is a hillock called the Knap, at the foot of Old Storage, in Alfrick. Knap, in Saxon, means a hillock ; but the Rev. E. Duke, in his work on the " Druidical Temples of the County of Wilts," considers that Knap Hill, which lies between Albury and Stonehenge, was derived from Kneph, or Cneph, which, as well as Thoth \, was the Egyptian or Phoenician name for Mercury. The greater probability, however, is, that the name of Knap, in Alfrick, came from the Saxon. ALFRICK, THE ROUND HILL, RAVENHILLS, ALFRED THE GREAT, THE DANES, AND St. AUGUSTINE'S OAK. Dr. Nash (" History," Vol. ii., p. 399), says : " Alfric was anciently called Alferwyke, and Alfredeswic ;" but he does not * See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. L, pp. 360, 307, relative to Pol or Pal. There is Polsden, in Hants ; and Polsdon, in Surrey ; and it is possible that Podon, or Poden, in Church Honeybourne, Co. Worcester, may be similarly derived. t Vide the account of Pauntley. I But see the acccount of the Toothills. There was a chief named Alfere, in Edward the Martyr's reign, who possessed the monastery of Evesham. (See Mr. May's " History of Evesham," pp. 27, 28. O 194 quote any authorities upon the subject. He, however, refers* to an Inquisition, dated in 1479, in which the two chapelries of Lullesley and Afurwikef are mentioned as belonging to the parish of Suckley \ ; and perhaps he considered the word Afurwike as synonymous with Alferwyke or Alfredeswic. In the " Exemplification of a Decree," in my possession, dated 1585 , and made relative to certain church questions between Suckley, Alfrick, and Lulsley, it is spelt Alfrick, Alfrike, {alias Awfrike,) Awfrik, Aufrik, and Alfrik ; and Alfric in visitations of 1461 and 1507; and Alfrick, in an award, dated in 1524. THE ROUND HILL. There is a tumulus called the Round Hill|| in Alfrick, and adjoining it a ridge named Walls HillH, in the Suckley Hill chain ; near to it is a lane in Alfrick and Lulsley called Green Street**. RAVENHILLS, ALFRED THE GREAT, AND THE DANES. To return to the name Alfredeswic, it must be observed, in the first place, that, on the borders of Alfrick and Lulsley, just by the above-mentioned Round Hill, there are places called Ravenhills, and Ravenhills Green ff, vulgo, Raffnalls Green ; and the probability is that they were so called from the Danish standard of the raven, which may have been erected at the spot; for there is a hill in Yorkshire, where the Danes landed, which is so called, as will appear by the following extract from Gough's * Pp. 397, 398. + They are called Lulsey and Alfric, in Bacon's " Liber Regis," p. 977. J In 1 " Domesday Book," it is called Svclielei in Dodintret hundred. See also Nash, Vol. ii., p. 75, " Corrections and Additions." || It has*within these few years been planted with ash, and no doubt will in time be so mixed up with the neighbouring coppice woods as scarcely to be discernible. H Vide Iter VI. ** Ibid. + + The former being in Alfrick, and the latter in Lulsley. In Greenwood's Map, published in 1822, the latter is by mistake called " Raffler's Green." 195 " Camden*:" " When the Danes, under Inguar and Huhba, landed, a.d. 807, in Dunsby Bay, two miles east [west] of this place [Whitby], and encamped on an eminence still called from their standard Kavenshill, they destroyed the monastery, &c." That and another hill of the same name are also thus noticed in Hinderwell's " History of Scarborough :" " Hungar and Hubba, two celebrated Danish chieftains, having collected a great many ad- venturers, set sail for England with a numerous fleet in the spring of the year 876 f, and landed in two divisions. The first divi- sion, commanded by Hubba, debarked in Dunsby Bay, about two miles to the westward of Streanshalh (Whitby), where they erected their standard, a raven, on an eminence of rising ground, which is supposed to have been known ever since by the name of Raven Hill ; while the other division, under Hungar, made their landing good at Peak, about seven miles to the eastward of Streanshalh, and ten to the north-west of Scarborough, where, on the top of a very high cliff or hill, they erected another standard or flag, with a raven pourtrayed thereon, which might be seen all the country round ; which hill is to this day also known by the name of Raven Hill." It may be observed that there was a person named Alfric II., Earl of Leicester, who was slain by this Hubba at Skrekingham, in Lincolnshire J, during Alfred's time. It is said in some of the histories, that Odun, Earl of Devon- shire, in a battle which took place in that county with Hubba, in the year 879, defeated the Danes and captured their famous magical standard, winch was called Reafan, from its having the figure of a raven embroidered upon it by the three sisters of Hubba 1 1. Vol. iii., p. 324, second edition, 1800. + Ciur.den says " 867." J See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii., p. 334, second edition, 1S0(5. It may be observed here that children to the present day commonly call any large tame bird they may have by the pet name of Raff, Rafe, or Ralph. In Hone's " Table Rook," pp. K'-2((, 827, he gives an account of a tame raven which was called Rafe. || See Sydney's " History of England," &c. The above-mentioned was ft most important event, as it drew Alfred from his retreat to further victories, ami ultimate triumph. 196 In Gibson's " Camden*" it is stated, that there was upon the coast of Devonshire, a castle called Kenuith [or Ken with], " and so situated, that there was no approaching it on any side but the east, where, in the year 879, Hubba, the Dane who had harrassed the English, cutting off great numbers of them, was himself cut off, and the place was from thenceforward called Hubbestow by our historians. At the same time, the Danish standard, called Reafan, was taken by the English, which I the rather observe, because, from a little story in ' Asser Menevensis,' who has re- corded these matters, it may be gathered that the Danes had a crowf in their standard, which is said to have been wrought in needlework by the daughters of Lodbroc the Dane ; and, as they conceived, it made them invincible." The following similar story, taken from Thierry's " History of the Norman Conquest" (p. 70), is told of the three sisters of Sweyn : " 1004 to 1006. At their disembarkation on the English coast, the Danes, formed into battallions, unfurled a mysterious standard, which they denominated the raven. It was a banner of white silk, in the centre of which was embroidered a raven, with open beak and extended wings : three of King Sweyn's sisters had embroidered it in a night, accompanying their labour with magic incantations and gesticulations. This banner, which, agreeably to the superstitious notions of the Scandinavians, was a sure pledge of victory, increased the ardour and the confidence of the fresh invaders," &c. Dr. Thomas, in his " Survey and account of Worcester Cathe- dral," &c, published in 1737, mentions a place called Ravenshill, or Rsefneshill, situated two miles east of Worcester!, and says, that in the year 876, Ccenwlf, King of the Mercians, gave * Vol. i., p. 167, fourth edition, 1772. + Also see Gough's " Camden" thereon, Vol. i., p. 30, first edition, 178!), where it is called a raven. J It lies about three miles from the city, in the midst of Danish relics. Vide the accounts of Warndon and Crowle. Also see " Codex Dip." No. 209, and 20!) App., Vol. iii., as to this Hroefneshyl ; and No. 2S9, and 289 App., Vol. iii., as to Hrefnespyt, near Honeybourne, in this county. 197 Raefneshill to the Bishop of Worcester, &c. * ; and that Bright eagus, Bishop of Worcester in the reign of Canute, gave Ravens- hill to his kinsman Brihtwine f. Dr. Nash, in his account of Tibberton, says, " on the north side of the parish, situate on a hill, is Bavenhull. Britteagus, the 22nd Bishop of Worcester, a.d. 1033, gave it to a certain kinsman of his, called Swythynes, after whose death the sheriff Urso invaded it," &c. There is a piece of land called the Raven's Dole, in the Ber- row; Raven's Hay, in Pendock; Raven Hill, in the parish of Upton-on-Severn ; and Raven's Bank, in Beoley. In Welland there are pieces of land called Dane Moor Copse, and Dane Moor Hill ; the Danes, in the Borough of Kidder- minster ; Danes Field, in Belbroughton ; Danes Close, in Claines ; Danes Meadow, in Doderhill ; Danes Close, in Kempsey ; Dane Piece, in Lower Milton, in the parish of Kidderminster ; and Dane Wood, east of Pirton, all in Worcestershire. Likewise, Dane HopyardJ, in Cradley, Herefordshire. Now, it is observable here, that as Welland, Upton, Cradley, Alfrick, and Lulsley, are upon or near the line of the Malvern, Old Storage, and Suckley chain of hills ; they, therefore, were the most likely parts in the district to be the sites of battles between the Saxons and Danes. It is, however, a question whether Alfred was in Worcestershire, or rather in the region afterwards called Worcestershire during any of these battles. On this point I have not found any positive evidence ; yet the fol- lowing extracts from various works may tend to throw some light upon the subject ; but I must first observe that the most likely time of his being in Worcestershire, if at all, was either about the year 877, when the Danes made themselves masters of Mercia; or in 880 or 883, when he signed two charters of Ethelred, viceroy of Mercia ; or when he signed another of such charters (without date), as hereafter mentioned ; or in or about See App. 25. See App. 63, and Homing's " Cartulary," pp. 2(57, 307, 337. I The word Hopyard attached to the above name must be comparatively modern, it probably was Pane ground, or some such name, in days of yore. 198 the year 894, when he drove Hasting, the celebrated Danish pirate, from the Mercian kingdom, of which Worcestershire formed a part. It is stated in " A Concise History of Worcestershire," pub- lished in 1808, that, " when England was overrun with the depredations of the Danes, we find this place [Worcester] to have suffered in the general wretchedness of the kingdom. It was plundered and burnt to the ground ; insomuch that it re- mained in ruins and uninhabited, until Ethelred, viceroy of the Wiccians*, with his lady, Ethelfreda, [Ethelflaed], daughter of Alfred the Great, invited the inhabitants to resort again to their ancient residence. A bishop's see was established here, and, numbers returning, great privileges were granted to them." In Green's " History of Worcester," Vol. i., p. 18, is the fol- lowing : " The great Alfred, whose paternal throne was that of Wessex, was the first king in England who had all the provinces of the heptarchy under his immediate dominion ; yet he thought it expedient to govern the Mercians by a prince of their ancient nobility, Duke Ethelred, to whom he had given his daughter Ethelfleda, a very heroine, in marriage. Several towns in Mer- cia (Chester, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Warwick, and Bridgenorth) are indebted to this noble pair, at least to Ethelfleda, who sur- viving the duke seven years, died a.d. 919. Worcester also has obligations to them ; for, by a charter of theirs f, signed in King Alfred's reign (i, e. before a.d. 900), upon Bishop Waerfred'sJ desire that the city of Weogernaceastre might be improved and fortified with bulwarks for the security of its inhabitants, they granted to the church, or minster there, one-half of the royal dues or tolls arising either from the market or the street, reserv- ing only the wain shilling and the seam penny entire to the * Wiecia, a province of the Mercian kingdom, contained Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and part of Warwickshire. He appears to have been Duke of Wiecia and viceroy of Mercia. + " Heming's ' Cartulary,' p. 3." | " Or Waerferth, or Werfrith." " This was a duty on wares carried out ; one penny each horse load, aud twelve times as much on a loaded wain.'' 199 king*. But, out of all his land-rents, and the mulcts for fighting, theft, fraud, &c, and the other forfeitures that might accrue to the crown, they assigned a moiety to the use of St. Peter's Church and See." With respect to this important charter, it proves that Alfred was in Mercia when it was granted, for it states that it was given under witness of Alfred the king, and of all the Witan in Mercia. Now, as this charter contributed so largely towards the amelioration of the wretched condition of Worcester, after it was ravaged by the Danes, and entered so minutely into the con- cerns of the place, it appears very probable that Alfred, and his son-in-law and daughter, and the Witena, sat at Worcester at that time, in order that they might, upon the spot, be enabled to take all the circumstances of the case into their consideration. Since writing the above, I am happy to find the following notice of this charter in Kemble's " Saxons in England f:" " .EDELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, a.d. 878-899. At a gemot held between these years, and very likely at Worcester, ^Ethelred and iEthelflaed commanded a burh or fortification to be built for the people of that city, and the cathedral to be enlarged. The endowments and privileges which are granted by the instru- ment are extensive and instructive \." In the same page Mr. Kemble notices another charter of iEthelred and iEthelflaed, as follows : " .EDELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, a.d. 888. This gemot was held at Saltwic in Worcestershire, to consult upon affairs both ecclesiastical and secular. The witan assembled from far and near." Now, in the former case it is pretty evident that Alfred, and his son-in-law and daughter, did sit at Worcester ; and in the * The reservation is as follows : " The wain-shilling and load-penny are to go to the king's hand, as they always did, from Saltwic." See the account of Droitwich, hereafter. + Vol. ii., p. 252, chap. Witena Gemot of the Saxons. | See " Codex Dip.," No. 1075. The date is therein set down as between 873 and 8!)!). " Codex Dip.," Nos. 1)27, IOCS. '200 latter case, it is clear that iEthelred and jEthelflaed sat at Salt wic, meaning Droitwich*, which lies only ahout seven miles from Worcester. As the first-mentioned charter is so interesting in a local point of view, and so instructive relative to the manners and customs of those times, I shall here give a translation of it, taken from Mr. Kemble's above-mentioned workf. " To Almighty God, true Unity and holy Trinity in heaven, be praise and glory and rendering of thanks, for all his benefits bestowed upon us ! Firstly, for whose love, and for St. Peter's and the church at Worcester, and at the request of Werfrith the bishop, their friend, ^Ethelraed the ealderman, and iEthelflaed commanded the burh at Worcester to be built, and eke God's praise to be there upraised. And now they make known by this charter, that of all the rights which appertain to their lordship, both in market and in street, within the byrig and without, they grant half to God and St. Peter and the lord of the church ; that those who are in the place may be the better provided, that they may thereby in some sort easier aid the brotherhood, and that their remembrance may be the firmer kept in mind, in the place, as long as God's service is done within the minster. And Werfrith the bishop, and his flock, have appointed this service, before the daily one, both during their lives and after, to sing at matins, vespers and undernsong,' the psalm De Profundis, during their lives ; and after their death, Laudate Dominum ; and every Saturday, in St. Peter's church, thirty psalms, and a mass for them, whether alive or dead, ^thelrted and iEthelflaed proclaim, that they have just granted with good-will to God and St. Peter, under witness of iElfred the king, and all the witan in Mercia, excepting that the wain-shilling and load-penny J are to go to the king's hand, as they always did, from Saltwic ; but as * See hereafter " Droitwich." + Vol. ii p. 328. J " There can be no doubt that Wscnscilling, written erroneously in the MS. Wregnscilling, is what is meant by statio ct inoneratio plaustrorum, in auothei charter. ' Codex Dip ,' No. lOfifi. It is custom or toll upon the standing and loading of thr suit waggons." 201 for every thing else, as landfeoh*, fihtwite, stalu, wohceapung, and all the customs from which any fine may arise, let the lord of the church have half of it, for God's sake and St. Peter's, as it was arranged about the market and the streets ; and without the market-place, let the bishop enjoy his rights, as of old our prede- cessors decreed and privileged. And ^Ethelraed and iEthelflsed did this by witness of iElfred the king, and by witness of those witan of the Mercians whose names stand written hereafter ; and in the name of God Almighty they adjure all their successors never to diminish these alms which they have granted to the church for God's love and St. Peter's ! " Nash, in his " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 109, thus notices the subject . " When the kingdom was overrun by the Danes, this city (Worcester) was sacked and destroyed by them, and, being in ruins, till Ethelred, viceroy of the Wiccians, with his Lady Ethelfleda, daughter of King Alfred, rebuilt, enlarged, adorned, and gave it many privileges, for which Bishop Werfrith and his family, at St. Peter's, agreed to say many prayers for them, both alive and dead, and gave unto them several lands f. Witnesses thereto, King Alfred and others J." It is true that this grant of Bishop Werfrith (which bears date in 904) is witnessed by a person of the name of Alfred, who, however, could not have been the king, as he died three or four years previously ; besides, had it been the king, no doubt his title would have been added (as the titles of those of rank were) ; on the contrary, the name is simply given with a cross before it, * " Landfeoh, land-fee, probably a recognitory rent for land held under the btirh or city. Fihtwite, fine for brawling in the city. Stalu, fine or mulct for theft. Wohceapung, fine for buying or selling contrary to the rules of the market." f Namely, to them and their daughter jElfwine, a vill in Worcester, and about 132 acres of arable and meadow land, for three lives, with reversion to the see, on condition that they would be good friends and protectors to the chapter. It may be reasonably inferred, from this and the previous charter, that Ethelred and his family resided at Worcester, " the metropolis of the west." \ Fleming's " Cartulary," p. 13; also see the manuscript in the Cotton Collection, British Museum; "Tiberius, A xiii., fo. n"A ; and "Codex Hip.," No. 339. ^U2 like several of the other signatures of witnesses of inferior note. It, however, does not follow, as a matter of course, that all the persons who, in those times, merely made their mark could not write ; as, for a certain period, it became the fashion, even for those who were masters of the art of penmanship, to leave it to the scribe to add their names opposite to their marks, and also their titles, if they were persons of rank or distinction. In proof of this, it is observable that Alfred did sign and confirm, by a mark, Duke iEthelred and iEthelflaeda's charter, dated in 880, as follows : " + Ego Alfred rex consensi et sub- scripsi ;" and also the Duke's charter, dated 883, as follows : " + Ego ^Elfred rex huius traditionis munificentiam signo sanctae crucis adfirmo." (See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 311, 313, and 313 App., Vol. hi.) And the charter relative to property in London, granted to Bishop Werfrith, dated in 889, is signed by the three as follows : " + Ego iElfred rex anglorum et Saxonum, hanc donationem confirmans signo crucis subscribo.+ Ego jEthelred, subregulus et patricius Merciorum, hanc dona- tionem signo crucis subscripsi. + Ego iEthelflaed consensi. (See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 43 ; and " Codex Dip.," No. 316.) Worcester was again burnt during the reign of Hardicanute, for refusing to pay the Danegelt; and the inhabitants would have been all put to the sword, had they not fled to Bevere Island, about three miles from the city, and fortified themselves there. It is said that Alfric, Archbishop of York, instigated the king to this act of cruelty, because the citizens had refused to accept him as their bishop*. Assuming that Alfrick was formerly named Alfredeswic, or Alferwikef, as stated by Dr. Nash, the fact of a place called * There also was .(Elfere, Duke of Mereia, temp. King Edgar ; ^Elfrick, a learned and pious writer in the time of Ethelred II. ; and jElrick, or Agelrie, Archdeacon of Worcester, temp. Bishop Wulstan. + There is also Alfreton, north of Worcester ; Alfreton parish, and market town, Co. Derby. This town is said to have derived its name from Alfred, who is reported to have been its founder. Alfrington tything, Co. Dorset ; and Alfriston parish, Co. Sussex. Tumuli are numerous in this latter parish, 203 Ravenhills, and Ravenhills Green, or Raffnals Green*, being just by the Round Hill, in Alfrick, is strong presumptive evidence of a battle having been fought in that quarter with the Danes, during the time of Alfred ; and the place may have been called Alfredeswic, either on occasion of the battle, or shortly after- wards ; when it is said by some writers that Alfred divided the kingdom into counties, hundreds, and tythings ; but the better opinion appears to be, that such sub-divisions existed long pre- viously, but that he probably did alter the boundaries of some of them, and consolidated others f which were too small ; and this would, in some instances, cause new names to be given to such divisions. The circumstance of the viceroy of the Mercians having married the daughter of Alfred, as before stated, also tends to add weight to the above derivation of Alfrick ; for what was more natural than that the son-in-law and daughter should honour their illustrious father by calling a certain part of the viceroyalty by his name, particularly if it was the site of one of his or their great exploits ? In proof that there were subdivisions before Alfred's time, resembling the above-mentioned, there is a place in Suckley, in Worcestershire, on the border of Cradley, in Herefordshire, called " The BanteJ," or " Bant." Now, Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England," Vol. i., after describing " The Mark," March (mearc), or smallest division of land on which, in the early Saxon times, a greater or lesser number of freemen settled for purposes of cultivation, and for the sake of mutual profit and protection, proceeds, in p. 72, to describe the Ga, or Scir, thus : " Next in order of constitution, if not of time, is the union of two, three, or more marks, in a federal bond, for purposes of a and ancient urns, and other relics, have been discovered. (See Wright's " Gazetteer." * Four roads moot at this green : one of them runs up to the Round Hill. t See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. vi4S ; and also Astwood. J It lies between Wallridge and the Upper and Lower Barrow (or Berrow). See the Ordnance Map. This place is described as " The Bante," in certain title deeds referred to in the " S'm\ Report of the Commissioners for Inquiring concerning Charities," p. 5?!'. 204 religious, judicial, or even political character. The technical name for such a union is, in Germany, a ' Gau,' or * Bant* ;' in England, the ancient name ' Ga ' has been almost universally superseded by that of ' Scir,' or ' Shire."' With respect to the name " Worcester," it is said that Ethelred, King of Mercia, having resolved to divide Mercia into five separate dioceses, Osric, viceroy of Wiccia, prevailed upon him to establish one of them at Wigornaceastre, the metropolis of his province ; and that, in 679, Bosel was consecrated first bishop, by the style of Episcopus Huicciorum, and invested with full authority to preside over the ecclesiastical affairs of Huiccia or Wiccia; and in charters of this Ethelred, dated 691 or 69*2, and 692 f, Worcester is styled Uueogorna ciuitate, and Uuegerna- cester. Now here we have evidence of the Saxon name of Wor- cester]; two centuries before the final expulsion of the Danes from Mercia by Alfred ; but still there is no decisive proof as to when the county was so called. It is possible that, as Wiccia included no more than Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and part of Warwickshire, that, at first, the shire was co-extensive with the dukedom, or see ; and that, either before or during Alfred's time, the sub-division took place . The probable apportionment of the hamlet of Alfredeswic, or Alfrick, in his time, appears to favour the idea that other changes were then made. My pamphlet on the " Ignis-fatuus ; or, Will-o'- the- Wisp and the Fairies," was published in February 1 846 ; and in the Sep- tember following, a letter appeared in the " Athenaeum ||," wherein the writer says, " Alfrick " (the place in question) * " Less usual are Eiba and Para. The Norse Herrad may in some sense be compared with these divisions." + See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 32, 34. J Which, in the Latin, is Wigorna et Vigornia. (See Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 109.) It is named Wigercestresire in Edward the Confessor's charter of 1060, and Wirecestrescire in another of his charters. (See " Codex Dip.,'' Nos. H29, 830.) || For September 19th, 1846, p. 951 (See also the numbers for October 2nd and 9th, 1847. pp. 1030, 1055.) 205 " means, literally, ' elf,' or ' fairy kingdom*.' " Now, as Alfrick and the hamlet of Lulsley, which adjoins it, certainly were con- sidered as fairy-land, as stated in my pamphlet (the substance of which is given in the latter part of this work), we must admit that this view of the etymology is not altogether without reason ; and it may have been the opinion in mediaeval times, although we consider the one proposed above to be the more probable. ST. AUGUSTINE'S OAK. In addition to what has been said under the title " Old Storage," relative to the site of St. Augustine's Oak, it may be further ob- served that Bede, in his "Ecclesiastical History f," states that " Augustine, with the assistance of King Ethelbert, drew together, to confer with him, the bishops or doctors of the next province of the Britons, at a place which is to this day called Augustine's Ac, that is Augustine's Oak, on the borders of the Wiccii and West Saxons." Here then we have an account of the oak as far back as the year 731, when Bede's " History" was written. Camden in his " Britannia" says, " There is a place whose situation is not exactly known, in this county [Worcester], called Augustyne's ace, Augustine's Oak, where Augustine, the Apostle of the English, and the British bishops met, and after some squabbling about the observance of Easter, the preaching of the Gospel, and administration of baptism according to the ritual of the Romish Church, separated with as little agreement as before J." Gough, in his Additions to " Camden," Vol. ii., p. 472, second edition, remarks, " Spelman thought he found Austin's Oak at Aufric, a village bordering on Herefordshire, which, as he explains Bede and Henry of Huntingdon ||, lies in the confines of the The elves are called Alfar in Scandinavia (see Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. i., p. 25, note 5) ; and Dr. Nash certainly describes " Alfrick " as Alferwyke, and Alfredeswic, as before stated. t B. ii., c. 2., p. 81, Giles's translation. I This conference is said to have taken place during the Saxon heptarchy in A.D. f>03. " II." || "III., 325." 206 Wiccii and West Saxons, and maybe a contraction of Austin fric* q. d. Austin's territory. But, not to mention that the true name of this village in writings! is Aulfric and Alfredeswic, he makes Herefordshire a province of the West Saxons ; and probably the Oak was a tree, and not a village in any age J. Dr. Nash, in his account of " Suckley," says, " We are told in the Additions to ' Camden ' that Sir Henry Spelman thought there was some remains of the name of Augustine's Oak in Aufrick, which, as he explains Huntingdon, lies on the confines of the Wiccians and the West Saxons (' in confinio Wicciorum et occidentalium Saxonum,' p. 186) ' Ac id est robur Augustini in confinio Huicciorum et occidentalium Saxonum.' Bede ,L. 2, c. 2, whom Huntingdon copied." The Doctor then added, " The pro- vince of the Wiccians did indeed border on the West Saxons ; but Worcestershire, much less that part which joins Hereford- shire, did not, though in the province of the Wiccians. When Bede wrote, this province was not divided into counties, &c. Bishop Gibson, in his " Additions to Worcestershire," says this oak was in the confines of the Wiccians and West Saxons. He does not say it was in Wiccia, much less in that part of the pro- vince which is now called Worcestershire ; but that it was in the confines of the West Saxons, upon which the part now called Worcestershire did not border ; wherefore, admitting this oak to have been in the confines of Huiccia (for in the same ' Additions' we read Vectorium), it might have stood in that part of Glouces- tershire which bounds the confines of Wilts and Somersetshire, provinces of the West Saxon kingdom, perhaps near Tetbury||, in Gloucestershire." The Doctor also added, that " Sir Henry Spelman was drawn * Query of Austmric. + Query In what writings is it called Alfredeswic ? As Dr. Nash's " His- tory" was published in 1781, the above probably was quoted from him, for which, however, he gives no authority as before stated. The first edition of Cough's Camden was published in 1789, and the second edition in 180G. { There is no village in the hamlet, unless a very few cottages scattered about near Alfrick Pound may be called a village. Tbat is, in those published prior to Cough's additions. || MSS. Thomas and Lyttleton. 207 into the above supposition by the old maps, &c, which write the name of this place Acfrick." " Some have supposed it to stand at Aka or Kock ; others at a place called Apostle's Oak, near Stanford Bridge ; others again, with still less reason, suppose it might have been the Mitre Oak, in the parish of Hartlebury," Nash, Vol. ii., p. 397. The Doctor also, in " Postscript Cor- rections and Additions," Vol. ii., p. 19, in speaking of Aka or Rock, described in Vol. i., p. 10, &c, says, " Some have supposed this to have been the place where St. Augustine met the British bishops under a great oak, and that from hence the parish ob- tained its name : certain it is here was a hollow oak held in great veneration by the country people, and called by them the Apostle's Oak. When the turnpike was first erected, it served as a habi- tation for the keeper, and through his carelessness was burnt down*." Having thus brought together the various conjectures which have been offered by different writers concerning the site of this celebrated oak, we will only further add that, supposing it to have been in Alfrick, the top of Old Storage would seem to be the spot in that locality on which, most probably, it stood. Some further mentions of Alfrick will be found in the sections on Ancient Castles, Primitive Roads, and Folk-lore. Before leaving the hamlet, I must notice a very curious relic. It does not, however, belong to this county ; but as I became acquainted with the facts respecting it in Alfrick, and as I am not likely to be a Bedfordshire historian, I feel that I cannot do better than introduce the subject here. The late Dr. Abbot, chaplain to the Duke of Bedford, used occasionally to visit some relatives of his of the name of Harris, who lived at Chirkenhill, in the parish of Leigh, and upon those occasions he sometimes came to the Upper House in Alfrick, during my late father's time, and used to show a ring, which he said belonged to the celebrated John Bunyan. The remembrance of this circumstance led me, in later times, to make some inquiries * See the account of Abberly relative to a supposed sapling from this oak. 208 respecting the ring, of one of the Chirkenhill family, namely, the Doctor's niece, Mrs. Williams, of Tivoli Lodge, Newport, Monmouthshire, who resided with him several years before her marriage, and up to the time of his death ; and who, by letters dated respectively November and December, 1830, kindly in- formed me that Dr. Abbot, in his last illness, presented Bunyan's ring to the Rev. G. H. Bowers, of Bedford, and that if she recol- lected right, it was found at the time the North Gate House on Bedford Bridge was taken down in 1765, which was the prison in which Bunyan was confined. That the Gate House was near the centre of the bridge, and that she believed the ring was found in its ruins, and sold to her uncle by a workman. That she then had in her possession a print, published on the 1st of March, 1772*, of the Bridge and Gate House as they stood in Bunyan's time. That the drawing from which the print was taken was made 1761, in which the North Gate House appears; and that she had heard Dr. Abbot say the prison was at times nearly under water. That the ring was very beautiful, and used as a signet. That it was made of fine gold, and was in a most perfect state. That the bridge was supposed to be built in Queen Mary's reign, in lieu of a prior one. That there were two Gate Houses upon the bridge near the centre, which were taken down together. That the one on the north was used for the prison, as before stated ; and that on the south served as a store house for the arms and ammunition of the troops quartered there. Mrs. Williams also gave me a drawing of the Bridge and Gate House taken from the print. (See the lithographic engraving of it here represented, Plato 5). The prison was that part where the loophole appears. Upon receipt of these communications I sent the particulars to Mr. Bower, of Bedford, perpetual curate of Elstow (where Bunyan was bornf) and requested further information, who, in reply, dated 17th November, 1830, stated that Bunyan's ring was pre- sented to him by the late Dr. Abbot, in his last illness, in August * By S. Hooper, No. 25, Ludgate Hill, and B. Godfrey, Sen. t Born 1028; died 12th August, 1688. * '2iL i 209 1817, and was then in his possession. That the circumstances related by Mrs. Williams in all material points coincided pre- cisely with the impression left on his own mind by Dr. Abbot's description of the place from whence, and the mode by which, he obtained it. That the Doctor had no doubt of its being really the ring worn by Bunyan when imprisoned in the Gate House at Bedford. That the gold had but very little alloy in it, and that the impression was rude, and the ring altogether appeared to have been much worn. Mr. Bower also kindly sent me a sketch of the ring, and a sealing wax impression of its seal, which contains the repre- sentation of a death's head, and the initials I. B., and the motto, " Memento mori." (See the woodcuts.) These particulars I communicated to the late Dr. Southey, shortly after his " Life of Bunyan" appeared *, and sent him the drawing of the Bridge and Gate House, and an impression of the the seal ; who, in reply by letter, dated Keswick, 29 th January, 1831, said, " Whenever the life of Bunyan shall be reprinted, I will take care to avail myself of the particulars which you have thus kindly communicated, and publicly acknowledge your kind- ness. I had seen a view of the Gate House on Bedford Bridge, and it should have been engraved for the " Life," if Mr. Major, the publisher, had not found reason to conclude that Bunyan was not imprisoned there, but in the town itself." The above-mentioned doubt relative to the place of imprison- ment, induced me to write another letter to Mrs. Williams, who. on the 13th May, 1831, replied as follows: " Dear Sir, I have just received a communication from Bed- * The work is entitled " The Pilgrim's Progress, with a life of John Bunyan, by Robert Southey, Esq., LL.D., Toet Laureate, &c. &c. Stc." P 210 ford about Bunyan, which I think will convince Dr. Southey that Bunyan was certainly confined in the Gate House of that town. " The communication is from the Rev. Mr. Hilyard, the pre- sent pastor of the chapel Bunyan was in the constant habit of attending. " There is in this Meeting House a curious old chair, which is called Bunyan 's chair." The following is the substance of Mr. Hilyard's letter : " I imagine there exists no doubt as to Bunyan 's having been imprisoned both in the town and county gaols. The former (called the Gate-house) he was certainly in, because tradition is so strong on that point. I remember hearing my old tutor, Mr. Bull, who died many years ago, at the age of eighty, say that he never went over Bedford Bridge without taking off his hat in honour of the place of imprisonment of that good and great man. He was certainly imprisoned in the county gaol, because it was for preaching at Pollux Hill that he was punished ; consequently, it was by a county magistrate that he was committed, and the county magistrates have no power to commit to the town gaol. His imprisonment lasted twelve years, probably by two commit- ments. He was leniently treated by the jailer, who allowed him at times to absent himself from the gaol. He often attended service at our meeting whilst a prisoner, as the church books of our Society, in the possession of me (the pastor of the congrega- tion) testify. Bunyan sometimes staid out all night at the re- quest of the jailer, who did not want to let him in at a late hour. One night, however, Bunyan returned at an early hour, requesting to be let in. ' Why, how now,' quoth the jailer, ' what ails you, why could you not have staid out all night ? ' Bunyan requested again to be let in, saying he had an impression of evil on his mind, and that he could not stay away from the gaol all night, whereupon he was let in. His prescience was manifested, for, before day-break next morning, came commissioners down from London from the State Council, to inquire if all the prisoners, and especially Bunyan, were safe, and if they had slept within the walls that night. Upon this issue of the matter, the jailer said that henceforth Bunyan should come and go as he pleased, 211 for that he and his God knew more of the matter than his friends could for him. One evening, Bunyan coming at dark through a lane, where he was seized hy officers of justice in search of him, he called out, as they handled him roughly, ' Why, the devil must be in the fellows. ' On hearing this they let him go, saying, ' This cannot be the man we are in pursuit of.' I had this anecdote from Mr. Belsham, the historian." Upon my sending a copy of the above letter to Dr. Southey, he wrote the following reply, dated Keswick, 3rd August, 1831. " Sir, I am much obliged to you for the information concern- ing Bunyan, which you have been so kind as to communicate. The proof respecting the Gate House is decisive ; and I am very sony that, owing to a mispersuasion on this point, a view was not given in the late edition. " The anecdote of Bunyan 's returning to prison when he was not expected there, has been published ; and I cannot now be certain whether I did not see it till too late, or overlooked it, or omitted it because my narrative had already extended far beyond the limits that were intended. The other anecdote is new to me, and whenever I revise the memoir for another edition, or for posthumous publication, when my works of this kind may be collected, I will make use of it, and of the other facts with which you have obligingly furnished me." I also saw Mr. Major, relative to the doubt which he had raised, who then told me the only ground he had for such opinion was, because some author, then living, said Bunyan was imprisoned in Bedford Gaol, therefore he presumed it was not in the Gate- house ; but he admitted that the finding of the ring in the ruins of the latter, was strong presumptive evidence of its having been the place of incarceration. In conclusion, I must add that I feel much pleasure in being able to publish these interesting accounts, because they tend to elucidate some points in the biograpby of the prince of allegorists*. Since the above was written, I have seen a curious document * Several papers appeared in the " Gentleman's Magazine" for September, October, and November, 1H4-"1, and May and July, l*4i, relative to the early editions of the " Pilgrim's l'rogre.^s," in which the writer hereof took a part. 212 relative to Bunyan, in the Leicester Museum, where it was lately deposited. It previously was filed upon a string among the Town Hall papers. It bears date in 1672, being the year in which he was liberated from prison. It is noticed in the " His- tory of Leicester," by Mr. James Thompson, published in 1849, p. 430, as follows : " In the month of October, 1672, the celebrated John Bunyan visited Leicester, for the purpose, apparently, of preaching to the Society of Baptists. He produced his licence* before the mayor and justices f. A declaration of indulgence, for suspending the penal laws against Dissenters, had been published in the early part of the year, and it was probably under the protection of this that Bunyan made a circuit of the country. In the March fol- lowing, the King, at the instigation of the two houses of Parlia- ment, promised to retract his declaration." ANKERDINE HILL AND OSEBURY ROCK. Ankerdine Hill was formerly called Ancredham*, and now Ankerden or Ankerdine. The intermediate space between it and Old Storage is filled up with a chain called the Suckley and Hall House Hills. The scenery from Ankerdine Hill is very fine, and much enriched by the beautiful meanderings of the Teme. It is situated in the chapelry of Dodenham, in the parish of Knightwick. At the south end of the Hill the Teme passes, and on the opposite side of the river there is a remarkable con- * " The following is a copy of it the original is among the Hall papers : ' John Bunnyon's license beares date the ninth day of May, 1672, to teach as a congregationall p'son, being of that p'swasion,in the house of Josias Roughead, in the towne of Bedford, or in any other place, roonie, or house, licensed by his Ma tie - " ' Memord. The said Bunnyon shewed his license to Mr. Mayor, Mr. Overing, Mr. Freeman, and Mr. Browne being there p'sent, the 6th day of October, 1672, being Sunday.' " + " The house in which, according to tradition, he preached, is still stand- ing nearly opposite to St, Nicholas's Church, and was for many years tenanted by a respectable family named Coltman." Fide Nash's " History," Vol. ii., p. 68. 213 glomerate, vulgarly called Rosebury or Rosemary Rock, the real name of it being Osebury or Oseberrow*. This in the Ordnance Map is by mistake called Woodbury Rock. WHITBOURNE. In Duncumb's " History of Herefordshire," Vol. i., p. 236, it is said that " within Whitbourne Court Park was a Roman in- trenchmentf, and divided from it by a meadow and valley, were the lines of a circular British camp, but no vestiges remain of either. The latter, perhaps, formed, with Thornbury, &c, a chain of intrenchments which extended northward from Bran- gonium (Worcester) towards the country of the Ordovices, and were successively defended by Caractacus, who is supposed to have kept the Romans in check for a considerable time in these parts after they had taken Brangonium." " Part of the Park is a beautiful remnant of an amphitheatre, and is supposed to have been a vineyard." THE BERROW HILL. The ancient name of this noble elevation, which lies in the parish of Martley, no doubt was either Burrow J, which in the Saxon signifies a place fenced or fortified, or Barrow , meaning an ancient place of sepulture, but most probably the former. It is of a fine oval form, and although a natural bill, its sides have evidently been artificially rounded into their present shape. There are two lines of intrenchment round the brow of the hill, which show it to be the site of an ancient camp. These trenches I first noticed in the year 1835, and they are still perfect in some parts, particularly at the north and south ends of the oval. In length the camp is about four hundred yards, and one hundred and ninety yards wide. Dr. Nash does not appear to have noticed the camp or the hill in his History of the county. The hill in its general shape resembles what is called a broad barrow. Vide further mention of this place in the chapter on Folk-lore, t MSS. Silas Taylor, Bibl. Harl. { The Saxons generally applied this term to those places which had beev fortified by their predecessors. 5 From " birighe," (Saxon) to hide or bury. 214 WOODBURY HILL. The name of this hill is probably derived from the Saxon " Wude Byrig," the dwelling in the wood*, and refers to the camp there. It is vulgarly called Howbury or Oubury Hillf. Dr. Nash, in speaking of it, says : "In the parish of Great Witley, the river Teme passeth under Woodbury Hill, remark- able for an old intrenchment on the top, commonly called Owen Glyndwr's camp \, but which probably is of more remote antiquity." " The top of the bank on Woodbury hill contains twenty-six acres two roods and twenty-seven perches, and if the dimensions be extended to the centre of the ditch, it would measure at least two acres more. This hill is distant from Wassal Camp, in the parish of Kidderminster, about eight miles, and from Kenvaur Edge about eleven ." A plan of this camp, which is of a rather triangular shape, is given by Dr. Nash||. A way passes through it from north to south. ABBERLEY HILL. It is said that this hill was formerly called Abbotsleylf. In " Domesday Book " the name is written Edboldelege. With respect to the etymology of the word ley, Sir William Dugdale, speaking of the etymology of Arley in Warwickshire, says " it is very often used for terminating the names of several villages. If we ascend to the British for its original, we shall find He in that language to be the same with locus in Latin ; but if to the Saxon ley, there signifieth ground untilled**." * See " Gent.'s Magazine," Nov. 1840, p. 512. + There are places called Howbury Meadow and Little Howbury in Suekley, and Woodbury in Upton Warren. J Vide a very interesting account of this chieftain in the " Analyst Quarterly Journal" for March, 1835, Vol. ii., No. 8, p. 73, entitled " Kenchurch Court, Herefordshire," by the late Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, K. H. Vide Vol. ii., p. 465. j| Also see the Ordnance Map. If See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," also the " Rambler in Worces tershire," published in 1851, p. 102. The prefix Ah may be a contraction of Abbot, as Habbe Lench, or Hob Lench, is of Abbot's Lench. 1 1 is called Hah lcah in tin" "Codex Dip," No. 514. ** Vide Nash's " History," Vol. ii., Appendix, p. 1. 215 Dr. Nash, in his account of Woodbury Hill, states that he never could find any marks of intrenchments on Abberley Hill. Both these elevations are said to be nine hundred feet above the level of the sea. There is a parish called Abberton on the east side of the county ; and a place called Aberold was on the Anglo- Saxon boundaries of Crombe*. There also is Habberley in Shropshire. In Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," published in 1848, it is stated that " on Abberley Hill, in the midst of a thickly planted wood, stands an oak, said to have been a sapling from the oak- tree under which St. Augustine in the sixth century invited the Welsh bishops to a conference, as recorded by Milner in his ' Church History.' The parent tree was afterwards consumed by firef." * See Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 348, and Nash's " History," Vol. ii., Appendix, p. 40. Aber, in the British tongue, is a place where one river falls into another, or into the sea, and in the Welsh signifies every place where water meets with water. Aber, or Haber, in the Phoenician, has also the same signification. See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 68. Therefore it is possible that some of the above-mentioned places may be so derived. + Vide the remarks on St. Augustine's Oak in the accounts of Old Storage and Alfrick, pp. 901, 205, &c. aifi Ittt ff, CRUCKBARROW HILL, IN WHITTINGTON. This fine conical elevation is most probably an ancient British broad barrow. It is situated about two miles and a half south east of the city of Worcester, in the hamlet of Whittington *, in the parish of St. Peter. It was in all likelihood used by the Romans as a signal station, as it overlooks Worcester, and the Roman camp at Kempsey, and is nearly opposite to Powickf: a few Roman coins are said to have been found here. In shape it is elliptical, and measures 512 yards round, within the ring fence at the base, and about 180 yards round the crown J. It is com- monly said to contain about six acres of land ; but, measured horizontally within the ring fence, it contains 4a. Or. 18p. The elevation is considerable. I consider this was partly a natural hill, but it owes its extreme regularity of contour to artificial means. The sides, which are sloped as evenly as a sugar loaf, are covered with a fine green turf. The ends of the oval stand east and west. According to the measurements which I have made, Cruckbarrow Hill is rather larger than Silbury Hill, in Wiltshire. Silbury Hill is said to be perfectly artificial, but Cruckbarrow only partially so. Respecting the etymology of the word Cruckbarrow or Crook- berrow, I have collected the following interesting facts : In a communication made by Sir Thomas Phillips, Bart., to * See in the account of Astwood, as to this place probably having been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks. + At all which places Roman relics have been found. J See also the " Strangers' Guide to Worcester," by Ambrose Florence, r . 117. 217 the Royal Society, on the lith June, 1834, relative to the Saxon derivation of various uames, is the following : " Segesberewe, in Worcestershire, the burial place of Segga. Crockberewe Croc." Now, in " Domesday Book," there are certainly entered as tenants in capite, Croch or Crock, venator of Hants ; also of his son Rainaldus Croch ; and likewise Croc of Wilts : but this of itself is no proof that Cruckbarrow Hill, in Whittington, took its designation from a person named Croc. We meet with various other places named CrookbeiTow in quite a distant part of Worcestershire : for instance, in the parish of Pendock there are two pastures adjoining each other bearing that name, situated near Pendock village, on the roadside leading from Ledbury to Tewkesbury ; adjoining thereto, in the Berrow, there are two pieces of land called Crookberrow, and another named Lower Crookberrow. In addition to this I was informed by the late Edward Ingram, Esq., of The White Ladies, that, in the oldest title-deeds of his brother relative to Cruckbarrow Hill, the name is spelt Crugbarrow. Now, as the word Crug in ancient British and Welsh, and Cruach in Irish signifies a hill or heap, the name Crugbarrow appears to prove that the elevation in question was an ancient British hill barrow. It does not, however, follow that in all cases the word " Crug" as connected with " barrow" meant a natural hill or heap, it no doubt included artificial mounds also, which in time became removed, without any tradi- tion of them being left ; as, for instance, those pieces of land called Crookberrow in Pendock, and in the Berrow. The name is spelled Crokbarrowe in an Inquisition in the Tower of London, temp. Henry VI. {vide Nash, Vol. ii., App. lxxx,) ; Cruckberew in a grant, 3rd Edward III. ; and Crokeborrow in the first register of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, folio 8 I . There is a mountain called Cruckfalla in Ireland, Co. Donegal, Prov. Ulster, five miles north of Brinlach ; Cruckton, a township in the parish of Pontesbury, hund. of Ford, Co. Salop; and C'ruggion, a township, in the parish of Alberbury, Co. Montgomery. 218 The name Pendoc is spelled various ways : Pendock, Pendoke, Penedoc, and Peonedoc. It is called Peonedoc in some Saxon charters*, and Penedoc and Peonedoc in " Domesday Book." The word Pen is of Phoenician extraction, and signifies head or eminence, as Penmaen Mawr in Wales. It is changed into Ben in Scotland, as Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis. There are Penhills in Inkberrow, Penhill in Lulsley, Penfieldf and Pen Copse in Mathon, and Pendock \ Meadow in the hamlet of Orleton in Eastham. Many of the places in or about Pendock and the Berrow are called either by British or Saxon names : for instance, Crook- berrow ; and in the Berrow, Portridge, Little Portridge, Portnells, the Pendock Port-way, Wain Street, Keysend Street, and Elsborough. Adjoining the Berrow is Rid Marley D'Abitot, which, in the Anglo-Saxon times, was called Reodemaereleah and Rydemaereleah ; and in " Domesday Book, " Redmerleie or Ridmerlege. As Ryd in ancient British and Phoenician signifies a ford, it is probable that in the British times a ford existed there over the river Ledden ; in support of this idea, we may remark, that there was a place there called by the Anglo-Saxons, Salter's Ford, as appears by Heming's " Cartulary," p. 351. Adjoining the Berrow and Rid Marley on the south-west of the Malvern Chain, is aparish called Bromsberrow, in Gloucestershire. At this place there is a remarkable tumulus called Conygree Hill ; while, between Eastnor and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, is the Ridgeway. In Eldersfield there are Gadbury Banks and Tutshill : Gadbury Hill, in Castle Morton ; and Sarnhill, in Bushley. These various places will be found particularly described under their respective heads. * See " Codex Dip.," No. 308, 308 App. Vol. iii. ; 514 and 514 App. Vol. vi.; and Vol. iii., 538. + It is possible that some of these places obtained their names from sheep or cattle having been penned there. The Anglo-Saxon word Pennan means a small enclosure. J There an- several places called by the name of Doc in Anglo Saxon charters, set forth in the " Codex Dip. ; as, Doccenaford, No. 1093 ; 1175 Doceen graf, No. 111-1; Doccyng, No. 75!), ( Hocking in Norfolk). The word Doeea in Anglo Saxn means the dock weed. 210 In regard to the names Barrow, Burrow, and Berrow, we must remark that the last is a corruption of the two former. As the Saxons called the British and Roman hurial places by the name of Barrow, and the British arid Roman fortified places by that of Burgh, or Burrow, therefore, whenever the word Berrow is met with as the name of any place, the character of that place must be considered, in order to determine whether Barrow or Burrow is intended. The Roman port (or military) way, called " The Pendock Portway," in the Berrow, clearly proves that Pendock was occupied by the Romans. This is but one instance out of innumerable others, which goes to show that the Romans gene- rally located themselves in ancient British stations. In the first edition of this work, I suggested that the name Cruckbarrow was derived from " Cuclopes " and "Barrow;" the former term meaning a high place of heathen worship* ; but. under all the circumstances, the word " Crug " appears to be the more certain etymology. It is commonly called Crookberrow Hill ; and this error, no doubt, arose from the circumstance of its not being generally known that the term " Crug " means a hill, and therefore the word " hill " was added to it. Between one and two miles from Cruckbarrow Hill, there is a conical hill in Spetchley (on the boundary of Cudley. or Cutley, in St. Martin's and Warndon), which now goes by the name of the Round Hill, but was called Cuggan Hillf by the Anglo-Saxons, as attested by the Saxon boundaries of Cudley (Heming's " Cartulary," p. 358 ; Nash's " History," Vol ii., App., p. 55). Now, Cuggan Hill most probably means Cruggan \ Hill ; and, if so, we have the same repetition as in the name of Cruckbarrow Hill, which proves, lirst. that the Saxons called the Spetchley Hill by its ancient British name ; and secondly, that they did not generally understand the meaning of that name, and therefore added the word " hill " to it. * Bryant, Vol. i., p. 41)1, &c. f Sec tht' accounts of the Hound Hill, in Spetchley, Toot Hills, and tli< prnrral account of Spetchley. I Sec p. JI7, as to Cruggion, Co, Montgomery. 220 These curious facts are additional links in the chain of evidence that Cruckbarrow Hill is an ancient British barrow, and also that the etymology of the name is partly British. It is thus described by Dr. Nash : " Cruckbarrow Hill, so called from ' Crug,' in British signifying a hill, and ' Barrow,' which word often signifies a place fortified by the Romans, and was used in after ages for a burial ground, or other purposes. It may, therefore, signify the hill where was a barrow. It consists of about six acres, of an oval form, and considerable height. Could it be a mount from whence the laws and customs of Oswaldeslawe were promulgated ?" OSWALDSLOW. In answer to the above question of Dr. Nash, I have to observe that there was, in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, on the boundary of Wolverton, in Stoulton*, a place called Oswaldslow, as appears byHeming's " Cartulary," pp. 359, 360 ; and Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App. 56. This, therefore, was most probably the place where the laws and customs of the hundred of Oswald- slow were promulgated. The following is an English version of this boundary. These are the land boundaries of Wolverton : first, from Lusthorn to White Dale ; from White Dale to Yrse f ; from Yrse thence it cometh to Baldrick's Mere, to the Foul Brook ; From the Foul Brook thence it cometh to the headland, then from the headland it shooteth athwart over the port-way ; from the port-way to the Dale : from the Dale up by the Fen ; from the Fen to the North Ditch, along the ditch, to Copney ; from Copney to the middle of Broad Moor, to Fuet's Well ; from Fuet's Well thence it cometh to Ramsden ; along Ramsden thence to the street ; along the street thence it cometh to Oswaldslow ; * See Stoulton, Iter XVIII. + Sec " Codex Dip.," Nos. 570, 612. 2*1 from Oswaldslow along the Salt Street, to Foul-mere ; from Foul-mere again to Lusthorn*. The ahove-mentioned Salt Road, or Street, most probably was part of what I have hereafter called " The Lower Deviation Salt Way," which ran in that direction from Droitwich to Ashton-under-Hill, &c. ; and I mention this to show that, as Oswaldslow lay by this ancient British road, it was remarkably well situated for the advantage of recourse. The hundred of Oswaldslow was so called in honour of Bishop Oswald, at whose request King Edgar granted it an advantageous charter f. There is a hill which now goes by the name of Low Hill, situated partly in White Ladies Aston, and partly in Stoulton, on the boundary of Wolverton ; and this, I presume, is what was formerly called Oswaldslow. The Worcester and Evesham turnpike-road runs over it, and divides the two parishes in that part. Chambers, in his " Biographical Illustrations of Worces- tershire*," states that Edgar granted " considerable privileges to the manors possessed by the Bishop and Church of Worcester, uniting them all, viz., 300 hides of land; and for the most part lying contiguous in one hundred, whose court was appointed to be held under the Bishop, at a place about four miles to the east of Worcester, called in memory of the Bishop, Oswaldeslawe, or Oswald's Mount . This was creating a small palatinate in the county, exempt from all jurisdiction of the civil magistrate." This description of Oswald "s Mount exactly corresponds with the situation of Low Hill, or Oswaldslow, as mentioned in Heming's " Cartulary ;" and the combined facts appear to be decisive that Low Hill is Oswaldslow. * Also see " Codex Dip.," Oswald's Charter, No. (512, dated 977. + Dated 964. See Nash, Vol. i., Introduction, 61; and " Codex Dip.," No. 514, Vol. ii., and 514 App., Vol. vi. ; and Hemings Cartulary," p. 517. The authenticity of this charter is doubted. 1 Published 1820, p. 6. u Between Spetcliley and Wolverton." 222 THE ROUND HILL IN SPETCHLEY. There is a circular elevation in this parish, called " The Round Hill," situate about two miles north-east of Cruckbarrow, and three miles from Worcester, near the seat of the Spetchley branch of the ancient family of the Berkeleys. It is partly surrounded by a trench, and is in view of Cruckbarrow Hill ; its shape is of that called the Cone Barrow. It was formerly called Cuggan Hill. Some further remarks on it will be found under the heads of Cruckbarrow and Toot Hills. PERRY WOOD, OR PIRIE WOOD. The ancient trench road, which I have before noticed as lying in the meadow called King's Hill*, at the north end of Perry Wood f, is of considerable depth ; its east end runs in shape like the letter Y, with the foot pointing towards Worcester, one arm towards Cruckbarrow, and the other towards Elbury Hill. There is also a rather deep cut in the next piece of ground northward, called the Fox-pit Field \, and another just within the south end of Perry Wood, but I cannot say whether these two last are artificial or not. Not far from the last-mentioned spot, behind Woodside House, there is a rather deep hollow in Perry Wood, where, according to tradition, Cromwell signed a contract with the devil for seven years' reign . Southward of Perry Wood and Lark Hill, near Battenhall Lane, there is a place called Camp Ground, the western side of which is crossed by a trench. This was probably one of the outposts of the Battle of Worcester. In the " Strangers Guide to Worces- ter," by Ambrose Florence, the author speaks of the intrench- * See title " Sal warp," p. 110. + There is a place called Perry Wood, in Pirton. J Between these parts and Worcester there is the site of a place which was called Perry Court; nothing, however, hut the trenches of the moat remain. See Dodsley's humorous account of it in his " Chronicles of the Kings of England," published 1?!)0. 223 nients at Lepard Hill*, Ronk's Wood, and Perry Wood. These hills are in a line from Cruckbarrow to Elhury Hill, and lie in St. Martin's parish. The trenches, or cross-cuts on Lepard Hill and Ronk's Wood were most probably made or altered in Cromwell's time, as his army lay in those parts before the great battle. A gauntlet sword was, a few years back, presented to the Wor- cestershire Museum, stated to have been found in the bank of an old hedge situated on the west side of Lepard Hill, in a meadow called Pike Field. It is long and two-edged, and was, as appears by the shape of the handle, made for thrusting only. This sword is evidently of Indian manufacture. Similar ones are used by the Mahrattas to this day. There are some of them in the Tower of London. If the sword in question really was found as above stated, and was used at the Battle of Worcester, it must have been obtained from some collection, as that species of weapon is not described among the English war implements of that or any other period. TROTSHILL. At a short distance eastward from Elbury Hill, there is a farm in Warndon, commonly called Trotshill, or Troshill. It is named Tootshill in Isaac Taylor's Map of Worcestershire, published in 177v>. and in Carey's largest Atlas of Worcestershire, published in 1810; Trotswell, in Nash's " History," and Trotshall in the Ordnance Map. There is a parish called Trotescliffe, Totesclivef, or Trosley, on the Pilgrim's Road, near Wrotham, in Kent. Between these latter places human bones have been found, buried in chalk, supposed to be ancient British remains J. ELBURY HILL. This hill was probably named from El, and Bury or Burrow. * Otherwise Lypiard, Lappaworthin, or Lappewortli. + " Domesday Book." J See " Gentleman's Magazine" for August, IH-Ll. 224 Mr. Bryant says, that El, Al, H\, sometimes expressed Eli, was the name of the true God ; But with the Zabians it signified the Sun ; whence also the Greek "H\io<;, and 'H&uos. That El and Elion were titles by which the people of Canaan distinguished their chief deity. That El was particularly invoked by the eastern nations when they made an attack in battle ; for at such time they used to cry out El-El and Al Al, which Mahomet could not well bring his proselytes to leave off, and therefore he changed it to Allah, which the Turks at this day make use of when they shout in joining battle ; and that such invocation was not unknown to the Greeks *. Elbury Hill lies about a mile and a half to the east of Worces- ter, in the parish of Claines ; the summit contains the site of an oblong square camp in fact, all the upper part of the hill is of that shape. The sides of the hill are very regularly sloped, and the corners beautifully rounded. The camp appears to be about two hundred yards long on the northern side, one hundred on the eastern, one hundred on the southern, and one hundred and fifty on the western side. Within these few years it has been planted with gorse. This camp completely overlooked, and would defend the city, and was an excellent signal station to communicate with Ostorius's supposed fort on the west, Tutnall on the north, Cruck- barrow on the south, and the Round Hill at Spetchley on the east. Although the name of this hill is most probably of much greater antiquity than the time of the Bomans, yet it is very likely that it was occupied by them as an outwork from the city of Worcester, for a Roman military way called Portfield's Road, ran from the city to the hill f , and about two miles eastward of it a jar contain- ing Roman coins was found at Bredicot}. * Bryant, Vol. i., pp. 13, 14, 15, 16 ; and in page 05 lie says, " Capb, Cap, and Cephas signify a rock, and also any promontory or headland. As temples used to be built upon eminences of this sort, we find this word often compounded with the titles of the deity there worshipped, as Caph-El, Caph- El-On," &c. Now it is rather singular that the peasantry of Worcestershire call any high or monstrous-looking animal or thing a great Caph-El, or Kefel, to this day. They also call any poor, slow, stupid, and ugly animal a Dumel . There is a field called Dumniel in Arley, in Warwickshire. + See pp. 9, 23. See p. 05. 225 This hill, although it has been but very little noticed, was most probably the keystone of all the ancient bulwarks of the town and its vicinity. A large fire on this central elevation would be seen at almost every part of the country, and it was probably one of the chief of the " high places" for druidical worship. On the eastern side of the hill there is a spring of water, by which its occupants were probably supplied. Until within the last few years a wood ran up to one side of the hill. In the British time the camp was most probably sur- rounded by a forest, like Gadbury Banks, before described. Elbury Hill is called Ellbury Wood in Isaac Taylor's map of 1772, Helbury Hill, in the " Stranger's Guide to Worcester*,'" and like- wise in the "Worcester Miscellany f," and Elbury Hill* in the Ordnance Map. There was, in the Anglo-Saxon times, a place called Ellesbeorh and Hallesburg (Ellesborough) near Twyford and Evesham on the Avon ; and an idea has been entertained that Ellesbeorh (Ellbury) means Oldbury or " Ancient Town," but the Anglo- Saxon charters have a distinct name for the latter places, such as Ealdanburh (Aldbury) Worcestershire, Ealdandic (Old Dike), &c.|| There are Ellbatch Coppice in Broadwas ; Ellbatch Wood on the north-west side of Woodbury Hill ; Ellwood east of Clent ; Ellbatch Orchard, and Far and Near Ellbatch Band in Abberley ; Upper and Lower Ellbatch Coppice and Ell Meadow in Hartle- bury ; Elsborough in the Berrow ; Ell Bank Piece in Northfield ; Ell Wood in Romsley, in Hales Owen ; and Allsborough HillH near Pershore. There also are Ellbarrow near Stonehenge in Wilt- shire, Ellwall in the parish of Goodrich, Co. Hereford, and Upper, Far. and Lower Elkin** in Solihull. Co. Warwick. * Under the name of Ambrose Florence, published 1K28, pp. 180, 131. t Published 1S20, Vol. i., No. 2, p. 68. I " Domepdny Book" mentions Klburgelega in Herefordshire. See " Codex Dip.," No. 13(58 mid 61, 61 App., Vol. iii. |! Ibid., No. 570, 422, 422 App., Vol. iii. 5[ Most probably meaning Elsburrow Hill. See the " Fairy Mythology." * The names "Elkin," or little gods, or of kin to the god9, appear to eon- Q 226 ASTWOOD Is a hamlet or tithing in the parish of Claines, adjoining to Elbury ilill. As there areagreat manyplaces in this county that have names commencing with Ast, an inquiry into the etymology of the prefix does notseem altogether uncalled for. Bryant and others would trace the derivation to the Greek ecrria, and Latin vesta, a word signify- ing fire or sacred hearth ; but we shall probably be more correct in referring it to the Saxon "east," the east ; the prefix indicating that such places lie eastward of some more important locality. To this conclusion we are drawn by the analogy of other names : for instance, on the north side of Worcester is a place called North- wick ; on the south side Southbury or Sidbury ; Westwood* lies west of Droitwich ; Aston, Easton, or Eston Episcopi (White Ladies' Aston) is about four miles east of Worcester, and Astley, Eslei, Estley, Asteleye, or ^Estleye, lies on the east side of Abber- ley Hill. It must, however, be remarked that Astwood, the place in question, is not east, but N.N.E. of Worcester, and N.N.W. of Elbury Hill ; and this is an instance, like the following, of a place compounded with Ast or Est, not appearing to be east of any neighbouring place of consequence ; namely, Aston or Eston f township, in the parish of Blockley ; Ast-Lench or East-Lench, in Church Lench ; Astwood on the north-east side of Droitwich, in Doderhill ; Astridge or Ashridge, in Powick; Astwood Hill, in Ink- berrow ; Great Asthill, Little Asthill, and New Asthills, in Upton Warren; Upper Aston in Knighton; Astwood, on the west side of the Piidgeway, in Feckenham : Aston Field in Rushock, Astley Ground in Beoley, Astmore Common in the Parish of Kempsey, Astwood in Hanbury, Estbury in Hallow, in Grimley, and the parish of Eastham (Estham in " Domesday Book"). nect our fairy mythology with that which was more ancient. See the Folk-lore. And some other of the above names of places of small note, which have not flic word "bury" or "borongh" attached to them, may have been given in reference to the fairies. * Spp "Codex Dip.," No. 574. as to Westwudu. + It is called Eastun (Aston Magna) in the "Codex Dim," No. 117. "Domesday Book" also notices Estun and I '.stone, in Worcestershire; and Fleming's " Cartulary," p. 404, mentions Austan (Aston Parva), and Eastune, Eastun, and .Estun. in p. Ofi, &c. 227 Still it is possible that the titliing of Astwood is indebted tor its designation to the fact of its being east of Northwick, which appears to have been the chief of the nine hamlets of which the parish of Claines is composed, and is the only one of them men- tioned in " Domesday Book." The non-appearance, however, of any name in " Domesday" is no proof of its non-existence when that survey was made, as Anglo-Saxon charters and grants suf- ficiently testify. Having thus given preference to the more obvious etymology, it may, on the other hand, be remarked, that as Astwood lies between those ancient places called Elbury Hill and Barrow Cop, is is just possible, if there really were any " sacred hearths " in this country, that the name may have come from " Ast," " Asta*," or " Estaf," which Bryant says signified fire, and also the deity of that element ; and that the Greeks expressed it 'Ecrrla, and the Romans, Vesta. That " Esta " and " Asta " signified also a sacred hearth ; and that, in early times, every district was divided according to the number of the sacred hearths, each of which constituted a community or parish. That the most common name was " Asta];." That these were places of general rendez- vous for people of the same community ; that here were kept up perpetual fires ; and that places of this sort were made use of for courts of judicature, where the laws of the country, Qkyuicrre^, were explained and enforced. Hence, Homer, speaking of a person * "Domesday Book" has Astenewic and Astune, in Yorkshire; and Astenofre, in Herefordshire. f " Kst " is a prelix to many names in foreign parts. J Thpre was, in Northamptonshire, in the Anglo Saxon times, a place called Auctun (Ashton). See "Codex Din.,' No. 575 ; and in a confirmation of that charter, No. DOS, there is a place called Astun (Aston). Now, if these mean the same place, we appear to have a corruption of die name Asctun into Astun ; and it tends to raise a question, whether the general name Aston does not mean Ashton. There now are, however, several places called Ashton, and one called Aston-le-Walls, in Northamptonshire. Also, see what is before stated as to Astridge or Ash ridge, in Powick. It is called Astridge in the Tithe Commutation ; but, in the " J.'trd Further Report of the Commis- sioners for Inquiring concerning Charities,' it is spelled Ashridge. 228 not worthy of the rights of society, calls him ' A'>" .. 277 Vol. i., published 1774, pp. 62, + See a similar case in the account of Tan Wood, Astwood Hill, and Barrow Hill, in Chaddesley Corbet, p. 126. J Vol. i., p. 440, &c. As to the transition of the ancient mark courts into lords* courts, see pp. 483,484, 485, 486, of the work. Also see Alfrick,p. 203, relative to these subdivisions. 229 And among the names inferred from the actual local names in England, at the present day, the following are in Worcestershire : Aldingas Aldington (in Badsey) Berringas Berrington (in Tenbury) Birlingas Birlingham Deorlingas Darlingscott (in Tredington) Dodingas Doddingtree Eastingas Eastington Ecgingas Eckington Heorfingas Harvington Hudingas Huddington (or Hodington) Oddingas Oddingley Tsedingas Teddington (in Overbury) Tidmingas Tidmington Whittingas Whittington* (in the Parish of St. Peter) In Vol. ii., p. 424, Mr. Kemble says : " In all likelihood every mark had its religious establishment ; its fanum, delubrum, or sacellum, as the Latin authors call them ; its heath, as the Anglo-Saxon no doubt designated them f ; and further, that the priest, or priests, attached to these heathen churches had lands perhaps free-will offerings, too for their support." BARROW COP, IN PERDESWELL. A remarkable bronze fragment of a tore, or ornament for the neck, which is in my possession, was found in 1840, about two feet deep in a gravel bed, at Perdeswell \, in the parish of Claines, within about two miles of Worcester. It is rather more than the third of a circle, and was probably broken in battle. It is eight inches long in the curve, and weighs half a pound. An iron rod runs through its centre, connecting the bronze pieces or ver- It is worthy of remark, that Whittington, Huddington, Oddingley, and Astwood, lie in a circle within a few miles of each other. + Besinga hearh, fanum Besingorum. " Codex Dip.," No. 994. I Sec hereafter, title " Claines." There was a place, in the Anglo Saxon times, called Pirdeswell (Pirdswell), Co. Wilts. (See " Codex Dip.," No. 355, 355 App., Vol. iii. 230 tebrae, which are twenty in number, and are curiously twisted and tooled. Between each piece there is a thick ring, shaped like a pulley, and the whole is fitted close together. The cir- cumference of the perfect tore must have been about eighteen inches. It is incrusted with a fine highly-polished patina. (See the copper-plate engraving, Plate 6.) There are three pieces of ground adjoining each other where this fragment was discovered, named Barrow Cop, Barrow Cop Field, and Barrow Cop Orchard*. This name tends to prove that the fragment is either ancient British or Roman- British. The field in which it was found is now called the Big Field, or the Ten Acres, and is situated opposite Perdeswell House, on the tongue of land which lies between the Birmingham and the Kid- derminster road. The gravel-pit abuts against the north-east corner of Barrow Cop Field. It is said that formerly several other fields, including the Big Field, were all one piece of land, and called Barrow Cop. The Saxon term " Cop " signifies the head, top, or mound. This goes to show that there was anciently a barrow at the spot in question ; but the spade and plough have been great levellers, and have much to answer for in this respect. Nevertheless, the spot is still the highest part between Tutnall and Worcester, and both are in view from it. The milling of the tore is much like that in the figure, No. 2, in Plate 50, of the 1 6th Vol. of the " Archseologia," therein described as found at Hag- bourn Hill, in Berks. The Perdeswell tore was exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries, in London, at their meeting of the ] 4th of December, 1843 ; and the above engraving of it is given in the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxx., pp. 554, 555 ; where it is stated, that " the form of this singular ornament, when complete, may be ascertained, as it appears, by comparison with another example, discovered in Lancashire, in 1831, representations of which were presented to the Society by James Dearden, Esq., F.S.A., of The Orchard, Rochdale. This latter ornament, which appears to be suited rather for an armilla than a collar, measures 5 inches in diameter; its weight is lib. I'joz. One-half of the circumference * Srr " riainps." 231 is composed of small engraved and twisted pieces, alternating with pulley-shaped rings, similar in fashion to the Worcestershire bronze ; the other half is of a square form, and ornamented with zig-zag patterns, deeply incised, and running lengthwise, like the decorations of early architectural mouldings*." The 1'erdeswell tore is described in a paper on the tore of the Celts, published in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. iii., p. 34 ; and the Rochdale tore is likewise referred to. It is added, " that the British Celts were accustomed to wear similar decorations, is evident from the testimony of Herodian, that the Britons wore the teeth of the seal or walrus strung as beaded tores ;" and the author of that article, in de- scribing beaded tores generally, in page 82, considers them of very early date, and says, " when a transition took place to a higher degree of civilization among the Celts, and the art of smelting metals became known, the stone weapons and ruder de- corations of those races seem to have been replaced by metallic ornaments, still preserving their original type." Now, if the ornament in question is of that early date, and not an imitation made in the Roman- British period, it probably contains one of the earliest applications of iron to be found, for, as before stated, the rod upon which the bronze vertebra? are strung is of iron, and no doubt owed its preservation to being encased in bronze. The following extract, upon the subject of tores, from Richard of Cirencester may not be uninteresting here : " The more wealthy inhabitants of South Britain were accus- tomed to ornament the middle linger of the left hand with a gold ring ; but a gold collar round the neck was the distinguishing mark of eminence. Those of the northern regions, who were the indigenous inhabitants of the island from time immemorial, were almost wholly ignorant of the use of clothes, and surrounded their waists and necks, as Herodian reports, with iron rings, which they considered as ornaments and proofs of wealth." Tores, something similar, may be seen in the " Archteologia," VoLxxxi., App., p. 517, hikI Vol. xxxiv.. p. s. 243 improbable tbat " Kit " is an abbreviation of " Kist," and " Cotty " another form of " Coit." I have a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, which was at the old farm-house called " Lower Berrow," in Suckley. It is painted on oak panels, and probably was formerly suspended in the church. It exhibits the usual magnificence of costume, and is thus inscribed : Posvi Devm Abivtorem Mevm JEt: Sv.e, :>n. Nata Gronew- iciae Ao 1533 Septem : 6. Under her left elbow appears an open book, with a quotation from Psalm xl., 11. This portrait was painted in the year 1592*- It will be observed the inscription states that the queen was born September 6th ; but many writers say it was on the 7th ; others on the 8th ; and others on the 1 3th of that month. In Miss Agnes Strickland's " Lives of the Queens of Englandf," a document is referred to, dated the 7th of September, which announces the birth ; but it is possible that the event took place in the evening or night of the 6th, and that it was announced on the 7th. In regard to the above-mentioned motto, it may be observed that Miss Strickland [, on the authority of Sir Robert Naunton, states that Queen Elizabeth's silver bore the words, " Posui Deum adjutorem meum " " I have cbosen God for my helper." A proclamation, dated 1563, in tbe hand-writing of secretary Cecil, prohibits " all manner of persons to draw, paynt, grave, or portrayit her majesty's personage or visage for a time, until, by some perfect patron and example tbe same may be by others followed, <&c. ; and for tbat ber majestie perceiveth that a grete nomber of hir loving subjects are much greved, and take grete Some account of this portrait appeared in the " Journal of tbe Archaeo- logical Institute," Vol. iii., p. 89. t Vol. iv., p. 2-tfi. X Vol. vi., p. 145. Fragments Regalia.' 244 offence with the errors and deformities allredy committed y sondry persons in this behalf, she straightly chargeth all hir officers and ministers to see to the due observation hereof, and as soon as may be, to reform the errors already committed," &c. (See Hone's " Year Book," p. 363.) There are many names compounded with the monosyllable " Egg ;" for instance, Egg Hill, in Suckley ; Egdon, and Big and Little Egdon, in Sutton, Tenbury ; Egg Lane Piece and Aggborough Piece, in Stone and Shenston ; Eggs Hay, in Eldersfield ; Egg Hills, in Doderhill, also in Hampton Lovett ; Egg Down*, in Clifton -on-Teme ; Hagg and Middle Hills, and Hagg Meadow, in Castle Morton ; Aggborough, in Hurcott and Comberton, in the Foreign of Kidderminster ; Little Hagburrows, in Dodenham ; Tagbourne, in Chaddesley Corbett ; and Hagg Lane, or Egg Lane, on the limits of Hartlebury. There is also Egbury Camp, in Hants ; a hill called Hagbourn, in Berks ; and Egdon Hill, at Grendon Warren, in Here- fordshire. In the account of Hagbush Lane, Islington, in Hone's " Every- Day Bookf," it is stated, that " Hag is the old Saxon wordHsg, which became corrupted into Haugh, and afterwards into Haw, and is the name of the berry of the hawthorn : the same word Haga signified a hedge, or any inclosure, Hag afterwards sig- nified a bramble." In Anglo-Saxon, Hseg signifies a hedge ; and Haga an inclosure made by a hedge. As instances of names similar to " The Ovens," " The Ovens Coppice," &c. in Suckley, we may mention Oven Piece, and Oven Wood, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Ovenshill, in Doderhill ; Old Ovens, in Leigh ; and, The Oven, in Tredington. Some of these names may probably be indicative of the sites of ancient public ovens, called by the British " Odyn *." * Eg or Ig, in Anglo-Saxon, signifies an ige or island, or eye ; but several of the above-mentioned names cannot be so derived. " Down " comes from the Saxon " Dun," a hill. f Vol. L, p. S75. X See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., p. f>4. 245 The following list of moduses, or supposed nioduses, on privy or small tithes in the parish of Suckley, including the hamlets of Alfrick and Lulsley, may be considered as curious, inasmuch as they tend to show the great difference in the value of property, or rather of money in those times, to what it is at present*. If they were good moduses they must have existed as far back, at least, as the time of Richard I., otherwise they were rankf. These payments are now happily all extinguished under the Tithe Commutation Act. Smoke, Id. I, and garden, lrf. 2d. The milk or white of each cow Id. Cider and perry per hogshead 2d. Calves, if reared for plough or pail, per each . . %d. Calves, if killed for the family, the left shoulder . Od. Sheep's wool, if under ten, per each fleece . . Id. Lambs, if under seven, per each Id. For each colt 4d. Eggs : two for each hen, and three for each cock, at Easter Eggs : two for each duck, and three for each drake. Goslings : at Midsummer, if seven, one ; if under seventeen, no more Sucking pigs, if seven ; a third choice at fourteen days old Several of the moduses claimed in the adjoining parish of Leigh correspond with the preceding, except in the instances of Id. for a colt, and a \d. for lambs, if under seven. They also paid what is called " Leighton Money" in lieu of tithe fruit, 2d., and Ad. for a pigeon house. * See further on this point in the account of the " Manorial Customs of Ombersley," Iter XV. + In proof, however, that they were not rank, similar moduses to most of these in other parishes were established as good by decisions in courts of law. See the note in Hum's " Ecclesiastical Law," by S. Fraser, Esq., Vol. iii., pp. 45H-450, seventh edition, 1800. J In lieu of all tithe wood, or lire wood. In lieu of all titheable matters growing in the garden. 246 Query. Why was the modus for tithe fruit called " Leightou Money?" In ALFRICK there are, The Old Hill, Copson's Coppice, Hodnett's Orchard, Eycester or Ayciter, Benty Vere, Fleur-de-lis, Stichen's Hill, The Millards, Sibhay or Tibhay, The Tibbins, Quince Hill, Mancroft*, Prick-pears Coppice f, Cheapside, Clap Gate, Green Street, Yell, The Knap, Luckholds, Payne's Castle, The Folly, Wonam Meadow or Wad Meadow, Roman Orchard J, Old Storage or Old Storridge, The Beck, The Vineyard, Conygree Coppice, Tar or Tor Coppice, Mousehole, Bewill, Norgrove or Hoar Grove, Catterhall or Catterall, Cruise (or Cruse, or Crews) Hill , The Round Hill, Wallshill Coppice, Raffnals or Ravenhills ]!, Sonit Hole, Callow's Leap, Fairies Cave, Patches or Paches, Patch Hill, Grimsend, Oughton or Eoten Wells, and Halvens or Halvins^f. As synonymes with " Hodnetts" may be mentioned Hodnet, near Market Drayton in Shropshire, and the Oduetts in Suckley. Of names nearly allied to " Stitchenshill" in appearance, are the following : ritchen Hill, in Spetchley ; Hichen Hill, in Lindridge ; Pitchall Hill, in Atch Lench ; Big Stitchings, and Lower Stitchings, in Hayley ; Stitches and Stitcheus Bank, in Lulsley ; and First and Second Stitches, in Grirnley. All these names may probably be derived from the word " Pitch," meaning a steep place. As synonymes of " Quince Hill" may be mentioned Quince Hill, in Eastham ; Quince Hill, in Hallow ; and Quin Hill, in Mathon. It is said that quince trees, as well as pear trees, were * Also Mancroft, in Knightou-on-Teme ; and likewise in Upton-upon Severn. f This appears to have reference to a species of wild prickly pear tree. 1 1 is said the Romans introduced the pear tree into England. % This has nothing to do with our antiquities. The Orchard was so named from an apple called Roman. There is Crewsfield in Dymock, Co. Gloucester. |i See p. 104, &c. ^| With respoet to the etymology and antiquities of Old Storage and Alfrick, see pp. L90 and 193, to 203, and " Folk Lore." 247 first introduced into Britain by the Romans*. It was an ancient Greek custom, that, at a marriage, the bridegroom and bride should eat a quince together, as part of the wedding ceremonies f. And there is an account in " Notes and Queries," No. 63, 11th January, 1851, that, in the evening after a marriage in this country, which took place in 1725, quinces where presented by the bridegroom's father to the bridegroom's mother, and presents in money to each member of the family. But whether this instance may be taken as evidence that the Greek custom had been introduced into this country by the Romans, or whether it is to be regarded merely in the light of a casual occurrence, we do not undertake to decide. Bewill is spelled Bual, alias Bewail, in title deeds dated 1691, &c. This place was probably named from Beaulieu, meaning the beautiful place (see Bewdley). There is a place called Buelt, for- merly Bullae um, in Brecknockshire, on the Portway. There also is a place called " Tump Bewhill," in Church Honeybourne ; Bewill Field, in Sutton, in Tenbury ; Beawells, in Aston in Blockley ; Beauhall Meadow, Big Beauhall, and Little Bcauhall, in Hanbury ; Bewell Head, in Bromsgrove. The following appears to throw some light upon the name of Catterhall. " Extracts from the Registers of the Stationers' Company of Works, entered for publication between the years 1557 and 1 570 ; with Notes and Illustrations, by J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A., &c," published by the Shakespeare Society. " 1505-0 R d - of Thomas Colwell, for his lycence for prynting of a ballet intituled the Cater brawles, both wytty and mery iiij d " A brail, brawl, or brausle, was a species of dance, (" Douces Illus.," i., 217), and double brawls are mentioned by several writers ; but here we have a notice of what should seem to be a quadruple brawl, or " cater brawl." In the " Handfullof ever- pleasant Delights," 1584, is the " Historic of Diana and Acteon to the Quarter Brawles," p. 120. * Sec Whitakcr's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., pp. t'.). 50, livi. | Sec Potter's " Grecian Antiquities." 248 There also is Catterbatch Piece and Catterbatch Meadow, in Abberley. " Sonit Hole" probably either stands for Stoney Hole or Stoney Dole. In a document of the date 1796, mention is made of Stouney* Dole in Glaswick Common Field, which lies by Barley Brook : as Sonit Hole also lies there, the same place is probably intended. There is Stoned Hole, in Castle Morton; and Stoney Dole at Leigh Sinton, in Leigh. The name " Dole," in ancient British, signifies a plain or valley lying to the sea or a river. It is of Phoenician origin, from Daula, a plain f. In addition to the above there are also Long Doles in Romsley, Hales Owen ; Dole Meadow, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Dole Meadow, Wimble Dole, and Big Wimble Dole, in Tardebig ; and Dole}, in Hartlebury. " Callow's Leap" is a most romantic precipice on the roadside, about 400 yards west of the Bridges Stone, the Leigh Brook running through Coppice Woods, at a considerable depth below. There is a legend that a mighty hunter, of the name of Callow, leaped down this precipice. Whether he broke his neck in the adventure, no one knows ; but it may be presumed that he did not find his grave there, as we have a place called " Callow's Grave," near to Tenbury. Alfrick and Lulsley are hamlets annexed to Suckley, but they are taxed and rated separately, and were so in the time of Henry VIIL, as appears by the " Valor Ecclesiasticus," Vol. iii., p. 247, col. 2 ; and also by a subsidy granted in the thirty-second year of that monarch (1540-1), by the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury, of id. in the pound, which was to raise .150,000 in two years. Whether the hamlets originally were small rectories or vicarages, and afterwards annexed to Suckley, or whether tbey were carved out of Suckley, is not now known, but the former is thought to have been the case. In page 193 to 207, 1 have given * The peasantry call a stone, a stouan. f See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 67. J Some of these names may, however, come from " Dole," a gift ; or from " Dole," a void space left in tillage. Further mention of the name CaIIow will be found in the account of Bromsgrnvc. p. 123. 249 some early particulars of these hamlets ; and the decree there mentioned of 1585 refers to a prior decree or sentence of Arch- bishop Robert, relative to certain questions between the parish and hamlets concerning the church and chapels, which must have been either Archbishop Kilwarby, who was elected in 1272, and was made a cardinal in 1278, or to Archbishop Winchelsey, who was elected in 1293, and died in 1313. The hamlets have sepa- rate parish officers ; and marriages, baptisms, and burials are performed at these chapels ; but no burials take place in the chapelyard in Lulsley, it not being consecrated *. In LULSLEY (anciently Lullesley) there are Earnolls, Co- pernhill Coppice, Raffnals or Ravenhills Green, Raffnals Orchard, Bachefield, Bachfield, or Batchfield ; Stitches ; the Jags, Little Jags, Penhill, Little Berrow, Common Berrow, and Sherah-croft ; Black-borough ; Osebury, or Oseberrow Rock ; Blacks-well ; Red Cliff Coppice ; Cold, or Colles, or Coles Place f ; the Redding or Cophem Hill ; Stitchens Bank and Coppice ; Near and Far Kit's Close ; Cockshut, or Cockshoot ; Horsage % or Horrage Coppice ; Green Street ; Puttocks, Pothooks, or Pauthooks-end Orchard ; Patch-Ham; Bates-bush ; Harding Orchard, and Whistlers . Speaking of Puttock's-end, we may mention also a farm called " Poltucks-end," near the Rhyd. by Uripshill in Madresfield, where there is a ford over the Severn ; the word Rid, or Rhyd, in ancient British and Phoenician signifying a ford. There is also a place called Puttoc's-end in Flyford Flavel, likewise near to a ford. Some light on the subject of these names may perhaps be gained from the fact that the orchard in Lulsley is also called Puttocks, or Pothook's-inn ; and I am informed that Puttoc's-end in Flyford Flavell is likewise called Pothook's Inn. Some of the old inhabitants add that there was a small inn at the spot, and that hooks were attached to the wall of the house, by which horses were fastened by the bridle, there being no stable belonging to the premises. Such small inns, by fords, may therefore possibly The chapelyard at Alfrick was consecrated by Bishop Thomas, temp. Ifi85. f Sop " Folk-Lore" and " old Coles." X Also, Horsafjp Orchard, in Wichenford. Sec further mention of F this name. + Sep " Folk- Lore." J See Nash, Vol. i.. pp. .'1 .' ,'40. fhi, as U) this camp. J See the " Folk- Lore." 5 See Hough's " Camden," second edition, Vol. i., p. 135. 262 Great Okeburn ; and Ogbourne St. Andrews, or Little Okeburn, in the county of Wilts. These names may either be derived from the British word " Ogo," which means a cave, or from Ogmius*, the Hercules of the Gauls. The Ogofau Mine, in Carmarthenshire, is supposed to have been worked by the Romans f. To return to St. John's. In Chap, iv., " Hoar Apple Tree" is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Wyke \, near Doferic, (Doveridge), wbere the Teme joins the Severn ; and " Hoar Ley," in the boundaries of Lawern. It is stated, in Heming's " Cartu- lary," p. 349, and in Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 46, that on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Clopton there were places called Wulfric's Mere, iElfric's Mere, The Military Way , Ceolan Way !|, and King's Thane Mere. The " Cartulary," in pp. 135, 349, also mentions " Old Street," on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Clopton; and in pp. 161, 349, " Port Street," on the boundaries of Lawern I 1 . Nash says, that in " Domesday," Clopton (Clop- tune) is stated to be held of the manor of Wyke, or Wiche. In Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 349, 350, both Clopton and Cothe- ridge are described as abutting upon Bridge-bourne Ford ; Clopton upon-Lawem, and Teme ; Cotheridge-upon-Teme, and Braines- ford, or Bransford. I mention this, because the name Clopton is not now known by the inhabitants of the parish of St. John ; and * There are Ogham Stones in the south of Ireland and in Wales, which are inscribed in the Ogham character, supposed to be Druidical. Sfcnne have said that they are so called from Ogham, the Hercules of the Gauls. See Lady Chatterton's work relative to these inscriptions, and also the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. hi., p. 175; Vol. vii., p. 409; and Vol. ix., pp. 110, 117. In the latter number it is said, "The designation Ogham Craobh, or branching type, had reference to the supposed resemblance of such inscription to a tree ; the letters also, it is said, were named from trees, and the inscriptions were either on wooden tablets or on stones." + See the above Journal, Vol. vi., p. 55. J See " Codex Dip.," No. 65, 120 and 1358, as to Wick and Lower Wick. Or Herepath. || Keel-way. If Sec " Codex Dip.," No. 126, 120 App., Vol. iii., &c, as to Lawern River and No. 272, as to Lawern Wyl (Well). 263 in the Index to the " Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici," it is considered to mean Clapton, in Gloucestershire. See the Char ters 049, 066, and 724, relative to Cloptun (Clopton), in that very valuable work. It is called Cloptone in " Domesday Book." With respect to the name " Hoar Apple Tree," it appears that apple trees are of very ancient growth in this country, vide Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., pp. 49-55. Dr. Davis, in his " Celtic Researches," says that the apple tree was considered by the Druids the next sacred tree to the oak, and that orchards of it were planted by them in the vicinity of their groves of oak*. In the time of Wolstan, Bishop of Worcester, nick-named Reprobate (who lived in the reigns of Ethelred II., Edmund II., and Canute), there was a place near Droitwich called Thiccan Apel Treo (Thiccan Apple Treef). With respect to the name Bedwardine, or Beodwardine, Dr. Nash I derives it from the Saxon word Beod [Breod], bread or table, and Worthig, a large field or close ; and states that it is often corruptly changed into Wardin or Worthen ; and that Beod- wardine signifies a portion of ground allotted to supply the table of the refectory with provisions. A question, however, may be raised, whether the prefix to the name Bedwardine does not come from the French " bord," a border, and that it and the suffix mean the Bord-worthig, or boundary-field or close of the city. The parish of St. Michael, in Bedwardine, is also on the boun- dary of Worcester. In HALLOW, Hollow, Hallage, or Halnegan, in Grimley, adjoining St. John's parish, there are places called Nether Street, Little Street, The Camp, Camp Leys, Green Street Farm, Copern Pit, Puck Meadow, Green Street Field and Meadow, Frincevana Meadow, Princevana, Quincehill Vineyard, Estbury, and Henwick or Hinwvke. The name Hallow is spelled Halhagan, in the * See " Botanical Looker Out," by .Mr. K. Lees, p. 14. t See Dr. Thomas's " Survey of Worcester Cathedral," &c, A. 60; also Chap. iv. of this work, us to several Hour Apple Trees. J Vol. ii., p. :ll!t. See Hcminu's " Cartulary," p. 574. 264 " Codex Dip.," Charter, No. 209, Appendix, Vol. iii., which notices Salt Street, Grimeshill, Hoar Apple-tree, Portway, and Wontesdic, as boundaries thereof. See Chap, iv., as to " Hoar-stone," and " Hoar Apple-tree," in this parish. In WICHENFORD there is a place called Horsage Orchard. See pp. 149, 150, concerning Roman coins found there; and hereafter, in Chap. I., on the derivation of the name. In GRIMLEY, are Upper, Middle, and Lower Camp Piece ; Camp Orles, Camp Leys, Cobs Orchard, Cobs Coppice ; Robin's Acre, The Nokin Piece, Lower Nokin Close, Round Hill, First and Second Stitches, Jack Stile Acres, Sturt Orchard, Ridge's Top, Okeridge, and Upper Okeridge Field, Ramplis Coppice, Wall Batch, Wall Croft, Wire Meadow, Warley, Warley Meadow, Wartly Moors ; Big, Upper, and Lower Willtree, and Hares Moor. This parish is called Grimanleah, Grimanlea, and Grimgelege, in Anglo-Saxon charters*. Heming, in his " Cartulary " pp. 148, 417, notices the Hearpath (Herepath), or Military Way, on the boundaries of Grimley. The name is spelled Grimanleh in " Domesday Bookf." Dr. Nash says, Grimley means Grimes Field*. " Wire" signifies a wear; there having been several wears on the Severn in days of yore. In HOLT, with LITTLE WITLEY, are Yell Coppice, Hawke- ridge || Wood, Battle Well Hopyard, The Baides, Round Hill, Turpin Field, Hares Hill Field, Hares Hill Orchard, Hurry's Oak, and Quinton. Holt is an Anglo-Saxon word, signifying a wood or forest. Holt Fleet, situated by the Severn, is derived from the Saxon words, " Holt," a wood, and " Fleot," a running stream. * See " Codex Dip.," No. 266, 266 App., Vol. iii.; 514, 514 App., Vol. vi. ; 515, 515, App., Vol. iii. ; and 1069 ; also Grimanhyl, No. 466. + "Domesday" also notices Gremanhil. J See p. 150, concerning ancient relics found in this parish ; and also " Folk Lore." See pp. 34-85. |j On the Anglo Saxon boundaries of Bentlry. (See " Codex Dip.," No, 4Pe. 40fi App, Vol. iii. ; and 570 ; and Homing's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 352.) 265 In SHRAWLEY there are places called Round Hill, and The Folly. Its ancient name was Shraueley. " Immediately below Shrawley Court, now a farm-house, are some artificial mounds, known by the name of the Court Hills, or Oliver's Mound. They were raised to command a ford over the river Severn, and probably were occupied by a detachment of Cromwell's army immediately previous to the battle of Worcester*." These may have been ancient speculatories, referred to in the account of Rochford, near Tenbury. In GREAT WITLEY, or Whitley, are Yells Meadow, Rad Meadow, Worstonf, and Woodbury Hill. It was anciently called Wittley, Witlega, WitleaJ, and Vecelage ; and in " Domesday," Witlege. Woodbury Hill, and Camp, are mentioned in p. 214 ; and " Hoar Grave," on the boundaries of Witlinc and Hartlebury, in Chap. iv. In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 352, there is an account of places on the boundaries of Witley, in the Anglo-Saxon times called Killan Ridge, Silway, Yerdway, and the Fig-tree. They are likewise mentioned by Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 49 : and the " Codex Dip.," No. 682, notices Cyllanhrygc, or Kyllanhrygc. The previously-described line of road from the Camps, on the Malvern Hills, to Woodbury Hill Camp, probably joined the Worcester and Tenbury line of road at or near Woodbury Hill. In ABBERLEY, near Great Witley, there are Cobs Hole, Hares Hill, Upper and Lower Mogul Tree Bank, Little Warders, Sturt Piece, Ellbatch Orchard, Far and Near Ellbatch Band, Lower Ellbatch Coppice, Upper Ellbatch, Radge Coppice, Catterbatch Piece, Catterbatch Meadow i|, The Dotch, Dotch Meadow, Little Dotch, The Dots, The Vinne, Vinne Orchard, Big Vinne, Little Vinne, Great Viney, Sallens Field Orchard, Sallens Field, Coldwell Hill, Coldwell Rough, Coldwell Coppice, and Coldwell Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." t See Isaac Taylor's map, published in 1 7 7 vj . ; See " Codex Dip.," No. 682. No. I2fi, l'(i App.. Vol. iii., pp. Mil, fi82, L3B9. I'liorp i*. Catterhall, in Alfrick. -(Sop Iter vi., pp. 24fi. '111.) 266 Piece*. In " Domesday " it is called Edboldelege. (See an account of Abberley Hill, in pp. 214, 215.) In STOCKTON, anciently written Stotune, there are places named Upper Lousy Oak and Lower Lousy Oakf. ROCK. Dr. Nash describes a service or sorb-tree J, growing in this parish, and much venerated on account of its scarcity and supposed virtues. I understand that the fruit of it is, even to this day, hung up by the peasantry in their houses, under the idea of its being a protection against witchcraft. Nash says it is vulgarly called the " Quicken Pear-tree," and stands in Wire Forest, about a mile from Mopson's Cross, between that and Dowles Brook. Mr. Lees has also noticed this tree at some length, and given an engraving of it, in his lecture " On the Affinities of Plants with Man and Animals," wherein he says it is vulgarly called the " Whitty," or " Witten Pear-tree," the leaves being similar to those of a withy or willow . It is said the service or sorb-tree was first introduced into Britain by the Romans 1 1. It has been supposed by some writers that St. Augustine's Oak stood in this parish. This point is discussed in my notice of Old Storage, Alfrick, and Abberley Hill. Rock was anciently called Al win ton, or Aka, from the Saxon " Ac," an oak. There is a chapelry in it called Heightington. In LINDRIDGE there are Toot Hill IT, Castle Hill, Newnham or Neowanham, and Hichen Hill Coppice. It is said there is an ancient camp about three miles east of Tenbury, and within about half a mile of the Teme. Anciently the orthography of this place w r as peculiarly unsettled, being spelled indifferently, Lindrycg**, Linderyge, Linderycgeas, Lindrug, Lindruge, Lindrugge, and Lindruggff. It includes Yerdiston, Earston or Eardulveston, See " Malvern," p. 159. t See p. 148, concerning ancient intrenchments there. + Vol. L, p. 10, &c. There is a tree of the kind in the grounds of Upper Arley Castle. || See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., pp. 49 and 62. 5f See the general account of the Toot Hills, p. 2'te, &c. ** Spc " Codex Dip.," No. 570. 4+ Sec pp. 1 l^, 1 l!l, as to an ancient relic found in this parish. 267 Knighton or Cnihteton, and Pensax. Duke Wifered, and Alta his lady, in Offa's reign, gave lands in Cnihtatan, and Neowenham, and Eardulfeston. In " Domesday Book," two of these places are called Ardolvestone and Cnihtetone. In STANFORD * {vulgo Stamford) there are Crate Lane f, South- stone Rock or Southern's Rotch, Devil's Den, and Hell Hole. Southstone Rock is a very remarkahle mass of travertine or calca- reous matter, situated near Stanford Court \, by the river Teme. It is noticed by Nash, who likewise mentions the old hermitage that was in the rock, and the curious offertory dish that belonged to the chapel which stood on the top of the rock. Sir R. J. Murchison has described this rock in his work on the Silurian System. It was formed by a strong spring of water, impregnated with carbonate of lime, which issues from its summit, and now runs down the other side of the mass||. The late Mrs. Sherwood, in " Southstone Rock," graphically described the beauties of the district, and the interesting legendary stoiy of the supposed witch of the Black Wood, or Devil's Den, in the time of Richard Coeur de Lion. The Den lies about a mile and a half from the her- mitage, and is thus described by Mrs. Sherwood : " The Black Wood was a narrow dell, deeply enclosed in entangled woods, lying parallel with the valley of Southstone, yet somewhat lower down the stream. The country people, to this day, give it names which commemorate its former evil character. The Devil's Den is the mildest of the epithets bestowed on this sequestered scene." There is a remarkable place called Witchery Hole in the ad- joining parish of Shelsley Walsh, otherwise Little Shelsley, which will be more particularly noticed in the " Folk-Lore." With respect to Hell Hole, there are many remarkable holes and places with such a prefix in the county ; for instance, Hell * The name is written Stanford, in the " Codex Dip.," No. 509, 509 App., Vol. iii. ; ami Stanford, in " Domesday Book." + See Alfriek, Der vi., p. 239. * The seat of Sir Thomas Edward Wilmington, Bart. Also see the " Rambler in Worcestershire," published 1851, pp. 174, 175. || Within a mile of the south west side of the rock there is a place called the Camp, which, is said t<> lie British. 268 Hole Meadow, in Doverdale ; Hell Hole, in the parish of Elmley Castle ; Hell Hole and Hell Hole Meadow, in Hampton Lovett ; Hell Ford, in Crome Dabitot ; Hell Hole, in Knighton-on-Teme, near Tenbury ; Hell Patch, in Upton Warren ; Hell Hole, in Astley ; Hell Church, in Clent ; Hell Bank, between Stourbridge and Hales Owen ; Hell Hole, in Warley Wigorn ; Hell Hole, in Shelsley Beauchamp, or Great Shelsley ; Hell Hole Coppice, in Clifton-on-Teme ; and Hell Kitchen, in Newbold-on-Stour. In " The Bambler in Worcestershire," by Mr. John Noake, pub- lished in 1851*, it is stated, that in " Hell Hole" (the place in question), " grows the plant called ' Devil's bit,' or, succisa pratensis. Tradition says that this plant was given to heal man of any deadly wounds ; but that when Satan saw what numbers of the human race it deprived him of, he, in spite, bit the roots off, whereupon it miraculously grew without those usually neces- sary appendages ; and this is the reason we find it growing apparently without roots." In the hamlet of ORLETON, in the parish of Eastham, there are ten pieces of land called Wall Hill ; likewise, a piece called Pendock Meadow. It was anciently written Arleton or Horeleton ; and, in " Domesday," Alretune. In EASTHAM, or Esthamf, there are places called Bonfire Hill, Round Hill, Quince Hill, Ridgeway, and Castle Tump Meadow. In ROCHFORD there are Vigo Meadow, Vigo Coppice, Camp, Camp Ashbed, Debdat Orchard, The Haggotts, Rome Hill, Tumpy Piece, Round Hill, Curter's Wall, The Gobbets, The Whurnhups, The Yeld, The Yeld Ashbed, Hardion Piece and Hardion Orchard. Rochford was a detached part of Hereford- shire, but has been annexed to Worcestershire by the Reform Bill. It is said, in a little history of Tenbury, that, in a meadow close to Rochford churchyard there still exists a green mound on the river bank J, thought to be the site of one of those forts called arces speculators, raised upon convenient spots for watch and ward. * P. ]'.)-2. + " Domesday Book." J There is a ford adjoining. 269 In MAMBLE, at Soddington, ancient relics have been found*. In " Domesday" it is called Mamele. In BAYTON, there is a place called Norgroves-end Farm. In KNIGHTON, or Cnihtatun-on-Teme, there are places called Cearn Owl, Mancroft, Hell Hole, Darnhill Orchard, Darnhill Homestead, Over Sale Meadow, Over Sale Field, Kit Laughton, and Upper Aston. Dr. Nash, in Vol. ii. of his " History," p. 437, says, the name Knighton means " the town of soldiery." ANCIENT CAMPS ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. Most of the camps which lie on or near the northern side of the county, have previously been described in the account of the various parishes in which they are situated, such as those at Wichbury Hill, Clent Hill, Stourbridge Common, Kenvaur Edge, Wassal Hill, or Wars Hill, and Over Arley. In addition to these, we may add a camp laid down in the Ordnance Map, on the north side of Wolverley, near High Holbro' ; and another called Camp Hill, near Birmingham. * Vide pp. 146, 147, 148. 270 Jut $$ ANCIENT EGAD FKOM DEOITWICH TO STOURBRIDGE. There is a line of road (mentioned in pp. 109, 110 of this work) which runs from Droitwich, by Hampton Lovett and Doverdale, through Elrabridge, Rushock, Chaddesley Corbett, Bluntington, Tan Wood Common, and across the valley at Hill Pool (where there formerly existed a viaduct), and then by Bel- broughton, and through Brome, Clent, and the south side of Hagley parish, and over Harborough Common*, and through Pedmore and Old Swinford, to Stourbridge Common, and the camp called " The Church-yard," situate by Green's Forge. In one part, this road is called the King's Head Land. The following names occur in this line : In HAMPTON LOVETT there are places called Hell Hole, Hell Hole Meadow, and Egg Hill. It was anciently called Han- tone, Hanton, and Hante ; and, in " Domesday Book," Hamtune. In DOVERDALE there are Hell Hole Meadow and Round Hill. It was anciently called Lunuredale, and Doudale ; and, in " Domesday," Lunuredele. The name of this place is supposed to have been derived from the British words, " Dur " (water), and " Dal " (a valley), which are faithfully descriptive of its situation, in a well- watered valef. In the Anglo-Saxon times, the name was spelled Doferdsel and Douerdel \. In ELMBRIDGE (a chapelry situated in Doderhill, in the * There is an intrenehnient at Harborough Hill. + Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." X See " Codex Dip.," No. 56, . r )0 App., Vol. iii., 1355, 1366. 271 parish of Droitwich) there are places named Holbro' Ground, Great Caterans Hill, Caterns Hill, Kit Pit, and Eadnal Field. In " Domesday Book," it is spelled Elmerige. In RUSHOCK there are Bumble Hole, Oldbury, Big, Little, Middle, and Far Oldbury; Wassal's Meadow, Jack Meadow, Camp Close, Wattlestitch Meadow, Big Trench, Little Trench, North and South Conderlands, Radnall, and Aston Field. It was anciently written, Rixuc* and Rushoke Regis; and, in " Domesday," Russococ. In CHADDESLEY CORBETT there are places named Tan Wood, Tan Wood Meadow, Lower Tan Wood Meadow, Tan Wood Field, Tin Meadow, Cannages Moor, Hackerage, Bagnett, The Dole, Burnt Oak, Judy's Close, Blizzardines, Hobf Moor, Har borough Ash, Rattlestones, Warstone, Little Warstone, The Warrage, Dead Moor, Far and Near Lincridge, Lincridge Meadow, Cakebole Pool, Near and Far Cakebole Meadow, Robin Hood's Oak, Yes Hill, Tagbourne, Sharrow Point, Astwood Hill and Meadow, Barrow Hill, Barrow Hill Field, Barrow Hill Lane Field, Far Long Barrow Field, Long Barrow Field, Little Barrow Field, Cross Barrow Field, Ran Dan Woods, Tatton Hill, and Dobies. Chaddesley was formerly called Chadsley, Ceadresleaghe, and Caddeslai ; in " Domesday," Cedeslai. See further, as to this parish, p. 124, &c. In Cakebold, in Chaddesley Corbett, there are Hither, Further, and Upper Tin Meadow. In BELBROUGHTON there are Hanging Hill, Barrow's Croft, Round Hill, Tom Hills, Belsey Field, Radnall Pit, Bonfire Hill, Big, Little, Middle, and Burnt Lights, Dane Field, Wall Hill Strip, Little and Great Chenil, Ran Dan Woods, and Cakebold +. In BROOME there is a place called Castle Hedge. In CLENT there are places named Saltpit Tiece, Upper Worgen, Lower Wargen, Hill Church, Kitwell Meadow, Warstone, The Beacon Hill, Little Beacon Hill, Upper, Middle, and Lower Tin * See " Codex Dip.," No. 508, 508 App., Vol. iii. t See the " Folk-Lore." J See p. 135, relative to Roman relics found in this parish. 279 Fields, aud Castle Hill*. Dr. Nash suggests that the name Clent is a corruption of the British word " glenn ;" and adds, that the Cornish " glyn," the Irish " gleann," and the Saxon " glen," all agree with the British " glenn," in denoting a narrow valley or dingle encompassed with a wood. CHURCHILL f, near Kidderminster, was anciently called Cercehall, Cercehalle, and Chirchehylle ; and, in " Domesday," Cercehalle. In HAGLEY there are Dead Marsh, Hoar Stone, Big and Little Hoar Stone, The Goers, Wichbury Hill, Round Hill Wood, Beacon Hill Meadow, Harberrow Field and Common, Nail Den, First and Second Wassail Piece, Wassail Field, and Big and Lower Stitchings. This parish was often spelled Haggelegh. In " Domesday Book " it is written Hageleia ; and in the " Codex Dip.," No. 570, Haganleah. The name is derived from the Saxon, Haga (domus), and Leag, or Lega, a lea, or ley J. In PEDMORE there are Upper Spirits Field, and Wichbury Hill. Pedmore was anciently written Pevemore. In HALES OWEN there are Moors (or Mours) Street, and The Coombs. This place was formerly written Hales and Halas . In the township of WARLEY WIGORN, in Hales Owen (anciently written Werwelie) there are Hell Hole, Caldwell Leasow, First Quinton Field, Upper Quinton Field, Lower Quinton, Bearlands Wood, Bearsland. Upper and Lower Bearsland, and Hobby Kiss. In the township of RIDGACRE, in Hales Owen, are places named Aldridge Meadow and First Quinton Field. In the township of WARLEY SALOP, in Hales Owen, is a place called Part of Portway Field. * See pp. 137, 138, relative to ancient British and Roman antiquities found in Clent. + There is another Churchill, near Bredicot { Vide pp. 136 to 142, relative to Roman and other antiquities found in this parish. See pp. 142, 143, as to various ancient relics found in this parish. 273 In the township of CAKEMORE, in Hales Owen, is Dogney's Meadow. " In 1804, many Roman coins were found in an earthen vessel, deposited at a small depth below the surface, at Cakemore ; but few only of these coins were preserved*." In the township of ASBURY, in Hales Owen, there are Jack Field, Little Jack, Old Jack, and Tom Wood. In the township of HALES OWEN there is a place called Tenter Field. In LUTTLEY, in Hales Owen, there are Pen Field, Twizzle- batch, and Robin's Field. In CRADLEY (anciently Cradelei), a township in Hales Owen, there are Warling Meadow, and Coppy (Coppice) Warling. In ROMSLEY, a township in Hales Owen, there are Long Doles, Great Castle Hill, Castle Hill, Uffmoor, Old Battery Meadow, Quinton Piece, and Ell Wood. In OLD SWINFORD there is a place called Ambry Hill. Bishop Lyttelton f states that this place was so called from a ford over a brook or rivulet named SwinJ; but Dr. Nash doubted that opinion. May it not have been the ford for swine ? STOURBRIDGE PARISH was originally called Bedcote. There are Hill Bank and Hob Green between it and Hales Owen. In the hamlet of AMBLECOATE, in the Staffordshire part of Old Swinford, there are Powkmore!| Hill, Hares Close, Bolas Meadow, Bolas Piece, High Oldbury, Petre Hill, Round Hill, and Babylon. This line of road is referred to by NashIT, who quotes the following from Bishop Lytteltou's account of the Roman roads : " A third Roman road comes out of Salop or Staffordshire, and passes over the heath near Stourbridge, where, by a place called Green's Forge, is a vast camp called the Church Yard, and men- * See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." + MS., Lyttel. There is also the Swin, in the sea, off the Suffolk coast. Can it be synonymous with the word " swill.' Vol. h., p. an. || See the " Folk-Lore." | Vol. ii. App., p. 107. 274 tioned by Dr. Plott in his ' Natural History of Staffordshire,' which proceeds through Hagley Common, and is known by the name of the King's Head Land ; and not far distant is a great Roman camp on Whichbury Hill *, and three lows or tumuli on the common very near it ; and I suspect this road also leads by Clent and Chaddesley to Worcester." It is probable that this road either ran in a north-westerly course into the Western Trackway, described in Iter XV. ; or, north-east into the Rycknield Street, described in Iter XIX. ANCIENT CAMPS ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. The following are the ancient camps along or near the southern side of the county, from west to east : Wall Hills Camp, and Kilbury Campf, near Ledbury; Haf- field Camp, near Bromsberrow ; The Herefordshire Beacon Camp, and Midsummer Hill Camp, on the Malvern Hills ; Castle Hill Camp, in Castle Morton ; and the camps on Towbury Hill, Kemerton Hill, Conderton Hill, Oxenton Hill, Dixton Hill, and Nottingham Hill. Several of these have been previously noticed. ANCIENT ROADS ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. The following are the probable lines of the ancient roads along or near the southern side of the county. The starting point of all of them may be taken from Wall Hills Camp, near Ledbury, from whence they issued in four principal lines as follow. * There also is a camp at Kniver Edge. See p. 144. t The Ordnance Map has it " Eilbury Camp." 275 |tcr $. ANCIENT BOAT) FROM WALL HILLS CAMP TO GLOUCESTER. From this camp a road appears to have stretched south- westward by Ledbury, Eastnor, and Haffield Camp, in Hereford- shire (situated about two miles west of Conigree Hill*, in Bromsberrow, in Gloucestershire), thence by Rid Marley D'Abitot to Gadbury Banks, and Bury Hill, in Eldersfield; thence by Birth Hill, and along Lime Street, in Worcestershire ; across Corse Wood Hill, along Wickridge Street, by the Barrow Farm, and Barrow Hill, to Cinderbury ; Ashelworth Green, Longridge End, and thence by Springhill and Maisemore, in Gloucestershire, to Gloucester. A branch of this road may have gone from Gadbury Banks to Staunton Coppice, thence to Staunton in Worcestershire, along Harridge or Harwich Street, and so to Wickeridge Street in Gloucestershire. In LEDBURY parish there are, Vineyard Bank, Tbe Camp, Suggals, Wall-ends Meadow, Vineyard and Oldbury, Warcroft, Wall Hills Wood and Coppice, Wall Moors, Rigdeway Field and Coppice, Oral Green Meadow, Stirt's Meadow, Coneybury Hill, Coneygree Wood Camp, Camp Hopyard, Camp Orchard, and Hare Hill. The camp at Wall Hills, which contains an area of near thirty acres, is situated about a mile from Ledbury, and is sup- posed to have been originally British, and subsequently occupied as a Roman station. Ledbury appears to have derived its name * See pp. /0, 71, 218, relative to this remarkable hill. 276 from the river Leden, which intersects the parish from north to south. In KID MARLEY, or Ryd Marley D'Abitot, there are Nottin Dole, Dark-ham, and Folly Field. It was formerly called Rid Merleya*, and in " Domesday Book," Redmerleie or Ridmerleye. In Heming's " Cartulary," it is stated, that, in the Anglo-Saxon times, there were places on the boundaries of Rydmerley, called Preonsdale, Salter's Ford, The Glenk, Glenking, Maeresbrook, Ceolan Head, Brute Gate, and Werlass Down. Nash calls Rid Marley " the field with the mere ;" but, as the ancient British and Phoenician word " Rid" means a fordf, the presump- tion is, that the name implies a ford ; and there can be but little doubt that, in the ancient British times, a ford was there over the river Leden, which very much surrounds Rid Marley- It is probable, that in the Anglo-Saxon era it acquired the name of " Salter's Ford." In ELDERSFIELD there are, Tut's Hill Common Field, Little Tut's Hill, Dobbs Hill Meadow and Close, Cob Hill, Gadbury Hill, Gadbury Coppice, Eggs Hay, and Hardwick, or Ordewicke. See p. 68, 69, as to Gadbury Banks. The name of this parish is probably derived from elder, an elder tree, and field, an open, uninclosed expanse of land. It is called Yldresfeld in the " Codex Dip.," No. 570. In STAUNTON, or Stauntown, there are Walker's J Ford, and Cob Croft. In CHASELEY, or Chadesley, adjoining Eldersfield, there are Norgast Field ; Great, Middle, and South Norgast Field ; Round Hill, The Yellings, The Gorne Field, and The Leys, next Rock Street . * Reodemaereleah and Rydemaereleah in " Codex Dip.," No. 510 ; 510 App., Vol. iii., and 619. f See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 06 ; also the account of Cruckbarrow Hill. J See Droitwich, p. 100, and Oughton Wells, in the account of " Folk- Lore," concerning this word. See Chap. IV. as to Horridge (Hoar Ridge) in the neighbouring hamlet of Corse, Co. Gloucester. 277 9* n. ANCIENT ROAD FROM WALL HILLS CAMP, NEAR LEDBURY, TO TEWKESBURY, &c. From Wall Hills Camp a road appears to have stretched westward by Dog's Hill and Ledbury, to Kilbury Camp, and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp on Malvern Hill ; thence, south- eastward, down Awkeridge and the Ridgeway, and by Eastnor ; thence along Wain Street* to Rowicke, Fowlet Farm, and Pen- dock Grove, all in Herefordshire. From thence through the Malvern Hill chain into Worcestershire, at White-leaved Oak between Ragged Stone Hill and Keysend Hill ; and, southward, along Keysend or Case-end Street, to Canter's or Camomile Green ; thence along the Pendock Portway f, in the Berrow, to Croinar's Green ; thence to Gadbury Banks *, in Eldersfield ; thence, north-eastward, through Pendock, and between Bushley, in Worcestershire, and Forthampton, in Gloucestershire, by Sam Hill, and along Wood Street, in Bushley, to the Severn (which was probably crossed either at the Mythe Tute, or at the Upper or Lower Lode) ; and, thence on to the Rycknield Street, at or near Tewkesbury. With respect to the name of " Wain Street," considerable light appears to l>e thrown upon it in Hatcher's " Richard of Ciren- " There whs in the Anglo S;ix.m times a place pulled \Vo?nrie (Waiiiridgc) , in Oxfordshire. See " Codex Dip.," N". 775, &c. t- See p. 7 0. } See pp. fiH, 01), 278 cester," from which the following quotation is taken*: "The Britons not only fought on foot and on horseback, but in chariots drawn by two horses, and armed in the Gallic manner. Those chariots, to the axletrees of which scythes were fixed, were called covini, or wains." And, in p. 12, it is stated, that " Caesar, in his fourth book, describes their mode of fighting in the species of chariots called essedae," and to which the following note is added : " Their chariots seem to be of two kinds, the covini or wains, heavy and armed with scythes, to break the thickest order of the enemy ; and the essedae, a lighter kind, adapted probably to situations and circumstances in which the covini could not act, and occasionally performing the duties of cavalry- The essedae, with the cavalry, were pressed forward to oppose the first landing of Caesar ; and Cassivellaunus afterwards left 4000 essedae, as a corps of observation, to watch his movements. Caesar " Comment.," Lib. v., s. 15. In THE BERROW, formerly Berewe or Berga, there are Berrow Hill, Puck Dole, In Portridge Field, Little Portridge, Portnells, In Picknell, In Jack, Upper and Lower Jack, Jack Meadow, Jack, In Gola Field, Old Hills, Crookberrow, Lower Crookberrow, Black Dole, Elsborough, Penalth Piece, Raven's Dole, Dobbin's Hill, Little Dobbin's Hill, Gowler, and Oldin Hillf. In PENDOC, or Pendock, Pendoke, Penedoc, or Peonedoc, there are Waxborough, Wilkin's Pasture, Wilkin's Field, Little Wilkin, In Berrow Wood, Badenshall, Allotment in Berrow Meadow, Catshill, Little Catshill, Raven's Hay, Upper Nap Ground, Nap Field, Lower Nap Field, Little Gola, In Gola Field, Inclosed Gola, and Crookberrow. In Dr. Thomas's " Survey of Worcester Cathedral, etc.," App.,p. 30, reference is made to a bequest of Peonedoc by Ceolwulf, King of the Mercians, to the Monastery at Worcester \. This is mentioned in a charter of King Edgar, a.d. 964. On the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Pendoc, there are places called ^Elfstan's Bridge, P. 11. + See p. 70; likewise the account of Crnckbarrow Hill, relative to the Pen- dock Port way. J Also sec Heming's ' ; Cartulary," p. 331. 279 Osric's Pool, Ducas Pit, Edred's Field*, Stanborough, and Salt Field f. This place is spelled Peonedoc and Penedoe| in " Domesday Book." With respect to the derivation of the name, the reader is referred to p. 218. BUSHLEY was formerly called Bysseley, and in "Domesday" Biseleye. * It is called Eadredesfeld (qy. Adderstield) in the " Codex Dip." No. 308, 008 App. Vol. iii., and 538. + See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 360, and Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 57. Also see Chap, iv., relative to " Hour Withy," in Pendock. J There is a place called 1'endock Meadow, in the hamlet of Orleton, in the parish of Easthani. See p. 128, concerning Sam Hill aud Wood Street, in this parish. 280 <$,UX ,JJJ. ANCIENT ROAD WALL HILLS CAMP TO TOWBURY HILL CAMP, &c. From Wall Hills Camp a road appears to have gone south- westward by Ledbury, Eastuor, across the Ridgeway, and along Wain Street, in Herefordshire ; through the Malvern chain, into Worcestershire, by the Holly Bush, between Ragged Stone Hill and the south side of Midsummer Hill Camp, thence to the Rye, thence eastward along the Rye Street, and through Birt's Morton, Longdon and Queen Hill, to Pull Court, on the west side of the Severn, opposite to which, on the eastern side of the river, is the site of the Roman pottery works*, and an ancient vicinal paved roadf at Bow Farm, Ripple, and a camp at Towbury Hill \, in Twining Parish, Gloucestershire. The river was probably crossed opposite Towbury Hill, the road in question falling into another road which runs from Tewkesbury to Wor- cester. Another branch of this road extended from Wain Street, by Gullett Wood, and through the pass named the Gullett, which lies between the north end of Midsummer Hill and the south end of Warren Hill; thence by Fair Oaks Hill, across Holly-bed Common, and along Birt's Street to Birt's Morton. * Sec p. 62, (>:!, (14. f See p. (i.">. (i(). | As to this remarkable hill, sec p. 01. Their are places called (ileal T<>n bury and Little Towbury, in Leigh. 281 In BIRT'S MORTON, or Brutes Morton, are Spark Horn, and Tumpy Leasow. In " Domesday Book," this place is written Mortune. In CASTLE MORTON, adjoining Birt's Morton, are Vamperley Field, Vamperley Meadow, Aldine Meadow, Budnil (Buddenhill) Common Field, the Doles, Dole's Hole, Hagg Hills, Agg Meadow, Ambers, Stoned Hole, Great Gog Bridge, Little Gog Bridge, Tadmoor, Inkstones*, Camp Hill, Gadbury Hill, and Kittans. It was formerly called Morton Folliotf. See p. 71, where a tumulus, there called " Castle Tump," is mentioned. In LONGDON, anciently Longedon, are Stirts Middle Piece, Yelters, Rugged Nell, Robert 's-end Orchard, Doles, Hare Plock (Pleck), Hare Bridge, Occo, Guller's End, Hurste, and the Styrte. See Chap, iv., as to Hoar Pit, in this parish. In " Domesday Book" it is called Longedune, and in Anglo-Saxon charters, Langdun, Langandun, Lengandune, and Longedune \. * See Inkberrow, Iter XVII. f See pp. 71, 72, concerning Morton Folliot seal. + See " Codex Dip.," No. 57, 57 App., Vol. iii., &c. qj&^P 282 jut (JdJJJ. ANCIENT ROAD WALL HILLS CAMP AND THE HEREFORDSHIRE BEACON CAMP TO UPTON, OR THE SAXON'S LODE. THE HEREFORDSHIRE BEACON CAMP TO HANLEY QUAY. FROM GREAT MALVERN TO THE RHYD. From Wall Hills Camp a road appears to have gone along the before-mentioned line, over Dog's Hill to Kilbury Camp, and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp ; thence eastward into Worcester- shire, on the south side of Dane Moor Copse, and along Drake Street, by Brook End, and the Lake on Hook Common ; thence along Ducksvvick to the Severn, which it probably crossed either at Upton or more southward, at Saxon's Lode, vulgo, Saxton's or Sexton's Lode. Another road seems to have extended from the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, by Malvern Wells, along Robert's-end Street (otherwise Robertson Street) and through Hauley Castle parish to Hanley Quay, where it probably crossed the Severn. A road likewise appears to have run from Great Malvern, along 283 Pool-End Street and Barnard's Green, by Dripshill or Tripshill*, and Drake's Place to the Ferry or Ford at the Rhydd or Ridd f. In COLWALL there is a place called the Low, and a road called Evendine Street. See further relative to this parish in the account of the Malvern Hills. In LITTLE MALVERN there are Upper Sarte Piece and Lower Sarte Piece J. See p. 154 to 163, &c. concerning various ancient relics found in this parish. In WELLAND there is a place called Tyre Hill (situated between Dane Moor Copse and Robertson or Robertsend Street) ; also Dain Moor Hill and Five Hill Field. It was anciently called Wenlond, or Wonlond. Dr. Nash supposes the name to have been derived from the Saxon " Won," dirty ; but may it not be a contraction of Woten ? In the parish of UPTON upon Severn, there are Mount ||, Raven Hill IT, Leckeridge, Lockeridge ; Upper, Middle, and Lower Tuck-Mill Piece, Gilver Lane Meadow, Monsul, Hoote Common, Mancroft, Bury Field, Brants, Talver's Field, Talver's Ley, Perlons Close, Great Pickes, and Little Pickes**. In the parish of HANLEY CASTLE are Great Tickeridge, Launtridge, and Roberts-end Street. This parish is named Hamley in Leland's " Itinerary." In the parish of GREAT MALVERN there are Quorn Meadow, Hob Well If, Twinberrow**, Gorick Hill, Sembre Furlong, Shar- vastor or Sharvaster, Sharvest Graffe, Upper Radnor Meadow, Lower Radnor Pasture, Bearcroft Meadow (in Garlesford Court Farm), and Cockshoot, Cockshute, or Cockshut Orchard, Lane, and Farm, at the Link. * See the " Folk-Lore." + See p. 218. I These names, most probably, are a corruption of the word " assart," or " essart," which means land grubbed in a forest and converted into tillage. It is written Uptun in the " Codex Dip.," No. 05, &c. There is an earthwork near it in Green Fields estate % See p. 194, &C. ** Sec pp. 60, 01, POET-WAY FEOM KENCHESTER, THE ANCIENT MAGNA*. THROUGH CRADLEY, ACROSS THE NORTH END OF GREAT MALVERN HILL TO BRANOGENA (WORCESTER), AND THENCE THROUGH OMBERSLEY, HARTLE- BURY, AND WOLVERLEY, TO OVER ARLEY. Duncumb, in his " History of Herefordshire,"! says, " a third Roman road enters this county [Herefordshire] from Worcester, and passing Frome Hill, Stretton Gransham (Grandison), Lugg- bridge, Holmer, and Stretton Lugwas, reaches Kenchester. This road is wholly unnoticed in the Itineraries before quoted ; but Dr. Stukeley treats it as Roman, and its own internal evi- dence confirms it. Two Strettons are named in its course, and it invariably preserves that particular uniformity of direction which distinguishes the roads constructed by that people. Several writers mention an entrenchment on this line, at Stretton \ Gran- dison, it was probably Roman ; but in that, and other instances where the site has been appropriated to the more useful labours of the plough, the traces have been gradually obliterated." It is also stated, in the " Beauties of England and Wales", that there is a paved way from Kenchester, leading to a passage * See p. 1, as to the opinion of some antiquaries that Arieonium was the ancient name of Kenchester. + Vol. i., p. 20. See also " Topographical and Historical Description of Herefordshire," by Brayley and Britton, p. 400. J The name Stretton is derived from " Via Strata," or the street. Vol. 15, Part 2, p. fi. 287 over the river Lug, and thence towards Ledbury, pointing to Worcester, supposed to be Roman. This road is also thus noticed in Gough's " Camden"*: ' Ariconiumf [querie Magna] stands on a little brook called the Ince, which thence encompassing the walls of Hereford, falls into the Wye. Two great Roman ways here cross each other ; one, called the Port-way, comes from Bullaeum, now Buelt J, in Breck- nockshire, and passing eastward by Kenchester through Stretton, to which it gives name, and over the river Lug to Stretton Grantham, upon the Frome, goes to Worcester." The line of this road, from Frome Hill to Worcester, most probably was by Cradley Court, Ridgeway Cross, and over the brook at Stifford's Bridge (all in Cradley , Herefordshire), thence through Cowley Park, Upper Howsell, in the parish of Leigh ||, Newland, and Powick, across the Teme, and through Upper Wick, in the parish of St. John, to Worcester. In the parish of NEWLAND (formerly a hamlet of Great Mal- vern) there are places called Little Ridgeway, Campson, Long Dole, Limburrow, and Jack's Close. Pins Green lies on the border. In POWICK, or Powycke, are Pykesham or Pixam; Moan Land, in Pixham's Ham ; Big Stampall Ground, Oldneys, Old Hills, Callow-end, Stoney Lake ; Rudgeway, or Ridgeway Ham, or Common Field; Ridgeway, Great and Little Ridgeway, Puck- croft, Astridge, Soar Oak Field, Bear-croft, or Ashridge Hill, The Vineyard, and Cinders Perry. The name of this parish is spelled Poincgwic in the " Codex Dip.," No. 570, and Poiwic in " Domesday Book*I." The pieces of land named Ridgeway belong to the Ridgeway * Vol. iii., p. 73. + The prevailing opinion now is, that Ariconium stood at Penyard, near Ross, and that Magna means Kenchester. J With respect to the derivation of tlus name, see " Bewdley." There is a hill called Bual, or Bewill, in Auricle (see p. 247), on the line of road from Walls Hill Camp and Malvern Hills, to Woodbury Hill. See p. 238. See p. 200, 257. || See p. 24d. ^f See p. 78, relative to Roman antiquities found in this parish ; and also see the " Folk Lore." 288 Farm, situated on the east side of the road from Malvern to Worcester, and about a mile from the Old Hills. Ridgeway Ham, or Common Field (now enclosed) lies by the west end of the farm, near the messuage and premises called the Daw's Nest, where Black Hawthorn Lane joins the above-mentioned road. The line of the Portway from Newland, through Powick, was most probably across this Common Field, through Ridgeway Farm*, thence to Ham Hill, and across Powick Ham, to the Teme, which it probably crossed near to the present Wearf, and thence led to Upper Wick, in the parish of St. John, and so on to Worcester. I am sorry that I can offer little or nothing in elucidation of the peculiar name " Black Hawthorn Lane." I am informed that there formerly was, at the entrance of this lane, a large haw- thorn tree of the common kind, which was destroyed about twenty years ago through the continual placing of the stones for repair- ing the road against its trunk, and that it has since been replaced by a younger tree. There is a coppice near Dorking, in Surrey called " Black-hawes," where Aubrey says there was a castle }. In the parish of ST. JOHN, in Bedwardine^, there is Ridge- way Meadow, which lies in Upper Wick, by the Wear, on the Teme, a little above Powick Bridge ; and there is no doubt that this was part of the line of road in question, and that it went on through Upper Wick, along the Port Street, on the boundaries of Lawern ||, to Worcester. It may be here remarked that a portion of the Roman antiquities previously mentioned, were discovered on the west side of Powick village, exactly opposite Ridgeway Meadow 1i. Dr. Nash, in his " History of Worcestershire," speaks of an ancient road in Over Arley, in Staffordshire, on the * There is an ancient branch road from Ridgeway Farm to the Old Hills, running from thence to Pixam Ferry on the Severn, nearly opposite to Kemp sey village, where ancient relics have been found, ns stated in pp. -54 to 00. + " Wser," Saxon. I See " Archaeologia," Vol. xi., pp. 102, 107. See p. 261, as to various names of places in this parish. || See p. 262. ^ See p. 7=3. 289 border of this county, called the Portway, and states that it pro- bably led from Worcester, through Over Arley, to Shrewsbury. It is observable here, that Portstraet, mentioned in the Anglo- Saxon boundaries of Salwarp*, " Portway Plat," in Croces, in Sychampton, in Ombersley, and " Portway Piece," in Wolverley, also lie in the direct line from Worcester to Over Arley ; and a considerable quantity of Roman relics was found at Knight's Grove, in Ombersley, as before stated. This part of the Portway was probably a deviation road, running parallel with the western side of that part of the Western Trackway, which went from Worcester, through Droitwich, to Over Arley, &c, as hereafter described. The term Port, or Military way, occurs in other parts in the county ; but it is not improbable that the one in question was, from its length and importance, emphatically called by the Romans, " The Portway." It appears to have run along the eastern bank of the Severn, between Worcester and Over Arley, where forts of Ostorius were most probably placed. As the name Ridgeway occurs so frequently in that part of this Portway which lies between Frome Hill, Cos. Hereford and Wor- cester, it seems very probable that this part of it was a branch of the Rycknield Street, or Ridgeway, passing from Wall Hills Camp, near Ledbury, to Frome Hill, and thence to Worcester ; and that the Romans adopted it, from Frome Hill to Worcester, as part of the main Portway. * Set> " Codex Dip.," Vol. vi., p. 218. ',290 |ttr p. WESTERN TRACKWAY. FROM TEWKESBURY, THROUGH UPTON AND WORCESTER, TO THE TRENCH LANE, DROITWICH, AND SAL- WARP; THENCE TO HADLEY HEATH CAMP, IN OMBERSLEY ; AND THROUGH WASSAL HILL CAMP, IN THE PARISH OF KIDDERMINSTER, TO OVER ARLEY, &c* This line of road forms a part of what is called the Western Trackway, which is said to have gone from Isca Damnoniorum, or Uxella f (Exeter), Taunton, Bridgewater, Bristol {, Glevum (Gloucester), Branogenium or Bravinium (Worcester), Salinae (Droitwich), and Kidderminster ||, in Worcestershire ; Claverley, in Shropshire ; Weston-under-Lizard, Etocetum (Wall), High Offley, Mediolanum (Chesterton), and Betley, in Staffordshire ; Condate (Congleton or Kinderton), Middlewich, and Northwich, in Cheshire ; Warrington, Mancunium (Manchester), Preston. Coccium (Blackrode 1: ), and Lancaster, to Luguballium (Carlisle), &c. In Mr. Hatcher's edition of " Richard of Cirencester," * See glimpses of this rood in the account of Worcester, p. 23 ; Upton, 01 ; Ombersley, 108 ; Salwarp, 109, 110 ; Perry Wood, 222, 223 ; Elbury Hill, 224. + Some think that Uxella lay near Bridgewater, or at Barton-on-the-Foss : others, that Isca and Uxella were the same. J Some say this road went from Bridgewater through Ad-Aquas (probably Wellsj, Aqua? Solis (Bath), and Coriuium (Cirencester), to Gloucester. It' so, the road through Bristol was probably a Roman deviation or short line. See p. 1 . || According to some authorities, this road ran from Droitwich, through Birmingham, to Wall. Stukeley says Button, by Lancaster. this road is considered to be British, since it connects many of the British towns. It appeal's to be noticed by Salmon, who asserts that a Roman road went from Worcester, crossing Shropshire*. A description of the southern part of this road, from Gloucester to Tewkesbury, will be found in the account of the Rycknield Street. The following describes that part of it from Tewkesbury to Over Arley : In TWYNING, in Gloucestershire, there are places called Broadway, Little Broadway, Puckmoor Headland, Puckrup, Sharrow, Coneygare, and Showburrow Common f. Roman coins have been found in a small camp in this parish. The parish of RIPPLE (or Rippel j) contains the site of Roman potteiy r works, and a paved vicinal road, described in pp. 62 to 68. In HILL CROMB, adjoining Ripple, is Hooshill Farm. This place was anciently called Heleyombe and Hull Cromb. It is written Hilcrumbe in " Domesday Book." In EARL'S CROOMB, or Cromb Simon, is a place called ' Part of Horrell Orchard." The name is written " Crumb " in " Domesday Book." In CROOMB D ABITOT, or Cromb Osbern, is Hell Ford. It is spelled " Crumbe " in " Domesday Book." In SEVERN STOKE, anciently called Stocke, there are Wainridge's Piece, Part of Horrell Orchard, and the Burrage. A Human coin of Magnentius, now in the Worcestershire Museum, was. a few years ago, dug up in this parish ||. See the " Beauties of England mid Wales," Vol. xv.. Fart ii.. p. (i. + See p. 6-4, containing an account of Towbury Hill Camp. + " Codex Dip.," Nos. 17, . r >:?s. In Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. ;t4.S, Aberold, Winterbourne, Wipley, and Eagle's Lawn, are mentioned in tlie Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Crombe. I] See pp. B5, 6R, o". , concerning a paved trackway from the Mythe Tute, near Tewkeshurv, through Ripple, to Severn Stoke Hill, and probably to Wor- cester. This trackway appears to have been a mere vicinal road. 292 In PIRTON, formerly spelled Pereton, there is a place named Perry Wood. In the parish of KEMPSEY, Kemsey, or Kemesey, are Dane's Close, Quintans, The Noond, Hoberdy Hill*, Old Hills, Green Street Meadow, Green Street, Bow's Piece (adjoining Green Street), and Bootridge's. In Nash's " History," Vol. ii., p. 23, it is stated that a deed, dated 1336, notices " The Portweye, at Bromhall, in the manor of Kempsey." In " Domesday Book " it is written " Chemesegef." In NORTON juxta Kemsey, there are Crokenhill, Great Howbourne or Holborn Field, Little Holborn Field, Bury Field Hill, and Bury Field Meadow. It contains the hamlet of Hatfield, or Hedtfeld. In WHITTINGTON a hamlet in the Parish of St. Peter, are places called Witch Meadow, Norcroft, Hares Close, Wordings, Holburn Field, Cruckbarrow Hill, and Little Cruckbarrow*. Whittington was formerly called Hwitingtun , Widingtun, Witington, Witinton, and Witintun. It is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks [|. It is, in " Domesday Book," spelled " Widintun." Heming's " Cartulary," p. 359, mentions Caldwell and Radley, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of this hamlet IF. In SPETCHLEY, Spechesley, Spechley, Spasckley, Spsecleah- tun or Speclea**, are Round Hill and Pitchen Hill. The name is written " Speclea " in " Domesday Book." In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 358, the following places are mentioned as Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Cudley, or Cutley, namely, Cugganff Hill, Wittlesley, Kyneldworth, Swineshead, Sunderland, Omber- * Hoberdy is one of tlie provincial names for the ignis-fatuus. See " Folk-Lore." t See pp. 54 to 60, concerning the Roman camp, cists, and other relics, found at Kempsey. I See p. 2 Hi, &c, relative to Cruckbarrow Hill. See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 201, 070. See p. 229. | Vide also Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 55. See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 200, 200 App., Vol. iii., 210, 542. + + As to the etymology of this name, see p. 210. ^93 land*, and The Three Meres f. Cudley Manor is in the parish of St. Martin, and Cudley Farm and Swineshead Farm in VVarndon. This place was called Cudeley in Edward the Con- fessor's reign. It is spelled " Cudelei" in " Domesday Book." With respect to the name Swineshead, Swinesherd, or Swineherd, there is, in the Cottonian MS., Claudius C. viii., a representation of Anglo-Saxon swineherds, with a dog and horn, and armed with spears, driving their swine into the forest to feed upon acorns, which one of the herdsmen is shaking from the trees with his hand. Also see " Art Journal " thereon, No. 150, June 1851, p. 170. The Cuggan Ilyll of the Saxon boundaries seems to have been what is now designated the Round Hill, in Spetchley, which abuts against the eastern side of Cudley ; and it appears probable that most of the hills which now only go by the modern name of " Round Hill," were distinguished by the prefix of " Crug," " Toot J," &c, in days of yore. The views from the hill in question are fine, and rather extensive. In the parish of ST. MARTIN are Lipperd (otherwise Lypeard, or Lappewrthe, or Lappawurthin), Pirie or Perry Wood, Pirie Court, King's Hill, and Portfields Road. Lipperd and Pirian are mentioned in Oswald's Charter, dated 909. (See " Codex Dip.," No. 559.) Pirian is also noticed in " Domesday Book." In the parish of ST. PETER are Burnt Orchard, Yeld Meadow. Camp Ground ||, Spa Field, and Swinesherd. This parish includes Whittiugton. Batenhal*! (Battenhall), Timber- dine, and other places. In CLAINES parish are Tort Fields Farm, Port Fields Road, Harbour Hill, Astwood, Elbury Hill, Street Hill Tillage on Rainbow Hill riJge abutting against Merriman's Hill range ; See "Ambrosiie Petra?," (Imp. ii.. as to this name. + See Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. >>. * See pp. 210, 217, and p. 233, &c, as to these names. See p. 222. This elevation was probably one of the outposts of the battle of Worcester, in 1051. (See pp. 222, 220.) It might, however, have been a more ancient ramp, as it is in the direct line between Cruokbarrow ami Castle Hills. See Codex hip.,' No. .V>!l. 294 Rad Meadow, Colwell Piece, and In Colwell Piece, in Astwood ; Wall Meadow and Wall Ground, in Tollardine ; In Bow Stone Field, at Fernall Heath ; Camp Close, near Bevere Green ; Copsons ; Tutnall, Tetnall, or Tootenhill ; Tetnall Close, Dane's Close, Barrow Cop Field, Barrow Cop Orchard, Barrow Cop, alias Little Barrow Cop ; Puckpit Farm, alias Tapenhall, orTapenhale; and the Fort, in Windmill Field, near to Little Lowesmoor and Great Lowesmoor*. For further particulars relative to Gaines, see the account of Worcester, Perdeswell, Bevere Island, Elbury Hill, Astwood, and Tutnall. BREDICOTf. The name is spelled " Bradecote " in " Domes- day Book ;" and, according to Dr. Nash, it means the cot of Brade. In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 357, mention is made of the Salt- road,Wolfpit, Wynn Meadow, and Callew or Callow Hill {, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Bredicot. TIBBERTON was formerly spelled Tibritton, Tyberton, Tybur- ton, Tidbrichtingtone, Tebertone, or Titbrictune ||. In " Domesday Book" it is written "Tyberton." There is a place called Raven's Hill, in this parish, near to Bredicot and Crowle. The Danish origin of this name is stated in the account of Alfrick, p. 194, &c. CROWLE was spelled Crogleah and Crohlea in the Anglo-Saxon times 11", and Crohlea in " Domesday Book." It is said, by Dr. Nash, to mean " The Dirty Field**." See p. 94 as to supposed Danish relics found there. IN WARNDON, or Warmedon, there are farms called Trots Troshill, or Tootshill, Cudley-j-|-, and Swinesherd or Swineherd ; * See p. 30. + See pp. 95, 0(i, 97, as to Roman relies found there. J Also see Nash thereon, Vol. ii., App., p. 53, See " Codex Dip.," 507, 507 App., Vol. iii., and 683, as to Calawan liyl (Calwan hyll). |] See " Codex Dip.," No. 150, 150 App., Vol. iii., and 923, as to Tim bingctun and Timbrintun. I See" Codex Dip.," Nos. 237, 242, 242 App., Vol. iii. ** Rut query Crow Field. l-f It was called Cudley in King Edgar's lime (see Thomass " Survey, \c of Worcester Cathedral," App. 40); and Cudelei in " Domesday Buck. Nash (Vol. ii., ]>. 439) says Cudley means the field of Codi. 295 also a field called Tincroft, in Lower Smite Farm. The name is written Wearman-den and Werdun, in Anglo-Saxon Charters*, and Wermedum, in " Domesday Book." In Heming's " Car- tulary," p. 355, mention is made of Oldbury and Babels-hill on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Smite f, which is partly in Warn don, and partly in Hindlip. With respect to Smite, Nash says, " Mr. Wm. Fellows, a learned antiquary and vicar of Tibberton, a.d. 1708, supposes it was called Smite I, from an engagement near this place between the Anglo-Saxons and Danes. MS. Fellows ." In HINDLIP, or Inlip, and Alcrinton (now Alfreton), there are Rad Meadow, Wolfs Meadow, Coverley Field, Oldbury Field, Smite Hill, Upper Smite, Lower Smite, Doken Field, and Cold Harborough, or Cold Harbour j|. In the Anglo-Saxon times it was called Hindehlypli ; and in " Domesday Book," Hindelep and Alcrintun. In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 463, mention is made of Herpath, or the military way on the boundaries of this parish. The name Hindlip is said to signify the Hind's Leap- *. A Roman copper coin was found in the rectory grounds in 1840. MARTIN or MERTON HUSSINTREE is spelled in " Domesday Book," Husentree. In the year 1 83"2, a Roman copper coin of Commodus was found on levelling a bank by the roadside, near the inn called the Shoeing Horse. In Catshallff and Coneygree in OMBERSLEY, otherwise Ambresley, and Ambersley, are Hither Warvil, Further Warvil, and Barrow Lane. In Croces, in Sychampton, in Ombersley, there is a place -ailed Portway Plat. * Sec " Codex Dip..'' Nos. 1 1*, llK App., Vol. iii., and 570. + Ibid., Nos. (ils and 1053 as to Smite. f Smitoe in Anglo-Saxon signifies a slow, greasy stream, or pool. Sec Nash, Vol. ii., p. -15'i. Much lias been said of late relative to the derivation of the names of the numerous places called Cold Harbour. See Hagley, pp. 138 to 1-lvJ, and Malvern, pp. 155, 15!), &c. r See " Codex Dip.," No. 40-2, 10'J App., Vol. iii. See Nasi). Vol. ii., p. l-Vi tf There is Calncll Green in l.linlev Lovett. 290 In Stewards, in Sychampton, in Ombersley, there is a place called Salent Oak. In Uphampton, in Ombersley, is a place called Wharwill. In Allies, in BORLEY, in Ombersley, there is a place called Underdoms. This estate has been called by my family name, " Allies," from the time of the earliest Court Rolls of the Manor of Ombersley, which commence in the 43rd Edward III., 1 368. It was formerly of considerable extent, and lay in Brockhampton, Northampton, Mayeux, Beriton, Trylmylne, Winhale, Ambersley, and Borley ; but the name is now nearly confined to that part which lies in Borley. The family removed from Ombersley in the latter part of the 17th century, and have been owners and occupiers of the Upper House Estate, Alfrick, since the former part of the 18th century. A branch of the family of Allies, or Alye, lived in the parish of Northfield, near Ombersley, as appears by the pedigrees in the Herald's Visitations of Gloucester, anno 1623; Hereford, 1683; and London, 1687*. The following extracts, from the Index of the Court Rolls of the manor, relative to grants which had been made out of the estate, are rather curious, as showing the peculiar manners and customs of our ancestors, and the great difference in the value of property, or rather of money, in mediaeval times to what it is at present \: * The coat is azure ; a lion rampant, argent. Crest : On a wreath of the colours, a lion's head cabossed, or., between two wings, sable. The coat of the Ally, or Alye family, of Dorset, is different to the above; and the coat which belonged to Sir Richard Aly, of Sapwell, Co. Hertford, as stated in the Harleian MSS., 1140, for Hereford, does not resemble either of the above mentioned. + Also, see p. 245. cc "fe Ph s^ o ^> *g <1 8 VH S ~ >H '5 H i 5 -3 ? m s Pd w ^ ^ i ( ^ ** o o s ^ * o o to d d c3 ft ft cp l-H so -i< ^ r ' '""' c* O i5 ~d i5 o d Q i i t i i i h- 1 t 1 <0* i i i i c* f t3 'o T3 'o tj ]o n: a M L* P4 is Ph ^3 33 w 13 n3 n3 ,3; S3 H w W PS o ac (h " 3 o -4-> .s 00 fl j3 pd w c ,4 C3 es ct f*4 .2 ^3 J H3 n3 t** - g r^ O p O , o o O Ti cJ 03 3 an r OT u o >- r. g C 2 T3 S ~ S o i< +J "o < -i --> c ,3 s s OT a a; o 5 cj +j o a -l-> oT 'C 60 5 2 s H J -g a; 4-3 t3 -4-3 O OT 5 c -t-3 C ,0 a o c o II o PC cq H Cj O g _-1 i c i. a 2 c -4- c X "5 c J- c -4- a M 5 PC r- rj 1 ts t: 13 TO ^ <~< a. 1m as ec n r. -3 3 OT r i> to 5 OT "5 tc eS OT O X 7 r-3 i << i 3 3 ^ s t* e * t; tC 0> -a -a < & Oh o> ^ OJ to I I co co t- co CO "* -f -t t t r o? r o? 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'a .- c 3 3 c CG +. o o o 55 0) Ptn -t-> -u *j Pm 3 IK S s a a a S "5 * J o c 3 c o 'S p ci o u 03 1 11 P Jz; pq pq PC ) r ^ n3 , , u 3 cS w 03 a *S to to S CD to r. d to o cu 5 5 s cS 03 a 03 c3 ~ 5J 3 Sp to j3 3 ct ~ to ^ to CO cf 1 CO r- | aj CC r. C" 1 rr 2 o C O CD w a C m I I -= o ta o cd m CO e fe a a a; o , O 3 "2 .-3 * ,3 - [H ^5 - -s cS CO li co -t-> a> V o -t-> - d CO hf .2 =y C E 00 - "^s to ^g -13 H CD (5 Ch c^; xi ad r c " J 3 1 1 ;~ co o 5 C o -r; v .had * s 33 CD 2 O w a a = 3 ^= CO ad o cS -^ ~ 4) so H pt| ao - >~5 tn -2 a - o o O a a a 2 O o o > t-j *j CD Oh a a 2 2 5 2 cj ^3 > .3 ^ r* ^ & i-5 o c o z )H H o rt o _ S -3 to t: 4> __ d _j CD ,_ o 0) tj -a P-l 4) CO o os 06 !^ ., v ,_ m >s rH 'C "~ (1 g HH CL, t"H ^ J -1 < ^ 5 r* S W fl fc g 5 HI 0) o a> r* oj "Jl es T Si -u c? S JS a s +3 3 0> cB t-l o e +-; Ph 2 i m < J w rE a> 3 c c t- - 1-1 s PC PC r=S . S 5 u O Oh to cS a ce cc ~ ~ 3 ^ a !? Z on c* C/3 cr 5 0) I ' 0J FH 00 t/ ^ t/ r~< w FH a < 303 Ombersley was anciently written Ambresley, Ambresloy, ami < hnbresley ; in Anglo-Saxon charters, Ambresleah, Ambreslege, and Ambresleia* ; in " Domesday Book" it is spelled Ambreslege (. I X ASTLEY there are places called Sitch Meadow, Great and Little Sitch Meadow, Round Hill, Round Hill Coppice, Peril Cop, Far Rowberry, Coneygreen, Hell Hole, The Yield, The Burf, Part of Upper Woolstons}, Deep-den, and Lincomb, or Lincumb. This parish was anciently spelled Estley, Astley, or yEstlege. In " Domesday Book" it is written Esley. At Red- stone Ferry point, on the western bank of the Severn, where Astley joins to Areley Kings, is the site of an ancient hermitage excavated in the lofty cliff. This is rendered remarkable, as being the place where Layamon, about the time of King John, wrote his " Brut," or Chronicle of Britain ||. In HARTLEBURY there are places called Hargrove, Har- groves, Hargrove Lane, Doles-in-Torton Meadow IT, Egg Lane, Puck Hall Field, Far Puck Hall Piece, Dole**, in Hanging Close ; Round Hill, Tyn-fieldes (Tin Fields), Tin Fields Near, Tin Fields Far; First, Second, and Third Tin Fields ff, Great Hoos Head, and Ell H Meadow. This parish was anciently spelled Huertburie, Hertlibury, and Heortlabiri. In " Domesday," it is written Huerteberie. It is said the name of this place, in the Saxon language, signifies " the hill or place of harts ." See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 56, 5(1 App., Vol. iii., (54, 1355; also, see " Am- brosiae Petrse," Chap. ii. + Tor account of Koinan and other relies, which were found at Iladley Heath, in this parish, together with a British celt found at Lineholt Common, vide p. l(K5 to Id!); also, see account of the Kycknield Street, concerning the site of a probable fort of Ostorius, by the Severn, near Ombersley village. J Wolstan is a contraction of the Saxon name Wulfstan. Sri' Codex Dip.," No. 5fl ; also, pp. 112, 113 of this work. |i Viilr Layamon's " Brtit," Introd., pp 10-1!), Ed. Sir F. Madden; also Nash's " History," Vol. i, p. 41. ^] See p. 113, as to the word Torton. * See Alfrick, p. ^4S. + + See ]). 127. ++ See Kll.ury Hill. i>. 223, ,^e. See p. 113, concerning relies found in Hartlebury: and Chap. iv.. as to 304 In WARESLEY, in Hartlebury, are Tin Meadow and Round Hill. In UPPER MITTON, in Hartlebury, are Organ's Hill, Big and Little Orgau's Hill, and Round Hill. The name Organ pos- sibly may have come either from Organy (wild marjoram) having grown on the hills in question, or from orgies (orgia) mad rites of Bacchus, frantic revels, having been practised there by the Romans or Romanized British. There likewise is Organ's Hill between Heightington and Rock. In ELMLEY LOVETT are Burn Hill, Wat Pit, Tin Mea- dow, Great and Little Puckall, Round Hill, and Catnell Green. Elmley Lovett was anciently called Almeleia or Aumeleia. In " Domesday" it is written iElmeleia. In ARELEY KINGS, or Lower Areley, are Dreacle Hill, Devil's Dib "-''-, The Mounins, Vineyards, Hanstones Hill, Han- stones Bank, Hanstones Little Hill, Hanstones Field, and Hungry Hobourn. It was anciently called Armleg, Harlegh de Rege, and Arley Regis. In STONE, with the Hamlet of Shenstone, are Curslow Hill, Egg Lane Piece, Aggborough Piece, Round Hill, Piper's Close, and Hoo. It was anciently written Staines, and in " Domesday Book," Stanes. In the Hamlet of LOWER MITTON, in the parish of Kid- derminster, are Sleeper's Den, Short Winwood Close, The Vine- yard, and Dane Piece. In RIBBESFORD are Ockeridge Wood and Ridges. The name, in the " Codex Dip.," No. 738, is written Ribbedfordf. Bewdley, in this parish, is derived from Bellus Locus, or Beau- lieu. KIDDERMINSTER was anciently written Chiderminster, and in " Domesday Book," Chideminstre. Dr. Nash says, " the word Kidderminster means a church standing upon the brow of a hill, Margraves, on the limits of the manor, where also are "Lowe Field," " Ilagg Lane," and " Tort on Field." * Or Valley. \ See p. 14(i, as to a celt found there, and as to a Roman coin found at Tickenhill, in Bewdley. 305 and the water running under it. ' Kid' signifying, in the old British, the brow of a hill; ' dur,' water; and 'minster,' a church. Some have supposed Kidderminster to have been de- rived from Cynebert's Minster." In the " Rambler in Worces- tershire," published in 1851, pp. 2, 3, the author, after noticing several definitions of antiquaries as to the name Kidderminster, says, others " facetiously assert that one King Cador resided there in the glorious days of the round table, and that Cader's Minster is thenee derived ; in proof of which, they advance the following whimsical, versified tradition : " King Cador saw a pretty maid ; Kiug Cador would have kissed her ; The damsel slipt aside, and said, ' King Cador, you have miss'd her.' (" i. e., Cador, or Keder-mister.") The above may be taken as a specimen of mediaeval legends in general, which often had reference to names of places*. Laya- mon's " Brut" abounds with them. The manor of Caldwell, in the parish of Kidderminster, is said, by Dr. Nash, to have been " so called, perhaps, from Calida Vallis, being very descriptive of its situation ;" but it probably means Cold-wellf. Mitton, a hamlet in this parish is, in " Domesday Book," called Metune. In the borough of Kidderminster are places called the Danes, and Round Hill. In the parish of the Foreign of Kidderminster, including the hamlets of Hnrcott and Comberton, there are places called Ellerne Field, or Ellame Field, Tipper's Oak, Cop Hill, Battle Field, Bound Hill, Jack's Stile, Upper Street Leasow, Lower Street Leasow, Aggborough, and Hoar Stone J. South of Wribbenhall, near Bewdley, there is a place called the Devil's Spadeful (in Isaac Taylor's map and the Ordnance Map, the Devil's Spittleful). It is a remarkable pinnacle of sandstone rock, situate in Blackstone Farm, in the Foreign of See Oddingley thereon. t See pp. 158, 159. J See p]>. 144, 145, as to Wassiil Hill Camp, or YVarshill Camp, in thi* parish. 806 Kidderminster, and standing about a mile from Blackstone Cave, or Hermitage, not far from Wassal Camp and the Hoar Stone. The following curious legend is told of the " Devil's Spade- ful:" As a cobbler was returning home at night with a pair of shoes to mend, he was met by a certain old gentleman carry- ing a spadeful, who enquired of the cobbler how far it was to Bewdley, as, on account of its great godliness, he wanted to drown it, by throwing the spadeful into the Severn : to which the cobbler replied that it was so far off that he had worn out the pair of shoes he then exhibited in walking from it ; whereupon the old gentleman threw the spadefull down at the spot in question, and declared he would not carry it any further. With respect to the size of this spadeful, a gen- tleman of Bewdley, James Fryer, Esq., favoured me with the following particulars : " The circumference of this rock at the base is about 291 yards. It is naked at the summit, and has a small cavern at the south west end, which has been inhabited. The length at the summit is 67 yards. Its average width is three yards ; and its height about 35 or 40 feet. The rock stands in sulated in a basin of sandy soil, the contents of which may be about a square mile. It has been planted on the sides with beech, Scotch fir, and other trees that grow well." About four or five miles north of the above-mentioned place, there is a spot called the Giant's Grave. Wribbenhall, above referred to, is a hamlet in the parish of Kidderminster, and situated on the left bank of the Severn, im- mediately opposite Bewdley. In the " Archreologia," Vol. xxxi.*, there is the following curious account of a grant of land in this hamlet : " Remarkable Charter of the Twelfth Century from the Muniments of the Lechmere Family. " 18th April, 1844, Evelyn Philip Shirley, Esq., M.P. for the county of Monaghan, exhibited a charter of the twelfth century, from the muniments of the Lechmere family. Tt, is a confirma- tion from Ralph de Mortuo Mari of a grant of land in Wribben- hall, Co. Worcester, made by Turstinus to the monks of a * Appendix, ]>. f<5. 307 monastery not specified. The peculiarities of this charter consist, first, in its being signed with a cross, by each of the persons who made and confirmed this grant a practice of very rare occurrence ; and, secondly, in the seal being suspended by a thin label, not as usual, from the foot of the charter, but from the middle of it. It is believed that this is the only instance hitherto known of such a singular mode of attaching the seal being prac- tised in England ; although something similar exists in the col- lection of charters in the Hotel de Soubise, at Paris." With respect to the above-mentioned mode of signature it must be remarked that few persons signed Anglo-Saxon charters and grants without using either the tauma or the cross*. The hammer of Thunor (Thorr) was the true heathen symbol of all contracts!, and it is well known to have been represented by the cross \. In WOLVERLEY there are Portway Piece, Big Oldbrough, Hound Hill, Solcum, Street Meadow, Street Leasow, Axborough Lane, and Great and Little Axborough. The name Wolverley was anciently spelled Wulfirdingly, Wulwardinglea, Ulwar- delei, Wlwardeley, Wlverslawe, and Wlfreslawe. In " Domes- day Book" it is written Ulwardelei, and in Anglo-Saxon charters, Uulfferdinleah, Uulfordilea, and Wulfweardiglea||. In OVER ARLEY, or Upper Arley, in Staffordshire, there are ColdRidge Wood, Lower Coldridge, Kitlands, Kitlands Coppice, Wall Croft, The Yeals, Wall's Meadow, Upper Burgage, Lower Burgage, Castle Field, Tedge Hole, Hennage, the Innage, The Walls, Little Yeals, Big Yeals. and Hawk-batch ,r . Over Arley * See p. 202. + See " Codex Dip.," Vol. i., Int., pp. 94. 100. I In Kemble's " Saxon's in England," Vol. i., p. 347, it is stated that this peculiar weapon of Tlior " seems to denote the violent crushing thunder-bolt, and the Norse myth represents it as continually used against the giants or elemental gods of the primal world." A branch of the road in question is supposed to have run from Wolverley to Kenvaur Edge, &c. || See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 291, 292, App., Vol. iii., and 70(5. The same work sets forth other names of places in Worcestershire, having the prefix " Wolf," as Wulfandun, No. 59 App., Vol. iii., &c. ^f See p. 1 15, as to the Portway, Roman Cam]), Castle Field, and other relics in this parish. 308 was anciently written " Ernlege, ErnTeah*," Arnley and Arlegh. With respect to the etymology of the suffix " ley," see the account of Abberley Hill ; the prefix " Ar" is British, and sig- nifies the same with super in Latin f. EASTERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. ANCrENT ROADS AND CAMPS, &c. The lines of the ancient roads and camps, on the eastern side of the county, from Middle Hill near Broadway to Bidford, will appear in the account of the Lower Salt-way : and from Bidford to Edgbaston, near Birmingham, &c , in the account of the Ryck- nield Street. * See " Codex Dip.," No. 705. t See Dugdale's " Warwickshire," Vol. i., p. 103. Ed. Thora. 309 %ttt f*g. SALT-WAYS. THE UPPER SALT-WAY, FROM DROITWICH TO EDGBASTON, NEAR BIRMINGHAM. The Upper Salt- way, although not noticed in the Ordnance Map of Worcestershire, is set down in the Rev. Thomas Leman's Map of Ancient British Trackways*, as proceeding north-eastward from Droitwich, through Worcestershire, and along the northern side of Leicestershire to Lincolnshire. Its line from Droitwich to Birmingham, &c, probably was as follows : From Droitwich, (anciently called Wic and Wich), by Doder- hill, and near the line of the Salwarp or Saiowarpe River to Upton Warren, by Stoke Prior, through Bromsgrove, and by or over the east side of the Lickey, and through Shepley, where it probably fell in with the most primitive line of the Rycknield Street, as hereafter statedf. Thence, after their juncture, the two roads passed by Twatling Farm, Tin Fields, Fire or Firy Hill, and Barn or Barnt Green, and through Coston Hacket, Northiield, and Witchall, to Edgbaston, where they separated as hereafter stated. The road then continued by Camp Hill, and on the east side of Birmingham, by Ashted to Salteley, near Duddeston, &c. ; so on to Stretton, on the border of Warwickshire;, as stated in the See Brewer's " Beauties of Kugland and Wales," Jut., p. 13, thirteenth edition, l*ls. t See the conclusion of tliis article, and also tin- account of the Rycknield Street. F do not pretend to say which is the oldest, the Salt-way, or the Ryck- Jiield Street, but should think the latter. { Thai is Stretton en lc fields, in Derbyshire. 310 " Beauties of England and Wales," Vol. i., pp. 61, 6*2 ; and in " Richard of Cirencester," p. 116. DROIT WICH. Much has been said in the former part of this work as to this place having been the Salinac of the Romans ; and that the Salt-ways thereto, which are generally considered to be British, strongly tend to prove that the salt springs at Droitwich were used by the Britons. With respect to the Anglo-Saxon times, it appears that, in 716, iEthelbald of Mercia granted certain saltworks near the river Salwerpe at Lootwic*, in exchange, however, for others to the north of the river f. In the same year he granted a hide of land in Saltwic (Saltwych), uuico {vied) emptorio salis, to Evesham {. In 888, iEthelred, Duke of Mercia, held a gemot at Saltwic, to consult upon affairs both ecclesiastical and secular. The Witan assembled from far and near. Saltwic was frequently in Anglo-Saxon times called Wich or Wiche only, and the prefix " Droit" was added in later times. It is observable here, that the Anglo-Saxon kings possessed a right to levy certain dues at the salt-pans, or the pit's mouth, upon the waggons as they stood, and upon the load being placed in them : these dues were respectively called the waenscilling and seam- pending, literally, icain-shilling and load-penny. See the Charter of iEthelred, Duke of Mercia, in the " Codex Dip.,' No. 1075, and the account of Alfrick in this work ||. Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., pp. 71, 72, in speaking of these dues, says : " The peculiar qualities of salt, which make it a necessary of life to man, have always given a special character to the springs and soils which contain it. The pagan Germans considered the salt springs holy, and waged wars of extermination * And Coolbeorg. t See " Codex Dip.," No. (i7 ; and Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii , p. 70. " Codex Dip.," No. (58. Ihi; and Kemble's " Saxons in England,' Vol. ii., p. -ibl. Also sec Archbishop Wulfstans Charter, No. I'il-i. dated lot?, relative lo Scallwie. See p. Joo. 811 for their possession * ; and it is not improbable that they may generally have been the exclusive property of the priesthood. If so, we can readily understand how, upon the introduction of Christianity, they would naturally pass into the hands of the king ; and this seems to throw light upon the origin of this royalty, which Eichhorn himself looks upon as difficult of explana- tion!. Many of the royal rights were unquestionably inherited from the pagan priesthood {." SALWARP is mostly spelled Saleweorpe or Salwarpe in the Anglo-Saxon charters , and Salewarpe in " Domesday Book." There were in the Anglo-Saxon times, Coil-hill, Coil-ford, Omber- setene, and Portstraet, on the boundaries of this parish ||. The following names of places occur in the line in question from Droitwich to Birmingham : In DODERHILL there are, Hanbury Meadow, The Ridge- way Field, Upper Street, Upper Street Sling, Thumb's Close, Cob's Close, Cob's Croft, Cob's Orchard, Egg Hills, Oven's Hill, Dane's Meadow, Robin Hood Piece, Round Hill, Astwood or Carpel Meadow, Piper's Hill, and Impney*". There is a manor called Wichbold in Doderhill. This name, Dr. Nash:-- says, means " The Hall of the Wicciansff." It is called Wicelbold in " Domesday Book.'' In UPTON WARREN there are places called Woodbury, Warraton Meadow, Wall Dole, Oldbury, TwintonJ*, Great, Little, and near Asthills, Sitch Close, Hell Patch, Kit Meadow, and Warridge. In " Domesday Book" this place is spelled Uptune. ( okesey in this parish is spelled Cockesie. * Tacitus, Ann. xiii., 57. + Deut. Stiuitsr., ii., 426, - J!)7. J Also see the general observations relative to the names, Wick, VVicli, and Wiccia, Chap. I. Vide " Codex Dip.," No. 34, 56, 07, 117, &c. Sec Fleming's Cartulary," p. 35-1 ; Nash, Vol, ii., App., p. 50; ami ' Codex Dip.," Nos. 570, DHS6; also ante, pp. 101), 110, 111. See Burn's '* Ecclesiastical Law," Vol. Hi., pp. 140, 447. * Vol. ii., p. :!47. + t Bin query tlii-. y t Probably meaning Qiiinton. 312 In DOVERDALE*, near Upton Warren, there are places called Hell Hole Meadow, and Round Hill. Doverdale was anciently called Lunuredale and Doudale. " Domesday Book" has it Lunuredele. In STOKE PRIOR there are places called Hell-end Meadow, Harbours Hill Piece, Callow Lane, The Styche, Robin's Meadow, Hobden. In Latin records it is written Stoka, or Stocha. In " Domesday," Stoche. Some ancient bracelets have been found here, and also primitive ovens f. Dr. Nash, in describing the boundaries of Stoke Prior Manor, speaks of Puck Lane and Obden Brook *. In BROMSGROVE PARISH there are Old Hill, Low's Hill, The Lowes, Vigo Piece, Houier Boon, Oven Piece, Wall Hill, Wall Hill Close, Dicel Dole, Dib Dale, Beacon Wood, Round Hill, Beach Dole, Firy Hill, Warding, Twatling Wood, In Beacon's Field, Beacons, Highway Hill, Upper, Middle, and Lower Gannow, The Streets, Dole Meadow, Oldbury, Rattle- stone, Big and Little Mole Horn, Folly Meadow, Dole in Broad Meadow, Doles, Fockbury Meadow, Bache Green, Burcot, Hatu- bery Piece, Big Ambery, Tin Meadows , Yarnell Lane, Mottk's Wood, The King's Chair, Wilkin Close, Tickeridge Piece, Bungay Lane Homestead, Holbourne, Bewell Head, Oven Wood, Pug's Hole Allotment ||, Hambury's Piece and Meadow, The Lear, Upper and Lower Callow's Field, Devil's Den, Cobnail, Jack's Croft, Burcott Yeeld, Shepley Yeeld, Woodcoat Yield, and Fatch Leasow, in Burcott. At a place called Pigeon- House Hill, by Longbridge, on the north side of Bromsgrove Lickey, several Roman coius were found as stated in the account of Droitwich -7 . In " Domesday Book" this parish is called Bremesgrave**, where a place called * See p. 270, relative to the derivation of this name. + Vide pp. Ill, 112. { See Vol. ii., p. 380. Called Pin Fields in the Ordnance Map. Meaning i'nek's Hole. See " Folk-Lore." Tj Set- p. 1H2. * Sec pp. 115, 122 ; also. Chap. IV., and Slirples Road, Rvrkuield Sin i i Iter MX. 313 Tothehel, now called Tonthall Cross-, is likewise noticed. In Kemblc's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., Appendix C, p. 551, in the account of Anglo-Saxon towns, there is the following: " Breraesbyrig. At this place Ethelflsed built a burh. ' Saxon Chron.,' 910. Florence says, ' urbem,' an. 91 1, perhaps Bronis- grove, in Worcestershire, the Et Bremesgrafum of the ' Codex Diplomaticus.' " In COSTON, or Cofton Hackett, there are Creamen Meadow, The Sprights, and " Part of Warstone." Tliis place was anciently called Codestun and Coftun f. In " Domesday Book" it is written Costone. In Chap. IV. on Hoar-Stones, " Whorstone Field" is said to be partly in King's Norton and partly in Crofton Hacket : it also notices " Hoar Apple Tree " in that part. King Offa, in the year 780, gave to the church of Worcester five manses at Wreodenhale, which, in the year 849, were granted by Alhhun, Bishop of Worcester, to King Berhtwulf J. In FRANKLEY there are Game's Meadow, Upper Hoblets, Banky Hoblets, Warstone Farm, Great and Little Hound Hill, Hobacre, Ravens Hays Wood, and Jack Leasow. This parish was formerly spelled Fraunkeleigh, Franchelie, and Frankel ; and in " Domesday Book" it is written Franchelei, which Dr. Nash says " signifies a free or privileged place, this name being pro- bably given to it from the lands being granted by the first Saxon lord, to the tenants, without the reservation of any base services." In support of this conjecture, it may be remarked that the " Domesday" survey of this manor records nine bordarii, but not one villanus. In NORTHFIELD, otherwise Nordfield, there are War- stone, Warstone Field ||, Ellbank Piece, Bumbury Piece, Big Bum- bury Piece, Tin Meadow, Cob's Field, Long Noke, Robin's Field, Big Robin's Field, Robin's Hays, Witches Hough, Quinton Oak, Port Fields, Castle Hill, Kitwell, Harbourne Meadow, Hob Acre, * See Nash, Vol. i., p. 150. t See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 500, 600, 138, 262, 351. { Ibid., Nos. 13S, 202. (j See " Domesday Book."' s. c Cliap. I V. 314 First and Far Hobridge, Hob Redding, Hob's Croft, Jack Piece, Middle and Far Jack Piece, Round Hill, and Weoley Castle. In BIRMINGHAM there are Wor-ston, Warstone Lane*, and Hoar Quebb, in the Foreign of Birmingham!. It is written Ber- mengeham in " Domesday Book." In Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 1 07, there is a quota- tion from Bishop Lyttelton, relative to this line of road, which Higden erroneously calls the Ykenild Street [Rycknield Street] in the whole of the line. The Bishop, however, does not appear to have seen that the part of the road from Droitwich to Broms- grove Lickey meant a part of the Upper Salt-way, which seems to have run into the elder branch of the Rycknield Street at Shepley Heath or Twatling Farm, near Bromsgrove Lickey, and thence proceeded as one road to Edgbaston, where the two branched off as previously stated. The following is the quota- tion : " If any credit may be given to an old writer, R. Higden, cited in Gale's ' Essay on the Roman Roads' J, the Ykenild Street passed through Worcester from Maridunum [Caermarthen], in South Wales, to Droitwich, Edgbaston, Wall near Litchfield, Little Chester, near Derby, and so on to Tinmouth, in Northum- berland ; but, though I cannot subscribe to this, as the Ykenild undoubtedly enters this county at Beoley, in its course from Alcester, in Warwickshire, and passes by Bordesley Park, in Alve- church, and so goes to Edgbaston and Wall ; yet, I have myself often observed a high raised road on the Lickey, pointing di- rectly to Bromsgrove, from whence, 1 make no doubt, it proceeded to Wich, the supposed Salinae of Ravennas, and thence to Worcester." THE LOWER SALT-WAY, AND THE LOWER DEVIATION SALT- WAY. There appears to be two branches of the Lower Salt-way from Droitwich to Northleach, in Gloucestershire ; the one through See Chap. IV. t //'''/ { Leland's " Itin.," Vol. vi., p. 109. :315 Alcester and over Broadway Hill and Middle Hill, to Northleach, aiid the other by Elmley Castle, Ashton Underhill, Sudeley Castle, and Hawling, to Northleach, where they probably united, and ran on to Coin St. Aldwins, and thence to Hampshire, as is hereafter stated. For convenience of description, 1 shall call the former of these two lines The Lower Salt-way, and the latter the Lower Deviation Salt-way. Q^gg^O 010 Iter PH. THE LOWER SALT-WAY, FROM DROITWICH TO BROADWAY HILL, NORTHLEACH, etc. This Salt-way is set down in the Rev. Thomas Leman's Map of Ancient British Trackways as proceeding from Droitwich, through Alcester, to Cirencester, &c. It appears to have gone eastward from Droitwich (Salinae), through Hadsor (where it bears the name of the Salt-way in the Ordnance Map), thence to Mere (or Meer) Green and Bradley Green ; thence through Feckenham and Inkberrow, by Muzzy Hill, north of Hoobery Green, Worces- teshire (where it again is called the Salt-way in the Ordnance Map); thence across the Ridge-way* to Hanging Well, Bunker's Hill Barn, and Alcester Heath, Warwickshire, to the Rycknield Street f, north of Alcester; thence along that street to Bidford ; thence along the line of the Buckle Street from Bidford, through Ullington, in the parish of Pebworth ; thence between the Honey- bournes, through Weston Subedge, over Willersey Hill ; thence over the Cotswolds at Middle Hill, where it resumes the name of the Salt-way. It is stated in the " Salopia Antiqua," that a way called Buckle Street, or Boggilde Street*, passes between Church Honeybourne, in Worcestershire, and Cow Honeybourne, in Gloucestershire. and through Western Subedge in the latter county ; and that it continued southward, under the name of the Salt-way, over the * This Ridgeway probably whs the earliest line of the Rycknield Htrei t. f There described u^ the Haydon-way in the Ordnance .Map. I Called " Buggildc Strict" and " Bucgan Strict." see the Charter of Konrcd and Offa, dated \. D. i'Hl. a:ul in < Codex Dip.," No.-. 01, 2*0, >'>!. J-b\ 317 Cotswolds, along the ridge by the Tower on Broadway Hill*, in Gloucestershire, to Middle Hill, in Worcestershire!, from whence it most probably went in nearly a straight line southward through Smallthorn and Condicote J, to the Foss-way, either at Bourton- on-the- Water, or Stow-on-the-Wold, all in Gloucestershire ; and afterwards to Cirencester, &c. ; or rather, perhaps, it was joined by the Lower Deviation Salt-way at Northleach, and then they went as one road to Coin St. Aldwins, &c, as hereafter stated. From Church Honeybourne (or rather from Ullington) to Alces- ter, it is called the Icknield Street in the Ordnance Map ; but this appears to have been a mistake in that part, from Honey- bourne or Ullington, to Bidford, unless the Rycknield Street did run from South Littleton to Ullington, and then to Bidford, instead of going through Middle Littleton, North Littleton, Cleeve Prior, and Marlciff, to Bidford ||. In Mr. May's " History of Evesham," second edition, p. 304, it is stated that the course of the Buckle Street " is still clearly seen from Bidford to Honeybourne Bridge, through Westonfield, across the new Camden Road, by Saintbury, to the top of Willersey Hill, whence, crossing the London road, east of the Fish, on Broadway Hill, it appears to bave joined the Foss-way at, or near Stow." In the middle of Camp Field, in Seven Wells Farm, Wor- cestershire^, situate on the south-east of Middle Hill **, there are some slight vestiges of a small oblong square camp (lately pointed out to me by Sir Thomas Phillipps). A similar one is visible on the north side, in tbe adjoining field. The traces of * I mther think there must have been an ancient camp on this commanding spot, the site of which has been destroyed by a land-slip, which, to all appear ance, took place there several centuries back. + See Chap. IV., concerning Hoar Stones, in Cutsdean, which parish lies near the line in question, between Middle Hill and Small-thorn. J Or it might have gone by a more circuitous route, through Cutsdean, Temple Guiting, Guiting Power, and Naunton. See " Solopia Antiqua," by the Rev. Charles Henry Hartshorne, Int., p. 12. See " Rycknield Street." Ti Belonging to Lady Louisa Lygon ; not to Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart, as stated in the " Salopia Antiqua." The seat of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. 318 both have been much defaced by the plough. A mound or vallum runs across the Camp Field, between the two camps. This most probably formed part of the Salt-way. Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart., in his " History of Wiltshire," Vol. ii., p. 43, describes a small camp, similar to the above, on the ridge of a hill, near Banwell, in Somersetshire. He says, " Its form proclaims it to be Roman ; but I cannot conceive for what it was destined. It measures, in circumference, 230 yards ; and the area comprehends nearly three-quarters of an acre." It seems probable that these small camps were intermediate watch, signal, or guard stations, to protect messengers, &c, in the lines of the roads between the greater camps. There is a con- siderable camp in the line in question, at Condicote, and also at Bourton-on-the-Water ; and within about two miles north-east of Middle Hill Camps, there is a large camp, commonly attributed to the Danes, situated by Farncombe, between Broadway village and Saintbury, on Willersey Hill, in Camp Farm*, Gloucester- shire, just upon the border of Worcestershire. About seven miles further on, in the same direction, there is a camp on Meon Hill, in Gloucestershire, near to Upper Quinton, Lower Quinton, and Quinton Field, and midway between the Rycknield Street on the west, and the Fossway on the east. This no doubt was a most important station. Before leaving Meon Hill f, we will say a few words on the derivation of the name. Camden supposed the place called Meon Stoke, in the county of Southampton, " to derive its name from the ancient district of Meanwari, which, together with the Isle of Wight, was given to Ethelwald, king of the West Saxons, at his baptism, by Wulphere, king of the Mercians, who was his god-father J." * By the camp there is a great heap of stones, probably a cairn. + Near it there are places called Upper Meon and Lower Meon. The name is sometimes spelled Meen and Mean. There is a hamlet called Mean- wood, in the parish of Leeds, Co. York. J Lewis's " Topographicul Dictionary of England," published 184H. There are also East Meon and West Meon, Co. Southampton. See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 314, &c, and 158. :319 There was a place called the Wilderness of Maon, in the Holy Land ; " it was a mountainous district, in the most southern parts of Judah. Calmet supposes it to be the city of Menois, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza, and the Maenaemi Castrum, which the Theodosian Code places near to Beer-sheba*." But still the question is, from whence the remarkable hill in Gloucestershire took its name. As it was a strong-hold of the Anglo-Saxons, it possibly may have been named by them. The word " Meon " signifies the fifth heaven, the dwelling-place, according to the rabbins \; but we can scarcely believe that the Anglo-Saxons, even if they named the hill, and that after their conversion to Christianity, took it from the above source X, as they were not likely to know anything about rabbinal learning ; no such difficulty, however, attaches to their having called a hill, which lies on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Smite, by the name of " Babels Hill ." It is stated in Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," that " the parish of Quinton is distinguished as the scene of a great battle between the Saxons and Danes ; and on the summit of Meen Hill are the remains of a Saxon camp||, with double intrench- ments, supposed to have been occupied by the West Saxons, at the period of their engagements with the Mercians, at Barring- ton." It is also stated, that the neigbouring town of " Chipping Camden, a place of very great antiquity, is supposed to have derived its name from an encampment, formed prior to a battle 1 K'twcen the Mercians and the West Saxons. In 089, a congress of the Saxon chiefs, confederated for the conquest of Britain, was held here." In the reign of Charles I.,H Mr. Bobert Dover established * Dr. Adam Clarke's "Com.," on 25th ver.ofChap.xxiii. of First Book of Sam. + Ibid., on Chap. xii. of 2 Cor., ver. 2. J The word Meon likewise signifies the moon; also, men, a multitude, &c. 5 See Warndon, p. 2U5. || Various Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and other relies have heen found in the vicinity; ifninely, at Four-Shire Stone, Porn, Badsey, Church Iloneyhourne, Onenham, and Cleeve Prior. ^| Or .lames 1. 320 Whitsun-week games on the Cotswold Hills, which are described in a book published in London in 1036, intituled, "Annalia Dvbrensia, vpon the yearly celebration of Mr. Robert Dover's Olympic Games upon Cotswold Hills ;" wherein one of the authors speaks of the " sweet Meonian quill of Homer." These games, although very much degenerated, are still celebrated, in the shape of a wake, at Chipping Camden, at a spot called Dover's Hill. The names of fields and places in the line in question, are as follow : In St. PETER'S PARISH, DROITWICH, there are several pieces of land called by the name of Sutnal. In St. ANDREW'S, DROITWICH, there are TrimneVs Dole, Camp Hill, and Furlong ; Falsam Fields, Sutnall Field, Singer's Hill, Great and Little Singer's Hill, Masgundry Field, Lozelle Field, and Belfrey Lozelles. HADSOR was anciently called Hadeshore, or Headdes Ofre. In this parish is Cockshoot Hill. In HANBURY, near Droitwich, there are Spa Piece, Beauhall Meadow, Big and Little Beauhall, and Kitsall. It was formerly called Heanbiri ; and Heanbyrig, in the " Saxon Chronicle," anno 675. There are various mentions of Heanbyrig, in the Saxon charters-. Dr. Nash remarks, that Hanbury means the village on the height f, or High-town, on account of the situation of the church ; and that Roman coins are said to have heen found there. It is called Hambyrie, in " Domesday Book." In 830, Wiglaf, of Mercia, confirmed the liberties of Hanbury, with all its possessions, including salt- wells and lead- works J. In STOKE (or Stock) and BRADLEY, there are the Salts, Marl Pit Close, Part of Harcourts, Near and Far Sale's Orchard, Puck Croft, Beart Field, and Part of Ronsil Meadow. There are numerous ancient marl-pits in this county. Pliny says, the Britons manured their grounds with marl. * Vide " Codex Dip." Nos. 32, 127, 106, and 237. + From the Saxon, " ham," home ; " vicus," village. \ Vide " Codex Dip.," No. 237 ; and Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 70. 32] With respect to the word " Sale," it may be remarked that the Salt-way is sometimes so called. In Knighton-on-Teme, there are Over Sale Meadow and Over Sale Field ; Salent Oak, in Stewards, in Sychampton, in Ombersley ; and Sallen's Field and Orchard, in Abberley. Stock and Bradley are hamlets in Fladbury. In FECKENHAM there are Worralls,Worrah"s Hill, Norgrove, Merry-Come- Sorrow, Monksbury, Upper and Lower Puck Close, Astwood Close, Norbury Hill, North Norbury Hill, South Nor- bury, Old Yarn Hill, Old Yarn Hill Meadow, Tricks's Hole, Allotment in Trickholes Lane, Auberry Hill, Berrow Hill, Wad- berrow Hill, Wadberrow Meadow, Castle Hill, Camp Field, Wargrave, Warridge, Round Hill, Fearful Coppice, Holborn Hill, Kit's Iron, Windmill Peril, Peril Field, Great and Little Blaze Hill, Blaze Butts, Blaze Meadow, Big and Little Fire Field, Upper and Lower Horcuts, Salt Meadow, and Ridgeway. In the Saxon charters this name is spelled Feccanhom ; in " Domesday Book," it is written Fecheham. The Hoar-stone Field, in Feckenham, is mentioned in Chap. IV. DORMSTON, in " Domesday Book," is spelled Dormeston. Cockshute, or Cockshoot, is situated near to Dormston Hill. KINGTON, also called Kinton, or Kingston, alias Tokynton, is in " Domesday Book" written Chintune. In INKBERROW there are Bustard Hill*, Bustard Hill Meadow, Round Hill, Noberry Hill, First and Second Archer's Hill, Holbro' Field, Holbro' Piece, Holbro' Green Piece, Holberrow Green, First and Middle Astwood Hill, Astwood Meadow, Hongerhillf Meadow, Salter's Street Ground, Muzzy Hill, Muzzy Coppice, Devil's Bowling Green J, and Pinnils, or Pinhill. This parish was formerly called Intanbeor- * It is said the bustards arc extinct in England, and nearly so in Scotland, f See p. 65, as to tliis name. X The above place seems to have been named ironically, as I am informed it was, till lately, one of the roughest nieces of ground in the parish. $ Also see the - Folk-Lore." V 322 gus, Intebeorgan, and Intanbeorg* ; in " Domesday," Inteberge and Inteberga. In CHURCH HONEYBOURNE there are Tump Bewhill and Pitch Hill. It was anciently written Hunburne and Honi- burne ; and in " Domesday Book," Huniburne. Ancient relics have been found in this parish f. In BROADWAY there are Rudgeway I Furlong, and Dornap. In the Saxon charters, it is written Bradanweg; and in " Domesday Book," Bradeweia. * Vide Codex Dip.," Charters, 183, 613, 644, and 898. t Vide p. 88. X Rudgeway means Ridgeway. Vide summary of the Ridgeways. See " Codex Dip.," No. 570. 323 Iter PHI. THE LOWER DEVIATION SALT-WAY' DROITWICH TO ASHTON UNDERHILL, SUDELEY CASTLE, NORTH-LEACH, &c. The Lower Deviation Salt-way appears to have run from Droit- wieh, by Hadsor and Newland Commons, along the Salt-way, and into the Trench Lane, which passes through Oddingley, and thence along the east side of the Trench Woods, and through Hodingtonf, by Sale Green];. It then most likely continued through Crowle, Broughton Hacket, and by Upton Snodsbury ; thence through Churchill, White Ladies Aston, Wolverton, and by Peopleton, Pinvin Heath, and Pershore ; thence through Little Comberton, Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, and along the part there called the Salt-way into the Rycknield Street at or near Ashton- under- Hill, which it crossed in its course southwards. This view appears to be borne out by what is stated in the " Beauties of England and Wales," Vol. i., pp. 61, 62 ; and by the following quotation from " Richard of Cirencester ." " The Lower Salt-way is little known, although the parts here described have been actually traced. It came from Droitwich, crossed Worcestershire under the name of the Salt-way, appears to have passed the Avon somewhere below Evesham, tended towards the chain of hills above Sudeley Castle, where it is still * See pp. 314, 315, as to this title. + See pp. 109, 110, as to this line of road, aud the antiquities found in those parts. J See pp. .'til, 321, as to Sale. Hatchard. p. 116. 324 visible, attended by tumuli as it runs by Hawling. Thence it proceeds to North Leach, where it crossed the Foss, in its way to Coin St. Aldwin's, on the Ikernan Street, and led to the sea- coast of Hampshire*." It is called " Salt- way Road" in the Ord- nance Map, as it passes from North Leach on the east side of Coin St. Dennis, Coin Rogers, and Winson, and on the west side of Aldsworth. In ODDINGLEY there are places called Sitch Meadow, Round Hill, Ourshill, Trench Wood, and Marl Pit Field. [n the Anglo-Saxon time, Callow Hill (Calwan Hill) was one of the boundaries of Oddingley f. The name is spelled Oddungalea, Odduncalea, Odingalea, Oddinga-lea. Oddungahlea sive Oddin- gleye, in several Anglo-Saxon charters \, and Oddunclei in " Domesday Book." With respect to the etymology of Oddingley, Dr. Nash says, " It would be childish to repeat the legend of two giants, Odd and Dingley, who are said to have fought upon the Common here ; and Dingley getting the better, Odd is said to have cried out, " Oh Dingley, Dingley, spare my breath, It shall be called Oddingley Heath. " But perhaps it might derive its name from Oddo, a noble duke of the Mercians, who, together with Doddo, another Mercian duke, were buried in Pershore Church, the latter taking the habit of a monk there ]|." However, the Doctor afterwards says, Oddingley means the field of OdingH ; and, if by that he meant the Saxon God, Odin, or Woden**, we think he is quite correct. * By Venta Belgarinm (Winchester), and Clausentnm (Bittern), t See Nash, Vol. ii., App. 51 ; and Fleming's " Cartulary," p. :S55. I See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 100, &c. Vol. ii., p. auo. |! Dugd. " Mon." i., 154. It is said they founded Tewkesbury Monastery, and Dudley Castle. (See Saxon Chronicle.) % See Vol. ii., p. 437. There certainly was a person of the name of < Idin, nn under-tenant of land in Cheshire at the formation of the " Domesday" Survey. ** It is said that Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, means Wodensbury. Heming's " Cartulary," p. 1 * { 1 , notices Wodnesfeld. 325 This place is supposed to have heen one of the Anglo-Saxon marks*. HIMBLETON. In Hearing's " Cartulary," pp. 355, 356, there are places stated to be on the boundaries of Himbleton, in the Anglo-Saxon times called Egbert's Thorn, Bere Croft), Chester Gate, Chester Way, Badas Ash, and Win stile \. Dr. Nash notices, likewise, Puck Hill Corner, and Puck Hill, as boundaries of Himbleton mentioned in the Parliament Survey in 1648. Himbleton is also called Hymelton, Hemelton, or Humilton. " In 884, ^Ethelred, Duke of Mercia, who acted as a viceroy in that new portion of iElfred's kingdom, and exercised therein all the royal rights as fully as any king did in his own territories, gave ^Ethelwulf five hides at Humbleton, and licence to have six salt pans, free of all the dues of king, duke, or public officer, but still reserving the rights of the landlord ||." HODINGTON, otherwise Huddington, or Huntenatune, is, in " Domesday Book," called Hudingtune. It is probable that this place was one of the Anglo-Saxon marks*!. BROUGHTON HACKETT is, in "Domesday Book," written Bretune. GRAFTON-SUPER-FLIVORD was anciently called Graston or Grafton. In " Domesday Book" it is written Garstune**. In FLYFORD FLAVELL, or Flavell Flivord, there is a place called Puttocs End, or Pothooks Inuff. The name is spelled FUeferth, and Fleferth in " Codex Dip.," No. 346, &c. In NORTH PIDELET there is a place called Enuick Ford In UPTON SNODSBURY there are places called Castle Hill, Hawfoot, Sulladine Field, and Salt Moor Meadow. This parish is * See pp. 228, 229. + See p. 190, as to the derivation of this name. J J'it/e Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 52. Ibid., Vol. i., p. 579. Sic Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 71, and " Codex Dip," N... 1006. % See p. 229. ** (iars menus ^ r ras> in Saxon. H Soe Lulsley, p. 249. 326 also called Uptou Stephani,, and Upton-juxta-Snodsbury. In " Domesday Book" it is written Snodesbyrie*. In CHURCHILL f, near Bredicot, there is a place called the Naight, meaning Ait or Island. The name of this parish is Circehille in " Domesday Book." It was anciently written Chirchehelle, Corishull, Chirshall, and Sarishell. NAUNTON BEAUCHAMP is also called Naunton, Newington, or Newintune. In WHITE LADIES ASTON J there are Harolds Close, Far, Middle, and West Bury Field, and Low Hill. In STOULTON there are Wainherd's Hill, Whoyn Hills, and Wolverton. In the Anglo-Saxon times there were Herepath and Lusthorn (Lousethorn), on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Wol- verton . In PEOPLETON there are Hunger Hill, Norchard Field, and Vorty Close. This parish is also called Pibleton, Peobleton, or Pebelton. It was formerly written Piblinton and Piplintune. In WYRE PIDELET, a hamlet in Fladbury, there are Sitchway Lane, and Sitchway Closes. It is called Pidelet or Pidele in " Domesday Book." Part of the church is said to be of undoubtedly Anglo-Saxon workmanship ||. In the parish of ST. ANDREW PERSHORE, there are Bearcroft, Sa^m Common Meadow, Dear Sale, Cosnett's Meadow, Allsborough Hill, and Tidsley Wood. Pershore, or Pearshore. was anciently called Perseora and PersoraT. It also contains a parish called Holy Cross. BESFORD, sometimes called Besbrook, is written Beford in " Domesday Book." LITTLE COMBERTON. A Saxon coin of Edward the Elder was a few years since found in this parish. On the obverse there is the inscription, EADWEARD REX., and on the reverse, ABBA * See the " Folk-Lore." + There also is Churchill, near Kidderminster. J See pp. 22 Recovery of the Courses i>i' the four Great Roman Ways," written about tin- year 1/(50, and inserted by Hearne, in Lcland's " Itinerary,'' Vol. iv., ed. 1704. J See Chap. IV.. roneerning the Hoar Stone which stood there. 880 its course is said to have been through Derby, Chesterfield, York, and so to Tynemouth*. I am, however, inclined to think that, instead of this road having, in the ancient British time, gone from Evesham through South Littleton, Middle Littleton, North Littleton, Cleeve Prior, and Marl Cliff, to Bidford, Alcester, and Beoley, it went through Offenham, Lench Wick, Sheriff's Lench, Atch Lench, Church Lench, Stoney Morton, and along the Ridgeway by Iledditch, to Bordesley, in Alvechurch, near Beoley. It is probable, however, that the Romans, during the latter period of their dominion here, avoided the ridgy ground f in the last-mentioned line, and took the road through the former places. That part which is called the Ridgeway is of considerable length, and runs on the border of Feckenham, between Worcestershire and Warwickshire, near Alcester. Several antiquaries consider it to be Roman]:; but it is more probably the ancient British part of the line of the Ryck- nield Street, which the Romans in part abandoned for the easier course. From Bidford to Alcester this road is called Ickenild Street in Yates's Map of Warwickshire. In the Ordnance Map, from thence northwards to Ipsley, it is called the Hay den-way j| ; thence from Ipsley to Beoley, and towards King's Norton and Edgbaston, the Icknild-way ; between Birmingham and Lichfield, the Ick- * See Collen's " Britannia Saxonica;" also, Leland's " Itinerary," Vol. vi., pp. 116 to 150; and Nash's " History of Worcestershire, Vol. L, Int., p. 3. J- The ancient Britons, no doubt, preferred the ridges of the lulls for the lines of their roads, as the elevations afforded them greater protection against their enemies ; but when the Romans became settled in their government of this country, it was natural for them to make deviation lines to avoid difficult or crooked routes, see p. 237. X See " Beauties of England and Wales," Vol. i., pp. 01, 02, and Vol. xv., Part 2, p. 8. The Ordnance Map calls it the Icknield Street from Ullington, in the parish of Pebworth, to Bidford ; but this appears to have been part of the Buckle Street, unless the Rycknield Street ran from South Littleton to Ulling ton, and thence to Bidford, instead of going through Middle Littleton, North Littleton, Cleeve Prior, and Marlcliff, to Bidford. See p. 310. || There is a road called the Maiden way by the Wall, and Bewcastle, in Cumberland. 33] meld Street, and so on to Wichnor-on-Trent, &c. In the Rev. Thomas Leman's Map of the Ancient British Trackways, how- ever, as set forth in the " Beauties of England and Wales*, it is called the " Rykenield Street," in its whole length from St. David's to Tynemouth. The following notices of this street, and of its branches between Beoley and Edgbaston, have been collected from various sources. In the " Beauties of England and Wales f" it is stated that the Consular-way, or " Ikening Street," passes from Alcester, through Alvechurch parish, and again appears at Shepley J, in Bromsgrove. Nash says, " At Shepley appears the Ikenild Street, which, coming out of Warwickshire at Beoly, re-enters it at Edgbaston." In Gough's additions to " Camden ||" it is stated that the " Yke- nild Street passes by Bordesley Park, in Alvechurch," and that " there is a lane leading from the Lickey, towards Tardebig and Alvechurch, commonly called Twatling Street, which, no doubt, is a corruption from Watling Street, a name common to Roman roads, as some writers have observed, there being one in Scot- land and two or three in England H." In p. 477, it is stated that " Through Alvechurch, near Bewdley (meaning Bordesley) the Ikening Street passes, in its way from Alchester to Wall, near Lichfield. It is mentioned as a boundary within this parish, in a deed, 30th Henry VIII.**" The Ikenild Street, in Alvithchurch, is also noticed in one of the Records of the Tower of London, relating to the county of Worcester ff. Nash, in his account of Alvechurch, says, " The Roman Con- sular way, called, both anciently and to this day, the Icknyng * Introduction, p. 13, ed. 1818. + Vol. l. r >, Part 2, p. 0. X Called Scipenelea in " Codex Dip.," No. 680. Vol. i., p. 160. Vol. ii., p. 473, second edition, 1806. ^[ Vide also the Index to Gibson's Edition of Camden's " Britannia;" also, Nash, Vol. ii. Appendix, ]>. 107, where he quotes Bishop Lytteltou on the subject, who says it is sometimes called Ickle, or Ikenyld Street. Nash, Vol. i , ]). 17. + t Pat. 12 Kdw. II., |>. m. 12. firlr Nash, Vol. ii. App., p. 7r>. 332 Street, passes through Alvechurch in its course from Aulcester to Wall, near Litchfield. I find it mentioned as a boundary of land within this parish, in an indenture between William Wyl- lington, Esq. and John Field, of King's Norton, dated the 30th year of King Henry VIII., in which the said William demises a yearly rent of 3s. Ad., and a heriot issuing out of a certain leasow called Swanshall, extending in length unto Ikneld Street, lying in Alvechurch. Also, one Henry de Ikenyld Street occurs as a witness to a grant of land in Alvechurch, in a deed of the time of Henry III., in the possession of Edward More, Esq." Hutton, in his " History of Birmingham," says, part of the " Ikeneld Street" is called Warstone Lane in passing through that neighbourhood*. Th above statement, that the Ikening [Rycknield] Street passes from Alcester through Alvechurch parish, and again appears at Shepley in Bromsgrovef, is strong evidence that, in the ancient British time, the line of this road ran to Shepley, and there joined the Upper Salt-way ; its course in that part was probably from the Ridgeway to Headless Cross ; it then passed by Redditch and Bordesley, through Tardebig, by Salter's Lane, Bidgway Close, Broad Green, and Tutnal J, in Tardebig, to Twatling Street ; thence to the Upper Salt-way at Shepley, or Twatling Farm, and thence in the line of the Salt- way, by the east side of Bromsgrove Lickey, through Cofton or Coston Hacket, Northfield and Wytchall to Edgbaston, where the Salt-way branched off. It is probable that the Romans varied the line in this part by carrying it from Evesham through the Littletons, Cleeve Prior, Marlcliff, Bidford, Wicksford, Alcester, Coughton, and Studley, and by Machbarrow Hill, through Ipsley and Beoley, along Eagle Street, in Beoley, and by Weatheroak or Witherock Hill, in Alvechurch ; that it then crossed the road called Silver Street, passed through King's Norton and Moseley to Edgbaston, and thus avoided the * See Chap. IV. \ Ibid., concerning a mention of " Hoar-Stone," in a survey of Bromsgrove, Norton, and Alvechurch. X See p. 2:1:$, mi the name Tutnal. see p. am. 333 1 tills and tortuosities of the primitive line in that district. As some evidence that the Romans did thus vary the line, it may be remarked that there are several places in Beoley called the Port- way* ; and three fields near the south side of Weatheroak, in Alvechurch, upon the roadside leading from Beoley to King's Norton, two of which are called by the name of Icknield Street, and the third Lower Icknield Street f." In Nash's map, the whole of the line from Alcester to Edgbaston is described as the " Roman road called Ykenield Street." The line of the Rycknield Street, from Gloucester to Tewkes- bury, seems to have been through Down Hatherley by Barrow Wood, The Barrow, and Barrow Hill, to Tredington ; and thence along the RudgewayJ, by Walton Cardiff. The following names of fields and places occur in the line of this street from Gloucester, through South Littleton, to Edgbas- ton, near Birmingham. GLOUCESTER is said to have been the Caer-Gloew or Kair- glow (bright city) of the ancient Britons. It surrendered to the Romans a.d. 44, and became the Glevum, or military station of that people. Tesselated pavements, coins, drinking vessels, lamps, and other Roman relics found at Kingsholm, the northern suburb ||, are mentioned in the "Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries*"." Tt is noticed in the "Saxon Chronicle," 577. 918, as Urbs Gloverniae, Glocestriae, a fortified city of Mercia**. There is a place culled the Port-way in the Ordnance Map, a little east- ward of the line in question, probably a branch of the line. f Tins term, " Lower Icknield Street," does not allude to a lower road, but ii lower field. The first field is upon the roadside, the second adjoins the first westward, and the third, or lower field, adjoins the second westward. J See the summary of the Ridgeways as to this name. Some suppose Caer-Gloew, or Glow, to be derived from a British prince named Gloew. || This was perhaps the line of the Rycknield Street, out of Gloucester. *J See Wright's " Gazetteer." ** See Kemble's " Snxons in England," Vol. ii., p. r ))5. 834 Rudgeway occurs between Tredington and Walton Cardiff, Co. Gloucester. In TEWKESBURY, Co. Gloucester, Coins of Trajan and Maximianus were found in a meadow near to the town*. I have seen, in the collection of Mr. James Dudfield, of Tewkesbury, relics which are thus noticed in Mr. Bennett's " Tewkesbury Yearly Register and Magazine," for 1842, No. 30. " In digging the foundation of the railway station house in this borough, the workmen discovered, within a few yards of High Street, and at the depth of about eleven feet, a perfect Roman sepulchral urn, containing a quantity of wood ashes, some frag- ments of bones, and a silver coin of the Emperor Septimus Severus. Immediately beneath the urn was found an ancient earthen vessel, filled with wood ashes ; and imbedded in the ad- joining soil was a fine copper coin of the Emperor Commodus. The urn evidently was beautifully glazed, with mottled green glaze, but which now, on the exterior, is partially destroyed by the alkali in the ashes in which it was imbedded." In ASHCHURCH, Co. Gloucester, in the district of the Tithings of Northway and Newton, there are places called Cur- borough, Little Curborough, Three Ridges, Petter Hedge, Flat King's Land, Little King's Land, Carrant Meadow, Salton's Bridge Meadow, Long Shooters, and Short Shooters ; and in the Tithing of Tiddington there are places called Cop Thorne, Ridgway Hill, Ridgway Piece, Ridgway Meadow, Saltmere Piece, Tyre Field, Burrough, and Burrough Length. In OVERBURY, otherwise Uferebirif, Uverbirie, or Upper Bredon parish, Co. Worcester, there are places called Wash- bourn, or Wassanburnan. In " Domesday Book" Overbury is written Oureberie. Dr. Nash says the name means the Upper Village, and that Teddington in this parish signifies the town of Teoding. This latter place is supposed to have been one of the * See Gough's " Camden.', Also see p. 66, as to the Mythe Tnte, near Tewkesbury, and p. 34, as to Roman coins found in Oldbury Gardens, f See " Codex Dip." No. 308. 335 Anglo-Saxon marks*. In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 3G2, Carente, Bules Ditch, and Pevin-ton, are mentioned as Anglo-Saxon boun- daries of Teddington. The Caerent, Carantf, Cerent, or Carron River, runs by the South side of Bredon Hill, through Overbury, Kemerton, and Ashchurch parishes, into the Avon J, near Tewkes- bury. Offaof Merciagave certain property at Teottingtun,orTetyng- ton, near the river Cerent, to the monastery at Bredon . There is another river of this name in the north, as appears by the follow- ing extract from the dissertation concerning the era of Ossian || : " Ossian, in one of his many lamentations on the death of his beloved son Oscar, mentions, among his great actions, a battle which he fought against Caros, king of ships, on the banks of the winding CarunlT. It is more than probable that the Caros mentioned here is the same with the noted usurper Carausius, who assumed the purple in the year 287, and, seizing on Britain, defeated the Emperor Maximinian Herculius in several naval engagements, which gives propriety to his being called, in " Ossian 's Poems," the king of ships. The winding Carun is that small river, retaining still the name of Carron, and runs in the neighbourhood of Agricola's wall, which Carausius repaired to obstruct the invasions of the Caledonians." In Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 77, it is stated that there is a village in Somersetshire, near Dunstor Castle, dedicated to a Saint named Caranton. In Little Washborn, a chapelry in Overbury, there is a place called the Hob Nails. SEDGEBERROW, otherwise spelled Seggesbury, Sedge- bearuwe, Secgesbearwe, Seggesberge, and Sedgberewe, is situated on the western side of the bropk ^Esegbunie. In " Domesday Book," Sedgeberrow is written Secgesbarue. Offa gave Segges- See p. 229. f See "Codex Dip." No. 140, &c. J Avon is the Gaelic word for river. Heming's " Cartulary," p. 453, and Dr. Thomas A., p. 18; see also my account of the Toot Hills, p. 232, &c. || See Denlmm and Dick's edition, 1805, Vol. i., pp. !>, 10. 5f " Car-avon, winding river.'' 886 berewe to Aldred, duke of the Wiccians. Various relics have l>een found here. See p. 85. EVESHAM. The appellation Eovesholme, or Eovesham, is said to be derived from Eoves, a swineherd in the service of Egwin, third Bishop of Wessex, who is reported to have had a miraculous vision at the spot where the Abbey was afterwards founded. It was anciently called Homme, Haune, Hetheholme, Ethomne, Cronuchomme and Eovesham. At HAMPTON (Great) there is a place called Vineyard Hill. A vinery was established there in the Conqueror's time. It con- tains the hamlet of Little Hampton. The name is spelled Hantun in " Domesday Book." BENGEWORTH was anciently called Benningweord, or Benninewyrth. Dr. Nash says, the signification of tins name is the farm or estate of Beniug. BADSEY in " Domesday Book" is spelled Badesei. Kendred and Offa granted lands here. In the title deed of an estate in Badsey Aldington, and Bretforton- : , dated in 1723, there is a piece of land described as a " toft, called or known by the name of Toten" in Badsey, and " a close or pasture ground lying in Port way Furlong." It is not, however, specified in which of the above places the latter w r as situated. Ancient relics have been found in this parish f. ALDINGTON, anciently Ealdenadun*, is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon " marks ." In WICKHAMFORD there are, Green Street, Pitcher's Hill, Came's Acre, Coomb Nap, (Knap). Wickhamford was anciently called Wicque. In " Domesday Book" it is Wiquene ; and in a charter of Kendred and Offa, Wikewane. In SOUTH LITTLETON are, Vineyard Orchard and Howburn Hill. In " Domesday Book" this place is written Liteltune. * Bretforton is noticed in the " Codex Dip.," No. 2^. f See pp. 87, 88. I See " Codex Dip.," No. 01. See ]). 2'2!1. 387 CLEEVE PRIOR* was anciently called Clive. In May's " History of Evesham f", it is stated, that at " Cleeve Prior, being the portion between Bidford and Littleton, the road (Rycknield Street) may be clearly traced along the verge of the wide-spread terrace that slopes upward from the river's brink, and expands into a level plane of greensward from Marl Cleeve to Oflenham, including Cleeve Prior and the three Littletons + in its extent. This road has now the appearance of a mere bridle- path some six feet in width." MARLCLIFF, in Warwickshire, is called Marlcleeve, or Martcleeve. In GREAT ALNE, Co. "Warwick, near Alcester, there are places called Hobbin's Close, Curmoor (or Carmore) Hill, Cur- moor Corner, Graffel's Orchard, Elvin's Close, Pecket Stones, and Brittains. In IPSLEY, Co. Warwick, there are, Shakespeare Ground, Jack Ground, Marl-pit Close, Jack's Croft, Round Hill, Bloody Pit, and Hob's Croft. In BEOLEY, Co. Worcester, there are, Ravensbank ; Pleck by Portway Road ; Close south of Portway ; Hob's Croft Close next to Portway ; Torment Hill, Round Hills, Aldborough Meadow and Ground, The Tranters, Ground above Eagle Street ||, Kitcroft, Phasom, Hob Hill, Hob Meadow, Hob Rough, Little Hob Hill ; Ground next Portway f Sling near Elvins ; Pink Field, Pink's Green, Bransom's or Branston's Cross, Astley Ground, Great Storage Hill and Coppice, Little Storage Hill, Pleck at Dagnel-end Lane, Pleck by Portway Road. The name of this parish was formerly Body and Brokeleigh. In " Domesday Book" it is called Beoly. There are relics of a square trenched camp at the top of Beoley * See p. 91, &c, as to ancient relics found there, f Second edition, p. 36.3. J Namely, North, Middle, and South Littleton. Perhaps means peaked stones. || This is by the roadside which leads from Studley and Ipsley parishes to Wetheroak hill, Alvechurch. Z 338 Hill, about three or four hundred yards from the Rycknield Street. The plateau in the centre is about sixty or seventy yards square, and the entrance appears to have been at the north side of it. In OLDBERROW, otherwise Oldburrow, or Owlborough, Co. Worcester, there are, Harding's Pleck, Harding's Meadow, Wharnap Hill, Great Cadboro', Cadboro' Coppice, Banner's Hill, Puck Meadow, Little Oldborough, Little Oldborough Wood, and Gospel Bit. This parish was anciently called Ulberge. In " Domesday Book" it is written Oleberga. Dr. Nash says, " it is called Old Barrow, or Borough, from an ancient tumulus here, though some have conjectured it Owlborough*, from the quantity of those birds which were found here ; certain it is, that at the latter end of the reign of Edward III. there was a family of the Owleborough's here, and their arms were three Owls, as painted in the church windows." In the " Companion to Greenwood's Map of Worcester," pub- lished in 1822, it is stated, that Oldberrow " takes its name from an ancient tumulus, wherein several curious warlike weapons have been found at different periods." With respect to the etymology of the names " Great Cadboro'," and " Cadboro' Coppice," it may be observed, that the words " Cad" in Welsh, and " Cath" in Irish, signify a battle. In " An Inquiry into the History of King Arthur," which appeared in the " Gentleman's Magazine" for July 1842, it is stated, in the account of the " Battle of Cadbury," that " Agned Cathbregion has been generally recognised in the modern Cadbury, a place of considerable natural strength. In Somersetshire there are North and South Cadbury. There is also Cadbury Camp or Castle, near Tiverton, Co. Devon, where Roman remains have been found f, and Cadbury parish, in Devonshire. There also are pieces of land in Worcestershire called Cadmore Field, and Cadmore Meadow, in Berrington in Tenbury. In ALVECHURCH, Co. Worcester, there are, Impey, * See " Codex Dip.," No. 60, as to Ulanuyl (Owlwell), in Worcestershire. + See the " Journal of tlie Arclueologiral Institute," Vol. v., p. 191, &c. Icknield Street, Lower Ickniekl Street, The Himpey, Will Fields, Cob's Meadow, Pennils or Pinhill, Round Hill, Battle Field, Robin's Hill, Long Cross Himpey, and Long Himpey Street and Meadow. This parish is vulgarly called Allchurch ; it was anciently designated Alvinechurch, Alveinecherche, Alviethcherche, and iElfgythe-cyrcea. In KING'S NORTON, Co. Worcester, which includes the chapelries of Moseley and Wythall, there are, Tin Meadow, Hob Irons, Round Hill, The Dole, Hobbis's Piece, Pucklin's Meadow ; Big, Little, Upper, Middle, and Lower Pucklins, Puck- lin's Lane, Warstone, Warstock Piece, Barrow Field, Upper Dobbins and Lower Dobbins. In SOLIHULL, Co. Warwick, there are, Street's Brook Coppice, Street's Brook Meadow, Copt Heath, Hobbin's Close on Copt Heath, Warstoc Corner, Camp Close, The Bufferys, Puck- nell's Close, Jack Lands, War-croft, War Meadow, Waring's Coppice, Shirley Street Meadow, Dumble Pit, Hare-croft, Near Hare-croft, Upper, Lower, and Far Elkin, and Hob's Moat. In YARDLEY, Co. Worcester, anciently Eardleah *, Gyrd- leah, and Gyrdleaf, there are, Ballondes Lane, and Hell Bank. The following Names occub in the supposed Route of the Rycknield Street, fbom Evesham to Edgbaston. In OFFENHAM, or Uffenham, there are, Norvill, Upper, Middle, and Lower Norvill, and Hob's Hole. Antiquities have been found here. Vide p. 90. In NORTON (alias Abbot's Norton) and Lenchwick, there are, Asken Comer, Upper Sytch, Long Dragon's Piece, Chad- bury; and Swatman's Ground. In " Domesday Book," Norton is written Nortune. This name signifies North-town. In HARVINGTON, formerly Hervertonne J, there are, Green Street, Round Hill, and Nurder. In Heming's " Car- * See " Codex Dip.," No. 507. f Ibid., ft70, 816, 1322. Ibid., No. 61. 340 tulary," p. 347, there are, Hunningham Street, and Wistan's Bridge, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Harvington*. " The Round Hill" is a small meadow on the Harvington Manor House Estate, and the two adjoining fields are called " The Bury Lenches." At the present day there is no tumulus to be met with in the meadow, nor yet in the Lenches ; the inference from this is, that the Round Hill was removed a long time back. Nashf says, that the name Harvington, formerly Hereforton, means, " The town on the military ford." In " Domesday Book" Harvington is written Berferthun. Tins place is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon " marks J." In THE HAMLET OF ABBOT'S LENCH, or Habbe or Hob Lench, in the parish of Fladbury, there are, Rudge Hill, Salter's Green Meadow, Puck Piece, Old Ford Meadow, Ran's Orchard, Dragon's Hole, First and Second Cold Well, and Yell Wood. In the hamlet of SHERIFF'S LEXCH, or Shreve Lench, in the parish of Church Lench, there are Wad Close, Upper Hobbs, Farther and Nether Hob Lays, and Balaam's Way. In the hamlet of ATCH, AST, or EAST LENCH, in Church Lench, there are Pitchall Hill and Can Lane. CHURCH LENCH is described as Biscopesleng, in " Domes- day Book." ROUS LENCH. There is Yeald Wood between it and Church Lench. In ABBERTON there are places called Salt-way Piece and Puck Pit Ground. In " Domesday Book," Abberton is written Ebbritone. In BISHAMPTON (formerly Biscopes dun), there is a place called Gunning's Lane. A few years back, a coin of Constantine was dug up in Abbot's Morton, otherwise Stoney Morton. * Vide also Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 44. f Vol. ii., p. 437. See p. 229. See " Codex Dip.," No. 724. 341 The particulars of Inkberrow and Feckenham will be found in the account of the Lower Salt- way, p. 321. In TARDEBIG (called Terdeberie in " Domesday Book,") there are the Round Hill, Little Round Hill, Robin's Piece, Big and Little Robin's, Dole Meadow, Wimble Dole, Big Wimble Dole, Big and Little Bear Hill, Upper and Lower Bear's Leasow, Hobbis or Obbis Meadow, Hobbis's or Obbis's Cur Lane, Ridge- way Close, Wassel's Meadow, Holborn, and Tibb Ribbin. Nash states that this name signifies the Big Tower; but it seems more probable that it owes its derivation to a Tor, Tar, or Fire Tower*, which may probably have stood either on the site of the present church, or on Tutnal Mount. Heming, in his " Cartulary," p. 362, mentions Elfled's Bridget an d Dip-well among the Anglo- Saxon boundaries of Tardebig. Tutnal and Cobley are hamlets in Tardebig ; they formerly belonged to Worcestershire, as appears by " Domesday Book ;" but afterwards became detached parts of Warwickshire ; however, they have been re-attached to Worcestershire by the Reform Bill. Bentley, in Tardebig, was formerly called Bentelegh and Beonetley. On the border of the chapelry of Bordesley is a place named Pickefields. The particulars of Cofton Hacket, Northfield, and Edgbaston, are given in the account of the Upper Salt-way. There is no trace of the Rycknield Street to be met with in the Ordnance Map, throughout the whole line from Gloucester to Bidford, except from Honeybourne (or rather Ullington) to Bidford ; which, however, is probably a mistake, as mentioned in pp. 317, 330 ; the discovery, however, as previously detailed, of Roman and other relics, at various places ; for instance, at Oldbury Gardens, in Tewkesbury ; Sedgebarrow, Kemerton Hill, Conder- ton Hill, Elmeley Castle, Badsey, Bratforton, Offenham, Har- vington, and Cleeve Prior all in or near the line from Tewkesbury to Bidford strongly corroborates the allegation that the Rycknield * See Old Storage, p. 100. + This, no doubt, wut, a bridge built by tlie Lady .Ethelflued. 342 Street did run in that direction. In " Richard of Cirencester," the sites of the stations on this line are set forth in Iter XIV., p. 152, as follows : From " Rose or Berry Hill, in Weston," under Penyard, near Ross, to Miles. Glebon Colonia, . . 15 Gloucester ; Ad Antonam, ... 15 On the Avon ; Alauna, 15 Alcester, on the Aln. The editor, Mr. Hatcher, remarks, in a note: "As tin- author has only left the name of a river for the next station to Gloucester, it must be placed in such a situation on the Avon as to admit the distance of fifteen miles from the next station of Alcester, which was the site of Alauna. This would cany it to the westward of Evesham." Taking it to be correct, that the station at Gloucester was fifteen miles from the station called Ad Antonam, as stated by " Richard," it would bring us to Eckington, upon the Avon, which coincides exactly, as to distance, if taken in a straight line. This is the place which I pointed out, in my previous accounts, as the probable lost station, "Ad Antonam*." And, supposing there were only fifteen miles from the latter station to Alcester, as stated by Richard of Cirencester, he must, in like manner have taken the straight line between those two places, which is also about fifteen miles. This goes to prove that the Rycknield Street ran in two lines in this part, namely : first in a curved line, from Tewkesbury to Alcester, through Ashchurch, Beckford, Ashton-under-Hill, Sedgebarrow, andHinton, to Evesham, &c, as before suggested ; and, secondly, in the nearly direct line from Tewkesbury, through Bredon Hardwick, Bredon, Norton in Bredon, Eckington (the probable Ad Antonam), and across the Avon there; thence through Birlingham, across the Avon again, and by Great Comberton, Little Combcrton, Fladbury, and Crop- thorne : across the Avon at Chadbury Ferry, and through Lench Wyke, Norton. Harvington, and Atch Lench, to Alcester. It is US probable that the curved line was the most ancient, and that the more direct road was the work of the later Romans. Dr. Stukeley considered Evesham to be the station Ad An- tonam*, while others believed it to have been near Sedgebarrow ; but as Evesham is twenty-two miles from Gloucester, it could not (according to " Richard of Cirencester,") have been the Ad Antonam ; and Sedgebarrow is not only nineteen miles from Gloucester, but three miles from the Avon ; and therefore no more likely to have been the station than the former place. The only other probable place, besides Eckington, is Norton, in Bredon, about fourteen miles from Gloucester, " as the crow flies," and near the Avon, where, as previously stated f, ancient relics have been found, as well as at Eckington. The latter place, however, is the more probable of the two, as the Avon there lies directly across the road J, and Roman relics have been found there, as previously described in the account of Eckington. According to Tacitus, Ostorius Scapula, in the year 5*2, extended a chain of forts between the rivers Avon and Severn to keep the Britons in check. " Ostorius detrahere arma sus- pectis, cinctosque castris Antonam et Sabrinam fluvios cohibere paret. [Tacitus, " Annals," Book xii., Sec. 21.] Upon this Mr. May has observed, " Camden's arbitrary alteration of this passage, from Antona to Aufona [' Brit.' p. 515], bolstered up by his subse- quent infliction of the name Avon-upon-the-Nen by which, even on his own admission, that river is never called are equally in- defensible. For, as Dr. Stukeley has observed, it could not pos- sibly be the Nyue, or Nen, in Northamptonshire, that being too distant from the Severn" P. 3G5. It may be here observed that the discovery of so many ancient relics at Eckington and its vicinity, as previously described, not only goes to prove that it was the Ad Antonam. but corroborates the truth of Richard of Cirencester's statement upon the subject, * " Richard of Cirencester," p. 134, seventh edition, 1770. f See pp. 7(1, 77. Mr. May, in his " History of Evesham," p. 304, contends that the station in question lay in the vicinity of the encampments on Bredon Hill. 344 and the discovery of Roman relics at Droitwich, with the site of a supposed fort of Ostorius, and other Roman relics at Worcester, as previously described, tend strongly to prove that the former was the Salinae, and the latter the Bravinio, Branogenio, or Bran- nogenium of the Romans. We will now say a few words on a matter of importance, the probable stations of the different forts of Ostorius on the Severn, in Worcestershire, and on the borders of that county, with their respective distances from each other. Supposing them to have been about five or six miles apart, the first from Worcester, in the line of the Severn southward, would be at Kempsey, where, as before stated, there was a Roman camp*. The next would be either at Upton, the supposed Upocessa of Ravennas, or at Saxon's Lode, near by, on the east side of the river f ; the next at the Mythe Tute, near Tewkesbury j, and so on to Gloucester. The space between Upton and the Mythe Tute is rich in Roman re- mains, particularly at Ripple and Twining. Near the Mythe Tute the Avon joins the Severn, and if the forts of Ostorius also ran along the Avon, the first would, according to our scale of dis- tance, be at Eckington (the supposed Antonam) ; the next would be at Cropthorne, or Fladbury, where there is a place called Port- way ; the next would be at Bengeworth ; the next either at Har- vington or Cleeve Prior, at the former of which places Roman names, or rather Saxon names of British and Roman roads occur, while at the latter, Roman relics have been found ||. On the east side of the Severn, north of Worcester, the first of the forts of Ostorius, according to our scale, would be in the parish of Om- bersley, at an earth-workU by the river side, within a mile of the * See pp. 54 to 60. + See pp. GO, 61, 62. J See p. 66. Some have supposed that the adjoining camp on Bredon Hill, in Kenier- ton, was the work of Ostorius ; others that it is Danish ; but it seems most probable that it is ancient British. Vide " Ambrosiae Petree," Chap. II. || See pp. 91 to 94. IT It is considered by some Archaeologists that this earth-work is of ancient British origin. I am informed that it has the appearance of the site of a fort and that there is a winding path up to it, as at the Mythe Tute. See p. 66. 345 village. The next at Stourport; the next at Wribbenhall, by Bewdley ; and the next at Over Arley* ; a full description of all which places will be found in this work. We must now return to the supposed deviation line of the Rycknield Street from Tewkesbury, through Eckington to Alcester. In NORTON, in BREDON, there are Ridgeway Furloug, Ridgeway Far Close, Ridgeway Middle Close, Ridgeway Little Meadow, Ridgeway Ground +, Calmus Hill, and several places called Clatsmoor and Hickley. Various Anglo-Saxon relics have been found in this chapelryj. On the south-west declivity of Bredon Hill, just above the village of Norton, there are two tall turret- like masses of white oolite rock, commonly called " The King and Queen." A manorial court was held at this spot, as we learn from an old document in Nash's " Worcestershire ." The parish of BREDON, or Breedon, anciently spelled Breodun and Breodune||, contains the chapelries of Norton and Cutsdean, and the hamlets of Bredon, Hardwick-with-Mitton, Kinsham and Westmancote. ECKINGTON was anciently called Eccingtun, EccyncgtunH, and Ackintune. Wollashul, Wollashill, Wollershull, or Wollers- hill, lies in this parish, and Nafford. Roman-British relics have been found there**. Eckington is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks ff. * And so on to Shrewsbury. See p. 289, relative to the probability that the Port-way accompanied this line of forts from Worcester to Over Arley, and perhaps to Shrewsbury. + These names are strong presumptive evidence that the Romans did carry a branch line of the Rycknield Street, or Ridgeway, from Tewkesbury, through Eckington, to Alcester. X Vide p. 7(i. See the " Rambler in Worcestershire," published ir 1848, p. 159, and the " Report of the Archaeological Association at Worcester, in 1851," p. 277. || See pp. 78 to 84, relative to Kemerton Camp, Banbury Stone, an ancient granary, and other relics on Bredon Hill. Also the account of " Ambrosiee Petrs?," Chap. II. ; and the derivation of the word Bredon, p. 84. IT See " Codex Dip." No. 570, 1298. Vide, pp. 74, 75. ft See p. 229. 346 In BIRLINGHAM, anciently Burlingham, or Byrlingaham*, there are Hurrill's Hill, the Old Ait, In Asham Meadow, and Tibley. This place is supposed to be one of the Anglo-Saxon marks f. In DEFFORD there are places called Part of Horell Orchard and Hales Well. Between Defford and Besford there is Horrell Wood. This place was anciently spelled Deopauford*, Depeford, and Dufford ; and in " Domesday Book," Depeforde. COMBERTON, anciently Combrintone. In FLADBURY there is a place called Portway. This parish, in ancient times, was usually spelled Fleodanbyryg, or Fledan- byrig. In " Domesday Book," Fledebirie. Dr. Nash says the name signifies the village of the stream. Bradley, in Fladbury, was formerly called Bradanlaegh. CROPTHORNE was anciently called C roppan thorn j| and Copperne, and in " Domesday Book," Cropethorn. CHADBURY FERRY is a ferry over the Avon, from Crop- thorne into Chadbury, in Lenchwick, a tithing in Norton, alias Abbot's Norton. It is possible that a branch road ran from Eckington, by the noiiJi side of Bredon Hill, through Elmley Castle parish, and along the Salt-way, into the Rycknield Street at Ashton-under- Hill, thus jointly with the main line performing the complete circuit of Bredon Hill, the great bulwark of that part of the county. The line of the Rycknield Street is pretty well defined in the Ordnance Map, under the name of the Icknield Street, &c, from Bidford and Alcester, northwards to Lichfield, and Wichnor-on- Trent, &c. However, we cannot but here remark on the impro- priety of thus confusing any part of the Rycknield with the Inknield Street, since this latter runs quite in another direction, namely, through the southern part of the kingdom. A modern reviewer, writing of the Rycknield Street, says*'. * See " Codex Dip." No. r>70. f See p. 229. See " Codex Dip." No. 570. " Codex Dip." No. 33. ;| See " Codex Dip." Nos. 139, 247, 014, 1308. Sec " Gentleman's Magazine" for November, L84.0. 347 " Having mentioned the Rycknield Street, one word of its ety- mology : in our view it is attainable without those efforts which have ingeniously been bestowed on it by some antiquaries, who will have it to be the Upper Ikenield Way ; with the old Icenian road, its geographical position can, however, give it no connection. Is it not simply the old Ridge-way ? Ric or Reac is the Saxon term for a heap or dorsal elevation of any kind, and its sense is fully retained in the agricultural word " rick ;" and if this accepta- tion be disputed, there is yet another for the term, which would make it the chief or royal way, in short, par eminence, the king's highway." In this view of the name we are disposed entirely to agree, for we find in various parts of the main lines of the Rycknield Street*, and also in the numerous branches which issued from it, that the name Ridgeway frequently occurs f. The ancient British and Gaulish words Rix and Rich, and the eastern word Rik, mean strong and powerful \. The Saxon word Ric or Reac also means strong and powerful, likewise a heap or dorsal elevation of any kind, and as elevated situations were the strong and powerful positions of the ancient Britons, we may probably look here for the origin of the name . The " Gentleman's Magazine" for Jan. 1836, p. 48, contains the following communication, relative to the " Rycknield" Street : " In Nichols's ' History of Leicestershire' (Introduction, p. 147), the course of an ancient way, designated ' Via Devana,' a name which has not, as I am aware, the sanction of antiquity, is very particularly traced through several of the midland coun- ties, and which appears to have been the connecting road between The term "Rycknield Street" does not appear out of the two main lines (that is the ancient British line and the Roman deviation line), hut in the branches the term Ridgeway is used. + See the summary of them, Chap. VIII. X See "Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 08. See Chap. I., as to the Saxon word Wic, signifying either a station, man- sion, place of security, or secure habitation, from the word " wician," to inhabit. 348 the two distant Roman cities of Deva (Chester) and Camalodu- num (Colchester). The writer of that article, the Rev. T. Lemau, states it to have been first noticed by the late Dr. Mason, and that he, Mr. Leman, with the Bishop of Cork, travelled the greater part of it in 1798 and 1799. He says, it was traced through the principal part of Staffordshire with little difficulty, and particularly from Draycott straight to Lane Delph, and then by Wolstanton Church to the station at Chesterton (in the neighbourhood of which I write), and which is now generally con- sidered to be the Mediolanum, at which Antonine's tenth Iter terminates. Now, upon referring to one of the Harleian Manu- scripts in the British Museum (No. 2060), being a copy of the foundation charter of the Abbey of Hulton, dated in 1223, I find the Rykeneld Street mentioned as a boundary of lands in Nor- mancote, bestowed upon that abbey ; and it happens that the road from Draycott to Lane Delph, above spoken of by Mr. Leman, still forms the boundary of Normancote Grange for the distance of at least a mile, so that Ryknield Street is most clearly identified, by a document more than six hundred years old, with the Chester and Colchester way, denominated Via Devana by modern geographers." The following notice of the Rycknield Street, from another correspondent, occurs in the " Gentleman's Magazine" for April 1836, p. 338 : " Higden, in his ' Polychronicon,' which he finished up to the year 1342, speaking ' on the Royal Roads' of England, says : ' of the four, the fourth was called Rykenild Street, and stretcheth forth by Worcester, Wycombe, Brymingham, Lychefelde, Derby, Chestrefelde, York, and forth unto Tynemouth.' This is from De Woorde's edition ; and that of Oxford, in Latin, begins it at ' Manovia, in West Wallia,' and, proceeding by the same route, ends it at Tynemouth. Higden was a Cheshire man, and a monk in the city of Chester. The ' Eulogium Historiarum,' in the British Museum (Galba, E. vii.), gives it also the same line ; but, between Menavia and Wygornia, make it pass ' per Here- fordiam.' Harrison, in his ' Description of England,' says, some call ' Ermine Street, The Lehne.' and then describes the Ikenild. 849 or Rikenild, as beginning some way in the south, and passing towards Cirencester and Worcester, and thence by Wycombe, &c, to the mouth of the Tyne. Drayton also begins it at ' Cambria's further shore,' at St. David's, makes it overtake the Fosse, and decline into the German Sea at ' the Fall of Tyne.' I will add to these notices, that the foundation charter of the Abbey of Hilton, in Shropshire, describes a boundary of property granted to it, as ' ascendendo per Richineld Street, at per Villain de Mere. Seldon, in his notes on the ' Polyolbion,' says Ricen-ild Street is mentioned in ' Randul of Chester (Higden), as beginning at St. Dawies, in Pembroke, going through Hereford, and ending at Tinmouth. The Additions to " Camden" mention a survey of the County of Derby, of the 7th century, which calls it, as it passes over Tupton Moor, ' Rignal Street;' and Lysons, in his ' Derbyshire,' says that an old survey of Sir H. Hunloke's pro- perty in Derbyshire, says, that Rikenild Street was there called Rignal Street, as well as in other estates in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, where it is described as a boundary. Rickenhall, in the parish of Aycliffe, in the County of Durham, probably had its name from this road passing near it ; and it is still, in its course from the top of Gateshead Fell to the mouth of the Tyne, in many places very visible, still used as a road, and called Wrecken-dyke. And here, in writings of the 12th and 13th centuries, I have found lands upon which it abutted, called Wrack- ennelberge, and itself written Wrakyn-dik and Wraken-dyke." There is also a paper expressly upon this subject in the " Archaeologia iEliana;" and in the " Archaeological Journal of the Institute," Vol. vi., pp. 323, 324, there is the following passage : " Some authors speak of another ' Ikenild Street' from ' Tra- jectus Augusti' (Aust Passage), on the Severn, to Cirencester, and there meeting the Akeman Street, which extended to Alces- ter, in Berkshire. In this there appears to be some confusion ; the road from Aust Passage appears to fall into the ' Ridge way,' near Old Down, in its course between Bristol and Gloucester, and is not satisfactorily traced as far as Cirencester." In the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxix., p. 7, occurs the following 350 allusion to the street in question : " In an essay, by Roger Gale*, on the Roman Roads of Britain, the following opinion occurs with respect to the Rycknield Street: He considers the Ryknield Street to have come from the north to Gloucester, and to have proceeded thence, ' in all probability, to Oldbury, where formerly was the Ferry or Trajectus over Severn, towards Caer- gwent ; and if it did not run so far as St. David's, yet it may very well be supposed to have gone to Maridunum (Carmarclhin), and to have taken in that branch of Antonine's Itinerary that lies from Maridunum to Isca. The Strata Julia may have been part of it." According to Leman's " Itinerary!," the course of this road was by Chester-le-Street, Boroughbridge, Chesterfield, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Alcester, across the Avon, to Bidford, and a little to the east of Evesham ; hence leaving Tewkesbury on the right, through Gloucester, Chepstow, Abergavenny, and Caermarthen. In the " Beauties of England and Wales," it is stated that the Rycknield Street passed from Gloucester to Berry Hill, Here- fordshire, and probably by Abergavenny, Brecon, Llandilo Vawr, and Caermarthen, to St. David's. The course of the Rycknield Street, from St. David's to Tewkes- bury, seems, in the ancient British and early Roman times, to have been, as before stated, from Menapia (St. David's), by Mari- dunum (Caermarthen |), and Isca (i.e. Iscalegua), Silurium (Caerleon), Ballium, Usk||, Blestium, Monmouth, toAriconium, (Berry Hill, near Ross) ; thence it probably passed by Brampton * Leland's " Itin.," edit. 1767, Vol. vi., p. 138. + Vol. iv., Part 1, p. 65, edit. 1764. \ See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vii., p. 173, as to Roman relics found at Landovery, in Caermarthenshire, near the Roman road called Sarn Helen, or Helens Road. Vide ibid., Vol. viii., p. 157, &c, and the previous journals there cited, concerning Roman relics found at Caerleon. |j Some say from Usk, through Abergavenny, to Monmouth ; but that place appears to be too much out of this line. There was an ancient road from Caerleon, through Usk, Abergavenny, Kenchester, and Lentwardine, to Wroxeter. 351 Abbots, and Linton, to Upton Bishop ; and by Yatton and Kempley, to Much Marcle and Little Marcle ; and by Wall Hills Camp* and Ledbury, to Tewkesbury. The later Romans, for military and other purposes, probably made two deviation lines, one from Isea to Venta (Chepstow), and across the Severn, at or about Aust Passage, or Oldbury Passage, into the Western Trackwayf ; and the other from Berry Hill, near Ross, across the Severn, to Gloucester, into the same Trackway (which ran from Exeter, the Caer-Isk of the Britons, and the Isca Dan- moniorum of the Romans, to Bristol, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Worcester, &c). The Rycknield Street, having run along this Trackway from Aust Passage to Tewkesbury, appeal's there to have branched off to Evesham, Bidford, Edgbaston, &c; while the Trackway went on to Worcester, Droitwich, Over Arley, &c. The Rev. Thomas Leman's two maps, relative to the ancient British and Roman roads J, strongly favour this opinion, since, in the one map the ancient British line of the Rycknield Street is made to run from St. David's to Berry Hill, and from thence through Herefordshire, much to the west of Gloucester, to Alauna, Alcester ; and, in the other map, the Roman deviation line runs through Gloucester, from the pass of the Severn, by Aust or Oldbury Passage, and also from the pass of the Severn, near Gloucester . Now, supposing, as is most natural, that the ancient British line of the Rycknield Street ran from Berry Hill, near Ross, through Herefordshire j|, to Ledbury, instead of crossing the river to Gloucester, its course from Ledbury to Tewkesbury was most probably the line of road detailed in p. '277, &c, in which is the before-mentioned road, called the Ridge- way, running between Eastnor and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Malvern Hill; and where also are met with the * See p. 28fl, as to a probable branch road of the Rycknield Street having gone from Wall Hills Camp to Frome Hill, and on to Worcester. + See p. 290, &e. I See Brewer's " Beauties of England and Wales," Introduction, pp. 13 and l.'5:3, edition 1818. The lines to these two passes are, however, given in dots, or doubtfully. Sec pp. 't4R, H40, in furtlier proof of tliis. :352 remarkable ancient British, Roman, and Saxon names of Wain Street, Keysend Street, the Pendock Portway, in the Berrow ; Gadbury Banks, in Eldersfield ; Crookberrow, in Pendock and the Berrow ; Sarn Hill, and Wood Street, in Bushley ; and The Mythe Tute, and Oldbury Gardens, near Tewkesbury. The following are in the line from Ross to Ledbury : In LINTON, Herefordshire, near Upton Bishop, there is a place called Lower Oldbury. In Brockhampton*, Herefordshire, there are places called The Top of Walboro', Caplow Wood, Castle Hill, and The Yells. A little to the north of the village, the remains of what is said to be a Roman encampment, with a double trench, are met with f . In MUCH MARCLE, Herefordshire, there are Puckmoor's Orchard, Street 's-end, Camp Field, Little Woburg, Upper and Lower Woburg, Camp Wood, Puerdon Field, Boyarden, Hasarden, Harold's Croft, Oldbury, Worrall's Meadow, Harwell Orchard, Harwell Field, and Wiggen Ash. In DYMOCK, Gloucestershire, there are Dorlow, Coldridge, Coldridge Hill, Old Hill, Berrow s and Little Berrow 's Orchard, BerrowMeadow, Berrow Rough,BerrowHomestead,Berrow'sBank, Castle Meadow, Crewsfleld, Round Hill, Puckmore, Puckmore's Hitch, Yesler's, Quabb's, Quabb Ground, Upper and Lower Quabb's, Portway Top, Shaice Field, Castle Tump, Middle and Near Castle Field, Hell Piece, Hell Bridge Meadow, Dotchley, Stanberrow, Stich, Sitchell's, Lao Croft, Ambersley, Far Am. bersley, Cob's Hole, Bow Field, Harding's, Pink's Field, Pink's Meadow, Harcomb, Harcomb Coppice, Knap Head, and Broms- berrow Heath. This place is supposed to derive its name from the Saxon, " dim," (dark), and " ac " (oak), and was formerly a place of some importance. There is a mount in this parish called Castle Tump, the site of the old castle which stood there. In PAUNTLEY, adjoining Dymock, there are Paveford Coppice, Paveford, Harwich Coppice, Harwich Field, Harwich Quabs, Great Harwich Coppice, and Harwich. * There also is " Brockhampton," near Bromyard. + Broc, in Anglo-Saxon, signifies a brook. 35a An agricultural custom prevails at this place ou Twelfth-day- eve, thus described in Hones " Every-day Book," Vol. ii., p. 28, as follows : " In the parish of Pauntley, a village on the border of the county of Gloucester, next Worcestershire, and in the neigh- bourhood, ' a custom, intended to prevent the smut in wheat, in some respects resembling the Scotch beltein*, prevails.' ' On the eve of Twelfth-day, all the servants of every farmer assemble together in one of the fields that has been sown with wheat. At the end of twelve lands, they make twelve fires in a row with straw; around one of which, made larger than the rest, they drink a cheerful glass of cider to their master's health, and success to the future harvest ; then, returning home, they feast on cakes made of carraways, &c, soaked in cider, which they claim as a reward for their past labours in sowing the grain f.'" In LEDBURY, in Herefordshire, there are places as stated in p. 275. The preceding notices appear to warrant the inference that the Rycknield Street, or Ridgeway, consisted of a single Hue, from St. David's, for several miles eastward, and afterwards formed three great links before it reached Edgbaston, near Birmingham ; that the first link commenced at Isca (Caerleon), and terminated at Tewkesbury* ; the second, at Tewkesbury, and terminated at Alcester ; and the third, at Alcester, and terminated at Edgbaston. This agrees with the principles laid down in p. 237, respecting ancient British roads ; and explains the reason of such parallel lines, namely, that the one was ancient British, and the other Roman. See Chaddesley Corbett, p. 124, and Old Storage, pp. 191, 192. + " Rudge's ' Gloucester."' X The line from Bern Hill, near Ross, to Gloucester, was merely a cut across the first link. 354 si If. FOSS WAY. As the Foss Way passes through Blockley, Shipston-on-Stour, and Tredington, which are detached portions of Worcestershire, I have collected the following names which occur in those places and their vicinity. CODESTON, Cotesdon, or Cutsdean, is a hamlet of the parish of Bredon, Co. Worcester. In the Anglo-Saxon times there were places called the Greystone, and Radborough, on the boundaries of Codeston*. The paiish of BLOC KEY was anciently called Blockelet and Blockel. In " Domesday Book," it is written Blockelei. It is said that urns and other Roman remains have been found on Moor Hill. In the " Companion to Greenwood's Map of Wor- cestershire," published in 1822, it is stated that the palace of the bishop formerly stood in Blockley, and that " from the many relics of antiquity found in the vicinity, it is supposed to have been a Roman station." In the hamlet of Blockley there are places called Old Oven, Round Hill, and Dove Dale. In the hamlet of Aston or Eston, in Blockley, there are Bea- wells, Hob's Hole, Hobb's Hole Coppice, Tokenham, Elim Hale, Big and Little Hale, and Foss Way. In " Domesday Book," the place is called Aston. * See Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 45, and Hemiug's " Cartulary," p. 348. Also see Chap. IV., relative to " Hoar Stones," and the above-mentioned " Grey Stone ;" likewise p, 86, as to the neighbouring camps at Bourton-on-the-TIill, Co. Gloucester. 355 In Dome, a hamlet in Blockley, there is a piece called the Foss Way Ground. British and Roman relics have been found here, as stated in p. 87. In NORTHWICK there is a place called Ridegway. The name is spelled Norwyke in " Domesday Book." In Dr. Thomas's " Survey of Worcester Cathedral," &c, the Foss Way is thus incidentally mentioned : Ethelbald " by the style of the King of the South Angles, gave to Bishop Wilfrithe eight cassates of land at Bsecces horan*, now called Battesford, bounded by Bourton Hill to the south, by the Fosse, or King's Highway, to the east, and by rivulets to the north." A. p. 12. ICOMBE, otherwise Iccancumb, Ikecumbe, or Ickham, was a detached parish of Worcestershire, but has been annexed to Gloucestershire by the Reform Bill. There is a camp there f. DAYLESFORD, Dalesford, or Dailsford, is a detached parish of Worcestershire. It was anciently called Deiglesford ; and in " Domesday Book" it is written Eilesford. In EVEXLOAD, Emload, or Emlade, a detached parish of Worcestershire, there is a place called Dark's Folly. The name of this parish, in King Edgar's Charter, is written Eowenland, but sometimes, and more correctly, it is written Eunilade and Eum- lade. In " Domesday Book," it it is spelled Eunilade, and is therein described as appertaining to the Church of Worcester. In Heming's " Cartulary" there is a Charter of King Offa, dated 784, granting lands in Eowengelade. The Four Shire Stone stands partly in this parish. Antiquities have been found near bere, and in the Barrow Ground. See pp. 85, 86. In the parish of CHASTLETON or Chastledon, Co. Oxford (in which the Four Shire Stone also partly stands), there are places called Stup Hill, Harcomb, Barrow Ground, and Wyton's Har- comb. " The parish is memorable as the scene of a sanguinary conflict in 1016, between Edmund Ironside and Canute, when the latter was defeated with great slaughter*." * Heming's " Cartulary," pp. ; 14, 87fi. + Vide p. 85. J Lewis's " Topograpliieal Dictionary.' 356 On the border of the parish of TIDMINGTON, Tidrainton, or Tuddlminton, Co. Worcester, there was, in the time of the Anglo-Saxons, a place called Hor-pit*. This parish was anciently called Tidelminton, and is so described in " Domesday Book ;" and is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks f. In the parish of STRETTON-on-the-Foss, Co. Warwick, there are places called Little Roughborough, Great Roughborough, Roughborough Hill, Roughborough Meadow, and Folly Meadow. In the parish of SHIPSTON-on-Stour, Co. Worcester, there are, Gerrard's Leys, Woad-down, and First, Second, and Far Woad-down. The name of Shipston probably means " the town of sheep." In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 347, and in Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 44, it is stated, that there were places in the Anglo-Saxon times, on the boundaries of Shipston, called the Salt Pit, at Whadden and Tordeland. In the hamlet of WILLINGTON, in Barcheston, Co. War- wick, there are places called Hob's Hole, and Little Hob's Hole. In the parish of TREDINGTON, anciently TredinctunJ: (which includes the hamlets of Blackwall or Blackwell, and Darlingscott), there are, Hawkestone Butts, Banbury's Ground, Far and Further Banbury's Ground, The Oven, Banbro' Meadow, Robbin's Ground, Great Hobbis's Meadow, and Lower Hobb's Meadow. (See Chap. IV., relative to " Hoar Stone" there.) Darlingscott is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks . In NEWBOLD there are, Catbrain, Hell Kitchen, and Tatton Hedge. In the hamlet of Armscott, in Newbold, there are a great many pieces of land described as being in the Upper Fossway Furlong, and also others as being in the Lower Fossway Furlong, and others as being in Holigo Furlong. In ALDERMFNSTER, formerly called Aldermaston, or * See Chap. IV., also Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 348 ; and " Codex Dip.," No. 014. + See p. 229. See " Codex Dip.," Nos. (i-20, 07(i. See p. 220. 357 Aldermanston, there are places called Hoberton, Upthrop Meadow, Wolland, Great Pike, Little Pike, and Wellod Leys. We may here remark that, as in many instances some of the principal camps are upon the very borders of counties (such as the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, and Kemerton Camp), it seems probable that they were used as land-marks in the division of the counties, as some also were in the division of parishes, 358 GENEML OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO THE NAMES WICK, WICH, AND WICCIA. Camden says, the province called Wiccia, of which Wor- cestershire formed a part*, seems to have been " derived from the salt pits which, in the old English language, are called Wiches." Dr. Nash says, in his account of Droitwichf, " Wich is sup- posed by some, though probably without reason, to be derived from ' Vic,' ' Vicus,' a street or village. Others derive it from the Saxon word ' Wic,' signifying either a station, mansion, place of security, or secure habitation, from the verb ' Wician' to inhabit ; or a sanctuary, brine spring, salt pit, from ' Wi,' or ' Wye ' Holy. The northern nations attributed great sacredness to waters im- pregnated with salt*. I cannot find that 'Wic,' or 'Wich,' signifies salt spring hi its primitive sense." In a note relative to the words " Wi," or " Wye," Nash says, " Perhaps the word ' Wice,' in English, witch, came from the same root, and signified originally, ' sacro sancta mulier, diis devota,' a druidess. ' Sagus' and ' Saga' of the Latins, were at first terms of honour. Wiccungdom is by Somner rendered Magia. Wiccingaemere was anciently the name of Wigmore, in Here- fordshire, a scene not improper for the display of druidical art." The Doctor, in his account of the parish of W T ichenford, Vol. ii., p. 457, says, " From whence comes the word Wic, or See Vol. ii., p. 400. It included Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and part of Warwickshire. + See Vol. i., p. 29."). J Tacit. " Ann., Lib. xin. ; also sec Droitwich, pp. 310, 'ill. 359 Wich ? Dr. Thomas thinks from the windings of the river ; but this seems too general a description : besides, no river runs near Wichenford. Baxter*, in his * Glossarium Antiq. Britan.,' thinks that Iceni, Huiccii, Wiccii, Vigantes, (not Jugantes, as falsely printed in Tacitus), all meant stout or valiant men." In describing the parish of Wickhamford, anciently Wicque, he further states (Vol. ii., p. 61), that " it is watered by a little brook, shallow in some places, from whence its modern name is derived;" but this derivation can only apply to the suffix to the name. This place is called Wiquene in " Domesday Book," and Wikewane in the charter of the two kings, Kenred and Offa. In Vol. ii., App., p. 109, he says, " When the Britons were driven over the Severn by the conquering Saxons, Worcester was a part of the Mercian kingdom, and possessed by the Wiccii, who, seating themselves on the turnings and windings of the pleasant rivers Avon and Severn, took their names from thence, and by them was this city founded f, called Wichirne at first, or Wic ; for the hills encompass it from the east to the Severn, and come down so close upon it at its south gate, that it seemeth to stand in a comer under the hills. Hence, the old Saxon name, Wich- irne, Wigurne, Wegurne, Weogerne, Wigorna, Weogorna ; and, in Latin, 'Wigorna et VigorniaJ.' And, afterwards, when it was fortified against the incursions of the Britons, and a castle erected where the river was most fordable, it was then called Wygerne-ceastre, Weogerne-ceastre, Wigor-ceastre, Wyogorna- ceastre, Wigom-ceastre, Wygn-ceastre, Wire-castre, Wear-cestre, Weore-ceastre, Wor-cester The castle was built at the south end, close to the river, where it is for a great way fordable ; and a speculum , or high mount, was raised up with the earth taken out of the river." * Sec Baxter, " Ad voces Braiinogeniuni et lceni." f See before, p. :t r >, where it is contended that it whs a town in both the Roman and ancient British time. J Illinium's ' Cartulary," p. . l(> 366 nuncle for uncle, nant for aunt, a narrow for an arrow, a nay word is an aye word ; a newt is an eft or small lizard, nawl for awl, a noddy for an oddy or oddity; thus Nash of the Noke*, for Ash of the Oak." The vulgar of all parts of England frequently add the letter H to words that begin with a vowel ; as, houats for oats, a howl for an owl, a hox for an ox, a hounce for an ounce, &c, while in some cases they substitute a vowel for a consonant ; as, yor for hair, yat for gate, &c. There is a field called Ambers, in Castle Morton ; Ambury Hill, in Old Swinford ; Omber's Hill, in Leigh f ; Omberland, on the boundaries of Cudleyj, in Spetchley; Hambery Piece, Ham- bury Meadow, and Big Hambery, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; and Banbury's Ground, and Banbro' Meadow, in Tredington. There also is a hundred, parish, and town, called Banbury ; and a parish and township, called Ambrosden, in Oxfordshire ; and a camp, called Croft Ambrey||, in Herefordshire, which is of an elliptical form, with double ditch and rampart. Also places called Amberley and Bransbury, in the latter county ; a parish called Amberley, in Sussex ; Ambersley and Far Ambersley, in Dy- mock, Co. Gloucester ; an intrenched camp, at Wimbledon, Co. Surrey, called BensburyU ; and in Waltham, in Essex, just with- out Copt Hall Park, there " is an oval camp called Ambresbury Banks, which is probably ancient British**." There is a parish called Humbeston, in Lincolnshire ; Humberstone Priory, a ruin, in Pembrokeshire ; and at Stanfield, in Yorkshire, there are a * There are several places called by the name of Noke, such as Long Noke, in Northfield, &c. + See " Folk-Lore." I See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 358 ; and " Nash," Vol. ii., A pp., p. 55. Called by the Saxons, Banesbyrig. Some ancient British gold coins were found near Banbury." See "Gentleman's Magazine," for July, 1843, p. 30. || See the Ordnance Map. The parish is called Crofta, in " Domesday Book." It lies in the hundred of Wolphy. [ See " Camden," also the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxi., No. 2, p. 518, &c. * See Gough's "Camden," Vol. ii., p. 127, second edition, 1800. Also Gadburv Banks, pp. 68, fit). 367 number of druidical stones called Humberds*. " Domesday Book " mentions Ambreforde, in Yorkshire ; Ambrelie, in Sussex ; Ambresberie, in Hants and Wilts ; Ambresb'ia?, in Wilts f; Ara- bresdone, in Oxfordshire ; Ambretone and Ambritone, Bucking- hamshire ; Amburlege, in Herefordshire ; and Hambertune, in Huntingdonshire {. The Rev. T. Lewis, of Yatton Court, near Leominster, in answer to some inquiries of mine, states that the intrench- ments at Croft Ambrey, in Herefordshire, are very deep and interesting; and that there is one, about a mile from it, which he considers to be Roman, but which he has never seen noticed in any work. That camp is noticed in Gough's " Camden ||," thus, " In the park is a large camp, double-ditched, called the Ambrey ; a name common to other earth-works, as in Essex and Hants ; from whence is an extensive prospect. To this is opposed a camp, called the Warren, on Wapley Hill, between Eywood and Wigmore. At Avernestre, south-west of it, is a smaller square camp." Before proceeding further, I must here observe, it is possible that some of the above-mentioned names, commencing with B, may be derived from the word " beam," which, in Anglo-Saxon, Also Hawkstones, Bridestones, &c. See Gough's " Camden" Vol. iii., p. 275, second edition, 1806 ; and Vol. ii., p. 500. There is Hawkesstone Butts, in Tredington, Co. Worcester. + Amesbury, or Ambresbury, in Wilts, is written Anibresbyrig, and Ambres- burh, in Anglo-Saxon charters. See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 314, 361, 361 App., Vol. iii., 1058, 1067 ; and a place called Hambres Buruh is mentioned in the " Charter," No. 572. * There is a house called Almery, or Ambry Court, near the town of Per- shore; but this name is derived from Almonry, Almonarium, a place where alms were distributed. See Nash, Vol. i., p. 409. Almery, or Ambry, also means a moveable receptacle for household stuff. See the " Archaeological Institute Journal," Vol. v., p. 319. I am informed that, in some old documents, the name Ambrey is applied to a place of security for soldiers ; but this no doubt is in a sub- ordinate sense. || Vol. iii., p. R4. 3(58 implies a woody situation* ; while others, commencing with H, may come from the Anglo-Saxon, " ham," home ; " vicus," or village. In such instances, we must endeavour, from the nature of the places themselves, to ascertain which is the correct etymology of the name. In the parish of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, there is a large upland common, called Amberley; while near to it is a remarkable intrenchment, supposed to be ancient British, nearly three miles in circumference. Adjoining the site of this camp, there are a great number of small tumuli, supposed to be barrows. On the northern side, just below Amberley Church, are three rather large erect stones, two of them being close together, and the other about a hundred yards distant : these may have been amber-stones ; and near the southern side of the camp there was till lately a very large erect stone, called " Tingle Stone," situate near " Hure Broke ;" while, not far from the latter, there now are two other erect stones, called Long Stones f, or Ragged Stones (oolitic formation). The adjoining vale is called Woeful Dane's Bottom. This camp was kindly shown to me by Edward Dal ton, Esq., D.C.L. and F.S A., of Dunkirk House, near Nailsworth, Glouces- tershire. It lies within about two miles of Woodchester, where very extensive Roman pavements, &c, have been found, the par- ticulars of which were published in 1797, by Lyson. There is a noble kind of amphitheatre or indent on the side of the high ridge opposite where the above-mentioned relics were found, and which is probably partly natural, and partly artificial. There is a parish called Humberston J (most probably a cor- ruption of Amberstone), in the county of Leicester, wherein is a stone called the Holstone, Hoston, or Hostin, situate in Hum- berstone Field. This is noticed by Nichols, in his " History of Leicestershire ; and also by Hamper, in his work on Hoar-stones. In order to learn all the particulars I could, I wrote to the late * See Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 160. J- Perhaps identical with what are called " Dmidieal obelisks." I There is also a parish called Humberston, in the comity of Lincoln. Vol. Hi., Part 2, p. 98], note 2. 369 John Stockdale Hardy, Esq., of Leicester, who kindly obtained for me the following communication, addressed to him from the Rev. John Dudley, rector of Humberston, upon the subject : "Sileby, 3rd May, 1841. " In the lordship of Humberston, on the estate of Mr. Pochin, of Barkby, and about a mile N.W. of the parish church, there is a stone which is interesting from the traditions in the village concerning it. These traditions, though now almost lost, relate that fairies dwell in and near to it; that any injury done to it was sure to be followed by misfortune to the injurer, for that it was holy. This supposed sanctity is intimated by the name (Hostone) of the plot of ground where it is located. According to Borlase (" History of Cornwall"), fairies are believed to attend stones of undoubted holiness in that county. " The stone is of the granite, or rather syenite rocks of Mountsorrel, about six miles distant, and seems to be one of the blocks which geologists term erratic blocks, many of which have been found in the lordship of Humberston, as also in the inter- vening distances between Humberston and Mountsorrel. This stone appears to be larger than any others now known. At present it is covered over by the turf of the field ; but about a hundred years ago it stood in a surrounding hollow basin*, which the then owner of the land filled up, and broke off frag- ments from the stone, so that the plough might pass over it. The threat against injuries of the stone was certainly fulfilled in this instance ; for the man, though born heir to a good yeoman's estate, became a vagabond, and died in the parish workhouse. " That this stone was one of those called, in Cornwall, Logan- stones, seems to be almost certain, from the hollow or sunken area in which it is said to have stood. There is no tradition to that purport ; but, according to the Cornish historian (B. 3, C. 4), ' Logan, in the Guidhelian British, signifies a pit, or hollow of the hand ; and in such hollows this moving stone is often found.' This corresponds with what is said in p. 363, relative to the Banbury Stone, on Bredon Hill. B B 370 " It appears, from the same author that the Logan-stone was known in some instances by the name of Men-amber, or the Amber-stone. Bryant, in his " Mythology," Vol. iv., p. 201, 8vo. shows that sacred stones, especially oscillating or rocking- stones, have been known by this name, in almost all parts of the world, and from the earliest antiquity that they were always held to be sacred, and that the town of Amesbury (anciently Ambresbury), near Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, took its name from the Logan* or Amber-stones in its vicinity. There can be little doubt but that the village near which this stone still remains, in like manner obtained its name, Humbers-ton, or the town of the Amber, or Holy-stone. " Adjacent to the spot in which the stone now lies, is a vale or plot of land called Hell Hole. No appearance of this plot invites the name, which must have been given for some special reason. Borlase mentions a sacred stone, in Cornwall, called Tolmen, or Hole-stone. This stone is of great size, and rests upon the points of two others. The historian observes that many druidical mysteries were practised at stones so placed, and that persons passing under them, and through the opening between the supporting stones, were purified from every sin. Whether the name of Hell may have been given, in Christian times, to any passage under this Humberston stone, to excite an abhorrence of druidic rites, to which the people of our island were from custom long attached; or whether the word Hell may have been the Welsh or Celtic word hel, to assemble, may not be easily determined. It rather seems, however, that the latter origin of the name may be most probable, and that this vale was the place in which the people assembled to celebrate or witness the rites performed, or to worship the stone deity on the rising ground above." In addition to the above, it may be stated that Throsby, in his supplementary volume to the " Leicestershire Views " (published in 1790), states that the lordship of Humberston was inclosed in 1789, and gives a quotation from Nichols's " Leicestershire," that " to the north-west of the village, in a part of the field * But see the note, p. 372. 371 at present known by the name of Hoston, it is said a religious house or nunnery was situated," &c. ; and that, " near the same place is a stone, which confirms the generally-received opinion of naturalists concerning the growth of those bodies ; for, notwith- standing great pains have been taken by a late proprietor of the land to keep it below the surface, it defeats his efforts, and rises gradually. It is remarkable as being the only stone of the same kind nearer than Charnwood Forest, which is about eight or nine miles distant, and is probably the peak of a vast bed of rock-stone, which may lie beneath the intermediate country." In June, 1843, I visited the spot, and a ploughman, who had worked for many years upon the farm, pointed out this Amber- stone, or Hoston to me. It is vulgarly called Hostin. I found it nearly covered with earth and standing corn. The ground around it is slightly conical, arising no doubt from the occasional efforts of the agriculturists to keep it covered. The gradual washing away by the rain of the mound of earth, has, doubtless, given birth to the popular idea of the rising of the stone. But we must return to Worcestershire. With respect to Ombersley, it is observable that, in 706, Ethel ward*, son of Oshere, king of the Wiccians, with the consent of Cenred, king of the Mercians, gave, by charter, to Bishop Egwin, twelve cassates of land at Ambreslege, with the appurtenances, especially two wears, one where Ombreswelle \ falls into the Severn J. It is called Ambresleia, in the charter of Bishop Egwin (who, in 714, gave the same lands to the Abbey of Evesham); Ombersetena gemsere, in the charters numbered 627 and 1366, in the " Codex Dip. ;" and Ambreslege, in " Domesday Book." Dr. Nash, in Vol. ii. of his " History," p. 217, says : " Among the records at Hagley, mention is made * " Codex Dip.," Vol. i., No. 50, and 56 App., Vol. iii. + See p. 366, concerning Oniber's Hill, in Leigh and Oniberland, on the boundary of Cudley. X Also see Nasb, Vol. ii., p. 210 ; and " Codex Dip.," Vol. L, No. 50, and 56 App., Vol. iii., as to Ombresuuel. " Codex Dip.," Vol. i., No. 64. 37d of Mauritius de Ambersloy, who held Brome, in the county of Stafford, in the reigns of Richard I. and John." It is also called Ambresley, in the Court Rolls of the manor, temp. 14th Henry VII. Having proceeded thus far in our account of places compounded with Amber or Omber, we shall quote a few authorities concern- ing the probable etymology of the prefix. In Bryant's " Ancient Mythology*," the following passage oc- curs : " I have mentioned that they (the ancients) showed a reverential regard to fragments of rock which were particularly uncouth and horrid ; and this practice seems to have prevailed in many other countries. It was usual, with much labour, to place one vast stone upon another for a religious memorial. The stones thus placed, they oftentimes poized so equably, that they were affected with the least external force, nay, a breath of wind would sometimes make them vibrate. We have many instances of this nature in our own country, and they are to be found in other parts of the world; and, wherever they occur, we may esteem them of the highest antiquity. All such works we gene- rally refer to the Celts and to the Druids, under the sanction of which names we shelter ourselves whenever we are ignorant and bewildered. But they were the operations of a very remote age ; probably before the time when the Druids, or Celtse, were first known. I question whether there be in the world a monument which is much prior to the celebrated Stonehengef. There is reason to think that it was erected by a foreign colony, one of the first which came into the island. There is extant, at this day, one of those rocking stones, of which I have been speaking above J. The ancients distinguished stones, erected with a religious view, by the name of Amber, by which was signified anything solar and divine. The Grecians called them Uerpcu Afj,(3poatai (Petrae Ambrosise); and there are representations of such upon coins. Vol. hi., pp. 532, 533. + This is thought, by some writers, to be the Round Temple of the Sun, described by Diodorus Siculus. J If Mr. Bryant, by this, meant one of the imposts, i. e., a transverse stone on two upright ones, it does not appear strictly to belong to the class of Logan stones. 373 Horapollo speaks of a sacred book in Egypt, styled Ambres, which was so called from its sanctity, being a medicinal book of Hermes, and entrusted solely to the care of the sacred scribes. Stonehenge is composed of these amber stones ; hence the next town is denominated Ambrosbury *, not from a Roman Ambro- sius, for no such person existed, but from Ambrosia? Petrae, in whose vicinity it stands." Bryant likewise remarks, that " among the many tribes of the Amonians which went abroad, were to be found people who were styled Anakim, and were descended from the sons of Anac ; so that this history, though carried to a great excess, was pro- bably founded in truth. They were particularly famous for architecture, which they introduced into Greece, as we are told by Herodotus ; and in all parts whither they came, they erected noble structures, which were remarkable for their height and beauty, and were often dedicated to the chief deity, the sun, under the name of Elorus and Pelorus. People were so struck with their grandeur, that they called ever}' thing great and stu- pendous Pelorian ; and when they described the Cyclopians as a lofty, towering race, they came at last to borrow their ideas of this people from the towers to which they alluded." " They were the same family as the Cadmians and Phcenices, and as the Hivites, or Ophites, who came from Egypt, and settled near Libanus and Baal Hermon, upon the confines of Canaan. They worshipped the sun under the symbol of a serpent ; hence they were styled, in different parts where they in time settled, Euro- pians, Oropians, Anopians, Inopians, Asopians, Elopians ; all which names relate to the worship of the Pytho Ops, or Opis." Bowles, in his " Hermes Britannicusf," says, " Respecting the Phoenicians being the founders of the Druidical discipline in Britain, one fact weighs with me more than a thousand argu- ments. I allude to the Tyrian coin \, on which appear the oak * See Stukeley'8 " Stonehenge," pp. 40, 50. t Published 1828, p. 78. J It 1ms been conjectured that this eoin belonged to Cadez, or Gades, which is of Phoenician origin. See " Gentleman's Magazine," February 18"-2!l, pp. 140, 141. 374 tree, the sacred fire, the two stone pillars of Hercules (Thoth), and the singular legend, Tyr. Col.* (Colony of Tyrians), and the still more remarkable words under the erect stones, AMBP02IE IIETPE (Ambrosia? Petrae), the anointed rocks f. Let the reader remember the monkish tradition of Ambrosius ; the exact likeness of these pillars, on this coin, to the stones at Stonehenge, the Ambrosiae Petrae; and if he does not think the origin of Ambrosebury, or Amesbury, was derived from the Ambrosiae Petrae, or anointed stones of the Tyrian colonists, he will think the coincidence most remarkable J." The Kev. Mr. Duke, in his work on the " Druidical Temples of Wiltshire ," remarks, that " Stukeley, when speaking of the camp situate between Stonehenge and Ambresbury, and which, though without much reason, has been attributed to Vespasian, says, ' I apprehend that Stonehenge was originally called the Ambres; from thence this camp was called Ambresburgh, and thence the name of the town underneath.' Stukeley then quotes from Camden, citing the instance of a vast stone near Penzance, in Cornwall, called Main Ambre, which was destroyed by the soldiery in the days of Cromwell. It was a patriarchial custom to anoint stones or temples, dedicated to divine worship, with sweet-scented oil or ambrosia, the meaning of which word is well illustrated by Baxter, in his ' Glossarium Antiquitatum Roman- arum.' The word signifies sweet-scented oil, ' oleum rhodinum' (oil of roses), a very ancient perfume ; and from hence Stukeley justly says, that ' main ambres, petrae ambrosiae, signify the stones anointed with holy oil, consecrated ; or, in a general sense, a tem- ple, altar, or place of worship.' " Stukeley exhibits the representation of an ancient coin of Tyre, (copied from the second volume of Vaillant's ' Colonial Coins'), which bears on its face the figures of stones, and over [under] them the legend of ' Petrae Ambrosiae,' whilst beneath them is the figure of a conch shell." The legend is COL. TYRO .METR. See after. + They ore called " Immortal Stones," in " Gentlemen's Magazine," Fe bruary 1829, p. 141. J It must be observed that many of the theories advanced in the " Hermes Britannirus"' are much disputed. Pp. 120, 121, 122. 375 The Round Temple of the Sun in Britain, mentioned by Diodorus, has been thought by some writers to allude to Stone- henge, and by others to Abury ; the latter at present appears to be the better opinion that is, if Britain was meant by the under- mentioned ancient writers. In a paper in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute"," by Edwin Guest, M.A., on the " Belgic Ditches, and the probable date of Stonehenge," it is stated that there is " a passage in Diodorus Siculus, which appears to have been taken from Hecataeus of Abdera, who flourished about three centuries before the Christian era. According to this authority, there was among the Hyperboreans a round temple dedicated to Apollo, and situated in an island ' opposite Celtica.' Our English antiquaries assume, that the word Celtica, in this passage, was used with the same meaning as by Strabo and his contemporaries ; or, in other words, that it signified Gaul ; and they conclude that the island was Britain, and the Round Temple Stonehenge, or Avebury, or the Rolrich Circle, according to the particular hypothesis they are interested in supporting. Swedish antiquaries give to Celtica a wider meaning ; and as the ancients considered Scandinavia to be an island, they boldly claim the Round Temple of the Hyperboreans as Swedish property. Wes- seling, in a sensible note, examines these different hypotheses, and, for reasons which appear satisfactory, rejects them. He is inclined to fix the Round Temple far more to the eastward than would suit the views either of our own, or of the Swedish anti- quaries ; and whether we agree with him or not, the criticism which identifies Stonehenge with this temple of the Hyper- boreans, rests, I think, on grounds much too questionable to secure the assent of any cautious inquirer." (pp. 152, 153f.) However this may be, we know from Caesar that Britain was looked upon by the Gauls as the great centre of Druidism, and as the country in which its peculiar doctrines originated. He says : " Disciplina in Britannia reperta, atque hide in Galliam translata esse existimatur ; et nunc qui diligentius earn rem . Vol. viii., p. 143, &c. + But see the contrary opinions to this, sel forth in the "Proceedings of the Archaeological Institute t Salisbury," p. 124, &e. 376 cognoscere volunt, plerumque illo discendi causa proficiscuntur." B. G., 16. Mr. Guest thus concludes : " I think, therefore, we may fairly conclude that Stonehenge is of later date than Avebury, and the other structures of unwrought stone ; that it could not have been built much later than the year 100 B.C., and in all probability was not built more than a century or two earlier. As to the antiquity of Avebury, I dare offer no conjecture. If the reader be more venturesome, and should fix its erection some eight or ten centuries before our era, it would be difficult to advance any critical reasons against his hypothesis." (p. 157.) The following curious extract concerning stone-circles at Emsorah, or Autset, not far from Tangier, is from a work entitled " Notes taken during Travels in Africa," printed for private circulation only, by my late much lamented friend, John Davidson, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c* : " After a ride of two hours over a beautifully undulating country, we arrived at Emsorahf, or, as the modern village is called, the Autset, from whence we had a fine view of the lesser Atlas. At the foot of the rising ground, where we had pitched our tent, was a magnificent plain ; and on the side of the hill is situated El Uted, or the Peg-rock Coming round the side of a hill, you perceive several stones forming a circle]:, of which one, called the Peg, is much higher than the rest ; there is likewise a second circle, but a third is never to be seen." The whole neighbourhood is full of similar circles of stones, but smaller. Many of the latter have been worked artificially. The entrance to the circle, which is fifteen feet wide, faces the west ; on the north and south of the Peg are two other openings at equal distances. At about the distance of two hundred feet, there is a stone placed at an angle of 45, intended, it is said, to mark the opening ; it is six feet high, and by lying on the back , one can see directly through the circle. From this stone a See pp. 15, 10 of that work. f " For Mesbrah or Musawwesah (sculptured)." J In p. 177 of that work it is stated that Mr. Davidson seemed to think that the above mentioned ruins were Druidical, and that he compared them with the remains of Stonehenge. 377 shelving road leads to a well called ' 'Ain tayyeb ' (good spring). But the chief tradition of the place relates to the gold treasure said to be concealed here. The poor creatures sleep upon this stone in all weathers, and they were delighted to see the compass going round while we were taking the bearings of the place, for they fancied that the gold turned as the needle did One account attributes the erection of the stones to Pharaoh; by others it is said that there was once a large city there, subse- quently buried, and that what remains is only the top. I think it has been a large place, and I would willingly pay for exploring it. The people say it was the city of a giant race, who were of such a size that the shin-bone of a woman formed a bridge over the stream. Tbe elk-hom of Ireland*. The Arakin on the E.S.E. are five large stones, one of which is like a coffin ; but I think it is too solid to have ever answered that purpose. On the W.N.W. there are five others, each forming a sort of vestibule to the side entrances mentioned above. At the centre entrance the stones lie flat on the ground. It appears to have been a great place of resort for religious purposes, and the various circles to have been the various spots selected for the performance of religious rites. The circle is 630 feet; the Peg 16 feet high, and 6 in circumference ; the larger entrance is 15 feet wide ; at the distance of 112 feet on the E.S.E. and W.N.W. sides are two other entrances, 5 feet wide, and the semi-diameter of the circle is 74 feet." In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Joshua there is an account of the general destruction of the Anakim and other Canaanites, by Joshua. Dr. Adam Clarke, in his commentary thereon, says " Besides the multitudes that perished in this war, many of the Canaanites took refuge in the confines of the land, and in the neighbouring nations. Some suppose that a party of these fugitive Canaanites made themselves masters of Lower Egypt, and founded a dynasty there known by the name of the shepherd kings ; but it is more probable that the shepherds occupied Egypt long before the time that Jacob went thither to Mr. ]). serins lo allude here to a similar tradition in some part of Ireland. 378 sojourn. It is said they founded Tingris or Tangier, where, according to Procopius, they erected two white pillars, with an inscription in the Phoenician language, of which this is the translation : ' We are the persons who have fled from the face of Joshua the plunderer, the son of Nave or Nun.' (See Bochart, Phaleg and Canaan, Lib. i., c. xxiv., col. 476.) Many, no doubt, settled in different parts of Africa, in Asia Minor, in Greece, and in the different islands of the iEgean and Mediterranean Sea. It is supposed also that colonies of this people were spread over different parts of Germany and Sclavonia, &c, but their descend- ants are now so confounded with the nations of the earth, as no longer to retain their original name, or to be discernible." The port of Tangier, being on the Straits of Gibraltar, would be the very key whence these Phoenician or Tyrian colonists might carry on their trade with Britain, and disseminate their religion, manners, and customs amongst the natives*. The colonial coin of Tyre mentioned previously is certainly very remarkable, whether it supports Druidism or not. 1 am informed by Mr. Akerman that its genuineness is unquestionable, and that an ill-preserved specimen of one of the kind is in the cabinet of Dr. John Lee. A wood- cut of the coin in question is here given, taken from the engraving of it in Vaillant's work on Boman Colonial Coinsf, and therein stated to be of the time of Gordian III. Mr. Bowles, in his representation of this coin, describes the tree as an oak, but Vaillant states it to be an olive tree ; and after describing the Ambrosiae Petrae and flaming altar, states that the shell is of that kind from which the Tyrian * See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vii., p. 8, relative to a bronze figure of a bull found in Cornwall, conjectured by some to be Phoenician. + Part ii., p. 151, ed. 1007, wherein he refers to Tristan's work, Vol. i.. pp. 91, 4!(l ; and Vol. ii., p. 508; and also to Nonnus. 379 dye was made. In the same page of Vaillant's work there is another Tyrian coin, representing two stones and an olive tree between them, a serpent en- twined round the trunk of the tree ; and a shell, and the dog which, according to the legend, having cracked the shell and eaten the fish, his purple- stained mouth led to the dis- covery of the Tyrian dye. The inscription on this coin is " TYR. METRO. COL., "which Vaillant interprets, " Colonia Tyrus Metropolis." See the woodcut. These two coins are given in Vaillant's work, published in 1688, p. 218, which work, likewise, in p. 148, contains a coin of the Tyrians, temp. Aquilia Severa, in which the two stones, instead of being represented smooth, as in the other cases, are like two rocks. In p. 351 of that work, a Tyrian coin of the time of Gallienus is represented with the stones smooth. It has the inscription, " Col. Tyro. Metr.," which Vaillant interprets, " Colonia Tyros Metropolis." In Patin's work on Roman coins, p. 299, a coin of the time of Caracalla is figured with the inscription, " Sept. Tyrus Met. Coloni"; and hi p. 298, a coin of Sidon, with the inscription, " Col. Av. Metro. Sid." Mr. Akerman, in a paper " On the Stone Worship of the Ancients, illustrated by their Coins," which was read before the Numismatic Society, January 18, 1838, and published in their " Transactions," states that " to these examples of consecrated rocks or mountains, may be added that recorded on a coin of Tyre, bearing the figures of two large upright stones*, inscribed AMBPOZIE TIETPE\. Although all these objects are * " Pausanias, Lib. viiL, c. 1.'), describes two remarkable stones, called Petroma, venerated by the Pheneatre." t " Mionnet, Descrip., Tom, v., p. 436, N<>. 667. Other coins of Tyre have this remarkable inscription.'' 380 figured with a smooth surface, they are without doubt intended to represent rocks, and not cone-shaped stones, a conclusion justly warranted by the fabulous account of the building of Tyre. Nonnus, in his ' Dionysiacs '*, says that the oracle instructed the founders of the city to proceed on their voyage until they came to two rocks, which they would find floating on the sea ; upon these they were to build new Tyre. The oracle was obeyed, and the city being built, the rocks became immoveable. On other coins of Tyre these holy rocks are represented with water streaming from the base of eachf. Another description of sacred stone appears on coins of Greek cities. On those of Tyre} we find a serpent entwined round a large egg-shaped stone. Vaillant considers that this relates to the serpent or dragon which was fabled to have heen killed by Cadmus ; but though, on other coins of this renowned city, a man is represented engaged in combat with a serpent, it is by no means clear that the example in question refers to that exploit ." From all that has been said, and considering that Ambreley, Amberley, Ambresbury, and Ambury, are common names of old earth-works all over the kingdom, it appears more than probable that Amber Stones stood at such places in primitive times, which gave the names thereto ; and that the Banbury or Bambury Stone or Rock in Kemerton Camp, otherwise Bambury Camp, on the top of Bredon Hill, was one of these Ambrosiae Petrae[|, or Amber Stones, dedicated to the Sun by the Celtic Druids, either in imitation or independently of the form of worship of the Amonians, Phoenicians, or Tynans. This would, if so, tend to confirm my idea that the Kemerton Camp is ancient British, although afterwards occupied by the Romans, Saxons, and DaneslT. * " Lib. xl." + " Vaillant, Num. in Col. percussa." J " Vaillant, ibid. Tom. ii., p. 136." Ibid., p. 350, pub. 1688. || There is a place called " Petre Hill" in Amblecote, Co. Stafford. ^f See pp. 8:t, H4, and the Celtic derivation of the name of the hill. Vide also the accounts of Eckington, Norton in Bredon, Scdgcbarrow and Condertou, as to ancient relics found at those places. 381 Cfeapttr HI. LOGAN STONES AND HOLE STONES. It has been contended by some antiquaries that the Logan, or Rocking Stones are not artificial. Now the question, as to whether they are artificial or not, is perhaps of little consequence in the research, as to the veneration and awe in which they were held by the ancients and the religious uses they consequently applied them to *. Perhaps, however, the truth is that some are natural, and produced or exposed by the gradual disintegration or denudation of rocks, but that others are artificial. The ancients possibly considered the natural Logan Stones, and also the basaltic columns (such as the Giant's Causeway and Fingal's Cave) as the artificial productions of a prior gigantic race; and in many instances erected similar Logan Stones +, par- ticularly where they found boulders, &c, at hand suited to their purpose. In later ages, very extraordinary ancient productions, whether natural or artificial, appear to have been frequently attributed to satanic influence, and hence we have the class of places called the Devil's Den, the Devil's Spadeful, the Devil's Leap, and the Devil's Pig-trough \. Not only the ancients held stones in great reverence which had holes through them, or were so placed as to leave a hole be- * " The Druids are supposed to have appealed to these stones in their sacred rites, divinations, and judgments." See " Gentleman's Magazine" for March 1842, p. 287. + There is a Hocking Stone in Soyland, in Yorkshire, called the Awse, or Fairies' Hole, with a Carnedh. See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ill., p. 275, second edition, 180(5. I See Stanford, Kidderminster, Dodenham, Martley, and Leigh. 382 tween them ; but " the passing through a cleft or aperture in a rock, is a medical superstition, which lias been found in many countries. It is mentioned, in the " Asiatic Researches," as com- mon in the east ; and Borlase commemorates it as practised with perforations of Druidical stones in Cornwall*." The peasantry in the country also fancy that a stone, with a hole in it, prevents witches riding horses, and hence it is oftentimes tied to the stable key ; and such stones they also hang up behind the cottage door, to preserve the house and its inhabitants from the baneful influence of the " evil eye." * See " Athenaeum," for September 5th, 1846, p. 909 ; and for September 12th, p. 932. 383 W tx P- HOAE STONES. From the Amber or Sacred Stones of primitive times, we descend to the Hoar Stones of a later age, which mark the period when this country began to be portioned out, and defined by distinct boundaries. In my account, in the first edition of this work, of the calca- reous rock called Hoar Stone, situated on the borders of Sapey Brook, in Tedstone Delamere, Herefordshire*, I suggested that such stones were so called from their being white or hoary ; but, upon a subsequent perusal of the late Mr. Hamper's workf on the subject, it appears evident that they were so called on account of their being either placed or adopted as boundaries, or marks of division. He says the Hoar Stone is " the stone of memorial, or land mark, describing the boundary of property, whether of a public or a private nature, as it has been used in almost all countries, from the patriarchal era down to the days of the present generation ; and that the Greek ' Horos,' the Latin ' Ora,' the Celtic and Welsh ' Or' and ' Oir,' the Armoric ' Harz,' the Anglo-Saxon 'Or,' ' Ord' and ' Ora;' the German ' Ort,' the Italian ' Orlo,' the old French ' Oree,' the French ' Orle,' the Spanish ' Orla,' the Arabic ' Ori,' the obsolete British ' Yoror,' the obsolete Irish ' Ur' and ' Or,' the Gaelic or Erse ' Ear' and ' Aird,' with similar words in other languages, have all, to a cer- tain degree, one and the self-same meaning, namely, a bound or limit ;" and that " tbe unaspirated Greek ' Oros', denoting a moun- * See pp. 48, 4!t of that edition. + Entitled " Observations on Certain Ancient Pillars of Memorial called Hoar Stones," by William Hamper, Esq., F.S.A., &c, published in 1832. 384 tain, one of the natural limitations of vision, its root, and that of all the preceding words, may prohably be referred to the Hebrew ' Hor,' or ' Har,' a mountain, which, in a secondary sense, seems to be used for a termination." Of this he gives several instances, such as Mount Hor, Hermon, Ar-oer, Ar-non, &c. * It appears, however, from Mr. Hamper's work, that I was not singular in considering that the name Hoar Stone meant a white or hoary stone, for he, in describing the notions of different authors concerning them, says, in Section I., as follows : " Somneb. " The Anglo-Saxon words ' on thane haren stan,' in a charter relative to the monastery of Wolverhampton, Co. Stafford, are rendered ' in lapidem mucidum,' under the idea of haren mean- ing hoary. ' Monasticon Angl.,' i., p. 989." The following, from Mr. Hamper's work, also are interesting, as bearing upon our subject : " GOUGH. " The boundaries of Codeston, now Cutsdean, Co. Worcester, are described in the Anglo-Saxon of Heming's ' Cartulary,' p. 348, as coming ' on thaene haran stan, of thane haran stan andlang grenan weyes,' which is translated, in Nash's ' Worcestershire,' Vol. ii. App., p. 45, ' on to the grey stone, from the grey stone along the green way.' " Mr. Nichols informed the writer that the translations from Heming, in the above-named history, were by the editor of 4 Camden.' " " HUTTON. " This author, speaking of a Koman station at Birmingham, says, he can find no vestiges remaining, though ' the most likely place is Wor-ston,' which he interprets ' Wall-stone,' part of the Ikeneld Street being called Warstone Lane in passing through that neighbourhood. ' History of Birmingham,' third edition, p. 221." " The stone itself is mentioned in deeds as late as a.d. 1676." * Also, see " Gentleman's Magazine" for November 1840, upon the subject. 385 " Nichols. " In Humberston Field, Co. Leicester, the apex of a rock, rising considerably above the ground, is called Holstone, which Mr. Nichols conjectures to be a corruption of Holy-stone ; adding, that in Dorsetshire, and the other western counties, these holy stones are very frequent, and ' by the common people sometimes called Hell-stones, a name deducible either from helian, to cover or conceal, or rather from heilig, holy.' ' History of Leicester- shire,' Vol. hi., Part 2, p. 981, Note 2." " Dudley. " The Rev. John Dudley, under the signature of J. D., in the ' Gentleman's Magazine' for 1813, Part 1, p. 318, calls the stone mentioned in the last extract, ' Hoston-stone, or Hoston, mean ing, probably, High-stone*.' " " Watson. " In an account of Druidical remains at Halifax, in Yorkshire, by the Rev. John Watson, ' Archaeologia,' Vol. ii., p. 353, it is said, that ' the Rocking Stone is situated so as to be a boundary mark between the two townships of Golcar and Slaighthwait, and gives the name of Hole-stone Moor to the adjoining grounds, corrupted, as 1 take it (adds Mr. Watson, p. 356), from Holy-stone, or Holed-stone.' " In Section III., Mr. Hamper gives a list of a great number of Hoar Stones, or places named from them ; namely, about seventy- five in England, two in Scotland, and eighteen in Wales. Of those in England, the following fourteen are in Worcestershire : Worcestershire. The Hore-stone in the Foreign of Kidder- minsterf. Hore-stone Field, in Northfield, so called in a deed, a.d. 1687, though corrupted into the Oar-stone Field, in particulars of North- field Manor, &c, for sale, a.d. 1820. * But see pp. 369, 370, as to Mr. Dudley's subsequent opinion. f Tliis stone is noticed in the Ordnance Survey Map. The farm there is called the Hoar-stone Estate, which is situated within one mile of Bewdley and two miles of Kidderminster. Also see " Codex Dip.," No. 415, 415 App., Vol. vi., as to a place called Hore-stan. 386 Land called Hauxmore, in Leigh, is described in a MS. Survey of Malvern Chase, a.d. 1633, as " lying after the head waie from Cowley's Oke towards the Hoare-stone." Whor-stone Field, partly in King's Norton, and partly in Cofton Hacket. " Horston Field, in Feckenham." Letters patent, 37 Hen. VIII. , in the possession of the late Christopher Hunt, Esq. Whor-stone Grove Coppice, at Himbleton, mentioned on a tablet in the church. " De Apulthonesford usque Horestan." Survey of Broms- grove, Norton, and Alvechurch, temp. Edw. III. Nash, Vol. i., p. 23. " Horestan, and Le Horeston, in Bromsgrove." Testa de Nevill. " Of reodmaedwan on Haranstan." Heming's " Cartulary," describing the boundaries of Tredington, p. 39. " On thone Haran-stan." Ibid., Cutsdean, pp. 167, 348. " Of thone Haran-stan." Ibid., Clive, p. 245. " Into Cyles dene to tham Haran-stane." Ibid., Hallow, p, 339. " On wene [thene] grene weie wat [that] on Horeston." Ibid., Cutsdean, p. 433. " Duo crofta voc' Horestone Crofts, jac' insimul inter regiam viam que ducit, inter Sterbrigge et Worcester, ex parte orient, et parvum torentum vocat.' Horestone Broke al' Holy Broke." Kental of Hagley, at Lord Lyttelton's ; 23 Hen. VIII. And the following are some of those which are in the neigh- bouring counties. Gloucestershire. The Hore-stone at Duntesbourne Abbots ; engraved in the " Archaeologia," xvi., p. 362. Herefordshire. The Hoar-stone at Tedstone Delamere. Duncumb, ii., p. 197. Leicestershire. The Holstone in Humberstone Field. Nichols, iii., Part 2, p. 981. Monmouthshire. " Per circuitum usque at Horston." Boun- daries of land belonging to Tintern Abbey. " Monast. Angl." i.. p. 723. 387 Harold's-stones, at Trelech. King, " Munimenta Antiqua," i., p. 199. Also Coxe's " Monmouthshire," ii., p. 332, where they are engraved, and called Druidical. Oxfordshire. The War-stone at Enstone. Shropshire. The Hoar-stone in Hales Owen *, dividing it from Northfield, Co. Worcester. Staffordshire. Land in Harborne called Horestone. Nash, " Worcester.," ii., App., p. 36. Warwickshire. The Hoar-stone at Whitley, near Coventry. The Whar-stones, a field at Erdington. The Hoar-stone between the parishes of Aston and Sutton Coldfield. The Whor-stone at Castle Bromwich, still remaining in a field bordering on Little Bromwich, called " Le Horestonefeld," in a deed, temp. Edw. I. In Section II., Mr. Hamper enumerates a great number of places and things called by the following names, and which I have subjoined, because they will tend to throw much light upon many of the names which will be hereafter mentioned in the lines of ancient roads, Sec. No. 1 . Hoar. 2. Hoar <>ak. 3. Hoar Withy. I. Hoar Thorn. '). Hoar Hazel. >. Hoar Maple. 7. Hoar Apple-tree. s . Hoar Cross. 9. Hoar Stoke, or Place. 1 1). Hoar Ham, or Home. I 1 . Hoar Ton, or Inclosure. 12. Hoar Worth, or Inclosure. I 3. Hoar Wood. 1 1. Hoar Thwait, Assart, or Bidding. 15. Hoar Park. 1H. Hoar Land. * The whole of Hnles Owen was added to Worcestershire in 1P44, by the Reform Bill. :\hh No. 17. Hoar Grounds. 18. Hoar Ley, or Pasture. 19. Hoar Mead. 20. Hoar Ing, or Meadow. 81. Hoar Field. 22. Hoar Croft. 23. Hoar Moor. 24. Hoar Moss. 25 Hoar Quebb, or Quagmire. 36. Hoar Slade, or Narrow Valley. 27. Hoar Comb, or Valley. 28. Hoar Dean, or Dale. 29. Hoar Dell. 30. Hoar Gill, or Glen. 31. Hoar Hyrne, or Corner. 32. Hoar Wick, or Bank. 33. Hoar Knap, or Rising. 34. Hoar Copp, Mound, or Hillock. 35. Hoar Don, or Hill. 36. Hoar Grave, Trench, or Vallum. 37. Hoar Law, or Mount. 38. Hoar Bury, Borough, or Earth-work. 39. Hoar Hill. 40. Hoar Hope, or Height. 41. Hoar Edge. 42. Hoar Ridge. 43. Hoar Cragg. 44. Hoar Cliff. 45. Hoar Rock. 40. Hoar Torr. 47. Hoar Way. 48. Hoar Street. 49. Hoar Lane. 50* Mr. Hamper here inserted Hoar Path, from " Ilerepath ;" but that word signifies a military road. 389 No. 51. Hoar Gate, or Wicket. 52. Hoar Gate, or Road. 53. Hoar Ford. 54. Hoar Bridge. 55. Hoar Wear. 56. Hoar Cote. 57. Hoar House. 58. Hoar Hall. 59. Hoar By, or Village. 00. Hoar Chester, or Camp. 01. Hoar Castle. 62. Hoar Dyke. 03. Hoar Sytch, Sike, or Water-course. 04. Hoar Bourne, or Rivulet. 65. Hoar Wash, or Water. 66. Hoar Mouth, or Embouchure. 67. Hoar Mere. 68. Hoar Pool. 69. Hoar Pit. 70. Hoar Well. Of the above, the following are either in Worcestershire or on or near the border of it : HOAR WITHY. " On thone Haran Withig." Heming's " Cartulary," de- scribing the limits of Pendock, Co. Worcester, pp. 183, 184, 360, 361. HOAR APPLE-TREE. " On the Haran Apel-treo." Heming's " Cartulary," Boun- daries of Wyke*, Co. Worcester, p. 75. * This Wyke means Wick Episcopi, in the parisli of St. John, in Bedwar- dine, near the city of Worcester. (There also is Wyke, Wick, or Wycb Waryn, near I'crshore.) The apple-tree stood near where the Temc joins the Severn. 390 " In Harau Eapol-derne." Ibid., Cofton, Co. Worcester, p. 7. Bishop Lyttelton translates this, " to the grey apple-trees," in his account of Alvechurch parish, as printed by Nash, Vol. i., p. 20. " To thsere Haran-Apeldran." Ibid., Hallow, Co. Worcester, p. 340. HOAR STOKE, OR PLACE. Warstock, in King's Norton, Co. Worcester, is close to War- wickshire ; and, on an inquisition being taken there, 5 Edward III., is described in the Escheat Roll as " le Horestok, in con- finio comitat. Wigorn. et Warr." HOAR LEY, OR PASTURE. " Ondlang tha?s weyes on Haran Laeh." Heming's " Car- tulary," describing the boundaries of Laweni, Co. Worcester, pp. 161, 349. Worley, Wigorn ; and Worley, Salop ; two hamlets in those respective counties, joining each other. HOAR LAND. Hore Londe, at Wootton Wawen, Co. Warwick, is mentioned in the Minister's accounts of the Duke of Buckingham, Henry VII., and is probably the same as now called Wlior Knap, bor- dering on Oldborough and Morton. HOAR MEAD. War Meadow, in Solihull, Co. Warwick, abutting on Kings Norton, Co. Worcester. HOAR CROFT. War Croft, in Solihull, Co. Warwick, abutting on King's Norton, Co. Worcester. 3. 541, as to llorewcll. 393 " Inde per Fulanbroc usque in Haven willes." Boundaries at Evesham, Co. Worcester, " Monast. Angl.," Vol. i., p. 145. The following is the account given in the " Archaeologia," (Vol. xvi.*) of the Duntesbourne Abbot's Stone : " Nov. 20, 1806. An account of a tumulus, opened on an estate of Matthew Bailie, M.D., in the parish of Duntesbourne Abbots, in Gloucestershire, communicated to Samuel Lyson, Esq., Director, by the Rev. Anthony Friston, rector of Edgeworth, in the same county. " The length of the barrow was about forty yards, and the width thirty ; it contained about eight or nine bodies, of different ages ; it was composed of loose quarry stones. The largest stone, at the east end, has been long known in that county by the name of the ' Hoar Stone.' It is of the calcareous kind, twelve feet high, fifteen in circumference, and weighs probably about five or six tons." Thus, it appears evident that the primitive Logan and Amber stones were, in some instances, made use of in the later ages, as Hoar or boundaiy stones. The etymology advanced by Messrs. Dudley and Nichols, in regard to the Holstone, in Humberston Field, might at first appear, in that particular instance, to militate against the idea of its being a Hoar-stone ; nevertheless, however that may be, it is pretty clear, from the name Humberston, or Amber-stone Field, that it was originally an Amber-stone. Indeed, this principle appeal's to be admitted by Mr. Hamper himself, in the second edition of his work (although not in the first f), wherein he, in his account of the Merionethshire stones, called the Graves of the Men of Ardudwy, says : " It seems probable that they were early sepulchral monuments, though not less likely, on that account, to become the termini of later times ; for the Hoar- stone at Duntesbourne, Co. Gloucester, already mentioned, is iixed upon an ancient sepulchral tumulus ; and a barrow in See Appendix thereto, j>p. 301,302. ^ The first edition was published in 1820, 394 Norfolk is actually the boundary mark of the three parishes of Aylsham, Burgh, and Tutington." " Archseologia," Vol. xvi., p. 355. And in his account of the War-stone, at Enstone, in Oxford- shire, he says : " A view and description of this stone are given in the " Gentleman's Magazine " for February 1824, by Edward Rudge, Esq., who judiciously deems it to have been originally a cromlech, supported after the manner of Kit's* Coity-house, upon three stones of smaller dimensions, which are still remain- ing close to it." Mr. Hamper also thus notices the Harold's stones at Trelech, in Pembrokeshire : "A stone pitched on end, on the farm of Harold- stone." Fenton, p. 24. And added, Mr. Fenton thinks it " rather remarkable that there should be so many places called Harold-stone, or, at least, with Harold prefixed, in this country." Under the head " Hoar Hill," Mr. Hamper remarks, " In Over Alderley, Co. Chester, at the present boundaiy of Alderley and Presbury parishes, and near the ancient division of Hamestan and Bochelan Hundreds, is an estate called the Harehills." " Omerod," hi., p. 307. Harehillf, near the Roman Wall, Co. Cumberland. " Horse- ley," p. 153. Harehill, near Leeds, Co. York. Thoresby, by Whitaker, p. 145. In Leigh there are places called the Hoardings, and Harding's Meadow]:. In Alfrick, Norgrove ; in Bayton, Norgrove. In Lulsley there is Harding Orchard, and Horridge Coppice. In Hagley there are places called Hoarstone, Big Hoarstone, and Little Hoarstone. In Frankley, a chapelry in Hagley, there is Warstone Farm. In Cofton Hackett, a place called Part of Warstone. In Powick, a place called Soar Oak Field. In White Ladies Aston, Harrold's Close. In Elmley Castle parish, a piece * See " Suckley," p. 242. + This is also noticed in Hutton's " History of the Roman Wall," p. 206, which, he says, " by the bye, stands in a valley." J Perhaps this is the site of the Hoar-stone which lay towards Cowley's ( ak, before described. Sec p. : l s '>- 395 called Worrall, In Birlingham, Harrils Hill. In Severn Stoke, Earl's Croomb, and DefFord, a piece called Horrell Orchard. Between Church Honeybourne and Middle Littleton, a place called Norridge Hill. In Holt with Little Witley, places called Hares- hill Field and Hareshill Orchard. In Offenham, places called Norvill, Lower, Middle, and Upper Norvill. In Chaddesley Corbett, places called Warstone, Little Warstone, and Warrage. In Longdon, Hare Plock, and Hare Bridge. In Chaseley, Norgast Field, Great, Middle, and South Norgast Field. In Feckenham there are places called Worralls, Worrall's Hill, Worrell's Meadow, Wargrove, Warridge, Upper and Lower Horcuts, Nor- grove, Norbury Hill, North Norbury Hill, and South Norbury. In Upton Warren, Warridge Lodge Homestall, and Warranton Meadow. In Hartlebury, Hargrove, Hargroves, and Hargrove Lane. In Oldborough, Harding's Pleck, Harding's Meadow, and Warnap Hill. In Whittington, Norcroft, Hares Close, and Wordings. In Stock and Bradley, a place called Harcourts. In Tidnaington, Hoar Pit. In Abberley, Hareshill and Warden. In Catshall and Coneygree, hi Ombersley, Hither Warvill, and Further Warvill. In Uphampton, in Ombersley, Warwill. In Chadwick, in Bromsgrove parish, Warding. In Hanley William, Upper Hurcott. In Grimley, Hares Moor. In King's Norton, Warstone, and Warstock Piece. In Cradley, in Hales Owen, Warling Meadow and Coppy (Coppice). In Northfield, Warstone, and Warstone Field. In Clent, Warstone, Upper Wargen and Lower Wargen. In Martley, Warcroft. HEREFORDSHIRE. In Ullingswick, Horestone, Horestone Length, and Horestone Piece. In Wolverlow, Hare Hill. In Ledbury parish, Hare Hill, and Warcroft. In Much Marcle, Harold's Croft, Harwell Orchard, Harwell Field, and Worrell's Meadow. In or near Ken- derchurch, Harold's Ewias. In Upper Sapey, Warden's Grove, At Kentcburcb, Orcopp. In Cradley, Harrold's Coppice, (or Herold's Copse), Harrold's Orchard, Harrold's Meadow, and Bi Codex Diplomations." 402 have been borrowed in after-times from those of an earlier date, while others may have assumed, by a process of corruption, their present form, yet, notwithstanding this, the majority of the names are, undoubtedly, as they appear to be, of genuine antiquity. I must here remark, that I consider myself particularly fortunate that, at the present time, so many independent circumstances have concurred throughout the length and breadth of the land, as above stated, to assist my scattered gleanings ; and, although much that is ancient flies before the advance of the railway, and the spread of more accurate knowledge, still it is consolatory that, in their passage, these vast engines of destruction, alike to tradi- tionary names and legendary superstitions, shed a momentary light upon their victims, by aid of which the friendly antiquary can, at least, write their epitaph. That land was in early times divided into fields, we know from Saxon grants, which describe hedges and ditches ; and, Sharon Turner, in his " History of the Anglo-Saxons*," thus remarks upon the subject : " When the Anglo-Saxons invaded England, they came into a country which had been under the Roman power for about four hundred years, and where agriculture, after its more complete subjection by Agricola, had been so much encouraged, that it had become one of the western granaries of the empire. The Britons, therefore, of the fifth century may be considered to have pursued the best system of husbandry then in use, and their lands to have been extensively cultivated, with all those exterior circum- stances which mark established proprietorship and improvement : as, small farms, inclosed fields, regular divisions into meadow, arable, pasture, and wood ; fixed boundaries, planted hedges, artificial dykes and ditches, selected spots for vineyards, gardens, and orchards, connecting roads and paths, scattered villages, and larger towns ; with appropriated names for every spot and object that marked the limits of each property, or the course of each way. All these appear in the earliest Saxon charters, and before the combating invaders had time or ability to make them, if they * Vol iii., A})]). No. '>. 403 had not found them in the island. Into such a country the Anglo-Saxon adventurers came, and by these facilities to rural civilization, soon became an agricultural people. The natives, whom they despised, conquered, and enslaved, became their educators and servants in the new arts, which they had to learn, of grazing and tillage ; and the previous cultivation practised by the Romanised Britons will best account for the numerous divi- sions, and accurate and precise descriptions of land which occur in almost all the Saxon charters. No modern conveyance could more accurately distinguish or describe the boundaries of the premises which they conveyed." The following are summaries of the places, in or near the county, called by the names " Ridgeway," " Portway," and " Street." 404 aw** m. KLDGEWAYS. There are several plots called Ridgeway, in Norton, in Bredon ; Little Ridgeway, in Newland ; Ridgeway Leasow, and Great and Little Ridgeway, and Rudgeway or Ridgeway Ham or Common Field, in Powick ; Ridgeway Meadow, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine ; Ridgeway, in Feckenham ; Ridgeway Close, in Tardebig ; Ridgeway, in the hamlet of Northwick, in Blockley ; Ridgeway Field, in Doderhill ; Big Ridgeway Pieces, in Leigh ; Rudgeway Furlong, in Broadway ; and Ridgeway, in Eastham ; all of which are in Worcestershire. In Herefordshire there are Ridgeway Field and Ridgeway Coppice, in the parish of Ledbury ; The Ridgeway, between the Herefordshire Beacon Camp and Eastnor ; and Ridgeway Cross and Ridgeway Oak, in Cradley. In Gloucestershire there are Ridgeway Hill, Ridgeway Piece, and Ridgeway Meadow, in Fiddington, in Ashchurch ; and Rudge- way, between Tredington and Walton Cardiff. With respect to the above-mentioned " Rudgeway Furlong," in Broadway, it is stated, in the " 24th Further Report of the Com- missioners for inquiring concerning Charities" for the county of Worcester, p. 574, that a plot of charity land, therein mentioned, is " a sellion or rudge of arable land, lying in the common fields, in a furlong there, called Rudgeway Furlong," situate at " the upper end of Broadway." Now, Johnson, quoting Ainsworth, gives the word " sellion" thus, " Selion. s. [Selio, low Latin] a ridge of land ;" therefore it is quite clear, from the above, that Rudge means Ridge. An account of the main lines and branches of the Ridgeway, or Rycknield Street, will be found at p. 329 to 353. 405 tftapter gj. POKTWAYS. In either Badsey, Aldington, or Bretforton, a piece used to be called Portway Furlong*. There is Portway Piece, in Wolverley ; Portway Plat, in Croces in Sychampton, in Ombersley; Porte Fields Farm, and Porte Fields Koad, in Claines ; The Portway, in Beoley; Portridge Field, Little Portridge, and Portnells in the Berrow ; The Portweye, formerly in Kempsey ; Portway Field, in Warley, in Hales Owen ; Portway, in Fladbury ; and Portfield, in Northfield; and there was Port Street, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Lawern, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine ; the like, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Salwarp ; and Portway, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Wolverton ; all of which places are in Worcestershire. Portway, in Over Arley, in Staffordshire. See p. 145. Portway, Portway Meadow, Upper Portway Meadow, and Lower Portway Meadow, in Monington-on-the-Wye, about four miles west of Kenchester (the site of the ancient Magna f;) Portway Orchard, Portway House, and the Portway, in Orleton, in Herefordshire. Portway Top, in Dymock, in Gloucestershire. * See p. 336, title " Budsey." + See p. 280', &c., as to this Portway through Worcestershire. 406 W tX # STEEETS. There are Street Meadow and Street Leasow, in Wolverley ; Moors (otherwise Mours) Street, in Hales Owen ; Green Street, and Green Street Meadow, in Kempsey ; Green Street, Nether Street, and Little Street, in Hallow ; Green Street, and Hun- ningham Street*, in Harvington; Salter Street Ground, in Ink- berrow ; The Leys, next Rock Street, in Chaseley ; Wood Street, inBushley; " The Streets," in Bromsgrove parish ; Street Hill Tillage, in Claines ; Green Street, in Wickhamford ; Eagle Street, in Beoley. Pieces called Lower Street Leasow, and Upper Street Leasow, in the Foreign of Kidderminster ; Upper Street, and Upper Street Sling, in Doderhill ; Street Bank, in Shelsley Beauchamp ; Street Orchard, in Grimley ; Street-end Meadow, in Alvechurch ; Rye Street, in Birt's Morton ; Green Street, in Alfrick and Lulsley ; Street and Salt Street, in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Wolverton ; all in Worcestershire. Streets-end, in Much Marcle ; Streets-end Orchard, Street- end Meadow, and Street-end Garden, in Ullingswick, in Here- fordshire. King Street, near Berrington, not far from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire. Streets Brook Coppice and Meadow, and Shirley Street Meadow, in Solihull, Co. Warwick. * See p. MO, referring to Hearing's " Cartulary." 407 (papier f|. SITES OF ANCIENT VINEYARDS. As the name " Vineyard" occurs in almost every parish in the county (a few of which have previously been noticed), it would be curious to ascertain when vines were first planted in England, and how long they were continued. As the name sometimes occurs in the neighbourhood of the camps*, and in the lines of the ancient roads, perhaps they were first introduced by the Romans ; but, if so, it must have been during the latter part of their dominion here ; for, Tacitus in speaking of the temperature and happy situation of Britain, says, " there is nothing deficient in it but the olive and the vine, which only grow in hotter countries f." Dr. Nash, in Vol. i. of his " History," p. 307, in speaking of a place called The Vines, in Droitwich*, says, " Suetonius tells us that Domitian forbade the planting of any new vineyards, and destroyed at least half of the old ones in every province. The liberty of growing vines was restored by Probus, and I believe the Britons began to plant them about the year 280. Bede, who finished his " History" in 731, describing Britain, says, they grew vines in sundry places ; and, Richard of Cirencester, who died about 1400, makes the same observation. Perhaps their cultivation was neglected, when the inhabitants found they could purchase better flavoured wines at a low price from France, or employ their lands to more advantage by raising grain . * See Stoke Bliss, p. 25K, and Whitbourne, p. '-213. t See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, published 1670, p. '>. J Several Roman relics liave 1 n found there. See pp. !)8 to lO>. See Mr. Pegge's dissertation in the first volume of the " ArelixoW.it." p. 344. Several autiquaries consider that the places called Vineyards refer to apple or other fruit orchards, and not to the vine; but see before, pp. !)8 to l(M. 408 And in Vol. ii., " Corrections and Additions," p. 24, the Doctor says, " In William of Malmsbury's description of Thorney Abbey (' De gestis pontificum,' L. 4, p. 163, ed. Savil), there is a passage which seems plainly to prove that vines, for making wine, were planted in England ;" and " Camden says, one of the four wonders of Ely was a vinea." The Doctor also refers to various ancient documents relative to vineyards in Eipple, temp. Henry II. ; Fladbury, temp, circa Henry III. ; in Leigh, temp, circa Edward I. ; and also in Sedgbarrow and Elmley Castle. It is said that the sides of Towbuiy Hill, in Gloucestershire, were formerly covered with vines. There also is a hill by Evesham called Vineyard Hill, planted by Walter, the first Norman Abbot, which is noticed in " Domes- day," as the " New Vineyard:" " Et vinea novella ibi." Survey of Abbey land at Hampton, in " Domesday Book*." There are Vine Hill, and the Vineyards, in Dodenham ; The Vinne, Vinne Orchard, Big Vinne, Little Vinne, and Great Viney, in Abberley ; Vineyard, in Stoke Bliss ; The Vineyard, in Powick ; The Vine- yard, in Lower Mitton, in the parish of Kidderminster ; and also in a great many other places in the county. * See May's " History of Evesham," secoiid edition, 18-45, pp. 18, 84. 409 apter flf. FOLK-LOKE. ON THE IGNIS FATUUS, OR WILL-O'-THE-WISP, AND THE FAIRIES. The following chapter was published as a separate pamphlet, in 1840, and is here reprinted with various additions. From the county of Worcester might be gleaned much more of the ancient folk-lore than is here presented to the reader, the researches of the Author having been chiefly directed to the particular legends , in reference to the ignis fatuus, and the tiny inhabitants of fairyland. In and near Worcestershire there are many fields and other places distinguished by the names of " Hoberdy," " Hob," " Puck," ' Jack," and " Will." The origin of such appellations is, doubt- less, mainly to be sought in the popular fairy mythology ; and, in investigating the subject, the Author has collected many curious legends of the folk-lore, more particularly those that relate to, or may be explained by the natural phenomenon of the ignis fatuus. These it is his present intention to lay before the reader. The following particulars of the ignis fatuus were published by me in the Worcester newspapers, of January 1840. " In the year 1835, I gave an account of a great many facts which I collected, and which are published in my pamphlet on the ' Old Red Sandstone of Worcestershire and Herefordshire,' relative to that remarkable and interesting phenomenon called the ignis fatuus, or Will-o'-the-Wisp, but 1 never had the pleasure of seeing it myself until the night of the :51st of December, 1 S:ii. in two meadows and a stublile field on the south side of Brook House. 410 situated about a mile from Powick village, near the Upton road. I had for several nights before been on the look out there for it, but was told by the inhabitants of the house that previously to that night it was too cold. I noticed it from one of the upper windows intermittingly for about half an hour, between ten and eleven o'clock, at the distance of from one to two hundred yards off me. Sometimes it was only like a flash in the pan on the ground; at other times it rose up several feet and fell to the earth, and became extinguished ; and many times it proceeded horizontally from fifty to one hundred yards with an undulating motion, like the flight of the green woodpecker, and about as rapid ; and once or twice it proceeded with considerable rapidity, in a straight line upon or close to the ground. " The light of this ignis fatuus, or rather of these ignes fatui, was very clear and strong, much bluer than that of a candle, and very like that of an electric spark, and some of them looked larger and as bright as the star Sirius ; of course, they look dim when seen in ground fogs, but there was not any fog on the night in question ; there was, however, a muggy closeness in the atmosphere, and at the same time a considerable breeze from the south-west. Those Will-o'-the-Wisps which shot horizontally invariably proceeded before the wind towards the north-east. " On the day before, namely, the 30th of December, there was a white frost in the morning ; but as the sun rose behind a mantle of very red and beautifully stratified clouds, it rained heavily (as we anticipated) in the evening ; and from that circumstance I conjectured that I should see the phenomenon in question on the next night, agreeably to all the evidence I had before collected upon the subject. " On the night of the 1st of January, 1840, I saw only a few flashes on the ground at the same place ; but on the next night (the wind still blowing from the south-west), I not only saw several ignes fatui rise up occasionally in the same locality many feet high, and fall again to the ground, but at about eight o'clock two very beautiful ones rose together a little more than one hundred yards from me, and about fifty yards apart from each other. The one ascended several yards high, and then fell in a curve to the 411 ground and vanished. The other proceeded in an horizontal direction for about fifty yards towards the north-east, in the same undulating and rapid manner as I have before described. I and others immediately ran to the spot, but did not see any light during our stay there. Both these nights were star-light, with detached clouds, and rather warm, but no fog. On the night of the 3rd of January the atmosphere was occasionally thick, but there was not any wind or fog, nor the slightest appearance of the phenomenon. " There was a very considerable quantity of rain on the 4th of January, but it ceased at five o'clock in the evening ; and from about seven till eight the meteors again appeared several times at the spot in question ; but as there was not any wind they went in various directions. " On the night of the 5th of January (which was star-light), I observed a few flashes on the ground at the turn of the evening, but it soon after became cold and frosty, and I saw no more of them either on that or the two succeeding nights. I did not see any lightning during the whole of those observations, which were made by others of the house as well as myself. The soil of the locality is clay, with considerable beds of gravel interspersed thereon. " From all the circumstances stated, it appears probable that these meteors rise in exhalations of electric, and, perhaps, other matter, out of the earth, particularly in or near the winter season ; and that they generally occur a day or two after con- siderable rain, and on a change from a cold to a warmer atmosphere*." * An opinion has been entertained by some writers that " Will-o -the- Wisp" is nothing more than a luminous insect (see " Saturday Magazine," Nov. 5, 1830, p. 180, quoting Kirby and Spenre) ; but from all that I have seen and collected upon the subject, the volume of light appears to be much too large to give any countenance to that opinion. The principal circumstance upon which the insect theory rests, is that a person who once upon a time chased si "Will-o'-the Wisp, caught a mole cricket in his hat: but the probability is, that in chasing one thing he caught another; and, I believe, we have ycl to learn whether mole crickets arc luminous or not. 41^> HOB. In an account which I published in 1HJ35, relative to the appearance of the ignesfatui in All'rick and its neighbourhood, 1 stated that they are called by the names of " Hoberdy's Lan- tern," " Hobany's Lantern," " Hob and his Lantern," " Jack- o'-Lantern," and " Will-o'- the- Wisp," in that district to this day*. In Hone's " Every-day Book," Vol. ii., p. 1371, we read " That there is a custom very common in Cheshire, called Old Hob ; it consists of a man carrying a horse's head, covered with a sheet, to frighten people. This frolic is usual between All- Souls' Day and Christmas." In the " Gentleman's Magazine," for January, 1845f, it is stated, that formerly there was a practice observed in Kent of " Hodening," or carrying a horse's head in procession at Christmas Eve. " Hodening " would here seem to be a cor- ruption for " Hobening." The words "hoberdy," "hobany*," and "hob, "most probably, like the word " hobby ," are all derived from the Gothic word " hoppe ||," which signifies a horse ; for we find that in various legends relative to sprites, &c, fiend horses form a prominent part; and as the movements of the ignesfatui resemble in a measure the can- tering motion of a horse H, that may have been the reason why the names in question were given to these meteors** : and here we appear to have the true meaning of the word hobgoblin, that is, * Fairy rings abound there, as well as in various other parts of the county. + See p. 2, " Minor Correspondence." I There were in Anglo-Saxon times Obanleah and Obantreow. See " Codex Dip.," No. 20, and 20 App., Vol. vi.,p. 508. See Johnson's " Dictionary," title Hobby. || And hence the words " hobby-horse " and " hobble." 1[ A hobbling or awkward-gaited country lad is called a hoberdy-hoy. ** It is said that the merciless wreckers on the coasts of Cornwall and Devon sometimes, in dark windy nights, attach a lantern to a lame horse, and then lead him along the coast, hoping that some passing vessel may mistake the undulating light of the lantern for that of another vessel, and thereby be (1 ived on shore and wrecked. U8 a fiend horse, which afterwards became a very general name for sprites, in whatever shape they might appear. Horsemen who were stationed in particular places, to give notice of the approach of an enemy in the day-time, were anciently called " hobelers." See " Archaeologia," Vol. i., p. 4. In the " Literary Gazette " for May 9, 1846, p. 426, the subject is also noticed as follows : " Hobby, a little Irish nag for the hobelers, a kind of Irish knights, light horsemen ; hobelers in England, those whose tenure was by maintaining a light nag, to certify an invasion, or any peril by the sea-side." I am informed by Mr. Lower, of Lewes, that " Hobs Hoth " is one of the wildest sports on the South Downs of Sussex. The word " hoberd " is used as a satirical expression in the " Coventry Mysteries." (See the edition by J. 0. Halliwell, Esq., pp. 179, 325.) And it also occurs in the curious old poem on " The Man in the Moon," printed in Mr. Halliwell 's " Introduc- tion to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream," p. 54. There are places called Hob's Hole and Hob's Hole Coppice, in Aston, in Blockley ; Hoberdy Hill, in Kempsey ; Hob Moor, in Chaddesley Corbett; Hob's Hole, in Offenham ; Hob's Green, between Stourbridge and Hales Owen ; Hobden and Obden Brook, in Stoke Prior ; Hob Well*, in Great Malvern ; Upper Hobs, Farther Hob Lays, and Nether Hob Lays, in Sheriffs Lench ; Hobbis Meadow, Hobbis's, and Obbis Meadow, in Tardebigg ; Hobby Kiss, in Warley Wigorn, in Hales Owen : Hob Croft, Hob Hill, Hob Hill Meadow, Hob Hill Rough, and Little Hob Hill, in Beoleyf; Hobbis's Piece, in King's Norton ; Hob Aero. First Hob Ridge, Far Hob Ridge, Hob Redding, and Hob Croft, in Xorthfieldj; Upper Hoblets, Banky Hoblets, and Hob Acre, in Frankley ; Hoberton, in Alderminster ; Great Hobbis's Meadow and Lower Hobbs Meadow, in Tredington ; and The Hob Nails, in Little Washborn. * See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii., second edition, 180(1, p. 4S7 ; but it lias now lost its inline. + Also " Sling, near Elvins." Also Witt-lies' Rough. 414 In Sussex there is a place called Hobden. In Leicestershire there is Hobwell. In Warwickshire there are places called Hob Lane Piece, in Sheldon ; Hob's Hole and Little Hobs Hole, in Willington, in Barcheston ; Hobs Croft, in Ipsley; Hobbin's* Close, in Great Alnef; Hobbin's Close, on Copt Heath; and Hobs Moat, in Solihull. In the "Athenaeum" for Sept. 18th, 1847, p. 982, there is the following passage relative to Puck, alias Hob, having fre- quently assumed the shape of a horse. " In the characters, too, which Puck assumes when his object is to Mislead night wanderers, laughing at their harm ; for which purpose he says, Sometime a horse I'll be, sometime a hound, A hog, a headless bear, sometime a fire. he is, as unquestionably, only taking upon himself forms which the spirits of popular belief were constantly in the habit of assuming. How very ancient and far-spread is the belief in spirits or fairies assuming the form of a horse, we learn from Gervase of Tilbury, who, in a well-known and oft-quoted passage of his ' Otia Imperialia,' speaks of a spirit which, in England, was called Grant, and appeared in ' likeness of a filly foal.' ' Est in Anglia quoddam demonum genus, quod suo idiomate Grant nominant ad instar pulli equini anniculi,' &c. ; and Mr. Keightley, in his ' Fairy Mythology,' has shown, from Grose, ' that, in Hampshire, they still give the name Colt Pixy to a supposed spirit or fairy, which, in the shape of a horse, wickers, i.e., neighs and misleads horses into bogs, &c.,' a prank which is exactly one of those that Puck plays, when he assumes the shape of a horse to make Oberon smile.'' DOBBIES. The name of this species of fairies, most probably, like the words " hobby" and " hob," is derived from the before-mentioned Gothic * Hobin (Frencli), a pacing horse. + Also Elvin's Close. U5 word " hoppe ;" for the word " dobbin," to this day, is a pro- vincial term for horse. The following account of the Dobbies is given in a list of ancient words at present used in the moun- tainous districts of the West Riding of Yorkshire, printed in the " Archaeologia," Vol. xvii., p. 144 : " Dobbies, demons attached to particular houses or farms. The ideas respecting them are the same as are held in Scotland with respect to Brownies. Though naturally lazy, they are said to make, in case of trouble and difficulty, incredible exertions for the advantage of the family, as to stack all the hay, or house the whole crop of corn, in one night. " The farmers' horses are left to rest, and stags, or other wild animals, are supposed to fulfil the orders of the demon. " Some of the Dobbies are contented to stay in outhouses with the cattle, but others will only dwell among human beings. The latter are thought to be fond of heat ; but when the hearth cools, it is said they frisk and racket about the house, greatly disturbing the inmates. If the family should move, with the expectation of finding a more peaceable mansion, their hopes would be frus- trated ; for we are informed that the Dobby, being attached to the persons, not to the place, would remove also, and commence bis revels in the new habitation. " The Dobbies residing in lone granges or barns, and near antiquated towers, bridges, &c, have a character imparted to them different from that of the house demons. Benighted travellers are thought to be much endangered by passing their haunts ; for, as grave legends assure us, an angry sprite will sometimes jump behind a horseman, and compress him so tightly, that he either perishes before he can reach his home, or falls into some lingering and direful malady." There are Dobbin's Hill and Little Dobbin's Hill, in the Berrow ; Dobbs Hill, in Eldersfield ; Dobbins Meadow and Lower Dobbins, in Mathon ; Upper Dobbins and Lower Dobbins, in King's Norton ; and Dobies, in Chaddesley Corbett. 410 COB. This word also frequently occurs as a proper name, and it most probably is a corruption of the Saxon word " cop" (or Dutch " kop"), and means the head, the top, a mound, or anything round*. Possibly, however, in some cases the word " cob" may be a cor- ruption of, or rather substituted for, the word " hob," in like manner as the latter sometimes is for the former." There are places called Cob's Orchard and Cob's Coppice, in Grimley; Cob Nailf, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Cob's Hole, in Abberley ; Cob's Field, in Xorthfield ; Cob Hill, in Elders- field ; Cob's Orchard, Cob's Close, and Cob's Croft, in Doderhill ; Cob's Meadow, in Alvechurch ; and Cob's Croft, in Staunton. In Gloucestershire. Cob's Hole, in Dymock. In Warwickshire. Cob-dock Hill, near Wasperton. In Sussex. Cob Court, and Cobden. In the north-east corner of Lincoln Castle " is a remarkable strong little building, called Cob's Hall J, appearing on the outside like a tower, and used as a dungeon ." The object for which it was built does not appear certain ; but on account of its circular form it most probably took its name from " cop," unless, indeed, it was a supposed fairy hall of Cob or Hob, and designated accordingly. It is stated in Gough's " Camden," Vol. iii., p. 88, that, at Ross, in Herefordshire, there " is a cross called Cob's Cross, i. e., Corpus Christi, and a lane of the same name." But surely this derivation cannot be correct ; otherwise we should have, as above, Corpus Orchard, Corpus Coppice, Corpus Nail, Corpus Hole, &c. * A small horse is called a cob ; and hence, perhaps, the word " cub." f Hob-nail most probably is a corruption of cob -nail. There is a piece of land called " Hob-Irons" in King's Norton. The hob or cob-iron is a kind of dog or horse, standing upon three feet (two before, and one behind), with a round knob for the head : they are placed on each side of the hearth in the kitchens of old farm-houses to lay the wood upon, and also the spit, and serve instead of a grate. \ " Or Cobb Hall." See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii., p. 305. 417 KNOP. We find in Thoms's " Lays and Legends of Various Nations*," that " an old Irish fable states, that, in a Danish intrenchment on the road between Cork and Middleton, Knop, a fairy chief, kept his court ; where, often at night, travellers who were not well acquainted with the road were led astray by lights which were seen, and music which was heard, within the fort. " ' Knop, within thy caverned hall, Where thou keepest thy fairy court, There, attendant on thy call, Airy chiefs and knights resort,' " &c. And in a note it is added : " Knop (cnap) is the Irish for a hillock, a hump, a button, any small rotundity. (See note on the word in ' Lays and Legends of Germany,' i., p. 5.) We doubt not that Knop is the proper name of the hump-conferring fairy chief, so notorious in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Irish tradition. (See Parnell's poem, ' In Britain's Isle and Arthur's Days ;' ' Quarterly Review,' No. 63, p. 206 ; ' Redi's Letters ;' ' Tale of Knockgrafton,' in ' Fairy Legends of South Ireland,' &c") Dr. Johnson derives " knap" from the Welsh, as follows : " Knap (cnap, Welsh, a protuberance), a protuberance ; a swel- ling prominence. Bacon.'' There is a hillock called the Knap, in Alfrick. In a work published by the Rev. E. Duke, relative to the Druidical Temples of the County of Wilts, he considers that Knap Hill, which lies between Abury and Stonehenge. was derived from Knephf. or Cneph, which, as well as Thoth, was the Egyptian or Phoenician name for Mercury, who, it is said, on the authority of Cresar and others, was worshipped at the Toot Hills as the guide over the hills and trackways J ; but, as " Knap" in Welsh means a rising or hillock, these names most probably in general were derived from the latter source . P. 24, of the " Lays and Legends of Ireland," published in 1834. + There is a place called Knep, in Sussex. See the account of Toot Hills, pp. 234, 235. See p. 193. E E 418 PUCK, HOB, ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW, ROBIN HOOD. The peasantry in Alfrick, and those parts, say that they are sometimes what they call Poake * ledden ; that is, that they are occasionally waylaid in the night by a mischievous sprite, whom they call Poake f, who leads them into ditches, bogs, pools, and other such scrapes, and then sets up a loud laugh, and leaves them quite bewildered in the lurch]:. Now, it is natural enough for these simple-minded peasantry, when bewildered and misled in the night by a Jack-o '-Lantern, particularly should they pre- viously have had plenty of good old cider at some neighbouring farm-house, to fancy, as their ancestors, time out of mind, did before them, that any noise they might then hear, such as the hooting of an owl, the crowing of a cock, the bleating of a calf, the neighing of a horse, or the braying of an ass, is the laughter and ridicule of Poake, or Puck. According to tradition, that interesting headland called Ose- berrow, or Osebury|| (vulgo Rosebury) Rock, which lies not far from Alfrick, and is situated upon the border of the river Teme, in Lulsley, opposite to Knightsford Bridge, was a favourite haunt of the fairies [vulgo pharises). It is said they had a cave there (which is still shown H); and, that once upon a time, as a man and boy were ploughing in an adjoining field, they heard an outcry in the copse on the steep declivity of the rock ; and upon their going to see what was the matter, they came up to a fairy, who was exclaiming that he had lost his pick, or pick-axe : this, after much search, the ploughman found for him ; and, thereupon, the fairy said if they would go to a certain corner of the field The adding of the letter a in the above word is a common vulgarism of the county. In like manner the peasantry say poarke or pearke for pork. + They also call the puff, or puck-ball fungus, by the name of pug-fiest (foist). X The same fancy also prevails in Ombersley, Upton Snodsbury, and other parishes. Being Pixy led is also a general fancy in Devonshire. |] By mistake named Woodbury Rock in the Ordnance Map. ^ And also a hole called the " Witches Oven." 419 wherein they had heen ploughing, they would get their reward. They accordingly went, and found plenty of bread and cheese, and cider, on which the man feasted heartily ; but the boy was so much frightened that he would not partake of the repast. It also is said, that upon another occasion a fairy came to a ploughman in the same field, and exclaimed " Oh, lend a hammer and a nail, Which we want to mend our pail." There likewise is a saying in the neighbourhood, that if a woman should break her peel (a kind of shovel used in baking bread), and should leave it for a little while at the fairies cave in Osebury Rock, it would be mended for her. In days of yore, when the church at Inkberrow was taken down and rebuilt upon a new site, the fairies, whose haunt was near the latter place, took offence at the change, and endeavoured to obstruct the building by carrying back the materials in the night to the old locality. At length, however, the church was triumphant, but for many a day afterwards the following lament is said to have been occasionally heard : " Neither sleep, neither lie, For Inkbro's ting tangs hang so nigh *." The church is a large and handsome edifice, of mixed styles of architecture. It is supposed to have been built about five cen- turies ago, but has undergone much alteration. As a countryman was one day working in a field in Upton Snodsbury, he all of a sudden heard a great outcry in a neigh- bouring piece of ground, which was followed by a low, mournful voice, saying, " I have broke my bilk, I have broke my bilk ;" and thereupon the man picked up the hammer and nails which he had with him, and ran to the spot from whence the outcry came, where he found a fairy lamenting over his broken bilk, which was a kind of cross-barred seat ; this the man soon mended, and the fairy, to * The fairies made their couplet correspond as truly with the chimes as that celebrated one which foretold the fame of Whittington and his cat. In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. ii., pp. 154, 1">5, several instances are given of the Trolls' hatred of bells, in Scandinavia. 420 make him amends for his pains, danced round him till he wound liim down into a cave, where he was treated with plenty of biscuits and wine ; and it is said that from thenceforward that man always did well in life. I have been informed, by Mr. Lower, that there is a similar legend in Sussex relative to the fairies (vulgo pharises), in the neighbourhood of Alfriston, though the article broken was not a " bilk," but a " peel," and the reward was a beer-sop. The following extract, from Shakespeare's " Midsummer Night's Dream," Act ii., Scene 1, is much in point upon our subject : " Fairy. Either I mistake your shape and making quite, Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite, Call'd Robin Good-fellow : are you not he, That fright the maidens of the villagery ; Skim milk ; and sometimes labour in the quern, And bootless make the breathless housewife churn ; And sometime make the drink to bear no barm ; Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm ? Those that Hobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck, You do their work, and they shall have good luck : Are you not he ? " Puck. Thou speak'st aright ; I am that merry wanderer of the night. I jest to Oberon, and make him smile, When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile, Neighing in likeness of a filly foal ;" &c. In Drayton's " Nymphidia*" the following lines occur in the account of Oberon 's chace after his wife, Queen Mab : " Scarce set on shore, but there withal He meeteth Puck, which most men call Hob-goblin, and on him doth fall With words from frenzy spoken. ' Hoh, hoh,' quoth Hob +, ' God save your grace ? Who dress'd thee in this piteous case ? * This was a subsequent production to the " Midsummer Night's Dream." (See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 105.) + He also is called by the name of " Hobgoblin" and " Hob" several times afterwards in that poem. 421 He thus that spoil'd my sovereign's face, I would his neck were broken.' " In the " Illustrations of the Fairy Mythology of a Midsum- mer Night's Dream," by Mr. Halliwell, for the Shakespeare Society, the following account occurs in p. 127, in what is called the " Life of Robin Good- fellow* :" " How Robin Good-fellow served a Clownish Fellow. " Presently Robin shaped himself e like to the horse that the fellow followed, and so stood before the fellow : presently the fellow tooke hold of him and got on his backe, but long had he not rid, but with a stumble he hurl'd this churlish clowue to the ground, that he almost broke his necke ; yet took he not this for a sufficient revenge for the crosse answers he had received, but stood still and let the fellow mount him once more. " In the way the fellow was to ride was a great plash of water of a good depth; thorow this must he of necessity ride. No sooner was hee in the middest of it, but Robin Good-fellow left him with nothing but a pack-saddle betwixt his leggs, and, in the shape of a fish swomme to the shore, and ran away laughing, ho, ho, hoh ! leaving the poore fellow almost drowned." And in pp. 132, 133: " How Robin Good-fellow led a Company of Fellows out of their Way. " A company of young men having beene making merry with their sweet hearts, were at their comming home to come over a heath. Robin Good-fellow, knowing of it, met them, and to make some pastime, hee led them up and downe the heath a whole night, so that they could not get out of it ; for he went before them in the shape of a walking fire, which they all saw and fol- lowed till the day did appeare ; then Robin left them, and at his departure spake these words : " ' Get you home, you merry iadsi Tell your mammies and your dads, * It is supposed that Shakespeare was acquainted with this tract. * 422 And all those that newes desire, How you saw a walking fire*. Wenches, that do smile and lispe Use to call me Willy Wispc. If that you hut weary he, It is sport alone for me. Away : unto your houses goe, And I'le goe laughing ho, ho, hoh ! ' " Also, in p. 166, entitled, " THE PRANKS OF PUCK+. " If any wanderers I meet, That from their night-sport do trudge home, With counterfeited voice I greet, And call them on with me to roam ; Through woods, through lakes, Through bogs, through brakes, O'er bush and brier with them I go ; I call upon Them to come on, And slide out laughing ho, ho, ho ! " Sometimes I meet them like a man, Sometimes an ox, sometimes a hound ; And to a horse I turn me can J, To trip and trot about them round ; But if, to ride, My back they stride, More swift than wind away I go ; O'er hedge, o'er lands, Through pools, through ponds, I hurry laughing ho, ho, ho ! " The following is from the ballad of " Robin Good-fellow." (See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 164) : * In Shakespeare's " King Lear," Act ill., Scene 4, there is the same expression. r This song is attributed to Ben Johnson. I Perhaps Shakespeare, in the " Midsummer Night's Dream,'' introduces Bottom, the weaver, with an ass's head, in comic allusion to the custom called Old Hob, before referred to. 423 " Sometimes he'd counterfeit a voyce, And travellers call astray, Sometimes a walking fire he'd be, And lead them from their way. Some call him Robin Good-fellow, Hob-goblin, or mad Crisp, And some againe doe tearme him oft By name of Will the Wispe ; But call him by what name you list, I have studied on my pillow, I think the best name he deserves Is Robin the Good Fellow." From the above extracts it appears that Puck was sometimes called by the name of " Hob-goblin" and " Hob," therefore such names, and his pranks in the shape of horses, and his misleading persons in the night*, " in the shape of a walking fire," and the name that he obtained of " Willy Wispe," completely identify him as a personification of the ignis fatuus, under the before- mentioned names of " Hoberdy's Lantern," " Hobany's Lantern," and " Hob and his Lantern." In my juvenile days I remember to have seen peasant boys make, what they called a " Hoberdy's Lantern," by hollowing out a turnip, and cutting eyes, nose, and mouth therein, in the true moon-like style ; and having lighted it up by inserting the stump of a candle, they used to place it upon a hedge to frighten unwary travellers in the night. There is an opinion prevailing, that the name " Hob" and " Robin" are corruptions of the name Robert; but I would ask, whether it is not much more probable that the Roberts were, by an easy transition, nick-named from our fairy mythology, and that Robin was originally a corruption of Hob or Hobin. (See pp. 412, 413, 414.) There are legends relative to Robin Hood, which savour very much of both our fairy and Druidical mythology. The following curious account relative to the sprite in question has been kindly furnished me by a friend : " Mob-thrush, Ilobtrussc, the thirce or wicked demon, Ang.- * Causing them to be " 1'oakr leddcn." Sro p. 11*. 4^4 Sax. ' thyrs,' a spectre or ignis fatuus, Icelandic, ' thuss.' Grose gives us the term, but did not suspect its derivation. He says Hob-thrush is an hobgoblin, called sometimes Robin Goodfellow ; in the north Hob-thrust, or rather Hob o' t' hurst, a spirit sup- posed to haunt woods only. Bp. Kennett, in his ' Collections for a Dialectical Dictionary,' Lansd. MS., 1033, gives ' Athurse, an apparition, a goblin (Lancashire); a thurs house or thurse hole, a hollow vault in a rock or stony hill that serves for a dwelling- house to a poor family, of which there is one at Alveton, and another near Welton Mill, Co. Stafford.' Brochett, in his ' North- Country Glossary,' gives a curious note on the pranks of Hob- thrust. In a very early English Latin dictionary, dated 1433, I find ' hob trusse (prepes, negocius), these Latin words imply busy, flying sprites, or goblins.' The French word, Lutin, is rendered by Cotgrave, ' a goblin, Robin Goodfellow, Hob-thrush, a spirit which playes reakes in men's houses a-nights ; Loup- garou, a hobgoblin, hob-thrush, Robin Goodfellow, also a night- walker,' &c. Howitt, in ' Rural Life,' mentions there Hob- thrushes. Forby gives Hobby-lantern as the name of the Will-o'- "VVisp in Norfolk, as does Moor for Suffolk ; and Akerman gives Hob-lantern as its name in Wiltshire." There are places called Upper Puck-hill and Lower Puck-hill, in Acton Beauchamp ; Puck Meadow, in Hallow ; Puck Hall Field and Far Puck Hall Piece, in Hartlebury ; Puck Croft, in Stock and Bradley ; Upper and Lower Puck Close, in Fecken- ham ; Puck Meadow, in Oldberrow ; Puck Hill and Puck Hill Corner, in Himbleton ; Puck Croft, in Powick ; Puck Lane, in Stoke Prior ; Pug's Hole* Allotment, in the parish of Broms- grove ; Great and Little Puckall, in Elmley Lovett ; Tuck-hill, Leasow, and Upper and Lower Tuck-hill, in Hanley Child f; Upper, Middle, and Lower Tuck Mill Piece, in the parish of Upton-upon-Severn ; Tuck Mill, near Broadway ; Puck Pit Farm, alias Tapenhall, in Claines ; Puck Piece, in Abbot's * See p. 418, as to Pug-fiest or Puck-foist. f Also Impy Orchard and Pooten's Hole. There is likewise Imp Orchard in Clifton-on-Temc. Tmpey, The Himpey, Long Cross Himpey, and Long Himpey, in Alvechurch. 4^5 Lench, in Fladbury ; Pucklins Meadow, Big, Little, Upper, Middle, and Lower Pucklins, and Pucklins Lane, in King's Norton ; Puck Dole, in the Berrow ; Pouk Lane, in Upper Sapey ; Poke Meadow, in Shelsley Beauchamp ; Puck Pit, in Abberton ; Poke Meadow and Puckley Green Farm, in Martley. In Staffordshire, Powkmore Hill, in Amblecoate, in Old Swin- ford ; and Powk's Lane, near Rowley. In Gloucestershire, Pokil, Pokyl, or Puckle Church hundred and parish*, Puckmore Headland, and Puckrup, near Towbury Hill, in Twyning; and Puckmore and Puckmore's Hitch, in Dyrnock. In Herefordshire, Puckmoor's Orchard, in Much Marcle ; and Powk House, in Stoke Bliss. In Warwickshire, Pucknell 's Close, in Solihull. In Hertfordshire, Puckerich. In Somersetshire, Puckington. In the Isle of Wight, Puck, Pool, Puck's (vulgo Pook's) Farm, and Puckaster Cove. In Wales, the Devil's Bridge (Cwm Pwcca), where the goblin leads the unsuspicious night traveller over the steep precipice into the Clydach Llanelly. In Sussex, a weed very prejudicial to corn is called Pook or Puck needlef. It goes by the name of Beggar's {yulyo Bagger's) needle, in Worcestershire. It is stated in the "Literary Gazette" for March 28, 1846, that, " Akin to Puck are the Dutch ' Spook,' the German ' Spuck,' the Swedish ' Spoke,' and the Danish ' Spogelese' ghost apparition with the verbs formed from them. The Germans and Swedes say, ' Es spuckt imhause,' and ' Det spokar i huset,' for ' The house is haunted.' What is commonly called a puff-ball * " This place was once the residence of several of our Saxon kings." (See " Wright's Gazetteer.") f In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. i., pp. ISO, 182, it is stated that the God Loke's mother was " Laufey (leafy isle), or Nal (needle); i. e., the leaflet of the lir;" and that "trees with acicular leaflets, like the tir, cedar, yew, and the like, arc called needle trees." 42o is properly Puck-ball or Puck-list ; the ' little folks ' are well known to have a great liking for the fungus tribe." In the "Athenaeum" for 9th Oct., 1847, p. 1054, it is stated that " Pseccan or Poeccian (Anglo-Saxon) signifies to deceive by false appearances, to delude, to impose upon." The following passage relative to Puck, and the derivation of the name, is taken from Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall's very interest- ing work on " Ireland ; its Scenery, Character," &c, Vol. i., p. 108, &c.: " Of the malignant class of beings composing the Irish fairy mythology and it is creditable to the national character that they are the least numerous, the Pooka* excels and is pre- eminent in malice and mischief. In form he is a very Proteus generally a horse, but often an eagle. He sometimes assumes the figure of a bull, or becomes an ignis fatuus. Amongst the great diversity of forms at times assumed by him, he exhibits a mixture or compound of the calf and goat. Probably it is in some measure owing to the assumption of the latter figure that he owes his name, " puc" being the Irish for a goat. Golding, in his translation of Ovid, describes him by name, in a character of which the goat forms a component part : ' The country where Chymsera, that same Pouk, With goatish body, lion's head and breast, and dragon's tail,' &c. " And Spenser has the following lines : ' Ne let the Pouke, nor other evil spirit, Ne let mischievous witches with their charms, Ne let hobgoblins, names whose sense we know not, Fray us with things that be not.' " The Pouke or Tooka means literally the evil one : ' playing the puck,' a common Anglo-Irish phrase, is equivalent to 'playing the devil.' " There are many localities, favourite haunts of the Pooka, and * Or Phooka. 4ii7 to which he has given his name, as Drohid-a-Pooka, Castle Took, and Carrig-a-Pooka. The island of Melaan, also, at the mouth of the Kenmare river, is a chosen site whereon this malignant spirit indulges his freaks. It is uninhabited, and is dreaded by the peasantry and fishermen, not less because of its gloomy, rugged, and stern aspect, than for the tales of terror connected with it. The tempest wails fearfully around its spectre-haunted crags, and dark objects are often seen flitting over it in the gloom of the night. Shrill noises are heard, and cries, and halloos, and wild and moaning sounds ; and the fishermen, benighted or forced upon its rocks, may often behold, in the crowding groups which flit around, the cold faces of those long dead the silent tenants, of many years, of field and wave. The consequence is, that proximity to the island is religiously avoided by the boats of the country after sunset ; and a bold crew are they who, at nightfall, approach its haunted shores. " The great object of the Pooka seems to be to obtain a rider, and then he is in all his most malignant glory 7 . Headlong he dashes through briar and brake, through flood and fell, over mountain, valley, moor, or river, indiscriminately ; up or down precipice is alike to him, provided he gratifies the malevolence that seems to inspire him. He bounds and flies over and beyond them, gratified by the distress, and utterly reckless and ruthless of the cries, and danger, and suffering, of the luckless wight who bestrides him. As the ' Tinna Geolane,' or Will-o'-the-Wisp, he lures but to betray; like the Hanoverian 'Tuckbold*,' he de- ludes the night wanderer into a bog, and leads him to his destruc- tion in a quagmire or pit. Macpherson's " Spirit of Loda " is evidently founded on the tradition of the Pooka; and in the " Fienian Tales" he is repeatedly mentioned as the ' Puka (grua- gach, or hairy spirit) of the Blue Valley.' " The English Puck is a jolly, frolicksome, night-loving rogue, full of archness, and fond of all kind of merry tricks ; ' a shrewd and knavish spirit, as Shakespeare has it. But he is, nevertheless, * See p. 4'24, as to Turk Hill, &c. In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. iii., p, L58, it is stated that the North German " Tuekbolde" is identical with the Jack-o' Lantern. Mb very probably in bis origin the same as the Irish Pooka ; as, besides the resemblance in name, we find he has not at all times sustained his laughter-loving character, but, on the contrary, exhibited unquestionable proof of his Irish affinity in descent. For this we have the poetical authority of Drayton, in his " Polyolbion :" ' This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt ; Still walking like a ragged colt, And oft out of a bush doth bolt, Of purpose to deceive us ; And, leaving us, makes us to stray, Long winter nights, out of the way ; And when we stick in mire and clay, He doth with laughter leave us.' " The early English adventurers imported to the Irish shores their softened version of the native Pooka under his Saxon appel- lation of Puck, and have left his name to Puck's Eock, near Howth*, and Puck Castle, a romantic ruin in the county of Dublin." The narrative continues with the detail of some practical jokes of the Pooka f, which must have been far from pleasant to his riders. Thorns tells us, in the " Lays and Legends of Ireland |," that " there can be no doubt that Puck, or Pouke, means the devil ; and in Ireland that name is also variously localised. The form under which the Irish Puck, or Pooka, most commonly appears for it seems to have the power of assuming forms at will is that of a goat, a form in which the usual attributes of homs and cloven feet are preserved, as well as the similarity of name ; ' boc ' (usually pronounced puck) being the Irish for a goat. A cele- brated waterfall of the Liffey, in the county of Wicklow, is called Poule-a-Phooka, or Phooke's Cavern. The Castle of Carrig-a- Phooka, not far from Macroom, and the Castle Pooke, situated between Doneraile and the ruins of Kilcoleman, where Edmund Spenser wrote his " Fairy Queen," are in the county of Cork." * On the north s ; dc of the Bay of Dublin. + See also Vol. ii., p. 200. J Pp. 48, 49. 429 A passage relative to the derivation of the word " Puck " will be found in the " Archaeological Journal," Vol. i., pp. 144, 145, under the title, " Observations on the Primeval Antiquities of the Channel Islands, by F. C. Lukis. Esq,," where the author, after referring to the derivation of the word " cromlech," speaks of the names "pouque" and " laye," or "lee," as occurring in those islands, " (from whence Puck, an elf, or dwarf,) meaning the place of the fairy." ROBIN HOOD. In the account of Robin Hood given in pp. 130 to 135, he is considered to have been contemporary with the battle of Evesham, temp. 1265 ; and the "Scottish Chronicle*" of Fordun and Bower, and the " Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode," are quoted as authorities. Since that part of this work was printed, the Rev. Joseph Hunter has published No. 4 of his " Critical and His- torical Tracts," entitled, " The Great Hero of the Ancient Min- strelsy of England, Robin Hood. His period, real character, &c, investigated, and perhaps ascertained." Mr. Hunter endeavours to identify him with one " Robyn Hode," who entered the service of Edward II. a little before Christmas 1323, and continued therein somewhat less than a twelvemonth ; and considers that he was one of the vanquished at the battle of Boroughbridge, in 1321-2. In support of this view, Mr. Hunter joins Mr. Wright in regarding the passage in the " Scoti Chronicon," relative to Robin Hood, " as part of the addition which was made to the genuine Fordun in the fifteenth century." Now, the above point is more with the critic than the collector ; but as I considered, at the time I made the quotations from For- dun and Bower, that those passages were genuine, I certainly was struck with the remarkable fact that so many places in the north and north-east part of Worcestershire, in and about Fecken- ham Forest and bordering upon Evesham, bear the names Robin * It is as well to remark tlint the person described as Duguil in " Old England," as contemporary with Robin Hood (see p. V32 of this work), is called Davnil in the above " Chronicle." 430 and Robin Hood* ; and 1 was therefore led to the conjecture that they were so named after the people's darling, upon the dis- afforesting of those lands by Edward I., in 1299 (being about thirty-four years after the battle of Evesham), particularly as those lands had been tyrannically wrested from the people by his great-grandfather, Henry II., and added to the forest. JACK-O'-LANTERN. In addition to what has been already said this name appears to be familiar in Scandinavia and North Germany, as well as in England. In Mr. B. Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. ii., p. 97, it is stated among the Swedish traditions, that Jack-with- a-Lantern " was a mover of land-marks," and " is doomed to have no rest in his grave after death, but to rise every midnight, and, with a lantern in his hand, to proceed to the spot where the land-mark had stood which he had fraudulently removed," &c. And in Vol. iii., p. 158, among the North German tra- ditions, it is stated that Jack-o'-Lanterns " are frequently said to be the souls of unbaptised children that have no rest in the grave, and must hover between heaven and earth f." The name Jack well suits the tricksy spirit in question, for generally speaking it means a cunning fellow, who can turn his hand to any thing];, as " Jack of all Trades," " Jack and the Bean Stalk," " Jack the Giant Killer," " Jack in the Green," " Jack Pudding," &c. ; the latter means a zany, a merry Andrew, a buffoon . According to some writers, "Jack in the Green " is a type or * I observe Mr. Hunter considers that many of the places so named were places to which the persons in after times called Robin Hood's men " were wont to resort when they went out a-Maying, or to try their skill with the bow." There is another subject which it is to be hoped Mr. Hunter will treat upon, namely, the disputed " Itinerary" of Richard of Cirencester. + This appears to be the more modern idea. There is a fancy in Devon- shire that the Yell Hounds and Pixies are the souls of unbaptised children. See the account of " Mathon," pp. 255, 256, and " Pixie," infra. \ Like " Black .Tack," hereafter mentioned. " Spring-heeled Jack " is still in the memory of most of our readers. 431 remnant of the Druidical assistants. Professor Burnett* also associates the curious basket of garlands, with which he his now sometimes invested on May-day, with the Druidical hunt for the mistletoe. With respect to the legend of " Jack the Giant Killer," it appears, partly at least, to be " derived either directly or in- directly from a common source, with a story of the Giant Skrymner and the Scandinavian demi-god Thor, which is related in an ancient specimen of the literature of the north of Europe, the ' Edda of Snorro.' " (See Chambers's " Edinburgh Journal," for February 1844, p. 68.) There are places called Jack Field and Jack Field Coppice, in Mathon ; Jack Stile Acres, in Grimley ; Jack's Croft, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Jack-butts, in Sutton, in the parish of Tenbury ; Jack's Close, in Newland, near Great Mal- vern ; Jack Meadow, in Rushock ; In Jack, Upper Jack, Lower Jack, Jack Meadow, and Jack, in the Berrow ; Jack Piece, Middle Jack Piece, and Far Jack Piece, in Northfield ; Jack's Stile, in the Foreign of Kidderminster; and Jack Leasow, in Frankley ; Jack Field, Little Jack, and Old Jack, in Hasbury, in Hales Owen. In Warwickshire. Jack Ground and Jack's Croft, in Ipsley ; and Jack Lands, in Solihull. In Somersetshire, not far from Kilmington Church, there is a small oval camp called Jack's Castle, supposed to be Danish f. WILL. " Will-with-a-Wisp," probably is a personification derived from the Saxon word " wile," a deceit, a fraud, a trick, a stratagem, eve, and the Swedish word " wisp." a small bundle, as of hay or straw, ignited*. * Spe liis " Amoenitates Quernea?." f See Gongh's "Camden," Vol. i. J Some of our readers will remember an interesting picture, exhibited se\ernl years back by tbe Royal Academy, of " Will o' tbe-Wisp," in which a goblin horse was depicted going stealtbily over a moor or bog, in tbe night, 4:32 In Parnell's " Fairy Tale*" he is mentioned as follows : " Then Will, who bears the wispy fire To trail the swains among the mire," &c. The common phrase " Wicked Will " probably refers to the same personage : we find that " Wicked Will kill'd the dead owlf with the wash beetle." And also that " Wicked Willy Wilkin + Kiss'd the maids a-milking." Now, from the most veritable accounts which we have of the fairies, we learn that kissing the maids was no uncommon trick of theirs, and no doubt they considered the milking time as the best opportunity for them to do it ; and had they merely stolen a kiss, perhaps no great harm had been done, but they occasionally stole the milk also, for it is said that they sometimes used to milk the cows at night , and checked their yielding milk at morn, and prevented the butter forming in the churn. In this account of " Will," we fancy we see pretty clear traces of our old friend, Puck ; and we have it from Puck's own ridden by a fiend, representing Will, looking backwards, and holding up a lighted wisp in his hand, in a most decoying manner. * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 306. + Meaning the screech owl, the warner of death. J In Percy's " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," sixth edition, Vol. i., p. 84, it is stated that the most diligent inquirers after ancient English rhymes find the earliest they can discover in the mouths of the Norman nobles, such as that of Robert Earl of Leicester, and his Flemings, in 1173, temp. Henry II. (little more than a century after the Conquest), recorded by Lambarde, in his " Dictionary of England," p. 36 : " Hoppe Wyliken, hoppe Wyliken, Ingland is thine and myne," &c. In Hone's " Every Day Book," Vol. i., p, 594, it is stated that in Ireland a ceremony is practised during the Beal-tine on May-eve, of making the cows leap over lighted straw or faggots, " to save the milk from being pilfered by the good people," meaning the fairies. 433 mouth aye, and as far back as about Shakespeare's time, that he used to be called " Willy Wispe*." In an account of " Manners and Customs of the Irish Pea- santry," in the " Saturday Magazine f," it is stated that " beetling linen by the side of a rocky stream, that murmurs through an unfrequented glen, is represented as a favourite, or rather common, female fairy occupation, where they chaunt wild and pathetic melodies, beating time with their beetles." There are places called Wilkin's Pasture, Wilkin's Field, and Little Wilkin, in Pendock : Big Will-tree and Upper and Lower Will-tree, in Grimley ; and Wilkin Close, in the parish of Bromsgrove. In Gloucestershire, Will Fields, in Alvechurch; in Mont- gomeryshire, Brin Wilkin Wood and Brin Wilkin Meadow, in Church Stoke. In the "Annalia Dvbrensiaupon the yearly celebration of Mr. Robert Dover's Olympic Games upon Cotswold Hills," published in 1636, there are the following lines, in Mr. Robert Durham's address : " As Phoebus is Heaven's curl'd-pate chariter, And Twinkling J Will, the Northern Waggoner." With respect to this waggoner, there is an allusion to him in Thorpe's " Northern Mythology ," among the North German traditions, as follows : " The Night Raven, or Eternal Waggoner. " Tn the night, the ' hor, hor,' or ' hrok, hrok," of the night raven is frequently to be heard. This bird is much larger tban the common raven, and almost as large as a full-grown hen. By * See p. 22. There is "Wisp Hill," in Roxburghshire, and a hill called " Brown Willy," in Cornwall. Now, whether the name Brown in this instance has reference to the Scotch fairies called " Brownies," I cannot pretend to say. f Vol. viii., February 13th, 1836, p. 66. X See the account of " Pinket," p. 4:?5. Vol. iii., pp. 97, !)H. f 1 184 some he is called the Eternal Waggoner, who also say that he wished, for his share of heaven, to drive to all eternity ; and he accordingly drives without cessation, sitting on the middle horse of the celestial wain, of which the four large stars behind are the four wheels, but the three foremost stars, which stand in a crooked line, the three horses ; and the little star over the middle- most, is the Eternal Waggoner. He guides the horses : and as the waggon always goes in a circle, they do not stand in a right line with one another, but in a curve, being always on the turn. Before midnight, the waggon is said to be going out, when the pole inclines upwards; and after midnight it goes home, and then the pole inclines downwards." ELF. In the Introduction to the " Tale of Tamlane," in the " Min- strelsy of the Scottish Border," by Sir Walter Scott, he says : " The word ' elf,' which seems to have been the original name of the beings afterwards denominated fairies, is of Gothic origin, and probably signified simply a spirit of a lower order." In a paper upon this subject, in the " Athenaeum " for Octo- ber 2nd, 1847, p. 1030, it is stated that " our English name ' elf ' is the same as the Ango-Saxon ' alf,' the old High-German and middle High- German ' alf,' the old Norse ' alfr,' and the Gothic ' albs ;' and that corresponding with our English ' elf,' in the plural 'elves,' we have the Swedish 'elf in the plural, ' elfvar ' masculine, and ' elfvor' feminine; the Danish ' elv ' and ' elve ' in the plural. " This word ' elf ' has, however, undergone some strange modifications. In Beowulf we read of ' Eotenas, and Ylfe, and Orcneas *. ' Eotensf, and Elves, and Ores.' " In Alfrick there is a place called Halvens, or Halving J, and there are two wells adjoining each other on the side of the road * See p. of Mr. Kenible's edition. + Or Titans. (See Kenible's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., pp. -'17!), 381.) f Probably Elvins or Elfvins. 435 between the Upper House and Bewell, or Buall, which are called Oughton Wells*, most probably a corruption of Eoten Wells; for the peasantry say outing for hooting. They are situated just below Norgrove, or Hoar Grove f, and used to be mueh esteemed by the peasantry ; and, although close together, their springs must come from opposite directions, as the water of the northern one is clear ; while that of the southern one is of a milky hue, caused probably by its coming through a stratum of what is called Walker's I or Fuller's clay, which in some places appears in the neighbourhood. The difference in the colour of these two springs, and the supposed virtues of that of a milky hue, as a remedy for weak or inflamed eyes, most probably tended to throw an air of mystery about these twin wells ^. There is a place called Elvins, in Beoley ; and in Warwick- shire, Elvins Close, in Great Alne ; and, Upper, Far, and Lower Elkin, in Solihull. This latter name (Elkin) appears to connect our fairy names with the more ancient mythology, and means either the little gods, or of kin to the gods||. PINKET. The ignis fatuus is called Pinket in the parish of Badsey. This name, perhaps, is derived from the Dutch word " pinken," which means to wink with the eyes, and alludes probably to the twinkling motion of these meteors.' A fairy of the name of Pinck was one of the waiting maids of Queen Mab*'. * They are more generally known by the appellation of " Hayward's Wells," a person of that name having probably at some time occupied the neighbouring cottage. + See p. 246. A Walker, or Fuller. See Droitwich, p. 100. That the Anglo-Saxons were addicted to well-worship, see Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. 524. Sec the account of Kllmry Hill, p. 22ft. The place there noticed as AUsborough Hill is also called Alesborough, and Aylesborough. See infra. ^f See Drayton's " Nymphidia ;" and also Halliwell's "Fairy Mythology," p. --200. 436 There are Pink Field, and Pink's Green, in Beoley*, in this county ; Pink's Field, and Pink's Meadow, in Dymock, Co. Gloucester ; Pinxton parish, in the counties of Derhy and Not- tingham ; and two mines called " The Pink," in Cornwall f. PIXIES, AND WISH OR WISKED HOUNDS. Fairies are called pixie in some parts, particularly in Devonshire. There is Pykesham, or Pixam, in Powick ; Picke-fields, on the horder of Bordesley, in Tardebig ; and Little Pickes, and Great Picks, in Upton-on-Severn. In Devonshire, the Pixies' Cave or Grot, at Dartmoor; and the Pixies' Rock, on the Yealin River. In Herefordshire, an eminence called Pixall, or Pixhill, near Tedstone Court ; and Pixley, Pikesley, or Pykesleye \, near Ledbury. The following lines are taken from Clobery's " Divine Glimpses," 1659, p. 73 : " Old countrey folk, who pixie-leading fear, Bear bread about them to prevent that harm ." " Pretorius informs us that a member of the German House of Alveschleben received a ring from a Nixie, to which the future fortunes of his line were to be attached. Antherpodemus Plu- tonicus, i., p. 113." (See the Editor's note to the Introduction to the " Tale of Tamlane," in the edition of " Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border," published in 1833, Vol. ii., p. 277. Mrs. Bray's " Borders of the Tamar and the Tavy," Vol. i., informs us that the peasantry at Dartmoor believe that the pixies are the souls of infants who died before receiving the rite of baptism ||. See the Ordnance Map. + Can this have any reference to what are called " Knockers" in mines. I " Extracta partieula de Gestis Abbatum," in Har. MS. ;l?(i, British Museum. See Halliwell's " Tairy Mythology," Introduction, p. 17. II Also see p. 400. 437 South-east of Pixhill, in Tedstone Delamere, there are Wish- moor, and Inksmoor, near Sapey Bridge in Whitbourn. (See an account of the Wish*, or Wisked, or Spectre Hounds, of Dartmoor, in the " Athenaeum," No. 1013, for March, 27, 1847, p. 334 f.) The writer, R. J. K., in the " Athenaeum" for October 24, 1846, p. 1093, says, " The pixies' name has been sought in the Islandic, ' Puke,' a demon, a fairy. It is probably more imme- diately connected with the Welsh, ' Pwc,' a goblin, although I cannot find such a root in the old Cornish vocabularies. Puck, the ' tricksy spirit' of the fairies, and the Irish Phooka, are both from a cognate root." MAB. " Oh then, I sec Queen Mab has been with you J." So said the immortal bard, and I was curious to ascertain whether her majesty had honoured the fair midlands with her presence. That she has done so will appear as follows : There is a piece of ground near the village of Upton Snodsbury, in Worcestershire, called Mob's Close, or Mop's Close ; and an orchard at Hales-end, near Herold's Copse, in Cradley, in Here- fordshire, adjoining the western side of Old Storage, in Wor- cestershire, called Mobbled Pleck, meaning Mab-led Pleck, or a plot where any one was liable to be Mab-led. " The name Mab appears to have been at one time current in Warwickshire, where, as we learn from a note of Sir Henry * Probably from the Anglo-Saxon " Wicca," a witch. In Kenible's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. !J4G, it is stated, that " in Devonshire to this day all magical or supernatural dealings go under the common name of Wishtness : can this have any reference to Woden's name, " Wysc ?" And added, that there are " Wishanger, (Wischangra, or Woden's Meadow) ; one, about four miles south-west of Wanborough in Surrey, and another near Gloucester," &c. &C f Also see the account of Bronisgrove, p. 123. + Romeo and Juliet. Pleck is a common term in the country for a plot or small pirc? of ground. 188 Ellis, in his edition of Brand, mabled, pronounced mobled, signifies led astray by a Will-o'- the- Wisp *." The place in Cradley was, in early times, called Little Pleck, aftenvards Moblee Pleck, and subsequently Mobbled Pleck f, as appeal's by the title deeds of Bichard Yapp, Sen., Esq., the owner of the estate. Mr. Thorns, in a communication to the " AthenaBum" for Nov. 1847 1, observes that Mab is derived from the Celtic; Mabh in Celtic mythology being the chief of the Genii ; and " no earlier instance of Mab being used as the designation of the fairy queen, has hitherto been discovered than that of Shake- speare in his Borneo and Juliet." He afterwards adds, " that Shakespeare learned that Mab was the name of the fairy queen from the folk-lore of his own time." TOM THUMB, PATCH, GBIM, SIB, TIB, LICKE, LULL, HOP, DBYP, PIP, TBIP, PINCK, PIN, TICK, TIT, WAP, and WIN. These are all names of the fairies. Tom Thumb is the thaumlin (that is Little Thumb) of Scandinavian fiction ; a regular dwarf or duergar,| of the mythology of that country IT. In Drayton's " Nymphidia" he is noticed as follows : " When by Tom Thum, a fairy page **," &c. In the " Life of Bobin Good-fellow," are the following lines : " Pinch and Patch, Gull and Grim, Goe you together; For you can change your shapes Like to the weather. * Popular Antiquities, Vol. iii., p. 218, ed. lH-il. | It is called " Mobblede Flecks Orchard," in the apportionment to the tithe commutation. J Page 1150. There is " Thumb's Close," in Doderhill. || A small person is, by way of ridicule, called a " durgic" in these parts. *i\ See Chambers's " Edinburgh Journal ," for February 1844, p. t'tti. ** Also see llalliwcll's " Fairy Mythology," p. I'M. 439 Sib and Tib, Licke and Lull, You have trickes too ; Little Tom Thumb that pipes + Shall goe betwixt you J." In Drayton's " Nyruphidia " it is stated that the under- mentioned fairies formed the retinue of Queen Mab : " Hop, and Mop, and Dryp so clear, Pip, and Trip, and Skip that were To Mab, their sovereign, ever dear, Her special maids of honour ; Fib, and Tib, and Pinck, and Pin, Tick, and Quick, and Jil, and Jin, Tit, and Nit, and Wap, and Win, The train that wait upon her ." In connection with the above fairy names I have collected the following from the neighbouring and other counties. Tib's Lands, near Bringsty or Brinksty Common, in Herefordshire ; Tib's Hall, near Wiggins Hall, in Warwickshire ; Tibthorp, in York- shire ; Tibshelf, not far from Pinxton, Cos. Derby and Notting- ham ; Tib Brook, near Manchester ; Wapley Hill, in Hereford- shire (which contains a camp called the Warren); Pinswell Camp, in Gloucestershire ; Pinwell, in Sussex ; Grimsdyke, in Hants ; and a remarkable place called Grimspound, at Dartmoor ||. The following are in this county : Pippin Hill, in Acton Beauchamp ; Tibb Ribbin, south of Tardebig ; Tibley, in Bir- lingham ; Pin's Green, by Newland Green, in the parish of Great Malvern; Pennils or Pinhill, in Alvechurch; Tickridge Piece, in Bromsgrove ; Great Tickridge, in Hanley Castle ; Ticknell, or Tickenhill, near Bewdley ; Tidsley Wood IF, by Alls- There is Lick Hill between Stagbury Hill and Lower Mitton. t " The Swedes delight to tell of the Stromkerl, or boy of the stream, who haunts the glassy brooks that steal silently through green meadows, and sits on the silver waves at moonlight, playing his harp to the elves, who dance on the flowery margin." Washington Irving. % See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 14!). Ibid., p. 200. I| See " Notes and Queries," Feb. 14, 1852, p. 163. j Perhaps this name means Titsley Wood, and comes from Tad, Ted, or Tet, which words are said 10 mean the Celtic god Mercury. See the account of the Tool Hills, p. 235. 440 borough, Alesbo rough *, or Aylcsborough II ill f, near Pershore ; Wintill, in Acton Beauchamp; Winstile in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Hymelton, Hemelton, or Himbleton ; and Wynn Meadow, in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Bredicot or Bradi- cote}. There is also a farm called "Patches" or "Paches;" an eminence called " Patch Hill ;" an estate called " Grimsend ;" pieces of laud called " Sibhay " or " Tibhay," and the " Tibbins ;" and a hole in a rock called the " Fairies' Cave," in the hamlet of Alfrick ; a hamlet called " Lulsley," adjoining Grimsend ; " Patch-ham," in Lulsley ; Tib's Hill," in Bransford, in Leigh; " Patch Hill," " Pin's Hill," and " Win's Grave," in Leigh, adjoining to Alfrick ; and " Drip's Hill," in Madres- field. It seems probable that such places, or most of them, were so called after the corresponding names of some of the above-mentioned fairies. There were several places of the name of Grim in Anglo- Saxon times, as we shall after state. " Domesday Book " mentions Gremanhil and Grimanleh, in Worcestershire, and persons of the name of Grim, as land-owners in Devon, Cornwall, and Worces- tershire, and as under-tenants in Warwickshire and Essex. "Drip's Hill," in Madresfield, is sometimes called "Trip's Hill," and is so designated in Isaac Taylor's map, published in 1772 ; but I i-ather think " Dryps" title to the hill is better than " Trips." " Tib's Hill," in Bransford, in Leigh, abuts upon Towick ; " Patch Hill," in Leigh, borders upon the river Teme, opposite to Broadwas, and lies near to the Bed Cliff, the Devil's Pig- trough'!, and Omber's HilllT, and not far from Alfrick and Lulsley; and * See the map in Gibson's " Camden," 1st ed., 1095, and the account in the 2nd ed., 1722, Vol. i., p. 629. + This name probably means Elsborough Hill. Sec Elbury Hill, p. 225. J See Nash, Vol. ii., App., 52, 53, and Hearing's " Cartulary," pp. 355, 35(1, 357. It is spelt " Paches," in a deed of 1735. || This is either a natural trench, or an ancient artifical cutting througb the declivity there. It lies on the north side of the present bye-road. *H A fine head-land overlooking the Teme. The name probably is a corruption of Amber's Hill, in like manner as the name Ombersley is of Ambreslege or Ambersley; for the peasantry to tbis day call a lmminer *' Oinbcr." The ancients distinguished stones, erected with a religious view, 441 " Pin's Hill," in Leigh, adjoins the field called " Win's Grave," and a place called Little Towbury*, and is near Hoptonf. Win's I (or Wynn's) Grave is supposed by some to have been the burial place of a giant of that name. Now I do not wish to rob the supposed giant of his grave, if he is entitled to it ; but there may be a question, whether it was not supposed, in days of yore, that the fairy " Pin," and her neighbours " Patch," " Grim," " Lull," " Sib," and " Tib," and all the tribe at Osebury llock, buried their sister " Win " at the spot in question. The fairies, although long-lived, were nevertheless supposed by some writers to be mortal. See the account of the birth and death of Oberon in Halli well's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 102, 119; and Drayton, in his " Nymphidia," in describing the battle between Oberon and Pigwiggen, says, that they " Both to be slain were likely." In the north of England, " green shady spots are pointed out by the country-folks as the cemeteries of the tiny people ||." Some writers, however, describe them as immortals. In connection with the name Wiggen may be mentioned that there was in Worcestershire, in the Anglo-Saxon times, a place called UuiggangeatH (Wiggingate), and Wiggen-hall, in Norfolk; Wiggin-thorpe, in Yorkshire ; Wiggins-hall, near Tibs-hall, in Warwickshire ; Wiggen Ash, in Much Marcle, Co. Hereford ; and Wiggenton, in Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, and Staffordshire. In the northern counties, the mountain ash is called the by the name of " Amber," which signified any thing solar or divine. See Chap. II., Ambrosise Petrae, p. 372, &c. * There also is a place called Great Towbury, in Leigh. Sec p. 04, as to Towbury Hill Camp, in Twyning, Gloucestershire. + Hemiug's " Cartulary" notices Hoptun, in Shropshire, and Hopwuda (llopwood), in Worcestershire, see pp. 270, (110. J " Win" in Anglo-Saxon implies a battle. See Cough's "Camden," Vol. i., p. ICO. The word "grave" is sometimes a corruption of "grove" and vice versa. Sec the account of Broiusgrove, pp. 115, 118, 122. || See " Popular Rhymes ami Nursery Talcs," a sequel to the " Nursery Rhymes of England," by Mr. Ilalliwell. 1] See " Codex Dip.," No. 570. 442 wiggen tree, and its anti-witching properties are there held in great esteem*. The ash tree holds a conspicuous place in Scandinavian mythology. In the " Edda of Snorro " (Fable the 8th), it is stated that the city of the gods is under the ash, " the greatest and best of all trees ;" and that " there are in heaven a great many pleasant cities, and none without a divine garrison. Near the fountain, which is under the ashf, stands a very beautiful city, wherein dwell three virgins, named Urda, or the Past ; Ver- dandi, or the Present ; and Sskulda, or the Future. These are they who dispense the ages of men ; they are called nornies, that is, fairies}, or destinies." " Some are of celestial origin, others descend from the genii, and others from the dwarfs." " The nornies who are sprung of a good origin, are good them- selves, and dispense good destinies ; but those men to whom misfortunes happen, ought to ascribe them to the evil nornies or fairies." But we must return to the parish of Leigh. There is a cross road, called " Tinker's Cross," in this parish, where formerly stood an old yew tree, said to mark the site of a criminal's grave . This place is said to be haunted ; and Mr. John Pressdee, of Worcester, has informed me that, one night about fifty years ago, one of his father's servants came home to Millham, in Alfrick, frightened almost to death, and stated that he had been to see his father, who lived in Gallows Lane, in Leigh, and as he passed " Tinker's Cross," on his return home, he saw a strange thing there, something like a lion, with eyes as big as saucers. Mr. Pressdee said, that the man appeared to * See Hone's " Every-day Book and Table Book," Vol. iii., p. 674. + Iii the Fifth fable of the same work, it is stated that man was created out of aske, the Gothic for an ash tree ; and woman out of emla, or the elm tree. J Nornir (Islandic), is rather "fates" or "destinies" (parcaj.) The traditions are very confused as to the tinker's crime. His burial in the cross road, prima facie, goes to show that he committed suicide, and sonic say that the yew tree was originally a stake that was driven through his body ; but 1 iii < i inclined to think that he committed an atrocious murder at the spot in question, and was executed there, to render the example as signal as possible; for one of the roads leading thereto is called " Gallows Lane." 443 be perfectly sober at the time, and that he was ill for several days afterwards, from the fright. The unbelievers, no doubt, will say that in the gloomy shades of night he saw some harmless animal perhaps a calf or jackass at the dreaded spot, with wondering instead of wondrous eyes, which his heated imagination worked up into something super- natural ; but believers, no doubt, will contend that it was Puck, and that the following quotation from a curious old tract by Rowlands, on " Goblins," tends to identify him : " Amongst the rest was a Good-Fellow devill, So cal'd in kindness, 'cause he did no evill ; Knowne hy the name of Robin (as we heare), And that his eyes as broad as sawcers were, Who came a-nights*, &c." Patch Ham, in Lulsley, lies near the river Teme, by Puttocks or Pot-hooks-end. Oseberrow or Osebury (vubjo Rosebury) Rock, in Lulsley, was, according to tradition, a favourite haunt of the fairies. Close by it, westward, in Knightwick, there is a well called " Black's Well ;" and adjoining to it, eastward, there is a piece of land called " Black Borough ;" close to it, southward, stands " Bates Bush." The etymology of the first syllable in the name Oseberrow is probably the same as " osier ;" trees of the willow kind abound- ing at the foot of the rock, upon the banks of the river Teme. The provincial term " borrow " is used indiscriminately both for " burgh," a fortified place, and for " barrow," an ancient place of sepulture ; however, I should think, from the character and com- manding position of the rock (it being opposite to Knightsford), that in this case burgh or burrow is meant. Black's Well used to be on the side of the Sandy Lane, by Osebury Rock ; but the road having lately been made straighter ;it that part, it now is a few yards out of the lane, on the left- * See HalliweH - s " Fairy Mythology," p. 170; and in pp. 12, 13, of the Introduction to that work it is stated that " a manuscript of the thirteenth century, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, appears to refer to the name ami pranks of Kobin (joodfellow, under the name of Robinet.'" 444 hand side going down. This well and Osebury Kock, Black Borough, Common Berrow, and Sherah Croft, Little Berrow, and Pen Hill, are nearly all in a line. Bate's Bush is a large, old maple tree, which stands in the middle of the cross road by Osebury Rock. This is said to have been a stake driven through the body of a man named Bate, who committed suicide and was buried there. There are several trees spontaneously springing up round the maple, namely, an oak, a holly, a hazel, and a hawthorn ; and it is to be hoped, when the venerable maple is no more, that some one of these will remain to perpetuate the bush. The place is reported to be haunted, and the following is given as an instance of it : As a person of the name of William Yapp was one night, about forty years ago, returning from his father's house, situated by Alfrick Chapel, to Dodenham Hall, he had to pass by Bate's Bush ; when arrived there, the dog that accompanied him, and was a little in advance, came howling imperiously back to him, out of the Sandy Lane. He, however, went on, but had not proceeded far before he saw something which he took to be a man without a head*, leaning with his back against the steep bank on the Osebury Rock side of the lane ; at which he was so frightened that he did not dare to go up to it, but hurried away home as fast as he could runf. I have also been informed how that a certain person of the name of Ball, about forty-five or fifty years ago, went from his house, near Lulsley Chapel, to see a man of the name of Broad, who lived at Wildgoose Hill, in Knightwick, and that his son, who went at night to fetch him home, was met at Bate's Bush by some strange thing, which frightened him almost to death j. Also, how that a man, of the name of Parry, was one night met at the same bush by something like a black pig ; and that another person, as he was one night returning home from Oldham, near the Red Cliff and the Devil's Pig-trough, to Colics or Coles * There is a place called Headless Cross at Ipsley, Co. Warwick. t I had this from liis surviving sister. J J had ihis from the son and others. 445 {vulgo Cold) Place*, in Lulsley, was met by a mysterious-looking black dog, who sometimes rushed close by him, then appeared again at a distance, and thus dodged him nearly all the way till he got home. The sceptics, no doubt, will say that some mischievous wight occasionally personified Bate at the spot in question, and that the pig wag nothing more than mortal, and had wandered to the bush from some neighbouring stye ; that the dog (equally mortal) had lost his master, and was roving about Lulsley to find another. The believers, on the other hand, will contend that it really was Bate who thus appeared, and that although he had no head, yet that he had a tale to unfold, which those he met were not civil enough to wait to hear ; and that the pig did indeed wander to the dreaded bush from a neighbouring place, but that it was from the Devil's Pig-trough f, and that he was of kin to the black dog, who was no other than the fairy Grim, who sometimes went about in the likeness of a black dog, and that Oldham was in his nightly round from Osebury Rock, Black Borough, the Pied Cliff, the Devil's Pig- trough, Grimsend, and Bate's Bush, to Black's Well, where having slaked his thirst, he returned again to the rock. This road was much more interestingly haunted at the part between Grimsend and Bates Bush, at the copse which lies between the former and Ravenhill's (vulgo Raffnal's) Green. I have been informed by a person, that as his father, about seventy or eighty years ago, was proceeding at dead of night from Patches in Alfrick to Lulsley, he saw, as it is said others also occasionally did at the same spot, a beautiful young female figure, all in white, standing by the roadside ; his horse turned suddenly round, but upon being forced back again by his rider, he started off at full gallop by the enchanting vision, and never stopped till he arrived at his journey's end J. * See the section " Old Coles." \ Grimm, in his " German Fairy Mythology," furnishes some instances of the Evil One assuming the shape of a "hog." See "Athenaeum," Sept. 18, 1847, p. 982. J Horses are supposed to see ghosts, even when the ghosts are invisible to their riders. Upon my once asking a countryman whether he had ever seen a ghost, he said, " No, but my horse has." 446 It also is said that something like a white horse has occasionally heen seen in the night, proceeding as swift as the wind along the foot of Osebury Rock, by the side of the river Teme, the clatter of his hoofs on such occasions liaving heen distinctly heard. As we have just passed the Red Cliff, it may as well be remarked that in it there was a hole called " Black Jack's Cave," but it is now nearly tilled up with the marl which gradually crumbles down the precipice. This cave is said to have been inhabited by a convict, of the name of Farnham (vuhjo Thorn- ham), who, about eighty or ninety years ago, returned from transportation before his time had expired, and took up his abode in that romantic and secluded spot : he was commonly called " Black Jack." The cave lay about half way up the almost perpendicular cliff, and many are the tales that are told how Black Jack used to climb up to it with all the agility of a cat, even when laden with the spoils of the neighbourhood. There is also a piece of land called " Black Jack's Hole" (yulgo Hook's Meadow), in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine, by Laughern Brook, on the road-side leading to Temple Laughern, and near to Ambrose (alias Hook's) Mill ; some say that this latter name is a corruption of "Jack Black's Knoll." I was, in the year 1846, told by a very aged farmer in Alfrick, of the name of Trehearn, that he when a boy saw Black Jack, and that he had been dead about seventy-five years. " Lulsley'' is mentioned in an Inquisition of 1479 ; it is there spelled " Lullesley " * ; and Lulsey in Visitations of 1461 and 1507. We meet with " Lullesley or Lullesey," in an award of 1524 ; and " Lulsley and Lulsey" in the exemplification of a decree of 1585, relative to Suckley, Alfrick, and Lulsleyf. The name is a compound of the words " Lull," (" Lulu," Danish,) " to compose to sleep by a pleasing sound {," and " Ley " (Saxon), "ground untilled," and seems descriptive of the " sweete musicke " and free character of fairyland || . * See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 397. + Ibid., Vol. ii., p. 75, of the Corrections and Additions. X Spenser. See p. 214. || Also sec p. !!)') t<> 205, and her VI., pp. 24!), 250, relative to Lulsley. 447 It may as well be noticed here, that in the chapel-yard at Lulsley there is an ancient female yew tree, which is six yards round at about five feet, and five yards round at about three feet from the base. The head of it is partly dead, and several large limbs have been broken off. The length, from the extremity of one bough to that of the opposite one, is twenty-two yards. In Cradley, Co. Hereford, near the Beck on Old Storage, in Alfrick, there is a yew tree which is twelve feet round at three feet, and fourteen feet three inches round at six feet from the base. In Stanford Bishop churchyard, Co. Hereford, there is a female yew tree which is thirty-one feet round at about seven feet, and twenty-seven and a half feet round at about six feet from the base, but it is not quite so large at the base. The above measure- ments were made about sixteen or eighteen years ago. The name Alfrick has been considered as meaning Elf-reich, or fairyland. Its most probable signification, however, is Alfredswic*. Oughton or Eoten Wells, in Alfrick, lie near the Upper House, as before stated, and just below Norgrove, or Hoargrovef. The meadow called " Sibhay," or " Tibhay}, in Alfrick, lies in the Grimsend estate, and adjoins the Tibbins in Clay- Green farm, which abuts upon Patches ; and here it may be observed, that it is curious that the piece of land called " Sibhay," or " Tib- liay," has two fairy names for its prefix, like " Drips Hill," or " Trips Hill," before described . The word " hay" comes from the * See further, relative to this place, pp. 103 to 207, and Iter VI., pp. 240 to 240. Since p. 200 was printed, I find Alfrick is called " Alfredes-wic" in the first edition of Gibson's " Camden," published in 1005, p. 527, who therein says it is so written in old writings; and he calls Austinfric " Austines-ric." There is a fine echo at the Upper House in Alfrick, which is so distinct, that it will allow about ten syllables to be uttered before it begins to repeat them. The spot is in the garden, opposite to and about two hundred and fifty yards from Alfrick Chapel. In proof of its distinctness, one of the pointer dogs used occa sionally to resort to the spot, and bark till he wastired,at his supposed antagonist. + See pp. 240, 4.'!.'). J This name, probably, is a contraction of Tibia, the name of an ancient musical pipe. See p. 140. 448 Saxon " hieg." To dance the hay, means to dance in a ring, probably from dancing round a haycock *. Hay (Fr. haie, a hedge) means a net which encloses the haunt of an animal f. There is a piece of land called " Robin's Hays," in Northfield*. " Patch Hill," in Alfrick, lies in Patches Farm ; and there is a very steep, deep, and gloomy lane, called the Sandy Lane, which runs down the south side of the farm by Patch Hill to the main road, by the Fairy's Cave in the rock at the Knap, by the Bridge 's-stone, near the north side of Old Storage, and many are the tales told of the haunted lane. Frequently has the benighted peasant been scared by the sight of a black greyhound, or of a horse or man of the same sombre hue. Sometimes a mysterious waggon, drawn by four black horses, has passed by him, while at others his eyes have encountered the form of a crow, perched upon one of the barrels in an old cider-house !| attached to a mouldering building in the lane. Often, too, have strange unearthly noises issued, in the dead stillness of the night, from the same building, like sounds as of a cooper's hammer wielded by no mortal hand. The black dog has likewise been seen at Callow's Leap, a place near the foot of the Sandy Lane, on the main road side, where it is said that a mighty hunter, of the name of Callow, leaped down the precipice. A carrier, who weekly goes through the main road with a horse and cart, told me, that upon his return home one night, from Worcester to Suckley, he saw, nearly opposite to the cottage by Callow's Leap, what he took to be a man lying in the ditch ; but, upon his seizing the horse's head to prevent him taking fright, he all of a sudden lost sight of the supposed human being, and something like a black dog rushed close by him under the horse's neck. He also said that his horse, at two or three different times, made a dead halt at that spot, and that he had much difficulty in getting him on again. * Shakespeare. + Perry's Dictionary. { See p. 130. See p. 103, as to the derivation of the name of tliis hillock. II See tlie section " Old Coles." 149 There was a play, in Shakespeare's time, called the " Black Dogge of Newgate," (see Henslowe's " Diary," published by the Shakespeare Society,) and one of the items in the " Diary," p. 246, is as follows : " Lent unto John Dewcke, the 1 of Janewary, 1 602, to bye lame skenes for the ' Black Dogge of Newgate,' the some of x s ." In Waldron's " History of the Isle of Man," there is, among the fairy legends, an account of an apparition called the " Mauthe Doog," which the Manks alleged, used, in the shape of a large black spaniel, with curled shaggy hair, to haunt Peel Castle. (See also, Halli well's " Fairy Mythology," p. 309. Patch has given his own character in the " Life of Bobin Good-fellow*," in the following words : " About mid-night do I walke, and for the trickes I play they call me Pach. When I find a slut asleepe, I smuch her face if it be cleane ; but if it be durty, I wash it in the next water-pot that I can finde," &c. " Some I finde that spoyle their masters' horses for want of currying : those I doe daube with grease and soote, and they are faine to curry themselves ere they can get cleane," &c. " Thus many trickes, I, Pach, can doe, But to the good I ne'er was foe," &c. The name of the court fool of Elizabeth, Queen Consort of Henry VII., was Patch f. The fool of Henry VIII. was also so named. Grim thus describes himself in Halliw ell's " Fairy Mythology \ :" " I walke with the owle, and make many to cry as loud as she doth hollow. Sometimes I doe affright many simple people, for which some have termed me the Blacke Dog of Newgate," &c. " Tis I that do, like a skritch-owle, cry at sicke men's windowes, which make the hearers so fearefull, that they say that the sick person cannot live," &c. See Halli well's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 151, 152. + See the " Lives of the Queens of England," by Miss Agnes Strickland, Vol. iv., p, 62. + Pp. 152, 153. 5 The peasantry have a fancy, to this day, that they sometimes either see or hear a " token" when a person is going to die, which they call " Fetch ;" G G 450 " When candles burne both bine and dim, Old folkes will say, ' Here's fairy Grim !'" Grim was a most notable personage in the Anglo-Saxon (or Scandinavian) mythology, being no other than the Evil One him- self, under a different name. In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. i. p. "23, it is stated that the musical Grim, or Fossegrim, of Norway, is a being whose sojourn is by waterfalls and mill- works. Sib thus describes herself, and Tib, and other " women fayries," and likewise Tom Thumb, in the " Life of Robin Good-fellow'-." " To walke nightly, as do the men fayries, we use not ; but now and then we goe together, and at good huswives fires we warme and dresse our fayry children. If wee find cleane water and cleane towels, wee leave them money, either in their basons or in their shoes ; but if we find no cleane water in their houses, we w r ash our children in their pottage, milke, or beere, or what-ere we finde," &c. " Tib and I the ehiefest are, And for all things doe take care ; Licke is cooke and dresseth meate, And fetcheth all things that we eat ; Lull is nurse and tends the cradle, And the babes doth dresse and swadle ; This little fellow, called Tom Thumb, That is no bigger than a plumb, He is the porter to our gate, For he doth let all in thereat, And makes us merry with his play, And merrily we spend the day." I could have adduced several other names of places which cor- respond with the names of some of the fairies ; but I have confined myself principally to those places in this county with which I am well acquainted, and the fairy names of which appear to be sup- ported by concurrent facts or circumstances f. and upon such occasions they say, " Fetch is come." There is Fatch Leasow, in Burcot, in Bromsgrove. The peasantry say fatch for fetch, and fatches for vetches. Feckenham is called Feckeha, in " Domesday Book." * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 153, 154. + It is a very curious fact that so many of those peculiar places, which in 451 In addition to what has been already quoted, proving that much Anglo-Saxon lore is mixed up in our mediaeval fairy mythology, the following names of places, taken from the " Codex Diplomaticus aevi Saxonici," will further show that many of the fairy names enumerated by Drayton * and others, appear to come from the Saxon, and tend to prove that the mediaeval fairies were partly, at least, the offspring of the earlier race of elves. Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Cob . Cobbanden . Cobden\, Hants. . 752, 1136. J> Cobbelia Cobley, Hants. . 752, 1094, 1187. Cobbenstan . . 482, 482 App., Vol. iii. Copstone, Wilts. Elf . Ylfetham . Hants. . 595. Ylfingden . 1198. ,, Elfteham* . . 938. Eoten . Eotanford Etford, Dorset. . 1246. Grim . Grimes die . . 446, 446 App., Vol. vi. ; 456, 456 Ibid, 778. Grrimsditch, Wilts. days of yore were set down as fairy localities, and named after them, should even to these times be considered as haunted; and it shows how intimately fairy mythology and ghostology are connected. This, I trust, will be a suffi- cient excuse for my having given several stones of the latter class. Some of Drayton's names were most probably invented by him to suit the rhyme, as, Mop, Skip, Fib, Quick, Jil, Jin, and Nit. + " Where the modern name is printed in italic characters, it marks an attempt to suggest the name which may be borne by a corresponding place in the same county." " Codex Dip.," Vol. vi., Introduction, p. 249. + See Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 360, 382, &c. ; and Nash, Vol. ii., App., pp. 57, 58, 59, as to several places of the name of Elf, in the Anglo-Saxon times, such as Elvestun, ^Elfintun ; &c. And " Domesday Book," as to Alfestun, Aluesttm, Alvestun, &c.; also see pp. 434, 43. r >. of this work. 452 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Grim . Grimastun . . . .759. Grimstone, Norfolk. Grimanhyl .... 466. Worcestershire. Grirasetene gemero . . 561. Grimset, Wore. Grimes hylle* . . . 209, 209 App., Vol. iii. Grimanleah, Grimanlea, or Grimgelege f . 266, 266 App., Vol. iii.; 514, 514 App., Vol. vi. ; 515, 515 App., Vol. iii., 1069. Grimley, Wore. > Griman edisc 180, 180 App., Vol. iii. Hob . Hobbesse . T85. Hauboys, Norfolk. Hop . Hopping . 537. Hopping, Surrey. 5) Hopwuda Hop wood, Worces. . 261, 351. SJ Hopwudes wic . 262, 262 App., Vol. iii. Imp , Impintun Impington, Camb. . 907. Lull , Lullan setl. . . 652, 1065. ) Lulan treow . . 18, 18 App., Vol. iii. Lullesbeorh . . 374, 374 App., Vol. iii ; 488, 488 Ibid,, 1002, 1186. Lullesborough, Hants. * See Heming's " Cartulary," for Grimanhylle, sive Grimmanhylle, vel Gremanhil, pp. 164, 16.*), 257, 300. f Ibid , as to Grinianleage, Grimanlege, Grimanleag, Grimelege, Grimanleg, Grimelengp, Grimanleah, vel Grymley, p. 147, &c., and Grimel, p. 516; also see before, pp. 438, 439, 440. Professor Leo, of Halle, says the word " Grima" denotes a mask. 453 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Lull . Lulleswyrth . . . .714. Lulsworth, Oxford. Luling .... 1245. ,, Lullinges treow . . . 227. Lullingstree, Mitld. Lullingmynster, Lullyngrainstre 314, 350, 1067. ? Lullington, Sussex. Patch . Paeccingas, Peaccingas, Pec- cinges .... 114,481,715,896. Patching, Sussex. Pink . Pincauden . . . .570. Pinkden, Wore. Pincanham .... 347, 347 App., Vol. iii. Pinkham, Wore. Tin . Pinnan rod .... 767. Pinnelesfeld . . . . 172. Pines heafod . . . 1088. Pip . Pipe 118, 118 App., Vol. iii. (Pipe,) W T orc. Pippanleah .... 549, 1279. Pipley, Wore. Pipmynster .... 774, 1117, 1140. Pitminster, Somerset. Pippanslaed .... 150, 150 App., Vol. iii. Pipslade, Wore. ,, Pippelrethig . . . . 1171. Pipplerithe, Berks. Pippellrieg . . . .1171. Pipplebridge, Berks. Pippenes fenue . . . 1360. Pippenes pen . . 126, 426 App., Vol. iii. Pipspen, Glouc. 454 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Pip . Piperingas . Pippering, Sussex. . 1001. >> Pipernses Pipperness, Kent. . 731. Pippesleah . . 1123. PipsUy, Berks. >> Piplingcgtun . 570. Pipplington, Wore. Puck . Pucanwyl Puckwell, Somerset. . 408, 408 App., Vol. iii Sib . Sibbe stapele Wore. 209, 209 App., Vol. iii ) Sibbeslea 1094. 5J Sibbesweg . 595. Hants. ,, Siblingchurst 589. Hants. Tib Tybenham . Tibbenham, Norfolk. 785. ,, Tibbanliol . . . . 1000. Tick . Ticenheal . Ticknall, Derby. 710, 1298. Tit . Tit 957. n Tittanduu . 346, 346 App., Vol. iii., 970, 1295. >> Titferthes geat Wilts. 378, 378 App., Vol. iii., 1120. )) Tittenhalh .... 559. Tittingale, Wore. frip . Triphyrst .... 385. Triphurst, Glouc. 455 Fairy Names of places in the Names. " Codex Dip." Trip . Tripelau Triplow, Camb. Win . Wynnedun . Windon, Somerset. Wineshyl Winshill, Derby. ,, Wynne maedua . Wore. Wynes leah . Winsley, Wilts. Wines treow Wynburh edisc Worces. No. of the Charters. 907. 516, 516 App.,Vol. iii. 710, 1298. 683. 585, 585 App., Vol. iii. 427, 427 App., Vol iii., 1147, 1177, 1198, 1265. 570. With respect to the Saxon name " Grim," is it not possible that it was derived from the name of the Swedish king Grymer, who was so celebrated in Swedish and Danish song, and a descrip- tion of whose romantic exploits are appended to the translation of Mallet's " Northern Antiquities," Vol. ii., p. 248, Ac. In fact, many of the names of the elves and fairies may have been bor- rowed from those of either real or imaginary heroes. 456 FAIRY RINGS. I mentioned, in a former page*, that fairy rings abound in various parts of this county. Botanists variously account for their formation ; a common opinion, however, is that they are caused by a species of vegetable growth, which radiates from a centre and spreads wider and wider in a circle, causing the grass at its circumference to assume a deep green colour and rank appearance. Upon the rim of one of these fairy lings being dug into, a whitish, fibrous f, starchy-looking matter appears under the sod, amongst the roots of the grass, and at certain seasons several species of fungi or agarics grow in great numbers upon such rims. Some writers consider that the fibrous matter is either the roots or spawn of the fungi, and that its presence causes the grass to be of a deeper colour at the rims ; others suppose that they are caused by the fall of electric matter during thunder storms. But let us leave the regions of science to the botanists, and return to the more genial realms of fairyland. Shakespeare alludes to fairy rings in the " Midsummer Night's Dream," in a scene between Puck and another fairy, as follows : " Puck. How now, spirit ! whither wander you ? " Fairy. Over hill, over dale, Through bush, through briar, Over park, over pale, Through flood, through fire : I do wander every where, Swifter than the moone's sphere ; And I serve the fairy queen, To dew her orbs upon the green," &c. In a scene between Oberon and Titania there are the following lines : " Oberon. How long within this wood intend you stay ? " Titania. Perchance till after Thesus' wedding day. If you will patiently dance in our round, And see our moonlight revels, go with us, &c. See p. 412. + That it is fibrous 1 believe there can be no doubt; for several years ago 1 had a portion of it examined by a gentleman, with a powerful microscope, who pronounced it to be fibrous. 457 The rings are also noticed in the " Life of Rohin Good-fellow,*" as follows : " There was wont to walke many harmlesse spirits, called fay ries, dancing in brave order in fayry rings on greene hills, with sweete musicke (sometime invisible), in divers shapes," &c. And in Robin's songf, as follows : " Elves, urchins, goblins all, and little fairyes, That doe fillch, blacke, and pinche mayds of the dairy es, Make a ring on the grasse with your qnicke measures ; Tom shall play, and I'le sing for all your pleasures." And in the " Pranks of Puck}," as follows : " Whenas my fellow elves and I, In circled ring do trip a round," &c. In an " Episode of Fairies," published in 1600 , there are the following lines : " Round about, round about, in a fine ring-a, Thus we dance, thus we dance, and thus we sing-a ; Trip and go, to and fro, over this green-a, All about, in and out, for our brave queen-a." And in Drayton's " Nymphidia||," as follows : " And in their courses make that round In meadows and in marshes found, Of them so call'd the fairy-ground, Of which they have the keeping." And in the " Wiltshire Collections of Aubrey relative to the Fairies H," the following curious particulars are stated : " In the yeare 1633-4, soone after I had entered into my grammar at the Latin Schoole at Yatton Keyncl, our curate, Mr. Hart, was annoy 'd one night by these elves or fayries. Com- * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 12-1. t Ibid., p. 149. Ibid., p. 108. Ibid., p. 1H0. || Ibid., p. 107. H Ibid., pp. 235, 236. 458 ming over the dowries, it being neere darke, and approehing one of the fairey dances, as the common people call them in these parts, viz., the greene circles made by those sprites on the grasse, he, all at once, sawe an innumerable quantitie of pigmies or very small people, dancing rounde and rounde, and singing, and mak- ing all manner of small odd noyses As to these circles, I presume they are generated from the breathing out of a fertile subterraneous vapour, which comes from a kinde of conical con- cave, and endeavours to get out at a narrow passage at the top, which forces it to make another cone inversely situated to the other, the top of which is the green circle If you digge under the turfe of this circle, you will find at the rootes of the grasse a hoare or mouldinesse Mem. That pidgeon's dung and nitre, steeped in water, will make the fayry circles : it drawes to it the nitre of the aire, and will never weare out." The following recipe is given in Adams's work on " Flowers, their Moral, Language, and Poetry," whereby, it is said, a sight of the fairies may be obtained. " We have a precious unguent, prepared according to the receipt of a celebrated alchymist, which applied to your visual orbs, will enable you to behold without difficulty or danger, the most potent Fairy or Spirit you may encounter. This is the form of the preparation : ' R. A pint of sallet-oyle, and put it into a vial-glasse ; but first wash it with rose-water, and mary- golde water : the flowers to be gathered towards the east. Wash it till the oyle come white ; then put it into the glasse, ut supra ; and then put thereto the budds of hollyhocke, the flowers of marygolde, the flowers or toppers of wild thime, the budds of young hazle : and the thyme must be gathered neare the side of a hill where Fayries use to be : and take the grasse of a fayrie throne ; then, all these put into the oyle, into the glasse : and sette it to dissolve three dayes in the sunne, and then keep it for thy use ; ut supra*.'' " * Ashmolean MS. 1400, written about the year 1000. See also Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 22'J. 459 THE SEVEN WHISTLERS. Whether these were fairies, wizards, or fates, I cannot pretend to say ; but I have been informed by Mr. J. Pressdee, of Wor- cester, that, when a boy, he used to hear the country people talk a good deal about the " Seven Whistlers," and that he frequently heard his late grandfather, John Pressdee, who lived at Cuckold's Knoll, in Suckley, say that oftentimes, at night, when he happened to be upon the hill by his house, he heard six out of the " Seven Whistlers " pass over his head, but that no more than six of them were ever heard by him, or by any one else, to whistle at one time, and that should the seven whistle together the world would be at an end *. This is a very remarkable legend ; and it is strange that such a fancy should thus have been credited, almost to our own time. It probably took its rise either from the occasional peculiar whistling of the wind f, or from flights of wild fowl, such as plovers, widgeons, or teal, which sometimes fly at night, making a peculiar whistling noise. Supposing, however, that the legend was based upon such natural causes, it certainly became most strangely mystified. This legend has been noticed in the " Athemeum \" in con- nection with a curious account in Grimm's " German Mythology," descriptive of the " Swan Maidens," who are represented as being heard flying through the air at night. There is a place called " Whistlers " in Lulsley, and also a little lull in Ireland, called " Knock-na-feadalea," which, accord- ing to Neilson, signifies the " Whistling Hill." He states that the place took this name from reports that the music of the fairies had been often heard to proceed from it . I have also heard r similar account from others. + " Like the darkened moon lie (Crugal's ghost) retired, in the midst of the whistling blast." Ossian, " Fingal," Hook ii. " Often are the steps of the dead in the dark-eddying Musts." Ossian, " 'femora," Book vii. { For September ll)th and November 14th, lH4(i, pp. 005, 1102, Lltitf. See Thorns' " Lays and Legends of Ireland," p. 01. 400 THE DEVIL'S DREAM. As an old fiddler, named Pengree, about fifty years ago, was one night returning home by himself to Old Storage, from the wake which had been held at Knightsford Bridge Inn, he had to pass a place called " Hell Garden," which is situated at the bottom of the Cherry Bank, near to the Upper House, in Alfrick. When he came there (we give the narrative in his own words), he said, " Oh, I am come to Hell Garden ! ' Well, I'll give the ' Devil's Dream ;' " which, no sooner had he struck up, than about 150 strange female figures came and danced all round him in pattens, which made him not only unshoulder his fiddle pretty quickly, but take to his heels as fast as he could run. This, he assured my informant (Mr. John Pressdee) was perfectly true* ; nor is it unlikely that he did see some dancing shadows there ; for we may rest quite satisfied, that that wonder-working spirit called " Old Cider," had not only entered into, but taken full possession of our hero f . THE MYSTERIOUS BLACK CAT. The late John Spooner, Esq., of Hopton Court, Leigh, kept a pack of hounds ; and Mr. John Pressdee has informed me that he frequently used to follow them ; and that whenever they passed through a certain field in Leigh Sin ton, called " The Oak and Crab Tree," the hounds used invariably to run Ml cry after something which nobody could see, and never ceased the pursuit until they arrived at a cottage, situated about a mile and a half off, at Crumpal (otherwise Crumpen or Crumpton) Hill, in Cradley, which was inhabited by an old woman named Cofield, when they would turn back again. He added, that Mr. Spooner at such times used to say, " Ah, they are gone after that old witch, Dame Cofield ;" and upon one occasion, about forty years ago, when he * I have also been told the same anecdote by others. + In the "Athenaeum" for September 11th, 1847, p. !)58, there is a curious Flemish account of an old fiddler, who, returning home from the fair at Opbrakel, met with a rather similar adventure. 461 (Mr. Pressdee) was with the hounds, Mr. Spooner, before they entered the field in question, sent his huntsman, James Bayliss*, to watch by the cottage, and see whether he could unravel the mystery ; when lo ! he had not long been there before the hounds came full cry over hedge and ditch, as straight as an arrow, towards the cottage ; and, upon their leaping into the garden, he saw, just before them, either a black cat or a witch in that shape, which bounded from the hounds, first upon a shed, and then through a hole in the window of the old woman's bed- room. There is something very strange in this account ; for although it possibly might have been a real cat that from time to time led the hounds such a chase, yet, taking the narrative as it is, the difficulties in the way of such a supposition are great. First, because Mr. Pressdee says that the persons who accompanied the hounds never saw what was pursued ; neither did the huntsman, except in the instance above stated ; and, secondly, it was not natural for a timorous animal like a cat to venture so often to a certain spot, so far from home, and thereby expose herself to such repeated dangers. There may have been some facts in the case which were never discovered ; and we cannot but believe that the cause was a natural one, although at that time it was so generally attributed to witchcraft ; for Mr. Pressdee says it was a common saying in the neighbourhood, that the hounds had only to go into the Oak and Crab Tree Ground, and they would be sure to have a run after old Dame Cofieldf. It is said, if a red herring, or a piece of bacon, or certain dead animals, are drawn along the ground, the hounds will go full cry * When a boy, the author used frequently to see Mr. Spooner and his above- mentioned huntsman ride by his native place, the Upper House, in Alfrick, after the hounds ; and yet, strange to say, he was quite blind during the latter part of the time that he followed that diversion. His servant used to take die lead over slight fences, and he used to follow. + It was formerly a common idea, in many districts, that the hounds did sometimes hunt witches in the shape of foxes and hares. This fancy, doubtless, often arose when an animal was so fleet and wary, that, although repeatedly run, it could not be caught. 462 along the " trail ;" and I inquired of Mr. Pressdee whether such a trick might not have been practised in the above-mentioned cases ; but he thought this was impossible, as the instances were so numerous, and the hounds frequently came to the spot in question quite casually-. WITCHERY HOLE. There is a place called Witchery Hole (alias Witcherly Hole), in Shelsley Walsh, otherwise Little Shelsley; and I recollect, when a boy, hearing the peasantry of Alfrick say, whenever a violent storm blew from the north, " The wind comes from Witcherly Hole;" meaning, thereby, that the broomstick hags, mounted on their aerial steeds, were then rushing southward from their mysterious hole, and were followed in their course by an atmospheric hurly-burly f. OLD COLES. I well remember, in my juvenile days, hearing old people speak of a spectre that formerly appeared in the parish of Leigh, in this county, which they called " Old Coles." They said that he fre- quently used, at dead of night, to ride as swift as the wind down that part of the public road between Bransford and Brocamin, called Leigh Walk, in a coach drawn by four horses, with fire flying out of their nostrils ; and that they invariably dashed right over the great barn at Leigh Court, and then on into the river Teme. It was likewise said, that this perturbed spirit was at length laid in a neighbouring pool by twelve parsons, at dead of night, by the light of an inch of candle ; and, as he was not to rise again until the candle was quite burnt out, it was, therefore, thrown into the * The old dame was also charged with having frequently upset waggons as they passed hy her cottage, and then, having looked very innocently out of her window, asked what was the matter. + In this we appear to have a kind of mediaeval version of the cave of jEolus. The hole is a dingle of coppice wood, having Hell Hole, and the Devil's Den, in Stanford, as its neighbours. 463 pool, and to make all sure the pool was filled up, And peaceful after slept Old Coles's shade. Upon considering the tenor of this legend, I was led to think that " Old Coles" must have been a person of some quality ; and it induced me to look into Nash's " History of Worcestershire," hoping it might throw some light upon the subject. I find that in his account of Leigh*, he says, " This ancient lordship of the abbots of Pershore falling by the dissolution of monasteries into the king's hands, remained there till Elizabeth's time. The tenants of the house and demesne, both under the abbot and under the king and queen, were the Colles, of which family was Mr. Edward [Edmund] Colles f, ' a grave and learned justice of this shire, who purchased the inheritance of this manor ;' whose son, William Colles J, succeeded him ; whose son and heir, Mr. Edmund Colles, lived in the time of Mr. Habingdon , and, being loaded with debts (which like a snow-ball from Malvern Hill gathered increase), thought fit to sell it to Sir Walter Devereux, Bart." The Colles's were also possessed of the manor of Suckley||, which shared the same fate. " The manor of Suckley remained in the name of Hungerford till it passed by purchase from them to Mr. Edmund Colles, of Leigh, in the reign of Elizabeth. He left it to his son, Mr. William Colles ; whose heir, Mr. Edmund Colles, sold it to Sir Walter Devereux, Knight and Bart. U" It is not improbable that the legend may have referred to the * Vol. ii., p. 73. + He died 19th December, 1600, aged 70. X Died 20th September, 1015. (See Nash's account of the family monuments in Leigh Church.) Thomas Habington, or Habingdon, of Hinlip, the historian, died 8th October, 1(547. His son William died November 30th, 1059. (See p. 170; and Nash, Vol. i., Introduction.) || This manor includes the hamlets of Alfrick and Lulsley. There is a farm called Colles Place (vulgo Coles Place, or Cold Place) in Lulsley, " which is mentioned in a ledger of the Priory of Malvern, in tlie reign of Henry III., as belonging to the family of Colles." (See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 400.) There is also " Coles Green," near Sandlin, in Leigh. % Nash, Vol. ii., p. 397. 464 unfortunate Edmund Colles, the second, who, having lost his patrimony, and, perhaps, died in distress, his spirit may have been supposed to have haunted Leigh Court, the seat of his joys in prosperity, and the object of his regrets in adversity. The following story, something similar, is told in the " Rambler in Worcestershire*," respecting the Court-house in Little Shelsley : " The people say the house is haunted, and that a Lady Lightfoot, who was imprisoned and murdered in the house, comes at night and drives a carriage and four fiery horses round some old rooms that are unoccupied, and that her ladyships screams are heard at times over the Old Court. There she has been seen to drive her team into the moat, and carriage, horses, and all, have disappeared, the water smoking like a furnace." It used to be supposed that the neighbourhood of Haddon, or of Hardwicke, Co. Derby, or both, were visited by a coach drawn by headless steeds, and driven by a coachman as headless as themselves; and that a similar equipage used to haunt the Mansion of Parsloes, in Essex f. The following is a similar legend J : " In the south of Devon, some eighteen or twenty years ago, a reverend gentleman, of large landed property, held a small bene- fice in his immediate neighbourhood, for the purpose of evading residence in another quarter. He was accustomed to perform the duty every Sunday, and was conveyed to the church in his chariot tlrrough one of those narrow, shady lanes, for which that county was then so justly famed. He died, and his remains were consigned to the vault in the church of the above-mentioned benefice, with much pomp and ceremony, and followed by a long procession of friends, tenants, and the surrounding neighbour- hood. But his spirit was not supposed to rest in peace. Villagers returning from their labours had been terrified by the sound of carriage wheels in the shady lane ; and one had even seen the chariot itself drawn by headless horses. The rumour spread, till * Published in 1851, p. 191. + See the " Atheneeum" for 29th August, 1846, p. I Ibid., for November 7, 1840, p. 1142. 405 it was confidently asserted in the cider shops that ' twelve parsons' had been convened to lay the spirit in the Red Sea. Still, the lane was believed to be haunted ; and, on investigating the reason why the spell had not taken effect, it was conjectured that, as one of the twelve parsons had been the intimate friend of the deceased as he knawed the trick he would communicate it to him, and so render it abortive. That parson was, therefore, struck out of the list ; and the vicar of an adjoining parish, lately come into residence, from ' Lunnun town,' did it all hisself; and neither chariot nor horses was ever knawed to walk again. This superstition was current under the immediate knowledge of the writer of this anecdote." Another story of the kind is told in " Notes and Queries*." "Sir Thomas Boleyn's Spectre. Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of the unfortunate Queen of Henry VIII., resided at Blickling, distant about fourteen miles from Norwich, and now the residence of the dowager Lady Suffield. The spectre of this gentleman is believed by the vulgar to be doomed, annually, on a certain night in the year, to drive, for a period of 1000 years, a coach drawn by four headless horses, over a circuit of twelve bridges in that vicinity. These are Aylsham, Burgh, Oxnead, Buxton, Coltishall, the two Meyton bridges, Wroxham, and four others, whose names I do not recollect. Sir Thomas carries his head under his arm, and flames issue from his mouth. Few rustics are hardy enough to be found loitering on or near those bridges on that night ; and my informant averred that he was himself hailed by this fiendish apparition, and asked to open a gate, but ' he warn't sich a fool as to turn his head ; and well a' didn't, for Sir Thomas passed him full gallop like :' and he heard a voice which told him that he (Sir Thomas) had no power to hurt such as turned a deaf ear to his requests ; but that, had he stopped he would have carried him off. " This tradition I have repeatedly heard in this neighbourhood, from aged persons, when I was a child, but I nearer found but one person who had ever actually sren the phantom. Perhaps some of Vol. i No. '.JO. May 18, 1850, p. 468. I I 466 your correspondents can give some clue to this extraordinary sen- tence. The coach and four horses is attached to another tradition I have heard in the west of Norfolk, where the ancestor of a family is reported to drive his spectral team through the old walled-up gateway of his now demolished mansion, on the anni- versary of his death ; and it is said that the bricks next morning have ever been found loosened and fallen, though as constantly repaired. The particulars I could easily procure by reference to a friend. " E. S. T. " P.S. Another vision of headless horses is prevalent at Cais- tor Castle, the seat of the Fastolfs." Before leaving Leigh Court, it may as well be observed that strange tales have been told of a mysterious looking crow or raven, which sometimes used to be seen at night sitting on one of the barrels in a detached cyder house, and who, with a horrid flap- ping of his wings, would " dout*" the candle of an intruder, and drive him back to the upper regions. A similar tale is told of a lonely cellar in Alfrickf, and also of one in Holt Castle \. Probably these scarecrows were, in the good old times, almost as effective in guarding the cellars against all but the initiated, as Chubb 's locks now are. But we must leave the witches and ghosts, and return again to the fairies, and ignis fatuus. Several of the places referred to in this treatise, are either ad- joining to, or not far from each other, and this is additional evi- dence of the source from whence their names were derived. For instance, on the boundaries of Stoke Prior manor we have Puck Lane and Obden Brook. In Bromsgrove parish, Wilkin Close, Pug's Hole, Cob-Nail, Tickridge Piece, Fatch (Fetch) Leasow, and Jack's Croft . In Grimley, Cob's Coppice, Big Will Tree, Upper and Lower Will Tree, and Jack Stile Acres. In the Ber- row, Puck Dole, Dobbin's Hill, Little Dobbin's Hill, and several * " Dout," for do out. f See p. 448. X See the " Rambler in Worcestershire," published in 1848, p. 184. In Coston Hacket, adjoining Bromsgrove parish, there is a field called " The Sprights." 4C7 fields called by the name of Jack. In Eldersfield, Dobb's Hill, and Cob Hill. In Northfield, several places called by the names of Hob, Cob, and Jack. In Frankley, Upper Hoblets, Banky Hoblets, Hob Acre, and Jack Leasow. In King's Norton, several places called by the names of Hobbis, Pucklin, and Dobbin. In Doder- hill, Cob's Close, Cob's Croft, Cob's Orchard, Thumb's Close, and Impney. In Alvechurch, Impey, The Himpey, Will Fields, Cob's Meadow, Long Cross Himpey, and Long Himpey. In Martley, Poke Meadow, and Puckley Green Farm. In Alfrick, Oughton or Eoten Wells, Sibhay or Tibhay, The Tibbins, Grimsend, Patches, and Patch Hill. In Lulsley, The Whistlers and Patchham. In Gloucestershire, Puckmore, Puckmore's Hitch, Cob's Hole, Pink's Field ; and Pink's Meadow, in Dymock. In Warwickshire. Hob's Croft, Jack Ground, and Jack's Croft, in Ipsley ; Hobbin's Close, Pucknell's Close, Jack Lands, Hob's Moat, and Upper, Lower, and Far Elkin, in Solihull ; and Tib's- liall near Wiggens-hall. SPUNKIES. The ignis Jatnus is called " Spunkie" in Scotland. In Stewart's " Superstitions of the t Highlands of Scotland," published in 1823, the Spunkies are described as follows : " Whenever the traveller had the misfortune to lose his way, or whenever there was a prospect of deluding him from it, this vigilant link-boy was ever at hand, to light him into far worse quarters than even the purlieus of Covent Garden. " Suddenly the traveller's attention was arrested by the most resplendent light, apparently reflected from a window not far distant, which, however, as the traveller approached, receded from him, like the rainbow. Still pursuing his course towards it, the wily Spunkie manoeuvred so dexterously that the unhappy wan- derer was speedily decoyed into the nearest moss or precipice. Plunging headlong into some fatal abyss, the deluded victim never returned to his mournful wife and family, to relate to them the Spunkies pertidy." 408 In Sussex, and elsewhere, the rotten wood which emits phos- phorescence is called " spunk." It is sometimes stuck by country boys in the hedge side, as a goblin, to frighten the traveller. It goes by the name of " daddock" in Worcestershire, and there the fungi which grow on trees are called " spunk." There is Puncknowle, in Dorsetshire. See p. 425, where Spuck, &c, are considered as akin to Puck. KELPIES. Mr. Stewart also speaks of superstitions in the Highlands relative to fiend horses, called " Water Kelpies," who, splendidly accoutred, place themselves in the way of weary travellers, to tempt them on their backs ; and having accomplished their object, plunge headlong, with a fiend-like yell, into an adjacent pool, and prey at their leisure upon their unfortunate victims. These appear to be synonymous with the Irish Pooka, before referred to. There are marks in the old red sand stone in Forfarshire, called " Kelpies' feet." These are similar to the marks in the old red sandstone of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, referred to in my pamphlet upon that subject*. Jamieson, in his " Etymological Dictionary," thinks the name kelpie may be derived from the old German Chalp (Germ. Kalb), from the bellowing noise he makes f. From these various legends it seems pretty evident that our rude ancestors linked a part of their demonology, and afterwards much of their more poetical fairy mythology, upon what was then considered the mysterious appearances of the ignis fatuus. As an evidence that the ignis fatuus is probably the result of electricity, combined with certain gases, it may be remarked that, * As to the causes of those marks, see the " Proceedings of the Geological Society in London," Vol. ii., 1830-37, No. 48, p. 439 ; and Dr. Buckland's " Bridgewater Treatise," Vol. i., p. 201 ; and Sir 11. J. Murchison's work on the " Silurian System," Part i., pp. 178, 179. + See " Athenteum," December 5, 1846, p. 1214. 469 in a lecture on electricity, by Andrew Crosse, Esq., of Broomfield, he stated, that " by means of the wire suspended in his park, he had discovered that a driving fog sweeps in masses, alternately, negatively, and positively electrified ; and once the accumulation of the electric fluid in a fog was so great, that there was an inces- sant stream of sparks from his conductor, each one of which would have struck an elephant dead in an instant*." In Leigh's " Guide to Wales and Monmouthshire," we read in the account of Harleigh, that in the winter of 1694, this neighbourhood was much alarmed by a fiery exhalation or mephitic vapour, which arose from a sandy, marshy tract of land called " Morfa Bychan" (the little marsh), across the channel, eight miles from Harlech, and injured much of the country, by poison- ing the grass in such a manner as to kill the cattle, and firing hay and corn ricks for near a mile from the coast. It is repre- sented to have had the appearance of a weak blue flame. All the damage was done invariably in the night ; and in the course of the winter not less than sixteen hay-ricks and two barns, one filled with corn and the other with hay, were burnt by it. It did not appear to affect anything else, and men could go into it without receiving any injury. It was observed at different times during eight months. An account of this singular phenomenon appeared in No. 208 of the " Philosophical Transactions!." This fiery exhalation most probably was carburetted hydrogen, formed by the decomposition of sea-weed and other vegetable matter in the marsh, and may have been ignited by electricity \. In other cases the ignis fatuus is probably phosphuretted hydrogen gas, which rises occasionally with electric exhalations from the earth, where animal matter has been buried and become putrid, and inflames upon contact with the oxygen of the atmos- See " Bristol Mirror," March 9, 1839. + See also Gough's " Camden," Vol. iii., pp. 174, 175. J It is fortunate for the Welsh that one of their strange lights is quite the reverse of being mischievous ; for in Wright's " Scenes in North Wales," pub- lished in lN.'t'i, it is stated in the Appendix, that " sometimes a learning light is seen to shine out before the traveller, and conduct him to the precise direc- tion of his journey ; distinguished from .lack o' the-Lantern iu this respect 'hat the latter rruellv ' lures us to <>ur doom:' 470 phere. In proof of this, I have been informed that a person once saw several ignes fatui rise out of a boggy corner of a field in the parish of Clifton-upon-Teme, where a horse had been buried some time before. APPENDIX. This work was nearly all printed off before the appearance of a valuable " Treatise on the Local Nomenclature of the Anglo- Saxons, as exhibited in the ' Codex Diplomaticus aevi Saxonici ;' translated from the German of Professor Heinrich Leo, P.H. and LL.D., of Halle, with additional examples and explanatory- notes, " by B. Williams, Esq., F.S.A. Had that Treatise ap- peared earlier, I might have derived from it much important information, relative to some of the Saxon names in this work. A few notices, however, I must here introduce. Upper and Lower Areley (pp. 304, 307, 308, of this work). Earneleah, Anglo-Saxon, the Eagles' Lea. But see p. 308. Lower Areley is written Ernleye in Layamon's " Brut." Bromsgrove (pp. 115, 122). Bremesgraf, from the Anglo-Saxon " brome," a plant, and " graf," a grove. But the former derivation (at p. 122) appears to be the better, as the name is Bremesgrefa, or Bremesgrsefa, meaning Bremes-grave. Beoley (p. 337). Beoleah, Anglo-Saxon, the Lea of Bees. Buddenhill, and Buddenhill Common Field, in Castle Morton (pp. 71, 281). Dr. Leo, in his Treatise, speaks of places which were the scenes of those executions which assumed the form of human sacrifices amongst the Germans, and in which the criminal was immolated as an expiation to the gods; and in a note he says: " In the Saxon part of the district of Hessiga in old Germany, a plot of ground, the scene of such barbarous executions (burial alive, with a stake 472 through the heart) was named a Buddenfeld. Vita Lin- geri, ap. Pertz, ii., 419." Crowle (p. 294). Crohlea may come from the Anglo-Saxon " croh " (crocus). Deerhurst (pp. 187, 188, 189). Deor-hyrst, the Bush of Stags. Evesham (p. 336), in Anglo-Saxon, Cronuchomme, the Ham of Cranes. Great Gog Bridge and Little Gog Bridge, in Castle Morton (p. 281). Dr. Leo says the names of fierce, fabulous crea- tures are coupled with wild, dismal places, as Grimesdic (grima, maleficus), JEnta die, and iEnta hlew ; the Giant's Dike and Mound, Goggislond, and Gugedike. Old Swinford (p. 273). Swynford, the Ford of Swine. Lincomb (pp. 112, 113). Anglo-Saxon " lin," flax, and " cumb," a stream or trough. Lindridge (p. 266). From the Anglo-Saxon, Lindhrycg, the Ridge of Lime Trees, where was pasturage for swine and goats. Pendock (pp. 218, 219). In a note to Dr. Leo's Treatise it is said, Pendock might be Anglo-Saxon ; " peond," " pund," signifies a place enclosed or fenced in ; " pyndan " is the German " beunten," to fence in ; " peonedoc " may stand for " peonedhoc" [or " peoned-hook"], and originally sig- nify angulum agri septi [the corner of a hedged field]. But see the derivation in p. 218 of this work. Rid Marley (p. 218). Reodemereleah. the Lea. by the Mere (or boundary) of Reeds. But see the derivation, p. 218. Rushock (p. 271). Anglo-Saxon, Rixuc, (?) Rise-hoc ; the Rush- hook, or corner of a field where the rush-weed abounded. Sedgebarrow, or Sedgeberrow (pp. 85, 335). From the Anglo- Saxon, Secgesbearuwe, the Barrow of Sedge Grass. Tickenhill (p. 146). From the Anglo-Saxon, Ticen-hyl, the Kid's-hill. 473 The following account of Anglo-Saxon Dikes and Roads in Worcestershire is extracted from the appendix to Dr. Leo's Treatise*, with some names added, in brackets, by the Author of this work. iEttinc weg, Cotheridge (see p. 262). Beartan-weg. Bradan weg [Broadway] (see p. 322). Bugghilde Street, near Evesham (see p. 336) [it also passes between Church and Cow Honeybourne] (see pp. 316, 317). Carcadic, near Abbot's Morton (see p. 340). Ciolanweg [boundaries of Clopton] (see p. 262). Dagarding weg, Beoley (see p. 337). Deorelmes dyk, near Thorndun. Dicweg, Himbleton (see p. 325). Dunnedyk, near Evesham (see p. 336). Ealhmunding weg, Twyford. Elmedesdich, Bleedon. Eyshinige dich, Littleton (see p. 336). Gerdweeg. Irfurlanges dykef, Aston Magna (see pp. 226, 354). Leomanninc weg. Query, Worcestershire. Lolanweg. Middelweg, Himbleton (see p. 325). Pincanhammes dyke, Aston Magna (see pp. 226, 354). Pohweg. Query, Powick (see p. 287). Rahweg, near Tredington, Gloucestershire, or Worcestershire (see p. 356). llugandyke, Ruganweg, or Rugwie, near Evesham (sec p. 336) [and also in Broadway] (see p. 322). Salteraweg, Sealtstract. Scearpweg, Stoke Prior (see p. 312). Added by the translator of the Treatise. + Query, the Archery-dike, from " ir," a how. INDEX. Abbekley, 205, 266. Abberley Hill, derivation of the name of; supposed sapling of St. Augustine's Oak there, 214,215. Abberton, 340. Abbot's Lench, or Habbe, or Hob Lench, 340. Abbot's Norton, and Lenchwick, 339. Abbot's Morton, otherwise Stoney Morton, 340, 473. Acton Beauchamp, 257. Acton Scott, Co. Salop; Greek and Roman coins and other relics found there, 9, 11, 12. Ad Antonam, most probably at Eckington, 75, 342, 343. Agg, or Egg, 244. Aka, or Rock (see Rock), 266. Alcester, Co. Warwick, 329. Alcrinton, now Alfreton, 295. Alderminster, 356, 357. Aldington, said to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks, 336. Alfred the Great, 194 to 204. Alfredeswic (see Alfrick), 193, 194, 202, 203, 204, 206, 447. Alfrick, etymology of, 193, 194, 202 to 205, 447. Round Hill, 194. Raven Hills, and the standard of the raven; the Danes; Ethelred and Ethel flied, Duke and Duchess of Mercia, 194 to 199. Their charter to Worcester, 199, 200, 201. They and Alfred were most probably in Wor- cester when it was granted, 198 to 201. They signed charters by making a cross, 201, 202. The Bante, or ancient division of land before shires, 203, 204. As to the derivation of the name Worcester, 204. Old Storage, and St. Augustine's Oak, 205, 206, 207. Bunyan's signet ring and prison, and anecdotes of him, 207 to 212. Engraving of the prison, 208. Woodcuts of the ring, 209. Quince Hill; Greek custom respecting quinces; Catterball and Callow's Leap, 246, 247, 248. Folk-lore, 412, 41K, 434, 435, 440, 445, 447, 44S, 460, 401, 462, 466. Eoten or Oughton Wells, 434. Fairy names, and Fairies' Cave, 440, 44s. Tl,,. Devil's Dream, 460. Alne, Great, 337. Alney Isle, 188, 189. Alvechurch, 338, 339. Allies, in Borley, in Ombersley, 296. Manorial customs, 297 to 303. 476 Alluvium, accumulation of, since the time of the Romans, at Cinder Point, near Worcester, 30, and at Ripple, 07, 68. Amberley, Gloucestershire (see Ambrosiae Petrae), 368. Amblecote, in Old Swinford, 273. Ambrosiae Petrse generally, 363 to 381, 440, 441. Woodcuts of Tyrian coins, 378, 379. Ancient British coin, found at Green Hill, Sidbury, Worcester, 25, 26. Wood- cut, 26. Ancient names of fields, general observations relative to, 401, 402, 403. Angerona, one of the Roman penates, 13, 14, with a woodcut, 14. Anglo-Saxon boundaries of fields, 402, 403. Relics, 76, 77, 111, 112. Anglo-Saxon coins found at the Castle Hill, Worcester, 17. Anglo-Saxon dikes and roads (see App.), 473. Anglo-Saxon gold coin, found at St. Clement's, Worcester, 36 to 40. Woodcut, 37. Anglo-Saxon marks, 228, 229. Graves, 110, 111. Ankerdine Hill and Osebury Rock, 212, 213. Areley Kings, or Lower Areley, 304 ; App., 471. Arley, Upper or Over, in Staffordshire, 145, 307, 308 ; App., 471. Armscott, in Newbold, 356. Asbury, in Hales Owen, 273. Ashchurch, Co. Gloucester, 334. Ash, Wiggen, 441, 442. Ast (see Astwood, in Claines), 226. Astley, Redstone Ferry, Layamon's " Brut," 303 ; also see Lincomb, 112, 113. Aston, or Eston Episcopi, or White Ladies Aston, 226, 326. Aston or Eston Magna, 226, 354, 473. Aston-under-Hill, Co. Gloucester, 329. Astwood, in Claines, etymology of, 226, 227, 228. Various names with the prefix " Ast," or " Est," 226. Anglo-Saxon marks, 228, 229. Astwood Hill, in Chaddesley Corbett, 124, 125, 126, and woodcut, 125. Atch, Ast, or East Leneh, 340. Augustine's Oak, 191, 205, 206, 207, 215, 266. Austinfric, Austinric, or Austins-ric, 206, 447. Avenbury, Co. Hereford, 257. Babel's Hill, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Smite, 319. Badsey, 87, 88, 336. Fairies there, named Pinket, 435. Bambury Stone, in Bredon Hill Camp, Kemerton, 80. Ambrosiae Petras generally, with the etymology of the name, 363 to 381. Woodcuts of the Camp and Stone, 365. Bante or Bant, an ancient division of land in Suckley, 203, 204, 242. Barbed bronze spear-heads, with woodcuts, 30 and 31. Bark, on a wooden coffin of an ancient Briton, 30. Barrow Cop, in Perdeswell, in Claines; tore discovered there, 229, 230, 231. Copper-plate engraving of it, 230. Description of tores generally. 231, 232. Barrow Hill, in Chaddesley Corbett, 124, 125, 126. Woodcut of it, 125. Bates-bush, in Lulsley, 444, 445. Battenhall, 293. Battlestone, or Boltstone, 144, 145. 477 Beal-tine, or Beltein, 124, 191, 192, 193, 353, 432. Bear, several places so called, 189, 190. Bears Wood, in Cradley, Co. Hereford, 189, 190. Bedwardine, derivation of it, 263. Beggars' needles, 425. Belbroughton, Roman relics found there, 135, 271. Bells, Roman, found at the Castle Hill, Worcester, 19. Engraving of one of them, Plate I., No. 14, p. 18. Bengeworth, 336. Bentley, in Holt with Little Witley, 264. Bentley, in Tardebig, 341. Beoley, 337. Camp on Beoley Hill, 337, 338. Derivation of the name, App., 471, 473. Berrington, in Tenbury, 259. Berrow, the Parish of the ; Pendock Portway, 70. Berrow Hill, in Hartley ; ancient camp there, 213, 278. Berrow, the name either a corruption of Barrow, or of Burrow, 219. Besford, 326. Bevere Island, Roman coins and ancient bronze celt or knife found there, 151, 152. Engraving of the knife, Plate IV., No. 11, p. 98. Bewdley, in Ribbesford, 146, 304. Bewill, Bual, Buelt ; several places so called, 247. Bilk, 419. Birlingham, 346. Birmingham, 314. Birts Morton, 281. Bishampton, 340. Black Borough, in Lulsley, 445. Black Cat, a mysterious, 460, 461, 462. Black Dog, 445, 448, 449. Black Dog of Newgate, 449. Black Hawthorn Lane, 288. Black Jack, 430, 446. His Cave, in Leigh, 446. Black .Jack's Hole, 446. Blackstone Cave or Hermitage, 305, 306. Black's Well, in Knightwick, 443. Blackwell, in Tredington, 356. Blockley, and Hamlets of Blockley, Aston, and Dorn, 354, 355 Boc, alias Puck, 428. Bockleton, 258. Boggilde Street, or Buckle Street, 316, 317, 473. Boleyn, Sir Thomas, his spectre, 465, 466. Bordesley, 331, 332. Bottom, the weaver, 422. Boundaries of fields, Anglo-Saxon, 402, 403. Bow Bridge, in Hippie; paved trackway from thence to the Mythe Tute, 65, 66, 67. Bracelets, Anglo-Saxon, 111, 112. Bradley, in Fladbury, 340. Bradley and Stoke, or Stock, 320. 478 Bransford, in Leigh, 241. Brants (see Upton), 283. Bredicot, 294. Roman urn and coins, 95, 96. Curious ring, 96, 97. Wood cut of the urn, 95. Woodcuts of the ring, 96. Bredon, and its chapelries of Norton and Cutsdean, and the hamlets of Bre- don, Hardwick-with-Mitton, Kinsham, and Westmancote, 345. Bredon Hill, Conderton Camp in Overbury, and Roman coins, 84. Bredon Hill, Kemerton Camp, 78 to 84. Ancient granary, charred or parched wheat, and land-slip, 78 to 81. Bambury Stone, 80. Silver earring, and woodcuts, 83, 84. Etymology of Bredon, 84. Particular account of the Camp and the Bambury Stone, 363 to 366. Woodcuts of the Camp and Stone, 365. Bretforton, in Badsey, 336. Brickworks, site of Roman, in Soddington, in Mamble, 146, 147, 148. Bride Stones, 367. Brimfield, Co. Hereford, 259, 260. Broadwas, 250. Broadway, 322, 473. Brockhampton, Co. Hereford, near Linton, 352. Brockhampton, Co. Hereford, near Bromyard, 255. Bromsberrow, Co. Gloucester ; Conygree Hill, 70, 71, 218. Bromsgrove, 312, 313. The ballad of the Jovial Hunter, 114 to 123. Harry- ca-nab, 115, 116, 123. Wish, or wisked, or spectre hounds, 123. Callow, 123. Derivation of the name Bromsgrove, 122, and App.,471. Broome, 271. Broughton Hackett, 325. Brownies, 415, 433. Brown Willy, 433. Buckle Street or Boggilde Street, 316, 317, 464. Budden Hill, and Budden Hill Common Field, in Castle Morton, 71, 281. Derivation of " Budden," App., 471, 472. Bunyan, his signet ring ; the prison where he was incarcerated, and anec- dotes of him, 207 to 212. Woodcuts of the ring, 209. Engraving of the prison, Plate V., 208. Bushley, 279. Bustards, extinct in England, 321. Cad, and Cadbury, 338. Cakebold, 271. Cakemore, in Hales Owen, 273. Caldwell, 305. Callow, 123. Callow's Grave, 259. Callow Hill, 123. Callow's Leap, 248, 448. Camps, small intermediate, 317, 318. Caractacus, 157, 213. Carausius, 335. Carent, Cerent, or Carron River, 334, 335. Castle, ancient spots so called, 399, 400. 479 Castle Hill, Worcester; ancient British, Roman, and Saxon relics found there, 15 to 23. Engraving of them, Plate I., p. 18. Castle Morton, or Morton Folliot; Tumulus, 71. Ancient seal, 71, 72. Woodcut of the seal, 71. Castle, 72. Parish, 281. Budden-hill, App., 471, 472. Gog, 472. Cat, mysterious black, 460, 461, 462. Catterhall (see Alfrick), 247. Catshall, and Coneygree, in Ombersley, 295. Cave, remarkable (see Upton), 60, 61. Caves generally, and ancient granaries, 60, 61. Thumb-ring, found at Saxons' Lode, 61, 62. Woodcut of it, 62. Celts, engravings of those found at Castle Hill, in Worcester, 18 ; at Om bersley, 98 (described in 108, 109) ; at Astley, 98 (described in 112, 113); at Ribbesford, 98 (described in 146) ; at Holt, 98 (described in 149) ; at Grimley, 98 (described in 150) ; at Bevere Island, 98 (de- scribed in 151, 152) ; at Malvern Link, 167. Chadbury Ferry, 346. Chaddesley Corbett, 124 to 135, 271. Etymology of Tan Wood, 124. Barrow Hill, 124, 125, 126, with a woodcut of it, 125. Ran Dan Woods, etymology of, 125, 126. Astwood Hill, 126. Places of the name of Tin, and etymology of the name, 127. Sarn or Sern Hills, Yarn and Darn Hills, etymology of, 128, 129, 130. Robin Hood, his probable time and birth-place, 130 to 135, 423, 429, 430. Chaddlewick, or Chadwick, 361. Channelled or grooved Roman tiles (see Sidbury), 26. Chapters in this work. See Contents, Introduction, pp. ix., x., xi. Charred or parched wheat, in ancient granaries, 78 to 81. Chaseley, 276. Chastleton, Co. Oxford, 355. Chipping Camden, camp, 319. Church Hill, near Kidderminster, 272. Church Hill, near Bredicot, 326. Church Honeybourne, relics found there. The Quintou Way. The game of quintain, &c, 88, 89, 90, 316, 317, 322, 473. Church Lench, 340. Cinder Point, in Pitchcroft, near Worcester, 2, 3. Cinders, probably Roman, 3, 143. Claines, 293, 294. Clevelode, in Maddersfield, 285. Cleeve Prior, Roman jar and coins, 91 to 94. Rycknield Street, 337. Clent, Roman relics, 135, 136. Ancient names, and etymology of Clent, 271, 272. Clifton-upon-Teme, 251, 252, 253. Clopton, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine, 262, 263, 473. Cnap, 417. Cneph, 417. Cob, 110,451. Cobley and Tutnal (see Tardebig), 341. Cockshoot (see Grout Malvern), 283, 284. Codeston, or Cutsdean (sec Bredon), 345, 354. 480 Cold Harbour, 138 to 142, 295. Cold Place, Lulsley, 142. Cold Wells, 159. Coll Hills, and Wall Hills (see Malvern Hills), 158, 169. Collington, Co. Hereford, 258. Colwall, 155, 156, 157, 283. Colwall Stone, 159. Comberton, 346. Comberton, and Hurcott (see Kidderminster), 305. Coles, Old, 462 to 465. Colt, Pixy, 414. Conderton Camp, in Overbury, on Bredon Hill, 84. Constantine the Great (see Kempsey Camp), 57, 58. Conygree Hill (see Bromsberrow), 70, 71, 218. Cop, 416. Com, parched or charred (see Bredon Hill), 78 to 81. Coronet of gold found in Colwall, 155 to 158. Coston, or Cofton Hackett, 313. Cotheridge, 262, 473. Cradley, Co. Hereford, 256. Mobled, 437, 438. Cradley, in Hales Owen, 273. Cremation, or burial by burning, 56, 57. Crisp, or Bobin Good-fellow, 423. Croces, in Sychampton, in Ombersley, 295. Croft Ambrey, Co. Hereford, 367. Cromwell's contract, 222. Croomb D'Abitot, 291. Crookberrow, in Pendock, and in the Berrow, 217. Cropthome, 346. Crowle, Danish relics, 94, 95. Derivation of, 294, and App., 472. Crows, or ravens, mysterious, 448, 466. Cruckbarrow Hill, or Crugbarrow, in Whittington ; description and etymology of it, 216 to 220. Cudley, in Spetchley, 292, 293. Cuggan Hill, now the Round Hill, in Spetchley, 219, 292. Cutsdean, or Codeston, 345, 354. Daddock, 468. Dane skins, on a former door of Worcester Cathedral, &c. &c., 40 to 51. En- graving of the door, Plate II., 50. Danes (see Alfrick), 194 to 199. Danegelt, 202. Darlingscott, in Tredington, 356. Darn Hills, 128, 129, 130. Daylesford, 355. Deadloons, in Leigh, 240. Deerhurst, Co. Gloucester, 187, 188 ; and App., 472. Defford, 346. Devil's Bit (see Stanford), 208. Devil's Dream, 460. 481 Devil's Den, 267, 462. Devil's Leap, 250, 251. Devil's Pig-trough, 240, 440, 445. Devil's Spadeful, or Spittleful, 305, 306. Devonshire spectre, 464. Diglis, Roman urn and other relics found there, 28, 29. Woodcut of the urn, 29. Barbed bronze spear-heads, and woodcuts, 30, 31, 32. Dikes and roads, Anglo-Saxon, in Worcestershire, App., 473. Dob, 415, 466, 467. Dobbies, 414, 415. Dobbin, 415, 467. Dodenham, 250. Doderliill, 311. Dolday, in Worcester, 4. Dole (see Alfrick), 248. Domesday Survey, 53. Dormston, 321. Dorn, British and Roman relics found there, and derivation of the name, 87, 355. Dover, Mr. Robert, his Olympic games on the Cotswold Hills, 319, 320. Doverdale, 270, 312. Droitwich; Roman urns, fibulae, tesselated pavement, coins, Roman nails, and other relics found there, 98 to 103. Engraving of the urns, Plate IV., Nos. 1 and 2, p. 98. Site of encaustic tile works, 103 to 106. Droit- wich, formerly Saltwic, 310. Royal dues on salt in Anglo-Saxon times, 310, 311. St. Peter's parish, and St. Andrew's parish, 320. Druids' eggs, or adder gems, 252. Druidical circles, 376, 377. Dripshill, or Tripshill, in Maddersfield, 285, 440, 447. Dryp, the fairy, 43!). Dudley, etymology of, 143. Grey Stone Field, 144. Durgie (duergar), 438. Dymock, Co. Gloucester, 352. Earl's Ckoomb, 291. Eastliam, 268. Echo, a very distinct one, 447. Eekington ; Roman and Roman British relics found there, and woodcuts of them, 74. Ad Antonam, 75. Woller's Hill, and Nafford ; Anglo- Suxon mark, 345. Edvin Loach, 258. Egg, ur Agg, 244. El or Ell, various names with that prefix, 225. Elbury Hill, description and etymology of it, 223, 224, 225. Camp, 224. Various names with the prefix " El," 225. Eldersfield ; Gadbury Banks, 68. Etymology of the latter, 69. Probably the site of an ancient British town, 08, 69, 70. Derivation of the name, 276. Elf, 434, 435, 451. Elizabeth, Queen, portrait of, 243. 482 Elkin, or little gods, 225, 226, 435. Elmbridge, 270. Elmley Castle parish, Starahill, Old White Way, Windsend Mound, and Horse Camps, 327, 328. Elmley Lovett, 304. Emsorah, in Africa, 376. Stone circles, 376, 377. Encaustic tile works, site of, near Droitwich, 103 to 106, 189. Encaustic tile works, site of, at Great Malvern, 189. Eoten or Oughton Wells, in Alfrick, 246, 434, 435. Eotenford, Etford, Dorset, 451. Est, or Ast (see Astwood), 226. Eternal Waggoner, or Night Raven, 433, 434. Ethelred and Ethelflaed, Duke and Duchess of Mercia, 194 to 202. Evenload, 355. Evesham, 336 ; and App., 472, 473. Fairy rings, 456, 457, 458. Fairies' caves, 418, 420, 448. Feckenham, 321. Fetch, 449, 450. Fibulae ; engravings of those found at the Castle Hill, Worcester, Plate I., p. 18 ; at Kempsey, woodcuts, pp. 54, 55 ; at Holt, No. 7, p. 98 (described in p. 149). Fields, general observations relative to the ancient names of, 401, 402. Anglo- Saxon boundaries of fields, 402, 403. Fiend horses, 412. Fladbury and Bradley, 346. Flaying, punishment of, 41 to 49. Flaying knife, or hone, probably ancient British, 148, 149. Woodcuts of it, 149. Flyford Flavell, 325. Fogs, electricity of, 468, 469. Folk-lore, 409 to 470. Foss-way, 354 to 358. Four Shire Stone, Danish and Saxon battle field, and ancient barrow, 85, 86, 355. Frankley, 313. Gadbuby Banks, in Eldersfield, also other places named Gadbury or Gad, 68, 69, 70. Gad-whip, 69. Gauntlet sword, 223. Giant's Grave, 306. Giant's Throw, 144, 145. Gloucester (Glebon Colonia), antiquities and derivation, 333. Godwald, Saint, site of a chapel of, at Sidbury, Worcester, 25. Gog, 281, and App., 472. Grafton-super-Flivord, 325. Granaries, ancient and modern, and caves, 78 to 81. Grant, a goblin so called, 414. Great Malvern (see Malvern, Great), 283, 284. Also, Malvern Hills. 483 Great Alne, Co. Warwick, 337. Great Hampton, 336. Great Witley, 265. Greek coins found at The White Ladies, Worcester, and at Acton Scott, Shropshire, 5 to 13. Grey Stone Field, Dudley, 144. Grey stones, 396. Grim, the fairy, 438, 449 to 452, 455. Grimesdic, App., 472. Grimley, stone celts found there, 150. Engravings of them, Plate IV., Nos. 8, 9, 10, p. 98. Grimley parish, 264. Grimsend, in Alfrick, 440, 445. Grimes Hill (see Hallow), 264. Grooved or channelled Roman tiles, found at Sidbury, Worcester, 26, 27. Habbe or Hob Lench, 340. Hadsor, 320. Hagley, 136 to 142. Wichbury Hill Camp, and Roman relics, 136, 137. Ancient barrows, 137. Harborough, 138. Hoarstone Brook, Kings- head Land, and singular image, 138, 139. Stones used by slingers, 138, 139. Etymology of Harborough and Cold Harbour, 139 to 142. Etymology of Hagley, 272. Hag (see Suckley), 244. Hales Owen; Portway; Roman cinders; Quintan; Oldbury, &e., 142, 143, 272. Hales Owen, Township, 273. Hallow, 263. Hampton, Great and Little, 336. Hampton Lovett, 270. Hanbury, 320. Hanley Castle, 283. Hanley Child, or Lower Hanley, 259. Hanley William, or Upper Hanley, 259. Harbour, and Cold Harbour, places so called, 138 to 142. Hardwick (see Bredon), 345. Harry-ca-nab (see Bromsgrove), 115, 116, 123. Ilartlebury, 113, 303. Harvington, 339, 340. Hatfield (see Norton-juxta-Keinpsey), 292. Hawkestones, 367. Hayden Way, 33(1. 11. -art burial, 32, 33. Heightington (see Rock), 266. Hell Hole, places so called, 267, 268, 462. Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Malvern Hills, 154, 155. A coronet of gold found near there, 155, 156, 157 ; and a pot of Roman coin, 159, to 163. Hills, account of, 152 to 238; and see Introduction, p. vi. Hill Cromb, 2111. Hill Hampton, 251. Himbleton, 325, 473. 484 Hinlip, 205. Smite, and Cold Harbour, 139 to 142. Hoar Stones, and places and tilings called by the name of Hoar ; etymology of the name, 383 to 397. Hoar Stone, in Tedstone Delamere, Co. Hereford, 142. Hob, 409, 412, 413, 414, 418, 423, 424, 452. Hob and his lantern, 412, 423. Hobanys lantern, 412, 423. Hobelers, 413. Hobby, 412. Hoberd, 413. Hoberdy, 409. Hoberdy's lantern, 412, 423. Hobgoblin, 412, 420, 423. Hobin, 414. Hobs Hoth, 413. Hob-thrush, 424. Hob Well, 283. Hodening, 412. Hodington, 325. Hogmore Hill, and Ogmore, 261, 262. Hole Stones, and Logan Stones, 369, 370, 381, 382. Holt, a bronze celt and fibula found there, 149. Engraving of them, Plate IV., Nos. 6 and 7, p. 98. Holt with Little Witley, 264. Holy Cross, Pershore, 326. Hone, or flaying knife, ancient British, 148, 149. Woodcuts of it, 149. Honeybourne, Church, 88, 89, 90, 316, 317, 322, 473. Ilonger, 65. Hop, the fairy, 438, 439, 452. Hoppe, 412, 432, Horse Camps (see Elmley Castle), 328. Hounds, Yell, Yeth, or spectre, 256. Hounds, a pack of, bewitched, 460, 461, 462. Human skin on church doors, 40 to 51. Humberston, Co. Leicester, 368 to 371. Hurcott, and Comberton (see Kidderminster), 305. Hypocaust, site of a Roman, at Sidbury, Worcester, 23 to 27. Iccomb, or Icombe Camp, Co. Gloucester, 85, 355. Icknild Street (see Itycknield Street), 346. Ignis fatnm, and cause of it, 409, 410, 411, 468, 469, 470. Illustrations in this work (see list of them in the Introduction), pp. xiii., xiv. Imp, and Impy, 424, 452. Inkberrow, 321. Fairies, 419. Inlip, or Hindlip, and Alcrinton (now Alfreton), 295. Ipsley, Co Warwick, 337. Iron nails, Roman (see Droitwich), 103. Itinera in this work (see Introduction), pp. v., vi., vii., viii. Jack, 409, 431. 485 Jack-o'-Lantern, 412, 430. Janus, Temple of, shut, on a coin of Nero, 4. Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove, 114 to 123. Judgment, ancient seats of, 128 to 130, 153, 154. Jumper's Hole, 257. Kelpies, 468. Kemerton Camp (see Bredon Hill Camp), 78 to 84. Kempsey, Roman camp, and cists or burial ground at ; fibulae, pottery ; inscrip- tion in honour of Constantine the Great; bronze spear-head, 54 to CO. Woodcuts of the fibulae, 54 55 ; of the pottery, 50 ; of the spear-head 60. Kempsey parish, 292. Kenswick, in Wichenford, 360. Kenvaur or Kinver Edge, 144, 145. Keys, ancient, 20. Engraving, Plate I., No. 16, p. 18. Kidderminster ; legend ; Caldwell ; Mitton ; Foreign of Kidderminster ; Hur- cott and Comberton ; Devil's Spadeful ; Giant's Grave ; Wribbenhall, charter of land, 304 to 307. Kingshead Land, 274, Kington, 321. Kings Norton, 339. Kinsham (see Bredon), 345. Kistvaen, 242. Kit, and Kit's Cotty House, 242, 243. Knap, and Kneph (see Old Storage), 193, 417. Knife, ancient British, 151, 152. Knighton, 269. Knightwick, 250. Knockers, 436. Knop, 417. Kop, 416. Kyre Wyre, 259. Lady Lightfoot's spectre, 464. Land-slips (see Bredon Hill), 78. Layamon's " Brut," 157, 158, 303 ; App., 471. Leaden chest, for heart burial, 32, 33. Ledbury, Co. Hereford, 275, 353. Leigh, 240, 241. Dead Loons, 240. The Devil's Pig-trough, 241, 444. Fairy names there, 440 to 443. Lench, Church, \ . Sheriffs, Atch, - 340. He MIS, ,, Abbot's, or Hob, or Habbe, / Lenchwick (see Abbot's Norton), 339. Licke, the fairy, 438, 439, 450. Lickhill, 439. Lincomb, in Astley, ancient British celt, 112, 113 ; and engraving of it in Plate IV., No. 4, p. 98; also see App., 472, as to the derivation of the name. 486 Lindridge ; ancient hone, or flaying knife, 148, 149. Woodcut of it, 14!). Toothill, 232, 200. Derivation of Lindridge, App., 472. Linton, Co. Hereford, 352. Little Comberton, 326. Little Hampton, 336. Little Malvern, 154 to 163, 283. Also, Malvern Hills. Littleton, Middle, 337. Littleton, North, 337. Littleton, South, 336, 337, 473. Little Washborn, 335. Little Witley, Holt with, 264. Logan Stones, and Hole Stone, 381, 382. Longdon, 281. Low Hill, formerly Oswaldslow, 220, 221. Lower Areley, or Areley Kings, 304. App. 471. Lower Deviation Salt-way, 314, 315, 323 to 329. Lower Mitton, 304. Lower Salt-way, 314 to 323. Lower Sapey, or Sapey Pritchard, 258. Lowesmoor, 35. Etymology, 36. Lull, the fairy, 438, 450, 452, 453. Lulsley, 249, 250. Puttocks-end, or Puttocks-inn, derivation of, 249, 250. Fairies' Cave there, and fairy names, 418, 419, 440, 443 to 440. Etymology of Lulsley, 440. Large yew tree there, 447. Luttley, in Hales Owen, 273. Mab, Queen, 437, 438. Mab-led, or mobled, 437, 438. Madresfield, or Maddersfield, 285. Malvern Hills, 153, to 189. Etymology of Malvern, 153, 154. Herefordshire Beacon Camp, and Colwall, 154, 155, 156. Coronet of gold, 155 to 158. Caractacus, 157. Layamon's " Brut," 157, 158. Names of places with the prefix "Wall," and "Col" or " Cold," 158, 159. Colwall Stone, 159. Pot of Eoman coins found near the Herefordshire Beacon, 159 to 163. Midsummer Hill Camj), 103. The Ridgeway; mistletoe on an oak there, 163, 164. Mistletoe in an ancient British coffin at Scar- borough, 164. Worcestershire Beacon ; ancient British cinerary urn, found on the summit of it, 165, 166. Woodcuts of the urn, 165. Twinbarrow, 166. Celt found at Malvern Link, 166, 167. Woodcut of it, 167. Roman coins, 107. Radnor and Rad, 107. The legend of Saint Werstan and the first Christian establishment at Great Malvern, 167 to 188. Four woodcuts upon the subject, taken from a painted glass window in Great Malvern Abbey Church, 173, 175, 177, 179. Alney Isle, 188, 189. Site of encaustic tile works, 189. Refectory, 189. Malvern, Great, parish of ; Hob-well; Twinbarrow, Radnor, and Rad; Cock- shoot, and derivation of, 2^3, 284. Malvern, Little, 154 to 163, 283. 487 Mamble and Soddington, 140 to 148, 269. Manorial customs (see Ombersley), 290 to 303. Man without a head, 444, 445, 464. Marks, Anglo-Saxon, 203, 228, 229. Marlcliff, in Warwickshire, 337. Marl pits in Britain in the Roman times, 320. Martin Hussintree, 295. Martley, 213, 251. Mathon, 255. Yell and Penfield, 256. Mauthe Doog, 449. Meon Hill, Co. Gloucester, 318, 319. Questions as to its derivation, 319. Middle Littleton, 337. Midsummer Hill Camp (see Malvern Hills), 163, &c. Mistletoe (see Malvern Hills), 163, 164. Mitton (see Bredon), 345. Mitton, in Kidderminster, 305. Moanland, in Pixham, in Powick, 287. Moduses (see Suckley), 245. Mole crickets, 411. Morton Folliot, or Castle Morton, 71, 72. Seal, and woodcut, 71. Much Marcle, Co. Hereford, 352. Mythe Tute, near Tewkesbury, 65, 66, 291. Naffobd, 345. Nails, Roman (see Droitwich), 103. Names, ancient, of fields, 220, 401, 402. Naunton Beauchamp, 320. Newbold, 350. Newland Common (see Salwarp), 109, 110, 111. Newland, near Great Malvern, 287. Night Raven, or Eternal Waggoner, 433. Nixies, 430. Nornies, 442. Northfield, 313. North Littleton, 337. North Pidelet, 325. Northwick on the Foss, 355. Norton Abbots, and Lenchwick, 339. Norton, in Bredon ; Anglo-Saxon relics found there, 76, 77. Engraving of them, Plate III., 70. Norton, in Bredon parish, 345. Norton-juxta-Kempsey, 292. Oberon, 414, 420, 450. Oddingley, 324. Offenham, 90, 339. Ogham Stones, 202. Ogmore, or Hogmore, 261, 262. Oldberrow, or Oldborough, derivation of, and of Cadborough, 338. 488 Oldbury, near Worcester, 34, 35. Oldbury Gardens, near Tewkesbury, 34. Oldbury, places so called, 397 to 399. Old Coles, 462, 403, 464. Old Hob, 412. Old Storage, its etymology, 190 to 193. St. Augustine's Oak, 191. Sacred boundaries and customs at Bealtine, or Paletein, or Belton, 191, 192, 193. Old Swinford, 273. Derivation of, App., 472. Old White Way, or Welsh Way, 327. Olympic games on the Cotswold Hills, 319, 320, 433. Ombers Hill, or Ambers Hill, in Leigh, 240, 366, 440. Ombersley, Roman camp and pottery ground, 106 to 108. Etymology of the name, 107, 371, 372, 440, 441. Castle Hill, 108. Ancient British celt, 108 ; and an engraving of it, Plate IV., No. 3, p. 98. Ombersley parish ; Catshall, and Coneygree ; Croces and Stewards, in Syehamp- ton, Uphampton ; Allies, in Borley ; manorial customs, 295 to 303. Ore's, 434. Organs Hill, etymology of, 304. Orleton, a hamlet of Eastham, Co. Worcester, 268. Orleton, Co. Hereford, 260. Osebury Rock, in Lulsley, 212, 213. Fairies' Cave there, and Witches' Oven, 418, 443 ; etymology of the name, 443. Ossian, 111, 112, 335. Ostorius, sites of forts of, 1, 2, 344, 345. Oswaldslow, on the boundary of Wolverton, in Stoulton, now called Low Hill, 220, 221. Oughton, or Eoten Wells, in Alfrick, 246, 434, 435, 447. Ovens, ancient (see Stoke Prior), 111, 112, and Suckley, 244. Over Arley, or Upper Arley ; Portway ; Camp; Castle; etymology of the name, 145, 307, 308 ; and App., 471. Overbury; Conderton Camp, 84. Carent, or Cerent River; Carausius, 331, 335. Owen Glyndwr, 214. Ox, bones of an extinct species of, found at Diglis, 28. Paletein, or Belton (see Old Storage), 191, 192, 193. Parcse, fates, or destinies, 442. Parched or charred wheat, in ancient granaries, 78 to 81. Patch or Pach, the fairy, 438, 448, 449, 453. Patch Hill, in Alfrick, 448. The like in Leigh, 440. Pauntley, Co. Gloucester, 352. Custom there resembling the Scotch Beltein, 353. Paved track-way, old, 64 to 68. Pavements, ancient, 128, 129, 130, 153, 154. Pedmore, 272. Penates, Roman, 13, 14. With a woodcut of Angerona, 14. Pendock Portway, 70. Derivation of Pendock, 218 ; and App., 472. Pen dock parish, 278, 279. Penfield, and the Yell, in Mathon, 255, 256. 489 Pensax, in Lindridge, 267. Peopleton, 326. Perdeswell (see Barrow Cop), 229, &c. Perry Wood, or Pirie Wood, 222 ; ancient trench road there ; Cromwell's contract with the devil ; camp ground ; gauntlet sword, 222, 223. Pershore ; St. Andrew, and Holy Cross, parishes of, 326. Pharises, or fairies, 418, 420. Pigmies, 458. Pigwiggen, 441. Pin, with a double point, 20, 21, 22. Engraving of it, Plate I., No. 17, p. 18. Pin, the fairy, 438, 453. Pinck, or Pink, the fairy, 435, 436, 438, 453, 467. Pinket, the fairies so called in Badsey, 435, 436. Pins Hill, in Leigh, 441. Pip, the feiry, 438, 453, 451. Pirton parish, 292. Pixies, 436, 437. Poake ledden, 418. Pooka, or Phooka, 420, 427, 428. Pooten's Hole, in Hanley Child, 259, 424. Portfields Road, near Worcester, 9, 23. Portway, from Kenchester to Worcester, and thence to Over Arley, 286 to 290. Portways, summary of, 405. Pottery, Roman, slate-coloured ; how made, 29. Pottery ground, Roman, at Ripple, 62, 63, 64. Powick, Roman sepulchral urn found there, and woodcut of it, 73. Ridgeway, 287, 288. Black Hawthorn Lane, 288. The ignis fatiinx seen in Powick, 409 to 41 1. Also, see App., 473. Puck needle, 425. Puck, Poke, Poake, Pouk, Pouque, Powk, &c, 418, 420, 422 to 429. Pugfist, Puckfoist, or Puckball fungus, 425, 426. Pugs Hole, in the parish of Bromsgrove, 424, 466. Puttocks-end, or Pothooks Inn, 249, 250, 443. Queen Elizabeth, original portrait of (see Suckley), 243. Quince Hill (see Alfrick), 246, 247. Quintan, in Hales parish, 143. Quinton, Upper and Lower, and Quinton Field, 318, 319. Quinton Way, and game of quintan, 88, 89, SO. Radnor and Rad (see Great Malvern), 167, 283, 284. Ran Dan Woods, in Chaddesley Corbett, and Belbroughton, 125, 126. Rang-tang, or tang-rang (see Chaddesley Corbett), 125, 126. Ravens i>r Crows, mysterious, 448, 466. Raven Hills (sec Alfrick), 194 to 199. Raven, standard of the, 194 to 199. Receipt, curious, 458. Red Cliff, in Leigh, 440, 140. Red deer, antlers of, found at I'i^'lis, 29. Redstone Ferry Hermitage, 303. I. h 490 Refectory site of, at Great Malvern, 189. Ribbesford, and Bewdley ; celt, 140. Engraving of it, Plate IV., No. 5, p. 98. Ribbesford parish, 304. Ridgacre, in Hales Owen, 272. Ridgeway, in Powick, and in St. John, in Bedwardine ; probably a branch of the Rycknield Street, 287, 288, 289. Ridgeway, or Rycknield Street, 329 to 354. Ridgeway, the (see Malvern Hills), 163, 164. Mistletoe on an oak there, 163, 164. Ridgeways, summary of, 404, and see App., 473. Rid Marley D'Abitot ; derivation of the name, 218, 276, and App., 472. Ring, curious, and woodcuts of it (see Bredicot), 96, 97. Rings (see Fairy rings), 456 to 458. Ripple and Twyning ; Roman pottery ground at Bow Farm, Ripple, 62, 63, 64, 291. Towbury Hill Camp, in Twining, 64. Ancient track- way, 64 to 67. Bow Bridge, 67. Alluvium, accumulation of, since the time of the Romans, 67, 68. Roads, ancient, and Salt-ways (see a list of them in the Introduction), pp. vi., vii., viii. Roads aud dikes, Anglo-Saxon, in Worcestershire. See App., 473. Robin, and Robert, 423. Robinet, 443. Robin Good-fellow, 418, 420 to 423. Robin Hood (see Chaddesley Corbett, as to various places called by his name), 130 to 135 ; and Folk-lore, 418, 423, 429, 430. Rochford, a speculatory there, 268. Rock, or Aka ; sorb-tree ; Quicken or Witten Pear-tree, 266. Roman and Greek coins, found at The White Ladies, Worcester, and at Acton Scott, in Shropshire, 5 to 13. Roman brick works, site of, at Soddinton, 146 to 148. Roman pottery ground (see Ripple and Twynhig), 62, 63, 64. Roman penates, with a woodcut of Angerona, 13, 14. Romsley, in Hales Owen, 273. Rosebury, or Rosemary, or Osebury Rock, 212, 213. Round Hill, in Spetchley, 219, 222. Rous Lench, 340. Rushock, 271, and App., 472. Rycknield Street, or Ridgeway, 329 to 354. Derivation of the name, 347. Sacred boundaries and customs (see Old Storage), 191, 192, 193. St. Andrew's, Droitwich, 320. St. Andrew's, Pershore, 326. St. Augustine's Oak, 191, 205, 206, 207, 215, 266. St. Clement's Church, the former, Worcester, relics of, supposed to be late Saxon or early Norman, 36 to 39. Woodcut of it, 38. St. Godwald, 25. St. John, in Bedwardine, 261, 262, 263. Hogmore or Ogmore Hill, deriva- tion of, 261, 262. Ogham stones, 262. Clopton,262,263, 473. Bedw.ir- dine, derivation of, 263. Ridgeway, 288, 289. St. Kenelm's. 136. 49i St. Martin's parish, Worcester, 293. St. Peter's parish, Worcester, 293. St. Peter's parish, Droitwich, 320. St. Werstan, legend of (see Malvern Hills), 167 to 188 ; and woodcuts, 173 175, 177, 179. St. Wolstan's seal, 51, 52, 53. Woodcut of it, 52. Sale Green, 323. Sale, places so called, 321. Salinas of the Romans, most probably Droitwich, 98, 310. Salt, royal dues in Anglo-Saxon times, 310, 311. Salt-way, Upper, 309 to 316. Salt-way, Lower, 314, 316 to 323. Salt-way, Lower Deviation, 314, 323 to 328. Saltwic (see Droitwich), 310, 311. Salwarp, trench road there, 109, 110. Anglo-Saxon graves, 110, 111. Anglo- Saxon boundaries, 311. Sapey, Lower, or Sapey Pritchard, 258. Sapey, Upper, Co. Hereford, 258. Sarnor Sem Hills, 128, 129, 130. Sam Hill, in Bushley, 128, 279. Saxons' Lode (see Upton), 61, 62. Sea shells in the native gravel bed under the Castle Hill, Worcester, &c, 23. Sedgebarrow, or Sedgeberrow, British and Roman relics found there, 85, 335, 336, and App., 472. Seven Whistlers, the, 459. Severn Stoke, 291. Shelsley Beauchamp, or Great Shelsley, 254. Shelsley Kings, 254. Shelsley Walsh, or Little Shelsley, 254. Shenstone, 304. Shepley, in the parish of Bromsgrove, 332. Sheriff's Lench, 340. Shipston-on-Stour, 356. Shrawley, 205. Sib, the fairy, 438, 451), 454. Sibhay, or Tibhay, 447. Sidbury, or Southbury, 15, 23 to 26. Ancient British coin found on Green Hill, and woodcut of it, 26 ; Roman coins and Roman hypocaust, 23 to 27. Etymology of Sidbury, 27, 28. Slate-coloured Roman pottery, with a woodcut, 29. Sleepers' Den, in Lower Mitton, 304. Small intermediate ramps, 317, 318. Smite, 141, 295. Babel's Hill, 295, 319. Soddington, in Mumble ; Roman relics, and site of Roman brick works, 146, 147, 14S. Solihull, Co. Warwick, 339. Sorb-tree (see Hock), 260. South Littleton, 336, 337, 473. Southstone Hock (sec Stanford), 267. Spear-head of bronze, barbed (see Di^lis), 30, 31. Woodcut of it, 30; and of one in the British Museum, 31. 492 Spear-head (see Kenipsey), 59, 60. Woodcut of it, 60. Speculatories (see Shrawley), 265, (and Rocliford), 268. Spetchley, Cudley, Cuggan Hill, Swineshead or Swinesherd, 292, 293, 294. Sprights, 458, 466. Spunkies and spunk, 467, 468. Standard of the raven (see Alfrick), 194 to 199. Stanford ; Southstone Rock and legend ; Hell Hole, Devil's Den, Devil's Bit, 267, 268. Starn Hill, in Elmley Castle parish, 128, 327. Staunton, 276. Stewards, in Sychanipton, in Ombersley, 296. Stockton, ancient intrenchnients, &c, 148, 266. Stoke Bliss, 258. Stoke Prior; Anglo-Saxon bracelets, ancient ovens, &c, 111, 112,312, 473. Stoke, or Stock, and Bradley, 320. Stone, with the hamlet of Shenstone, 304. Stone axe, ancient British (see Grimley), 150 ; and engraving of it, Plate IV., No. 10, p. 98. Stoney Morton, or Abbot's Morton, 340, 473. Storage or Storridge, Old, 190 to 193. Stoulton, 326. Stourbridge parish, 273. Stourport, 345. Streets, summary of places so called, 406. Strensham, trench road there, 75, 76. Stromkerl, or boy of the stream, 439. Suckley, 241. Bant or Baute, an ancient division of land, 203, 204, 242. Kit, places so called, and derivation of, 242. Queen Elizabeth, original portrait of, stating the day of her birth, 243. Places whose names have the prefix " Eg," or " Egg," 244. Moduses on small tithes, 245. Sutton, in Tenbury, 259. Swan Maidens, 459. Swinford, Old, 273. Tad (see Toot Hills), 235, 236. Tadmoor, in Castle Morton, 281. Tang-rang, or rang-tang, 125, 126. Tan Wood, in Chaddesley Corbett, 124, 125, 126. Tapenhall, Tapenhale, or Tapenhole (see Claines), 294. Tardebig, derivation of, 341. Tutnal, and Cobley, and Bentley, 341. Teddington (see Overbury), 334, 335. Tedstone Delamere, Co. Hereford, 258. Tenbury, 259. Tewkesbury, Co. Gloucester ; antiquities found there, 334. Thor, 113. His hammer, 307. Thornbury, Co. Hereford ; Wall Hills Camp, 258. Thoth, 193, 417. Thumb-ring (see Saxons' Lode), Upton, 61, 62. Woodcut of it, 62. Tib, the fairy, 43K, 450, 454. Tibhay, or Sibhay, 447. Tibia, 447. 493 Tibberton, 294. Tib's Hill, in Bransford, 440. Tick, the fairy, 438, 454. Tickenhill, Roman gold coin found there, 146. Derivation of the name, App., 472. Tidmington, 356. Tiles, Roman, grooved or channelled, 26, 27. Tiniberdine (see St. Peter's Parish, Worcester), 293. Tin, places so called ; and etymology of the name, 127. Tinker's Cross, in Leigh, 442. Tinna Geolane, or Will-o'-the-Wisp, 427. Tit, the fairy, 438, 454. Titania, 456. Tom Thumb, 438, 450. Tollardine (see Claines), 294. Toot Hills, 232 to 236. Etymology of, 233 to 236, 417. Tores of the Celts (see Barrow Cop), 229 to 232. Tors, (see Old Storage), 190, 191. Towbury Hill (see Ripple and Twyning), 64, (and Folk-lore), 441. Track- way, ancient paved (see Ripple and Twyning), 64 to 67. Track-way, the Western, 290 to 309. Tredington, including the hamlets of Blackwell, and Darlingscott, 356, 473. Tredington, Co. Gloucester, Rudgeway, 334. Trip, the fairy, 438, 454, 455. Trips Hill, or Drips Hill, in Madderstield, 285, 440, 447. Trots Hill, Troshill, or Toots Hill, in Warudon, 223, 294. Tuckbold, or Jack-o-Lantern, 427. Tuck Hill, in Hanley Child, 259. Tutnall, Tetnal, or Tootenhill, alias Oak Fields, 232. Tutnal, and Cobley, 341. Tweezers, Roman, found at the Castle Hill, Worcester, 19, 22. Engravings of it, Plate I., Nos. 12 and 13, p. 18. Twinbarrow, Great Malvern, 160, 283. Twinkling Will, the Northern Waggoner, 433, 434. Twyning, Co. Gloucester, 02 to 67, 291. Tyrian coins, and woodcuts of them (see Ambrosue Petrae), 378, 379. Ullinoswk k, Co. Hereford, 257. Uphainpton, in Onibersley, 290. Upper Arley, or Over Arley, Co. Stafford, 145, 307, 308. App., 471. Upper Mittor ; Organs Hill ; and etymology of it, 304. Upper Salt-way, 309 to 310. Upper Sapey, 2">8. Upton Snodsbury, 325. Fairies' cave there, 419, 420. Uptou-upon- Severn, the Upocessa of Ravennas ; remarkable cave or well found there, 60, 01. Thumb-ring at Saxons' Lode, and woodcut of it, 61, 02. Upton parish, 283. Upton Warren, -'ill. I frchins, 457. I'm, ancient British, found at the Worcestershire Beacon, Malvern Hill ; and woodcuts of it, 1 <;.">. 494 Vineyards, sites of ancient, 101, 407, 408. Waggoneb, the Eternal, or Night Raven, 433, 434. Wains, or Covini, 278. Wain Street, derivation of, 277, 278. Walking fire, 421, 422, 423. Wall Hills and Collhills (see Malvern Hills), 158, 159. Wall Hills Camp, Co. Hereford, 274, 275, 277, 280, 282. Walton Cardiff, Co. Gloucester, 333. Wap, the fairy, 438, 439. Waresley, in Hartlebury, 304. Warley Wigorn, in Hales Owen, 272. Warley Salop, in Hales Owen, 272. Warndon, Trotshill, Troshill or Tootshill, and Smite, 294, 295. Warning light, 469. Wash-beetle, 432. Washbourn, Little (see Overbury), 334. Warwick, anciently Waerinc, 37 to 40. Wassal Hill and Kenvaur or Kinver Edge Camps, Battle Stone, Bolt Stone, and the Giant's Throw, 144, 145. Wears, formerly on the Severn, 34. Welland, 283. Welsh Way, or Old White Way, 327. Werstan, the legend of (see Malvern Hills), 167 to 188 ; and four woodcuts, 173, 175, 177, 179. Western Track-way, 290 to 308. Westmancote (see Bredon), 345. Whistlers, the Seven, 459. Whistling Hill, in Ireland, 459. Whitbourne, Co. Hereford, ancient intrenehment and camp, 213, 251. White Ladies, Worcester, Greek and Roman coins found there, 5 to 13. White Ladies Aston, 326. White Way, Old, or Welsh Way, 327. Whittington, 216, 292, 293. Wiccia, the province of, 198. Wichbold (see Doderhill), 311. Wichbury Hill, in Hagley, 136, 137, 138. Wichenford, Roman coins found there, 149, 150, 264, 360. Wick, Wich, or Wiccia ; places so called, and derivation of the name, 358 to 363. Wick, Upper, and Lower, 262, 287, 288. Wickhamford, 336. Wick Waryn, near Pershore, 361. Wiggen, fairies so called, 441. Wiggen Ash, 441, 442. Wilkin, 432, 433. Will, 409, 431, 432, 433. Willington, in Barcheston, Co. Warwick, 356. Will-o'-the-Wisp, 409, 411, 422, 431, 432, 4:!:f. Win, the fuiry, 43s, 441, 455. Win's Grave, in Leigh, 441, Wish, or wisked, or spectre hounds, 123, 437. 495 Wishmoor, in Whitboum, 437. Witchcraft, 460, 461, 462. Witchery Hole, 462. Witches' Oven, in Osebury Rock, Lulsley, 418. Witley, Great, 265. Witley, Little, with Holt, 264. Witten Tree (see Rock), 266. Wizzards, 459. Woden, 283, 324, 437. Wontesdic, 264. Wollers Hill (see Eckington), 345. Wolstan's seal, 51, 52, 53. Woodcut of it, 52. Wolverley, 307. Wolverlow, Co. Hereford, 258. Wolverton, 220. Woodbury Hill ; ancient camp, commonly called Owen Glyndwr's Camp, 214. Woodman ton (see Clifton-on-Teme), 251 to 253. Worcester, 1 to 54. The Bravinium of the Romans, 1 to 4. A supposed fort of Ostorius there, 1, 2. Cinder Point, in Pitchcroft, 2, 3. Coin of Nero, with the Temple of Janus shut, 4. Roman and Greek coins, found at The White Ladies, 5 to 11. Greek coins, found at Acton Scott, Shropshire, 9 to 13. Roman penates, 13, 14. Woodcut of Angerona, 14. Sidbury, or Southbury, 15. Castle Hill ; British celt ; Roman relics ; and Roman, Saxon, and other coins found there, 15 to 23. Engraving of them, Plate I., p. 18. Sea shells, in the native gravel bed under the Hill, 23. Portfields Road, 23. Roman hypocaust, at Sidbury, 23 to 27. Site of St. Godwald's chapel, 25. Ancient British coin found at Green Hill, Sidbury, 25, 26. Woodcut of it, 26. Grooved or channelled tiles, found in the hypocaust, 26, 27. Etymology of Sidbury, 27, 28. Roman slate-coloured and other pottery and relics, fragments of the Bos longifrons, and of the red deer, found at Diglis, 28, 29, 30 ; with a woodcut of one of the urns, 29. Remarkable barbed bronze spear-head found below Diglis, 30, 31 ; with a woodcut of it, 30 ; and of one in the British Museum, 31. Leaden chest, probably for heart burial, 32, 33. Wears, formerly on the Severn, 34. Oldbury, 34, 35. Ancient British period, 35. Lowesmoor, etymology of, 35, 36. Saxon period ; Anglo-Saxon gold coin, 36 to 40 ; with a wood- cut of it, 37. The former St. Clement's Church, with a woodcut, 37, 38. Dane skins on the old door of Worcester Cathedral (and on other churches), and the punishment of flaying, 40 to 51, with an engraving of the door. (See Plate II., p. 50.) The west end of the nave of the Cathedral, probably Anglo-Saxon, 49 to 51. Wolstan's seal, 51, 52, 53. Woodcut of it, 52. Domesday Survey, 53. Worcester burnt by the Danes, IDS. Kthelred and Ethelfiffid's charter to Worcester, granted most probably at Worcester, in the presence of Alfred, 198 to 201. They signed charters by making a cross, 201, 202. Worcester burnt in I hirdicanute's time, 202. Etymology of Worcester, 33, 204, 359. Worcestershire, when first so called, 204. Worcestershire Beacon (see Malvern Hills), 165, 166. Ancient British cinerary urn found there, 165, 166. Woodcuts of it, 165. Roman corns, 167. Wribbenhall, 305, :(0(i, 307. Remarkable charter of land, 306, 307. 496 Wyre Pidelet, 326. Wysham, Sir Ralph (see Clifton-on-Teme), 251, 252, 25:}. WytchalL, 361. Yabdley, 339. Yarn Hills, and Darn Hills, 128, 129, 130. Yell and Penfield (see Mathon), 255, 256. Yell Hounds, or Yeth Hounds (see Mathon), 256. Yew trees, remarkable, 70, 447. LONDON : PU1NTEO BY T. BBETTELI., BUF'TCRT STREET, UAYMARKET. Valuable aitti interesting 33ooft0, PUBLISHED OR SOLD BY JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE, LONDON. Literary History, Biography, and Criticism . Philolology and Early English Literature Provincial Dialects of England . Archaeology Numismatics 1 4 7 9 10 Topography 11 Heraldry, Genealogy and Surnames . . .15 Fine Arts . 16 Popular Poetry, Stories, and Superstitions . 17 Bibliography Miscellanies . . , .18 BIOGRAPHIA BRITANNICA LITERARLA,or Biography of Literary Characters of Great Britain and Ireland, anglo-saxon period. By Thomas Weight, M.A., F.S.A., &c., Meinbre de l'lnstitute de France. Thick 8vo, cloth. 6s. (original price 12s.) JHE ANGLO-NORMAN PERIOD. Thick 8vo, cloth. 6s. (original price 12s.) 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This work contains upwards of forty documents personal history, by papers exhibiting him as selling Respecting Shakespi-are and his Family, never before Malt and Stone, c. Of the seventy-six engravings published, besides numerous others indirectly iflus- which illustrate the volume, more than fifty have never trating the Poet's Biography. All the anecdotes and before been engraved. traditions concerning Shakespeare are here, for the first It is the only life of Shakespeare to he bought time collected, and much new light is thrown on his separately from his Works. Other Publications illustrative of Shakespeare's Life and Writings. MALONE'S Letter to Dr. Farmer (in Reply to Eitson), relative to hia Edition ol Shakespeare, published in 1790. 8vo, sewed. Is. IRELAND'S (W. H.) Miscellaneous Papers and Legal Instruments, from the original MSS. (the Shakespeare Forgeries). 8vo, plate. 2s. Gd. IRELAND'S (Sam.) 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A Collection of the Romances, Novels, Poems, and Histories used by Shakespeare as the foundation of his Dramas, now first collected and accurately reprinted from the original Editions, with Notes, &c. By J. P. Colliee. 2 vols. 8vo, cloth. 10s. Gd. ( Original price 1. Is.) ACCOUNT of the only known Manuscript of Shakespeare's Plays, comprising some important variations and corrections in the " Merry Wives of Windsor," obtained from a Playhouse Copy of that Play recently discovered. By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo. Is. RIMBAULT'S "Who was 'Jack Wilson,' the Singer of Shakespeare's Stage?" An Attempt to prove the identity of this person with John Wilson, Doctor of Music in the University of Oxford, A.D. 1644. 8vo. Is. SHAKESPEARE'S WILL, copied from the Original in the Prerogative Court, preserv- ing the Interlineations and Facsimilies of the three Autographs of the Poet, with a few preliminary Observations. By J. O. Halliwell. 4to. Is. 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Post 8vo, engravings, bds. 2s. Gd. (original price 10s. 6d.) It contains some interesting literary history, Dr. his Legendary Tale of " Armine and Elvira" (given Cartwright numbering among liis correspondents, Sir in the Appendix) testifies; Sir W. Scott says it con- W Jones, Crabbe, Sir H. Davy, Fulton, Sir S. Raffles tains some excellent poetry, expressed with unusual Lan^horne, and others; he was no mean Poet, as felicity "C^ORMAN. The Autobiography and Personal Diary of Dr. Simon Forman, the * Celebrated Astrologer, 1552-1602, from unpublished MSS. in the Ashmolean Mu- seum, Oxford. Edited by J. O. Halliwell. Small 4to, sew-sd. 5*. Only 130 copies privately printed. It will form a companion to Dr. Dee's Diijy, printed by the Camden Society, who also printed this work, but afterwards suppressed it. RICHARDSON. Extracts from the Literary and Scientific Correspondence of Richard Richardson, M.D., F.R.S., of Brierley, Yorkshire. Edited by Dawson Tubneb, Esq. 8vo, pp. 530, portrait and plates of Brierley Hall, cloth. 7s. Gd. This is a very interesting volume, and contains much eighteenth century. It was printed for private cir- curious matter respecting the state and progress of culationouly (at the expense of Miss Currer, of Eshton Botany, the study of Antiquities and General Litera- Hall), and copies have found their way into but few ture, &c., in Great Britain, during the first half of the collections. T IFE, POETRY, AND LETTERS of EBENEZER ELLIOTT, -L^ the Corn Law Rhymer (of Sheffield). Edited by his Son-in-Law, John Watkins, post 8vo, cloth, (an interesting volume). 8*. (Original price 7s. 6d.) SCOTT. Extracts from the Letter-Book of William Scott, Father of the Lordg Stowell and Eldon, with Notes on their Family History and Pedigree. By M. A. Ricdaedson. Post 8vo, sewed. Is. Gd. ALCUIN OF BRITAIN The Life of Alcuin, the Learned Anglo-Saxon, and -^*- Ambassador from King Offa, to the Emperor Charlemagne. 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Elizabeth to Charles IL Edited by J. O. Haxliwell. 8vo, cloth. 3s. Comprising letters of Diggcs, Dee, Tycho Brahe, Sir Samuel Morland, from a MS. in Lambeth Palace Low-ir, Harriott, Lydyatt, Sir W. Petty, SirC. Caveu- Nat. Tarpoley's Corrector Analyticus, &c. Cott the dish, Brancker, Pell, "&c. ; also the autobiography of Subscribers l. ST. DUNSTAN. The Life and Miracles of St. Dunstan. By W. Robinson, LL.D. 8vo, plate. Is. SIDNEY. Brief Memoir of the Life of the Hon. Algernon Sidney (the Patriot) ; with his Trial in 1683. By E. C. Sidney. With outline plate from Stephanojf's well known picture. 8vo, seioed. \s. 6d. LOVE LETTERS OF MRS. PIOZZI, (formerly Mrs. Thrale, the friend of Dr. Johnson,) written when she was Eighty, to the handsome actor, William Augustus Conway, aged Twenty-seven. 8vo, sewed. 2s. written at three, four, and five o'clock (in the celebrity considerably enhances their interest. The Horning) by an Octogenary pen, a heart (as Mrs. Lee letters themselves it is not easy to characterise ; nor Bays) twenty-six years old, and as H. L. P. feels it to shall we venture to decide whether they more bespeak fce, all your'owH. Letter V, Zd Feb. 1820. the drivelling of dotage, or the folly of "love ; in either " This is one of the most extraordinary collections case they present human nature to us under a new ef love epistles we have ever chanced to meet with, aspect, and furnish one of those riddles which no- atid the well known literary reputation of the lady thing yet dreamt of in our philosophy can satisfac- Itie Mrs. Thrale, of Dr. Johnson and Miss Burney torily solve." Polytechnic liecieic. tJfiiloIoflp an* arlp ttcjltsl) literature* COMPENDIOUS ANGLO-SAXON AND ENGLISH DIC- ^ TIONARY. By the Rev. Joseph Boswokth, D.D., F.R.S., &c. 8vo, closely printed in treble Columns. 12s. Large Papee. Royal 8vo. (to match the next article), cloth, 1. "This is not a mere abridgment of the large Die- price, all that is most practical and valuable in th, tionary, but almost an entirely new work. In this tornier expensive edition with a great accession of new compendious one will be found, at a very moderate words and matter." Author's Preface. fXN THE ORIGIN OF THE ENGLISH, Germanic, and Scandinavian ^-^ Languages and Nations, with Chronological Specimens of their Languages. By T. Boswobth, D.D. Royal 8vo, bds. 1. A new and enlarged edition of what was formerly the Preface to the First Edition of the Anglo-Saxon Dic- tionary, and now published separately. ANGLO-SAXON DELECTUS ; serving as a first Class-Book to the Lan- guage. By the Rev. W. Baknes, B.D., of St. John's Coll. Camb. 12mo, cloth, 2s. Gd. " To those who wish to possess a critical knowledge stated, and illustrated by references to Greek, the Latin, f their own Native English, gome acquaintance with French, and other languages. A philosophical spirit Anglo - Saxon is indispensable ; and we have never pervades even' part. The Delectus consists of short seen an introduction better calculated than the pre- pieces on various subjects, with extracts from Anglo- sent to supply the wants of a beginner in a short space Saxon History and the Saxon Chronicle. There is a f time. The declensions and conjugations are well good Glossary at the end." Athenaeum, Oct. 20, 1819. n UIDE TO THE ANGLO-SAXON TONGUE : on the Basis of Pro- V^ fessor Rask's Grammar ; to which are added, Reading Lessons in Verse and Prose, with Notes for the use of Learners. By E. J. Vernon, B.A., Oxon. 12mo, cloth, 5s. 6d. " The author of this Guide seems to have made one care and skill ; and the latter half of the volume con- tep in the right direction, by compiling what may be sists of a well-clioscn selection of extracts from Anglo- pronounced the best work on the subject hitherto Saxon writers, in prose and verse, for the practice of published in England." Alhenceum. the student, who will find great assistance in reading " Mr. Vernon has, we think, acted wisely in taking them from the grammatical notes with which they are Rask for his Model ; but let no one suppose from the accompanied.aiid from the glossary which follows them. title that the book is merely a compilation from the This volume, well studied, will enable any one to read work of that philologist. The accidence is abridged with ease the generality of Anglo-Saxon writers ; and from Kask, with constant revision, correction, and its cheapness places it within the reach of every modification; but the syntax, a most important por- class. It has our hearty recommendation." Literary tton of f*n book, is original, *ti J is compiled with great Gatette. John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. ANALECTA ANGLO-SAXONICA.-Selections, in Prose and Verse, from Anglo-Saxon Literature, with an Introductory Ethnological Essay, and Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By Louis F. Kijpstein, of the University of Giessen. 2 thick vols, post 8vo, cloth. 12s. {original price 18s.) Containing an immense body of information on a have a thorough knowledge of bis own mother-tongne; language which is now becoming more fully appre- while the language itself, to say nothing of the many ciated, and which contains fifteen-twentieths of what valuable and interesting works preserved in it, may, we daily think, and speak, and write. No Englishman, in copiousness of words, strength of expression, and therefore, altogether ignorant of Anglo-Saxon, can grammatical precision, vie with the modern German. INTRODUCTION TO ANGLO-SAXON READING; comprising -*- iElfric's Homily on the Birthday of St. Gregory, with a copious Glossary, &o. Bj L. Langley, F.L.S. 12mo, cloth, 2s. 6d. JSlfric's Homily is remarkable for beauty of composition, and interesting as setting forth Augustine's mission to the " Land of the Angles." A NGLO-SAXON VERSION OF THE LIFE OF ST. GUTHLAC, -*- Hermit of Croyland. Printed, for the first time, from a MS. in the Cottonian Library, with a Translation and Notes. By Charles Wyclifpe Goodwin, M.A., Fellow of Catharine Hall, Cambridge. 12mo, cloth, 5s. ANGLO-SAXON LEGENDS OF ST. ANDREW AND ST. * *- VERONICA, now first printed, with English translations ou the opposite page. By C. W. Goodwin, M.A. 8vo, sewed. 2s. 6cl. A NGLO-SAXON VERSION OF THE HEXAMERON OF ST. -*- BASIL, and the Anglo-Saxon Remains of St. Basil's Admonitio ad Filium Spiritualem ; now first printed from MSS. in the Bodleian Library, with a Translation and Notes. By the Rev. H. W. Norman. 8vo, Second Edition, enlarged, sewed. 4s. ANGLO-SAXON VERSION OF THE HOLY GOSPELS. -*~ Edited from the original MSS. By Benjamin Thoepe, F.S.A. Post 8vo, cloth. 8$. (original price 12s.) THE STORY OF ATOLLO- founded the Play of Pericles, attributed to Shakespeare ; from a MS., with a Translation and Glossary. By Benjamin Thoepe. 12mo, cloth. As. 6d. (original price 6s.) A NALECTA ANGLO-SAXONICA. A Selection in Prose and Verse, from -^*- Anglo-Saxon Authors of various ages, with a Glossary. By Benjamin Thorpe, F.S.A. A new edition, with corrections and improvements. Post Svo, cloth. 8s. (original price 12s.) POPULAR TREATISES ON SCIENCE, written during the Middle Ages, *- in Anglr-Saxon, Anglo-Norman, and English. Edited by Tuos. Weight, M.A. 8vo, cloth, 3s. Contents . An Anglo-Saxon Treatise on Astronomy maining, and explanatory of all He symbolical signs of the Tenth Centuby, now first published from a in early sculpture and painting) ; the Bestiary of P.'iil- AIS. in Ike British Museum, tcith a Translation ; Livre lippe de Thaun. vcilh a translation; Fragments on Po- des Creatures, by Phillippe de Thaun, now first printed pular Science from the Early EngUsh Metrical Lives with a translation, (extremely valuable to l'hilulogists, of the Saints, (the earliest piece of the kind in tht as being the earliest specimens of Anglo-Norman re- English Language.) FRAGMENT OF ^ELFRIGS ANGLO-SAXON GRAMMAR, -*- iElfric's Glossary, and a Poem on the Soul and Body of the Xllth Century, dis- covered among the Archives of Worcester Cathedral. By Sir Thomas Phillips Bart. Fol., privately printed, sewed. Is. 6d. OKELTON'S (John, Poet Laureat to Henry VIII) Poetical Works : the Bowgeof ^ Court, Colin Clout, Why come ye not to Court ? (his celebrated Satire on Wolsey), Phillip Sparrow, Elinour Ramming, &c. ; with Notes and Life. By the Rev. A. Dice. 2 vols, 8vo, cloth. 14s. (original price 1. 12s.) "Thepower.thestrangcness.thevolubiUtyofhislan- great a scholar as ever lived (Erasmus), 'the light guage, the audacity of his satire, and the perfect origin- ami ornament of Britain.' He indulged very freely ality ot his manner, made Skelton one of the most extra- in his writings in censures on monks and Dominicans; ordinary writers of any age or country." Southey. and, moreover, had the hardihood to relloct, in no very " Skelton is a curious, able, and remarkable writer, mild terms, on the manners and life of Cardinal with strong sense, a vein of humour, and some ima- Wolsey. We cannot help considering Skelton as an gination ; lie had a wonderful command of the EngUsh ornament of his own time, and a benefactor to thou language, and one who was siyled, in his turn, by as who cone after him." ANGLO-SAXON VERSION OF *- NIUS OF TYRE ; upon which is fou Valuable and Intere ting Books, Published or Sold by SEMI-SAXON. The Departing Soul's Address to the Body, a Fragment of a Semi-Saxon Poem, discovered amoung the Archives of Worcester Cathedral, by Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., with an English Translation by S. W. Singer. 8vo, only 100 PBIVATBLT PRINTED. 2*. DICTIONARY OF ARCHAIC AND PROVINCIAL WORDS, Obsolete Plirases, Proverbs, and Ancient Customs, from the Reign of Edward I. Bv James Orchard Halliwell, F.R.S., F.S.A., &c. 2 vols, 8vo, containing upwards of" 1000 pages, closely printed in double columns, cloth, a new and cheaper edition. 1. Is. It contains above 60,000 words (embodying all the are not to be found in ordinary Dictionaries and books known scattered glossaries of the English language), of reference. Most of the principal Archaisms are ll- forming a complete key for the reader of our old Poets, lustrated by examples selected from early inedited Dramatists, Theologians, and other authors, whose MSS. and rare books, and by far the greater portion works abound with allusions, of which explanations will be found to be original authorities. ESSAYS ON THE LITERATURE, POPULAR SUPERSTI- TIONS, and History of England in the Middle Ages. By Thomas Wright, M.A., F.R.S. 2 vols, post 8vo, elegantly printed, cloth. 16*. Contents. Essay I. Anglo-Saxon Poetry. II. Anglo- Rush, and the Frolicsome Elves. XI. On Dunlop's Norman Poetry. III. Chansons de Geste, or Historical History of Fiction. XII. On the History and trans- Romances of tne Middle Ages. IV. On Proverbs and mission of Popular Stories. XIII. On the Poetry of Popular Savings. V. On the Anglo-Latin Poets of History. XIV. Adventures of Hereward the Saxon, the Twelfth' Century. VI. Abelard and the Scholastic XV. The Story of Eustace the Monk. XVI. The His- Philosophy. VII. On Dr. Grimm's German Mythology. tory of Fulke Fitzwarine. XVII. On the Popular Cycle VIII. On the National Fairy Mythology of England. of Robin-Hood Ballads. XVIII. On the Conquest of IX. On the Popular Superstitions of Modern Greece, Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. XIX. On Old English and their Connexion with the English. X. On Friar Political Songs. XX. On the Scottish Poet, Dunbar. EARLY HISTORY OP FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND. Illustrated by an English Poem of the XlVth Century, with Notes. By J. O. Halliwell, Post 8vo, Second Edition, with a facsimile of the original MS. in the British Museum, cloth. 2s. 6d. " The interest which the curious poem, of which which is not common with such pubb'cations. Mr. this publication is chiefly composed, has excited, is Halliwell has carefully revised the new edition, and proved by the fact of its having been translated into increased its utility by the addition of a complete and German, and of its having reached a second edition, correct glossary." Literary Gazette. 'TORRENT OF PORTUGAL; an English Metrical Romance, now first pub- -*- lished, from an unique MS. of the XVth Century, preserved in the Chetham Library at Manchester. Edited by J. O. Halliwell, &c. Post 8vo, cloth, uniform with JZitson, Weber, and Ellis's publications. 5s. " This is a valuable and interesting addition to our bling to a modern reader, yet the class to which it hst of early English metrical romances, and an in- rightly belongs will value it accordingly ; both because dispensable companion to the collections of Ritson, it is curious in its details, and possesses philological Teber, and Ellis." Literary Gazette. importance. To the general reader it presents one "A literary curiosity, and one both welcome and teature, viz., the reference to Wayland Smith, whom serviceable to the lover of black-lettered lore. Though Sir W. Scott has invested with so much interest." the obsoleteness of the style may occasion sad stum- Metropolitan Magazine. TT ARROWING OF HELL ; a Miracle Play, written in the Reign of Edward -*--* II, now first published from the Original in the British Museum, with a Modern Reading, Introduction, and Notes. By James Orchard Halliwell, Esq., F.R.S., F.S. A., Ac. 8vo, sewed. 2s. This curious piece is supposed to be the earliest glish Poetry; Sharon Turner's England; Co/lier's specimen of dramatic composition in the English Ian- History of English Dramatic Poetry, Vol. II, p. 213. fuage ; vide Hallam's Literature of Europe, Vol. I ; All these writers refer to the Manuscript. trutt's Manners and Customs, Vol. II ; Warton's En- "MUGiE POETICA; Select Pieces of Old English Popular Poetry, illustrating the -*-^ Manners and Arts of the XVth Century. Edited by J. O. Halliwell. Post 8vo, only 100 copies printed, cloth. 5s. Contents . Colyn Blowbol's Testament; the De- Lobe, Henry VIHth's Fool; Romance of Robert of bate of the Carpenter's Tools; the Merchant and Sicily; and Jive other curious pieces of the same his Son ; the Maid and the Magpie ; Elegy on kind A NECDOTA LITERARIA : a Collection of Short Poems in English, Latin, **- and French, illustrative of the Literature and History of England in the XHIth Century ; and more especially of tho Condition and Manners of the different Classes of Society. By T. Wright, M.A., F.S.A., &c. 8vo, cloth, only 250 printed. 7s. 6d. POPULAR ERRORS IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR, particularly in * Pronunciation, familiarly pointed out. By George Jackson. 12mo, Third Edition, with a coloured frontisviece of the " Sedes Busbeiana." 6d. John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. "P ARLY MYSTERIES, and other Latin Poems of theXIIth and Xlllth centuries. -*-^ Edited, from original MSS. in the British Museum, and the Libraries of Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Vienna, by Thos. Weight, M.A., F.S.A. 8vo, bds. 4s. Gd. " Besides tbe carious specimens of the dramatic on the people of Norfolk, written by a Monk of Peter- style of Middle-Age Latinity, Mr. Wright has given borougn, and answered in the same style by John of two compositions in the Narrative Elegiac Verse (a St. Omcr; and, lastly, some sprightly and often grace- favourite measure at that period), in the Comoedia ful songs from a MS. in the Arundel Collection, which Babionis and the Geta of Vitalis Blcsensis, which form afford a very favourable idea of the lyric poetry of a link of connection between the Classical and Middle- our clerical forefathers." Gentleman's Magazine. age Literature: some remarkable Satyrical Rhymes "D ARA MATHEMATICA ; or a Collection of Treatises on the Mathematics and -*-*' Subjects connected with them, from ancient inedited MSS. By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, Second Edition, cloth. 3*. Contents: Johannis de Sacro-Bosco Tractacus de Duration of Moonlight, from a MS. of the Thirteenth Arte Numerandi ; Method used in England in the Century ; on the Mensuration of Heights and Dis- Fifteenth Century for taking the Altitude of a Steeple; tances ; Alexandri de Villa Dei Carmen de Algorismo ; Treatise on the Numeration of Algorism; Treatise on Preface to a Calendar or Almanack for 1430 1 Johannis Glasses for Optical Purposes, by W. Bourne; Johannis Norfolk in Artem progressionis summula; Notes on Robyns de Cometis Cotnmentana; Two Tables showing Early Almanacks, by the Editor, &c. &c. the time of High Water at London Bridge, and the PHILOLOGICAL PROOFS of the Original Unity and Recent Origin of the *- Human Race, derived from a Comparison of the Languages of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. By A. J. Johnes. 8vo, cloth. Qs. (original price 12s. Gd.) Printed at the suggestion of Dr. Prichard, to whose works it will be found a useful supplement. A MERICANISMS. A Dictionary of Americanisms. A Glossary of Words and -^*- Phrases colloquially used in the United States. By J. R.Babtlett. Thick 8vo,cloth. 12*. PHILOLOGICAL GRAMMAR, founded upon Euglish, and framed from a -* comparison of more than Sixty Languages, being an Introduction to the Science of Grammar, and a help to Grammars of all Languages, especially English, Latin, and Greek. By the Rev. W. Babnes, B. D., author of the "Anglo-Saxon Delectus," "Dorset Dialect," Ate. Post 8vo, in the press. iprotoimial Btalects of itfllanlr. THBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST of all the Works which have been published -"-* towards illustrating the Provincial Dialects of England. By John Russell Smith. Post 8vo. Is. " Very serviceable to such as prosecute the study of our provincial dialects, or are collecting works on that curious subject. We very cordially recommend it to notice." Metropolitan. HALLIWELL'S HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE PRO- VINCIAL DIALECTS OF ENGLAND. Illustrated by numerous Examples, (extracted from the Introduction to tJte Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words.) 8vo. 2*. GLOSSARY OF PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL WORDS USED ^-* LN ENGLAND ; by F. Grose, F.S.A. ; with wluch is now incorporated the Sup- plement, by Samuel Pegge, F.S.A. Post 8vo, cloth. 4s. 6d. The utility of a Provincial Glossary to all persons de- would be entirely a work of supererogation. Grose sirous of understanding our ancient poets, is so uni- and Teggc are constantly referred to in Todd's " John- rersally acknowledged, that to enter into a proof of it son's Dictionary." CORNWALL. Specimens of Cornish Provincial Dialect, collected and arranged by Uncle Jan Tbeenoodle, with some Introductory Remarks and a Glossary by an Antiquarian Friend, also a Selection of Songs and other Pieces connected with Cornwall. Post 8vo. With curious portrait of Dolly Pentreath. Cloth. 4. CHESHIRE. Attempt at a Glossary of some words used in Cheshire. By Rogeb Wilbbaham, F.A.S., &c. 12mo, bds. 2s. 6d. (original price 5s.) DEVONSHIRE. A Devonshire Dialogue in Four Parts, (by Mrs. Palmeb, sister to Sir Joshua Reynolds,) with Glossary by the Rev. J. Phillipps, of Membury, Devon. 12mo, cloth. 2s. 6d. DORSET. Poems of Rural Life, in the Dorset Dialect, with a Dissertation and Glossary. By the Rev. William Babnes, B.D. . Second Edition, enlarged and corrected, royal 12mo, cloth. 10s. A fine poetic feeling is displayed through the various Burns; the "Gentleman's Magazine" for December, pieces in this volume ; according to some critics no- 1844, gave a review of the First Edition some pajjes thing lias appeared equal to it since the time of in length. Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by DURHAM. A Glossary of Words used in Teesdale, in the County of Durham. Post 8vo, with a Map of the District, cloth. 6s. "Contains about two thousand words ... It is be- guage and literature ... the author has evidently lieved the first and only collection of words and brought to bear an extensive personal acquaint- phrases peculiar to this district, and wc hail it there- ance with the common language." Darlington fore as a valuable' contribution to the history of Ian- 'limes. ESSEX. John Noakes and Mary Styles : a Poem ; exhibiting some of the most striking Ungual localisms peculiar to Essex ; with a Glossary. By Charles Clark, Esq., of Great Totliam Hall, Essex. Post 8vo, cloth. 2s. " The poem possesses considerable humour. Tail's " Exhibits the dialect of Essex perfectly." Eclectic Magazine. Review. " A very pleasant trifle " Literary Gazette. " Full of quaint wit and humour." Gent.'s Mag., "A very clever production." Essex Lit. Journal. May, 1841. " Full of rich humour." Essex Mercury. _ " A very clever and amusing piece of local descrip- " Very droll." Metropolitan. tion." Archaologist. KENT. Dick and Sal, or Jack and Joan's Fair : a Doggrel Poem, in the Kentish Dialect. Third Edition. 12mo. 6d. LANCASHIRE. Dialect of South Lancashire, or Tim Bobbin's Tummtis and Meary ; revised and corrected, with his Rhymes, and an enlarged Glossary of Words and Phrases, chiefly used by the rural population of the manufacturing Districts of South Lancashire. By Samuel Bamford. 12mo, cloth. 3s. 6d. LEICESTERSHIRE Words, Phrases, and Proverbs. By A. B. Evans, D.D., Head Master of Market-S osworth Gcrammar School. 12mo, cloth. 6s. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. The Dialect andFolk-Lore of Northamptonshire : a Glossary of Northamptonshire Provincialisms, Collection of Fairy Legends, Popular Super- stitions, Ancient Customs, Proverbs, &c. By Thomas Sternberg. 12mo, cloth. 5s. SUSSEX. A Glossary of the Provincialisms of the County of Sussex. By W. Durrani Cooper, F.S.A. Post 8vo, Second Edition, enlarged, cloth. 5s. SUSSEX. Jan Cladpole's Trip to 'Merricur in Search for Dollar Trees, and how he got rich enough to beg his way home ! Written in Sussex Doggerel. 12mo. Qd. WESTMORELAND AND CUMBERLAND. Dialogues, Poems, Songs, and BaUads, by various Writers, in the Westmoreland and Cumberland Dialects, now first col- lected ; to which is added, a copious Glossary of Words peculiar to those Counties. Post 8vo, pp. 408, cloth. 9s. This collection comprises, in the Westmoreland Dia- the Cumbrian Bard (including some now first printed) ; lect, Mrs. Ann Wheeler's Four Familiar Dialogues, VII. Songs by Miss Blamire and Miss Gilpin ; VIII. with Poems, &c.; and in the Cumberland Dialect, 1. Songs by John Rayson , IX. An Extensive Glossary of Poems and Pastorals by the Kev. Josiah Ralph; II. Westmoreland ana Cumberland Words. Pastorals, &c., by Ewan Clark; III. Letters from Dublin, by a young Borrowdale Shepherd, by Isaac All the poetical quotations in " Mr. and Mrs. Sand- Ritson ; IV. Poems by John Stag" ; V. Poems by M ark boy's Visit to the Great Exhibition," are to be found Lonsdale ; VI. Ballads and Songs oy Robert Anderson, in this volume. WILTSHIRE. A Glossary of Provincial Words and Phrases in use in Wiltshire, showing their Derivation in numerous instances irom the Language of the Anglo-Saxons. By John Yonge Akerman, Esq., F.S.A. 12mo, cloth. 3s. YORKSHIRE. The Yorkshire Dialect, exemplified in various Dialogues, Tales, and Songs, applicable to the County ; with a Glossary. Post 8vo. 1*. *A shilling book worth its money; most of the feelings of the rustic mind; and the addresses to pieces of composition are not only harmless, but good Riches and Poverty have much of the freedom and and pretty. The eclogue on the death of ' Awd Daisy,' spirit of Burns. '' Gentleman's Magazine, May an outworn horse, is an outpouring of some of the best 1841. YORKSHIRE. The Hallamshire {district of Sheffield) Glossary. By the Rev. Joseph Hunter, author of the History of " Hallamshire," " South Yorkshire," &c. Post 8vo, cloth. 4s. {original price 8s.) fORKSHIRE. Bairnsla Foak's Annual, on onny body els as beside fort 'y years 1842 and 1843, be Tom Treddleuoyle ; to which is added the Barnsley and Village Record, or the Book of Facts and Fancies, by Ned Nut. 12mo, pp. 100. 1*. YORKSHIRE. Sum Thowts abaght Ben Bunt's Weddin ; Tom Treddlehoyle's Thowts abaght Nan Bunt's Chrcsmas Tea Parly, &c. Two Pieces, (Barnsley Dialect.') 12mo. 6d. ' John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. A RCHiEOLOGICAL INDEX to Remains of Antiquity of the Celtic, Romano- * British, and Anglo-Saxon Periods, by John Yongb Akeeman, Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. 8vo, illustrated with numerous engravings, comprising upwards of five hundred objects, cloth. 15*. This work, though intended as an introduction and rows Urns Sword's Spears Knives Umbones of a guide to the study of our early antiquities, will, it is Shields Buckles Fibula Bullie Hair Pins hoped, also prove of service as a book of reference to Beads, &c. &c. &c. &c. the practised Archaeologist. The contents are as fol- The Itinerary of Antoninus (as far as relates to lows : t Britain). The Geographical Tables of Ptolemy, the Part I. Celtic Period. Tumuli, or Barrows Notitia, and the Itinerary of Richard of Ciren- and Cairns Cromelechs Sepulchral Caves Rocking cester, together with a classified Index of the con- Stones Stone Circles, &c. &c. Objects discovered in tents of the Arch.eologia (Vols, i to xxxi) are givea Celtic Sepulchres Urns Beads Weapons Imple- in an Appendix, ments, &c. Part II. Romano-British Period. Tumuli of "One of the first wants of an incipient Antiquary, the Romano-British Period Burial places of the Ro- is the facility of comparison, and here it is furnished mans Pavements Camps Villas Sepulchral him at one glance. The plates, indeed, form the most Monuments Sepulchral Inscriptions Dedicatory In- valuable part of the book, both by their number and scriptions Commemorative Inscriptions Altars the judicious selection of types and examples which Urns Glass Vessels Fibuhe Armillse Coins they contain. It is a book which we can, on this ac- Coin-moulds, &c. &c. count, safely and warmly recommend to all who are Part III. Anglo-Saxon Period. Tumuli De- interested in the antiquities of their native land." tailed list of Objects discovered in Anglo-Saxon Bar- Literary Gazette. "DEMAINS OF PAGAN SAXONDOM, principally from Tumuli in En- -*-*' gland, drawn from the originals. Described and Illustrated by J. Y. Akeeman, F.S.A. 4to, Publishing in Pahts at 2*. Qd. each. DIRECTIONS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ENGLISH ANTIQUITIES, especially those of the Three First Periods ; or Hints for the In- experienced. By J. Y. Akeeman. A small tract for distribution, at one shilling per dozen, useful to give to excavators, ploughmen, Sic., who are apt to destroy articles they find if not of precious metal. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL. 8vo, vols. 2, 3, 4, ** 5,6. 1. 1*. each; and vol. 7 just completed, with an extra quantity of letter-press and plates. 1. 11*. 6d. J.R. Smith having been appointed Publisher to the Archaeological Association, their Publications may be had of him in future. "DRITISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. A Report of the - L ' Proceedings of the British Archaeological Association, at the Worcester Session. August, 1848. By A. J. Dtjnkin. Thick 8vo, with engravings, cloth. 1. Is. 'Y'ERBATIM REPORT of the Proceedings at a Special General Meeting of the British Archaeological Association, held at the Theatre of the Western Literary Institution, 5th March, 1845, T. J. Pettigrew, Esq., in the Chair. With an Introduction by Thomas Weight. 8vo, sewed. Is. 6d. A succinct history of the division between the Archceological Association and Institute. ANTIQUARIAN ETCHING CLUB. The Publications of the Anti- -**- quarian Etching Club, for the year 1849, consisting of 54 plates oj Churches, Fonts, Castles, and other Antiquarian objects. 4to, boards. 8s. for the year 1850, containing 66 plates. 4to, bds. 10s. for the year 1851, containing 70 plates. 4to, bds. 10s. yESTIGES OF THE ANTIQUITIES OF DERBYSHIRE, * and the Sepulchral Usages of its Inhabitants, from the most Remote Ages to the Reformation. By Thomas Bateman, Esq., of Yolgrave, Derbyshire. In one handsome vol. 8vo, with numerous woodcuts of Tumuli and their contents, Crosses, Tombs, Sfc, cloth. 15*. 1848 A N ESSAY ON THE ROMAN VILLAS of the Augustan Age, their ** Architectural Disposition and Enrichments, and on the remains of Eoman Domea tic Edifices discovered in Great Britain. By Thomas Moulb. 8vo, 2 plaits, cloth. 4*. 6d. (original price 8s.) Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by RELIQUIAE ANTIQUIiE EBORACENSIS, or Relics of Antiquity, relat. ing to the County of York. By W. Bowman, of Leeds, assisted by several eminent Antiquaries, 4to, with engravings, 'publishing in Quarterly Parts. 2s. 6d. each. HpllE ROMAN WALL : an Historical, Topographical, and Descriptive Account *- of the Barrier of the Lower Isthmus, extending from the Tyne to the Solway, deduced from numerous personal surveys. By the Rev. John Collingwood Bbtjce, F.S. A., Thick 8vo, Second and Enlaeged Edition, with 40 plates and 200 woodcuts, a hand some volume, half morocco. 1. Is. A few Copies on Labge Papeb, 4to, 2. 2s. "Following the impulse of a fresh interest in remains or the works of Archaeologists upon our Roman re of the Roman age, recently excited amongst English mains, especially those which relate to his immediate Archreologists.Mr. Bruce has now supplied a desidera- subject." Spectator. turn in Antiquarian literature, by producing a Treatise, " In taking leave of Mr. Brace's work, we may express in which he has happily combined much of the in- a hope that our brief notice of some of its attractions formation gathered by previous writers, with a mass may promote its circulation. The author's style ren- of original and personal observations." Journal of ders it highly readable, the facts he has collected will the Archctological Institute, Vol viii, p. 105. make it useful for reference, and its portability, and " The Roman Wall is a very elaborate and pains- the clear arrangement of the subject-matter, should taking work, on one of the most interesting of British introduce it as a companion to all who may desire to antiquities. Mr. Bruce is a man of learning, whether study fully one of the noblest monuments of our as regards Roman history, in connection witii Britain, country." Gentleman's Magazine. "DELIQULE ISURIANiE : the Remains of the Roman Isurium, now Ald- *-' borough, near Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, illustrated and described. By Hekey Eceoxd Smith. Royal 4to, with 37 plates, cloth. 1. 5s. The Same, with the mosaic pavements coloured, cloth. 2. 2s. The most highly illustrated work ever published on a Roman Station in England. TYESCRIPTION OF A ROMAN BUILDING, and other Remains, dis- *-' covered at Caeeleon, in Monmouthshire. By J. E. Lee. Imperial 8vo, with 20 interesting Etchings by the Author, sewed. 5s. "W'OTITIA BRITANNIiE, or an Inquiry concerning the Localities, Habits, Con- *" dition, and Progressive Civilization of the Aborigines of Britain; to which is appended a brief Retrospect of the Results of their Intercourse with the Romans By W. D. Saull, F.S.A., F.G.S., &c. 8vo, engravings. 3s. 6d. A RCHiEOLOGIST AND JOURNAL OF ANTIQUARIAN **- SCIENCE. Edited by J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, Nos. I to X, complete with Index, pp. 420, with 19 engravings, cloth, reduced from 10s. Qd. to 5s. 6d. Containing original articles on Architecture, His- various Antiquarian Societies Retrospective Ra- torical Literature, Round Towers of Ireland, Philo- views, and Reviews of recent* Antiauarian Works lgy Bibliography, Topography, Proceedings of the &c. * Numismatics^ TNTRODUCTTON TO THE STUDY OF ANCIENT AND ^- MODERN COINS. By J. Y. Akeeman, Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. foolscap 8vo, with numerous Wood Engravings from the original coins, (an excellent introductory book,) cloth. 6s. Qd. Contents: Sect. 1. Origin of Coinage. Greek Scotch Coinage. 11. Coinage of Ireland 12 Anelo Regal Coins. 2. Greek Civic Coins. 3. Greek Im- Gallic Coins. 13. Continental Money in the Middle penal Coins. 4. Origin of Roman Coinage Consular Ages. 14. Various representatives of Coinage 15 Coins. 6. Roman Imperial Coins. 6. Roman British r'orgeries in Ancient and Modern Times 16 Table Coins. 7. Ancient British Coinage. 8. Anglo-Saxon of Prices of English Coins realized at Public Sales Coinage. 9. English Coinage from the Conquest. 10. 8 " npRADESMEN'S TOKENS struck in London and its Vicinity, from 1648 to -- 1671, described from the originals in the British Museum, &c. By J. Y. Akeeman F.S.A. 8vo, with 8 plates of numerous examples, cloth. 15*. Laege Papee in 4to' cloth. l. Is. ' ' This work comprises a list of nearly three thousand streets, old tavern and coffee-house signs &c &c Tokens, and contains occasional illustrative topo- with an introductory account of the causes' wluch led graphical and antiquarian notes on persons, places, to the adoption of such a currency A NCLENT COINS OF CITIES AND PRINCES, Geographically * *- Arranged and Described, Hispania, Gallia, Beitannia. By J. Y. Akeeman, F.S.A. 8vo, with engravings of many hundred coins from actual examples, cloth, 18*. John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. nOINS OF THE ROMANS RELATING TO BRITAIN, ^ Described and Illustrated. By J. Y. Akerman, F.S.A. Second Edition, greatly enlarged, 8vo, with plates and woodcuts. 10*. 6d. The " Prix de Numismatique" was awarded by the lished at a very moderate price; it should be consulted, French Institute to the author for this work. not merely for these particular coins, hut also for facts " Mr. Akerman's volume contains a notice of every most valuable to all who are interested in the Romano- known variety, with copious illustrations, and is pub- British History." Archaological Journal. MUMISMATIC ILLUSTRATIONS of the Narrative Portions of the NEW *" TESTAMENT. By J. Y. Akerman. 8vo, numerous woodcuts from the original coins in various public and private collections, cloth. 5s. " Archaeology is under a peculiar obligation to bute of commendation for light thrown upon Holy Mr. Akerman. To him more than.to any other living Writ, through the medium of " the unrighteous Mam- man, is due the praise of having converted multitudes mon." The New Testament ha9, it appears, in the to the love of antiquarian research. Tohimweallowe compass of the Gospels and Acts, no less than 32 the pleasant debt of an instructive acquaintance, not allusions to the coinage of Greece, Rome, and Juthea; only with the beautiful money of Ancient Greece and and these beautifully engraved, and learnedly de- Rome, but with the once barbarous, though not less scribed, give Mr. Akerman an opportunity of serving interesting, coins of our earliest history. And to him the good cause of truth in the way of his peculiar now especially, the cause of religion can bring its tri- avocation." Church of England Journal. NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE AND JOURNAL OF THE NUMISMATIC SOCIETY. Edited by J. Y. Akerman. Published Quarterly at 8s. 6d. per Number. This is the only repertory of Numismatic intelli- and countries, by the first Numismatists of the day, gence ever published in England. both English and Foreign. It contains papers on coins and medals, of all ages Odd parts to complete sets. LIST OF TOKENS ISSUED BY WILTSHIRE TRADESMEN, in the Seventeenth Century. By J. Y. Akeeman. 8vo, plates, sewed. Is. 6d. TECTURES ON THE COINAGE OF THE GREEKS AND -*-^ ROMANS, Delivered in the University of Oxford. By Edward Cardwell, D.D., Principal of St. Alban's Hall, and Professor of Ancient History. 8vo, cloth. 4s. {original price 8s. 6d.) A very interesting historical volume, and written in a pleasing and popular manner. A N OLLA PODRIDA, or Scraps Numismatic, Antiquarian, and Literary. By ** Richard Sainthill, Esq., of Cork. Royal 8vo, many plates and portraits, a handsome volume, privately printed, cloth. 1. lis. 6d. Containing Letters on the coinage of 1816; Memoir Irelaud; Coins of the Mint of Exeter ; Coins of Henry ofTliomas Wyon, jun.; on the Coronation and Guild- III; Saxon and Anglo-Norman Coins; attempt to hall Medals; Russian Medals ; (Joins found at Bea- locate Coins unappropriated by Ruding; and oilier worth ; Short and Long-Cross Pennies of Henry VII ; papers on Coins and Topographical and Genealogical Dublin Groats; Three "Crowns, the ancient Aims of subjects. OBSERVATIONS ON A UNIQUE CUFIC GOLD COIN of the ^"' Fatimite Dynasty. By L. Loewe. 8vo, engraving, sewed. Is. HAND-BOOK OF ENGLISH COINS, from the Conquest to Victoria, By L. Jewitt. 12mo, 11 plates, cloth. Is. HISTORY OF THE COINS OF CUNOBELINE and of the ancient H ] BRITONS. By the Rev. Beale Posts. 8vo, with numerous plates and woodcuts, cloth. In the Press. flDopocjrapf)^ JOURNEY TO BERESFORD HALL, IN DERBYSHIRE, " the Seat of Charles Cotton, Esq., the celebrated Author and Angler. By W. Alexander, F.S.A, F.L.S., late Keeper of the Prints in the British Museum, Crown 4to, printed on tinted paper, with a spirited frontispiece, representing Walton and his adopted Son Cotton in the Fishing-house, and vignette title page, cloth. 5s. Dedicated to the Anglos of Great Britain and the various Walton and Cotton Clubs; only 100 printed. GRAPHIC AND HISTORICAL SKETCH of the Antiquities of Tornes, *-* Devon. By W. CoilON, F.S.A. Small 4to, fine woodcuts, cloth. 6s. (priginai price 10s. Qd.) Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by N CAMBRIDGE. Historia Collegii Jesu Cantabrigiensis a J. Shebmanno, olhn pries, ejusdem Collegii. Edita J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, cloth. 2s. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES of the County of Hereford. By the Rev. John Duncumb. 2 vols, 4to, portraits and plates, bds. 1. 4a. (original price 5. 5s.) HELPS TO HEREFORD HISTORY, Civil and Legendary, in an Ancient Account of the Ancient-Cordwainers' Company of the City, the Mordiford Dragon, and other Subjects, By J. D. Devlin. 12mo, cloth (a curious volume). 3s. 6d. " A series of very clever papers." Spectator. "A little work full of Antiquarian information, presented in a pleasing and popular form." Nonconformttt. HISTORY OF PORTSMOUTH, PORTS*EA, LANDPORT, SOUTHSEA, and GOSPORT. By Hehby Slight, Esq. 8vo, Third Edition, tbd. 4a. TOTES ON THE CHURCHES in the Counties of KENT, SUSSEX, and SURREY, mentioned in Domesday Book, and those of more recent date, with some Account of the Sepulchral Memorials and other Antiquities. By the Rev. Aii'iuua Hussey. Thick 8vo, fine plates, cloth. 18*. KENTISH CUSTOMS. Consuetudines Kanciee. A History of Gavelkind, and other Remarkable Customs, in the County of Kent. By Chakles Sandys, Esq., F.S.A. (Cantianus). Illustrated with facimilies, a very handsome volume, cloth. 15*. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF RICHBOROUGH, RECULVER, AND LYMNE, in Kent. By C. R. Roach Smith, Esq., F.S.A., Small 4to, with many engravings on wood and copper, by F. W. Faikholt, cloth. 1. Is. " No antiquarian volume could display a trio of here represented Roach Smith, the ardent explorer; names more zealous, successful, and intelligent, on Fairholt, the excellent illustrator; and Rolfe, the the subject of Romano-British remains, than the three indefatigable collector." Literary Gazette. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF DARTFORD, in Kent with incidental Notices of Places in its Neighbourhood. By J. Dunkin, Author oi tho History of the Hundreds of Bullington and Ploughley, in Oxfordshire;" " History of Bicester ;" " History of Bromley," &c, 8vo, 17 plates, cloth. Only 150 printed. 21*. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF OKAVESEND,inKent,andof tho Port of London. By R. P. Cbitden, late Mayor of Gravesend. Royal 8vo, 31 fine plates and woodcuts, a very handsome volume, cloth. 10*. (original price 1. 8*.) ACCOUNT OF THE ROMAN AND OTHER ANTIQUITIES discovered at Springhead, near Gravesend, Kent. By A. J. Dunkin. 8vo, plates, (only 100 printed,) cloth. 6s. 6d. HISTORY OF ROMNEY MARSH, in Kent, from the time of the Romans to 1833, with a Dissertation on the original Site of the Ancient Anderida. By W. Holloway, Esq., author of the " History of Rye." 8vo, with Maps and plates, cloth. 12*. CRITICAL DISSERTATION on Professor Willis's " Architectural History of Canterbury Cathedral." By C. Sandys, of Canterbury. 8vo. 2*. 6d. "Written in no quarrelsome or captious spirit; the serious errors throughout. It may be considered as highest compliment is paid to Professor Willis, where an indispensable companion to his volume, containing it is due. But the author has made out a clear case, a great deal of extra information of a very curious in some very important instances, of inaccuracies that kind." Art- Union. have led the learned Professor into the construction of FOLKESTONE FIERY SERPENT, together with the Humours of tho Dovob Mayor ; being an Ancient Ballad, full of Mystery and pleasant Conceit, now first collected and printed from the various MS. copies in possession of the in- habitants of the South-east coast of Kent ; with Notes. 12mo. 1*. HAND-BOOK OF LEICESTER. By James Thompson. 12mo, Second Edition, woodcuts, bds. 2s. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE ISLE OF AXIIOLME, in Lincolnshire. By tho Venerable AbCHDEACON Stonehotjsb. Thick 4to, PINE piatbs 18*. (original price 3. 3*.) John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF GAINSBOROUGH, in Lin- colnshire. By Adam Stabk. Thick 8vo, Second Edition, greatly enlarged, cloth. 9*. (original price 1. Is.) Labge Paper, royal 8vo, cloth. 14*. TJISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE TOWN OF LAN- -*-* CASTER. Compiled from Authentic Sources. By the Rev. Robert Simpson. 8vo, cloth. 8*. MEMORIALS OF THE VICARAGE HOUSE AND GARDEN OF ALL SAINTS, King's-Lynn ; with a List of the Vicars, and a quantity of other useful information. By J. N. Chad wick. 8vo, four engravings, sewed. 2s. 6d. "DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE RUINS OF L1VEDEN, *-' near Oundle, Northamptonshire ; with Historical Notices of the Family of Tresham, and its connection with the Gunpowder Plot. By Thomas Bell. Four plates and Tresham Pedigree. 4to. 6*. REPRINTS OF RARE TRACTS, and Imprints of Ancient Manuscripts, &c., chiefly illustrative of the History and Biography of the Northern Counties. Beau- tifully PRINTED on thick paper, with facsimile titles, initial letters in colours, c, forming 7 vols., post 8vo, complete, with general titles and contents, bds. 5. 5*. (original price 7. 7s.) This Collection comprises no less than 62 Tracts of the most interesting kind, edited by M. A. Richardson, assisted by several antiquaries in the northern counties. Only 100 copies of the Collection were printed, which are all sold by the printer. RIVER TYNE. Plea and Defence of the Mayor and Burgesses of Newcastle against the Malevolent accusations of Gardiner, (author of " England's Grievance on the Coal Trade,") 1653 ; with Appendix of Unpublished Documents respecting the River Tyne. By M. A. Richardson. 8vo, (only 150 printed.) 2s. ^TOPOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDUMS for the County of Oxford. By -- Sir Gregory Page Turner, Bart. 8vo, bds. 2s. NOTICES OF THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ISLIP, Oxon. By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, (only 50 printed,) sewed. Is. HISTORY OF BANBURY, in Oxfordshire; including Copious Historical and Antiquarian Notices of the Neighbourhood. By Alfred Beesley. Thick Svo^ 684 closely printed pages, with 60 woodcuts, engraved in the first style of art, by O. Jewett, of Oxford. 14*. (original price 1. 5*.) " The neighbourhood of Banbury is equally rich in author has collected a great body of local information British, Roman, Saxon, Norman, and English Anti- of the most interesting kind. By no means the least quities, of all which Mr. Beesley has given regularly valuable part of Mr. Becslcy's work, is his account cleared accounts. Banbury holds an important place of the numerous interesting early churches, which in the history of the Parliamentary War of the Seven- characterize the Banbury district." The Archao- tcenth Century, and was the scene of the great Battle log'tst. of Edgehill, and of the important fight of Cropredy Odd Parts to complete copies, 1*. 6d. instead of Bridge. Relating to the events of that period, the 2s. 6J. HISTORY OF WITNEY, with Notices of the Neighbouring Parishes and Hamlets in Oxfordshire. By the Rev. Dr. Giles, formerly Fellow of C. C, Oxford. 8vo, plates, cloth, (only 150 printed.) 6s. HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND TOWN OF BAMPTON, in Oxfordshire, with the District and Hamlets belonging to it. By the Rev. Dr. Giles. 8vo, plates, Second Edition, cloth. Is. Qd. FAUCONBERGE MEMORIAL. An Account of Henry Fauconberge, LL.D., of Beccles, in Suffolk, and of the endowment provided by his will to encourage Learning and the Instruction of Youth ; with Notes and Incidental Biographical Sketches. By S. W. RlX. Pot 4to, very nicely got up, with 30 engravings of Old Souses, Seals, Autographs, Arms, $c, bds. 5s. Large Paper, 7s. 6d. (very few copies printed.) Content}. Fauconbcrgcs of Olden Time. II. Fau- Memoir of Robert Sparrow, Esq. Memoir of Dr. Joseph conberjee of Beccles. III. Fauconberge Endowment. Arnold (by Dawson Turner, of Yarmouth), Particular* IV. Fauconberge and Lcman. V. Appendix, Pedigrees, of the Fauconberge Trust Estate. &c. &c. SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS, illustrating the Hi*- *^ tory and Antiquities of the County, published by the Sussex Archaeological Society. 8vo, plates and woodcuts, cloth. Vol. I, 10*.; Vol. II, 15*.; Vol. Ill, 10*.; Vol, IV, 14.j Vol. V, 14*. Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by Q USSEX GARLAND ; a Collection of Ballads, Sonnets, Tales, Elegies, Songs, ^ Epitaphs, &c., illustrative of the County \i Sussex, with Notices, Historical, Biographical and Descriptive. By James TaylojL. Post 8vo, Engravings, cloth. \2s. ^ US SEX MARTYRS : their Examinations and Cruel Burnings in the time of ^ Queen Mary ; comprising the interesting Personal Narrative of Richard Woodman, extracted from "Foxe's Monuments;" with Notes. By M. A. Lower, M.A. 12mo, sewed. Is. pHURCHES OF SUSSEX, drawn by R. H. NiBBS, with Descriptions. ^ 84 plates, 4to, a handsome volume, cloth. 2. 2s. HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE ANCIENT PORT AND TOWN OF RYE, in Sussex, compiled from Original Documents. By William Holloway, Esq. Thick 8vo, (only 200 feinted,) cloth. 1. Is. HISTORY OF WINCHELSE A, in Sussex. By W. Dtjbbant Coopeb, F.S.A. 8vo. fine plates and woodcuts. Is: 6d. CHRONICLE OF BATTEL ABBEY, in Sussex; originally compiled in Latin by a Monk of the Establishment, and now first translated, with Notes, and an Abstract of the subsequent History of the Abbey. By Mabk Antony Loweb, M.A. 8vo, with illustrations, cloth. 9s. "It will be found to contain a real and living pic- '* Mr. Lower has added to the completeness of the tare of the manners and customs, the modes of thought book by a summary sketch of the History of the and speech prevalent in the times ot which it is file Abbey, and its succession of Abbots from the time record. Mr. Lower has well discharged his office of when the Chronicle terminates to the period of the translator and editor." Guardian. dissolution. Various intelligent notes, as well as the "In no respect less interesting than Jocelin de general style of the translation, are highly cre- Brakelond's famous Chronicle of Bury St Edmund's ditable to his care and skill as editor." Guuleman's Abbey." Lit. Gaz. Magaziiie. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE ORIGINAL CHAR- TERS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, &c, constituting the Muniments of Battel Abbey, also the Papers of the Montagus, Sidneys, and Websters, embodying many highly interesting and valuable Records of Lands in Sussex, Kent, and Essex, with Preliminary Memoranda of the Abbey of Battel, and Historical Particulars of the Abbots. 8vo, 234 pages, cloth, only 1*. 6d. XJAND-BOOK TO LEWES, in Sussex, Historical and Descriptive ; with -*-* Notices of the Recent Discoveries at the Priory. By Mabk Antony Loweb. 12mo, many engravings, cloth. Is. 6d. (CHRONICLES OF PEVENSEY, in Sussex. ByM. A. Loweb, 12mo, ^-' woodcuts. Is. TJURSTMONCEUX CASTLE AND ITS LORDS. By the Rev. e. J - J - Venables. (Reprinted foom Vol. IV of the Sussex Archaeological Collections.) 8vo, many engravings, sewed, 3s. ; cloth 4s. TVTOTES ON THE ANTIQUITIES OF TREVES, MAYENCE -* WEISBADEN, NEIDERBIEBER, BONN, and COLOGNE. By Chakles Roach Smith, F.S.A. (Reprinted from Vol. II of the " Collectanea Antiqua.") 8vo with many engravings. 7s. &d. ' A NNALS AND LEGENDS OF CALAIS; with Sketches of Emigre L Notabilities, and Memoir of Lady Hamilton. By Robebt Bell Calton, author of " Rambles in Sweden and Gottland," &c. &c. Post 8vo, with frontispiece and vignette. doth. 5s. ' Principal Contents : History of the Siege by Ed- cester; the Courgain; the Field of the Cloth of Gold; ward ill. in 1.346-7, with a Roll of the Commanders Notice of the Town and Castle of Guisncs, and its sur- and their rollowers present, from a contemporary MS. prise by John de Lancaster; the town and Sci^neurie in the British Museum ; The Allotment of Lauds and of Ardres; the Sands and Duelling- Villages and Houses to Edward's Barons; Calais as au English ChAteau of Sangatte, Coulonse, Mark, EschaJies and Borough ; List of the Streets and Householders ot the Hammes; Review of the English Occupation of Calais; same; Henry Vlllth s Court there; Cardinal Wolsey its lte-captuic by the Duke de Guise; the lower Town and his Expenses; the English Pale, with the Names and its Lace Trade; our Commercial Relations with of Roads, Farmsteads, and Villages in the English Era; France; Emigre' Notabilities; Charles and Harry the Siege of Therouenne and Tournai; the Pier of Tufton, Capt. Dormer and Edith Jacquemont, Beau Calais; Pros and Cons of the Place; the H6tel Brummell, Jemmy Urquhart and his friend Faun- DesBin; Sterne s Chamber; Churches of Notre Dame tleroy, "Nimrod," Berkeley Craven. Mvtton, Duchess ,, bt n-, J,I ^i olM; tue H, tKl , dt; \i Ancient Staple of Kingston; a new Memoir of Lady Hamilton, &c. Hall, Tim Chateau and Murder of the Duke of GIou- . John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. MONT SAINT-MICHEL Histoire et Description de Mont St. Michel en Normandie, texte, par Hericher, dessins par Bouet puhlies par Bourdon. Folio, 150 pp., and 13 beautiful plates, executed in tinted lithography, leather back, uncut. 2. 2s. A handsome volume, interesting to the Architect and Archaeologist. GENOA; with Remarks on the Climate, and its Influence upon Invalids. By Henby Jones Bunnett, M.D. 12mo, cloth. 4a. ?f erattirp, i^iualoejp, anlr Surnames* CURIOSITIES OF HERALDRY, with Illustrations from Old English Writers. By Mabk Antony Loweb, M.A., Author of "Essays on English Sur- names;" with illuminated Title-page, and numerous engravings from designs by the Author. 8vo, cloth. 14*. "The present volume is truly a worthy sequel (to than an ample exposition of an extraordinary anduni- the ' Surnames') in the same curious and antiquarian versal custom, which produced the most important line, blending with remarkable facts and intelligence, effect upon the minds and habits of mankind." such a fund of amusing anecdote and illustration, that Literary Gazette. the reader is almost surprised to find that he has "Mr. Lower's work is both enrious and instructive, learned so much, whilst he appeared to be pursuing while the manner of its treatment is so inviting and mere entertainment. The text is so pleasing that we popular, that the subject to which it refers, which scarcely dream of its sterling value ; and it seems as if, many have hitherto had too good reason to consider in unison with the woodcuts, wluch so cleverly explain meagre and unprofitable, assumes, under the hands of its points and adorn its various topics, the whole de- the writer, the novelty of fiction with the importance sign were intended for a relaxation from study, rather of historical truth." Athenmum. PEDIGREES OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF HERT- FORDSHIRE. By William Beery, late, and for fifteen years, Registering Clerk in the College of Arms, author of the " Encyclopaedia Heraldica," &c. &c. Folio, (only 125 printed.) 1. 5*. {original price 3. 10*.) GENEALOGICAL AND HERALDIC HISTORY OF THE EXTINCT AND DORMANT BARONETCIES of England, Ireland, and Scot- land. By J. Btjbke, Esq. Medium 8vo, Second Edition, 638 closely printed pages, in double columns, with about 1000 arms engraved on wood, fine portrait of James I, and illuminated title-page, cloth. 10*. {original price 1. 8*.) This work engaged the attention of the author for ativo or representatives still existing, with elaborate several years, comprises nearly a thousand families, and minute details of the alliances, achievements, and many of them amongst the most ancient and eminent fortunes; generation after generation, from the earliest in the kingdom, each carried down to its represent- to the latest period. T^NGLISH SURNAMES. An Essay on Family Nomenclature, Historical, *-^ Etymological, and Humorous ; with several illustrative Appendices. By Mabk Antony Loweb, M.A. 2 vols., post 8vo, Thibd Edition, enlabged, woodcuts, cloth. 12*. This new and much improved Edition, besides a and in his chapters on the different ways in which great enlargement of the Chapters, contained in the particular classes of names have originated from previous editions, comprises several that are entirely names of places, occupations, dignities, offices, personal new, together with Iotes on Scottish, Irish, and and mental qualities, &c." Spectator. Norman Surnames. The " Additional Prolusions," T . . ,, - , *, :^ t * besides the articles on Rebuses, Allusive Arms, and Mr P has S onc * w , 01 * , Jl 1 F ,,? the Roll of Battel Abbey, contain dissertations on Inn "^.quarian discovery, and a most amusing and in- signs, and Remarks on Christian Names, with a 8tructlve book he has V**- -Brighton Herald. copious Index of many thousand Names. These fea- "A curious work, and got up, moreover, with that tures render " English Surnames " rather a new work commendable attention to paper and typography which than anew edition. is certain to make a book 'tak the eye.' "A curious.ingenious, and amusing book. Mr. Lower Mr. Lower has been ' at a great feast of languages, brings considerable knowledge to bear, both in his and lias stolen more than the ' scraps.' He both in- general history of the use of Surnames in England, structs and entertains." John Bull. TNDEX TO THE PEDIGREES AND ARMS contained in the Heralds' -- Visitations and other Genealogical Manuscripts in the British Museum. By R. Snts, of the Manuscript Department. 8vo, closely printed in double columns, cloth. 15*. An indispensable work to those engaged in Genea- study, amusement, or professionally; those who have logical and Topographical pursuits, affording a ready experienced the toilsome labour of searching, with clue to the Pedigrees and Anns of nearly U i, OBIN HOOD. The Robin Hood Garlands and Ballads, with the Tale of "The -'*' Little Greste," a Collection of all the Poems, Songs, and Ballads relating to this celebrated Yeoman ; to which is prefixed his History, from Documents hitherto unrevised. By J. M. Gutch, F.S.A. 2 vols. 8vo, with numerous fine woodcuts, c. % by Fairholt, extra cloth. 1. Is. (original price 1. 10s.) Two very handsome volumes, fit for the drawing-room table. "DALLAD ROMANCES. ByR. H. Hosne, Esq., Author of "Orion," &o. -L* 12mo, pp. 248, cloth. 3s. (original price 6s. 6d.) Containing the Noble Heart, a Bohemian Legend; description. Mr. Horne should write us more Fairy the Monk of hwineshead Abbey, a baUad Chronicle Talcs ; we know none to equal him since the days of oi the death of King John ; the three Knights of Drayton and Herrick." Examiner. Camelott, a Fairy Tale; The Ballad of Dclora, or the am ., Passion of Andrea Como: BeddGelert a Welsh Legend opening poem in tins volume is a fine one, it Ben Capstan, a Ballad of the Sight Watch- the Elfe 1S entlf ' ed ,he 'Noble Heart,' and not onlv in title Of the Woodlands a Child's Story but in treatment well imitates the style of Beaumont " Pure fancy of the most abundant and picturesque and lletcher -" Athenanm. QjIR HUGH OP LINCOLN: or an Examination of a curious Tradition y respecting the JEWS, with a Notice of the Popular Poetry connected with it. By the Rev. A. Hume, LL.D. 8vo. 2s. PSSAY ON THE ARCHEOLOGY OF OUR POPULAR -V PHRASES AND NURSERY RHYMES. By J. B. Keb. 2 vols. 12mo, new cloth. 4. (original price 12s.) J*pI* wti haS "\ et with , m, j cl1 , a, "\ se , amon S the gossiping matter. The author's attempt is to explain """' hu \ tlose wl .' are f " n J of philological pur- every thing from the Dutch, which he believes was the suits w ill read it now it is to be had at so very mo- same language as the Anglo-Saxon, derate a price, and it really contains a nood deal of jVTERRY TALES OF THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM. A Edited by James Okchard Halliwell, Esq, F.S.A. Post 8vo. 1*. These talcs are supposed to have been composed in " In the time of Henry the Eighth, and after " save ^d7iL P n f ^ WXtCCn ' h ^ nt % byDrAns. Gd. PHILOSOPHY OF WITCHCRAFT, {Chiefly with respect to Case, in Scot- *- land). By J. Mitchell, and J. Dickie. 12mo, cloth. Zs. {original price 6s.) A curious volume, and a fit companion to Sir W. Scott's " Demonology and Witchcraft." ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL, CONFESSION, AND CON- * * DEMNATION of Six Witches at Maidstone, 1652 ; also the Trial and Execution of three others at Faversham, 1645. 8vo. Is. These Transactions are unnoticed by all Kentish historians. WONDERFUL DISCOVERY OF THE WITCHCRAFTS OF V " MARGARET and PHILIP FLOWER, Daughters of Joan Flower, near Bever (Belvoir), executed at Lincoln, for confessing themselves Actors in the Destruction of Lord Rosse, Son of the Earl of Rutland, 1618. 8vo. Is. One of the most extraordinary cases of Witchcraft on record. 33tf>lKi2rapI)p* "DIBLIOTHECA MADRIGALIANA. A Bibliographical Account of tha *-* Musical and Poetical Works published in England during the Sixteenth and Seven- teenth Centuries, under the Titles of Madrigals, Ballets, Ayres, Canzonets, &c, &c. By Edwaed F. Rimbatjlt, LL.D., F.S.A. 8vo, cloth. 5*. It records a class of books left undescribed by Ames, Catalogue of Lyrical Poetry of the age to which Herbert, and Dibdin, and furnishes a most valuable it refers. THE MANUSCRIPT RARITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF * CAMBRIDGE. By J. O. Halliwell, F.R.S. 8vo, Ids. 3s {original price 10s. 6d.) A companion to Hartshorne's "Book Rarities" of the same University. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE POPULAR TRACTS, formerly in the Library of Captain Cox, of Coventry, a.d. 1575. By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, only 60 printed, sewed. 1*. CATALOGUE OF THE CONTENTS OF THE CODEX HOL- BROOKIANUS. (A Scientific MS.) By Dr. John Holbrook, Master of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, 1418-1431). By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo. Is. A CCOUNT OF THE VERNON MANUSCRIPT. A Volume of --* Early English Poetry, preserved in the Bodleian Library. By J. O. Halliwell. 8vo, only 50 printed. Is. "DIBLIOTHECA CANTIANA. A Bibliographical Account of what has been D published on the History, Topography, Antiquities, Customs, and Family Genealogy of the County of Kent, with Biographical Notes. By John Russell Smith, in a handsome 8vo volume, pp. 370, with two plates of facsimiles of Autographs of 33 eminent Kentish Writers. 5iS. {original price 14r.) Laege Papee 10*. Qd. jHisceUanies* T\TEW FACTS AND VERIFICATIONS OF ANCIENT 13RI- * ' TISH HISTORY. By the Rev. Beale Poste. 8vo, with engravings, cloth. fpHOMAS SPROTT'S {a monJc of Canterbury, circa 1280) Chronicle of Profane -* and Sacred History. Translated from the original MS., on 12 parchment skins in the possession of Joseph Mayer, Esq., of Liverpool. By Dr. W. Bell. 4to, half bound in morocco, accompanied with an exact Facsimile of the entire Codex, 37 feet long in a nound morocco case, privately pbinted, very curious. 2. 2s. fPONSTALL (Cuthbert, Bishop of Durham), Sermon preached on Palm Sunday, 1539, before Henry VIII, reprinted verbatim from the rare edition bu Berthelet in 1539. 12mo, 1*. Qd. * An exceedingly interesting Sermon, at the commencement of the Reformation, Strype in his Memorials has made larg"; extracts from it. '* John Russell Smith, 30, Soho Square, London. T APPENBERG'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, under the Anglo-Saxon *^ Kings. Translated by Benj. Thobpb, with Additions and Correction*, by the Author and Translator. 2 vols. 8vo, cloth. ] 2s. (original price 1. Is.) " Of modern works I am most indebted to the History the best and surest guide in penetrating the labyrinth of England by Lappenberg, the use of which, more of early English History." "Konig Aelfred una seine particularly in conjunction with the translation given SlelU in der Geschichte England*, von Dr. Reinold Dy Thorpe, and enriched by both those scholars, affords Fault." Berlin, 1851. T ETTERS OF THE KINGS OP ENGLAND, nw/rrfcofe^ from -" the originals in Royal Archives, and from other authentic sources, private as well as public. Edited with Historical Introduction and Notes, by J. O. Halliwell. Twp handsome voltjmes, post 8vo, with portraits of Henry VIII and Charles I, cloth. 8s. (original price 1 1*.) These volumes form a good companion to Ellis's his letters to the Duke of Buckingham arc of the mom Original Letters. singular nature ; only imagine a letter from a so The collection comprises for the first time the love vereignto his prime minister commencing thus; "Mj letters of Henry the vlll. to Anne Boleyn in a com- own sweet and dear child, blessing, blessin" blessing plete form, which may be regarded perhaps as the on thy heart-roots and all thine." Prince Charles and most singular documents of the kind that have de- the Duke of Buckingham's Journey into Spain ha scended to our times ; the series of letters of Ed- never been before so fully illustrated as it is by th ward VI will be found very interesting specimens of documents given in this work, which also includes th composition ; some of the letters of James I, hitherto very curious letters from the Duke and Duchess d unpublished, throw light on the murder of Overbury, Buckingham to James I. Forming an essential com and prove beyond a doubt the King was implicated portion to every History of England. in it in some extraordinary and unpleasant way : but "\\7"ALES. Royal Visits and Pbogbesses to Wales, and the Border Counties * ' of Cheshibe, Salop, Heeefobd, and Monmouth, from Julius Caesar, to Queen Victoria, including a succinct History of the Country and People, particularly of the lead- ing Families who Fought during the Civil Wars of Charles I., the latter from MSS. never before published. By Edwabd Pabby. A handsome 4to volume, with many wood engravings, and fine portrait of the Queen, cloth. 1. 1*. HUNTER'S (Rev. Joseph) HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL TRACTS. Post 8vo. 2*. 6d. each. I. Agincourt; a contribution, towards an authentic III. Milton; a sheaf of Gleanings after his Bio- List of the Commanders of the English nost in King graphers and Annotators. Henry the Fifth's Expedition. IV. The Ballad Hero, "Robin Hood," his period II. Collections concerning the Founders of New real character, &c., investigated, and, perhaps asccr- Plymouth, the first Colonists of New England. tained. ' ' A RCHERY. The Science of Archery, shewing its affinity to Heraldry, and capa- -**- bilities of Attainment. By A. P. Haebison. 8vo, sewed. Is. ILLUSTRATIONS OF EATING, displaying the Omnivorous Character of -*- Man, and exhibiting the Natives of various Countries at feeding-time. By a Beef- Eateb. Fcap. 8vo, with woodcuts. 2s. ELEMENTS OF NAVAL ARCHITECTURE; being a Translation of J - J the Third Part of Clairbois's " Traite" Elementaire de la Construction des Vaisseaux." By J. N. Stbange, Commander, R.N. 8vo, with five large folding plates, cloth 5s f ECTURES ON NAVAL ARCHITECTURE; being the Substance of - L ' those delivered at the United Service Institution. By E. Gabdineb Fishboubne Commander, R.N. 8vo, plates, cloth. 5s. 6d. * ' Both these works are published in illustration of the " Wave System." MEW YORK IN THE YEAR 1G95, with Plans of the City and Forts as - 1 -* they then existed. By the Rev. John Milleb. Now first printed. 8vo bds. 2s. Gd. (original price 4*. 6d.) ' rnHOUGHTS IN VERSE FOR THE AFFLICTED. ByaCouNTBY -*- Ctjbate. Square 12rno, sewed. Is. T)OEMS, partly of Rural Life, in National English. By the Rev. William Babnes - 1 - author of " Poems in the Dorset Dialect." 12mo, cloth. 5s. WAIFS AND STRAYS. A Collection of Poetry. 12mo, only 250 printed, * chiefly for presents, Sewed. Is. 6d. jV/TIRROUR OF JUSTICES, written originally in the old French, long before the Conquest, and many tilings added by Andbew Hobne. Translated bv W HCOHBS, of Gray's Inn. 12mo, cloth. 2s. J A curious, interesting, and authentic treatise on ancient English Law. Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by pONTRIBUTIONS TO LITERATURE HISTORICAL, AN- *-* TIQUARIAN, and METRICAL. By Mabk Antony Loweb, M.A., F.S.A., Author of " Essays on English Surnames," " Curiosities of Heraldry," &c. Post 8yo, woodcuts, cloth. Is 6d Contents. 1 On Local Nomenclature. 2 On the Battle of Hastings, an Historical Essay; 3 The Lord Dacre, his mournful end ; a Ballad. 4 Historical and Archaeological Memoir on the Iron Works of the South of England, with numerous illustrations. 5 Winchelsea's Deliverance, or the Stout Abbot of Battayle ; in Three Fyttes. 6 The South Downs, a Sketch ; Historical, Anecdotical, and Descriptive. 7 On Yew Trees in Church-yards. 8 A Lyttel Geste of a Greate Eele ; a pleasaunt Ballade. 9 A Discourse of Genealogy. 10 An Antiquarian Pilgrimage in Normandy, with woodcuts. 11 Miscellanea, &c. &c. &c. There is a good deal of quaint and pleasing the Sussex Archaeological Society. They are well reading in this volume. Mr. Lower's jokes are worthy of being printed in a collected form. The of the oldest as befits the pleasantries of an an- account of the Battle of Hastings and the memoir tiquary, but, on the whole, we seldom meet with on the Southern Iron Works contain matter of his- more readable antiquarian essays than these. Most torical value, in addition to their local interest in of them have been printed elsewhere. One, on the connexion with the topography and archaeology of South Downs, contains the best of the new matter. Sussex. Among the papers now printed for the first The author is at heme on the wide expanse of these time that on the South Downs is the most important, chalk ranges. He speaks with knowledge of the and will be read with much interest, both for the picturesque villages enclosed in their secluded information it contains and the pleasing style in nooks, of the folk-lore and legends of old days which it is written. There are some charming; de- wiiich still abound amongst the sequestered inhabi- scriptions of scenery, and acceptable notices of the tants, and of the historical associations which render history, traditions, and customs of the district, celebrated many spots otherwise of little interest. Among the minor contributions in the volume, the Athenmim. paper on Local Nomenclature is full of valuable Mo3t of the papers in this volume have already suggestions. Altogether it is a volume of very appeared in periodicals, and in the Collections of. agreeable and instructive reading. Lit. Gat. TTANDBOOK to the LIBRARY of the BRITISH MUSEUM, -*- * containing a brief History of its Formation, and of the various Collections of which it is composed ; Descriptions of the Catalogues in present use ; Classed Lists of the Manuscripts, &c. ; and a variety of Information indispensable for the " Readers" at that Institution ; with i,ome Account of the principal Public Libraries in London. By Richabd Sims, of the Department of Manuscripts, Compiler of the " Index to the Heralds' Visitations." Small 8vo, pp. 438, with map and flan, cloth, bs It will be found a very useful work to every Library of the British Museum is a very com pre- literary person or public institution in all parts of hensive and instructive volume. I have the sixtieth the world. edition of " Synopsis of the Contents of the British Museum" before me I cannot expect to see a six- What Mr. Antonio Panizzi, the keeper of the tietli edition of the Hand-book, but it deserves to be department of printed books, says might be done. placed by the side of the Synopsis, and I venture to Mr. Richard Sims, of the department of the manu- predict "for it a wide circulation. Mr. Button scripts, says shall be done. His Hand-book to the Corney, in Notes and Queries, No. 213. A GRAMMAR of BRITISH HERALDRY, consisting of "Blazon" **- and " Marshalling," with an Introduction on the Rise and Progress of Symbols and Ensigns. By the Rev. W. Sloans Evans, B.A. 8vo, with 26 platss, comprising upwards of 400 figures, cloth. 5s. One of the hest introductions ever published. A PLEA FOR THE ANTIQUITY OF HERALDRY, with an * *- Attempt to Expound its Theory and Elucidate its History. By W. Smith Ellis Esq., of the Middle Temple. 8vo, sewed. Is Gd A FEW NOTES ON SHAKESPEARE, with Occasional Remarks on **- the Emendations of the Manuscript-Corrector in Mr. Collier's copy of the folio, 1632. By the Rev. Alexander Dyce. 8vo, cloth. 6* Mr. Dyce'a Notes are peculiarly delightful, from has enabled him to enrich them. All that he haa the store* of illustration with which his extensive recorded is valuable. We lead hu little volume reading not only among our writers, but among those with pleasure and close it with regret. Literary of other countries, especially of the Italian pocta, Cuiette. John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. A FEW WORDS IN REPLY TO MR. DYCE'S " FEW NOTES ** ON SHAKESPEARE." By the Rev. Joseph Htjntbb. 8vo, sewed. It rTHE GR1MALDI SHAKESPEARE. Notes and Emendations on the * Plays of Shakespeare from a recently-discovered annotated copy by the late Joseph Gbimaldi, Esq., Comedian. 8vo, cuts. Is A humourous Squib on the late Shakespeare Emendations. SHAKESPEARE'S VERSIFICATION and its apparent Irregularities ^ explained by Examples from early and late English Writers. By the late William Sidney Walkee, formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; edited by W. Nanson Lettsom, Esq. Fcp. 8vo, cloth. 6s. A PHILOLOGICAL GRAMMAR, grounded upon English, and formed "^*- from a comparison of more than Sixty Languages. Being an Introduction to the Science of Grammars of all Languages, especially English, Latin, and Greek. By the Rev. W. Babnes, B.D., of St. John's College, Cambridge. Author of " Poems in the Dorset Dialect," " Anglo Saxon Delectus," &c. 8vo, pp. 322, cloth. 9s HPIM BOBBIN'S LANCASHIRE DIALECT, with his Rhymes and *- an enlarged Glossary of Words and Phrases, used by the Rural Population of South Lancashire. By Samuel Bamfobd. 12mo, the second edition, cloth, 3s 6d "DRITANNIC RESEARCHES : or, New Facts and Rectifications of J -' Ancient British History. By the Rev. Beale Poste, M.A. 8vo, (pp. 448) with engravings, cloth. 1 5* The author of this volume may justly claim tient study. The objects which will occupy the credit for considerable learning, great industry, attention of the reader are 1. The political position and, above all, strong faith in the interest and iin- of the principal British powers before the Roman portance of his subject On various conquest under the Roman dominion, and strug- points he has given us additional information and gling unsuccessfully against the Anglo-Saxon race; afforded us new views, for which we are bound to . The geography of Ancient Britain; 3. An inves- thank him. The body of the book is followed by a tignti n of the Aucieut British Historians, Gildai very complete index, so as to render reference to and Kenning, and the more obscure British chroni- eny part of it easy : this was the more necessary on clers ; 4. The ancient stone monuments of the Celtic account of the multifariousness of the topics period ; and, lastly, some curious and interesting treated, the variety of persons mentioned, and the notices of the early British church. Mr. Poste haa many works quoted. Athenaum, Oct. 8, 1853. not touched on subjects which have received much The Rev. Beale Poste has long been known to attention from others, save in cases where he had antiquaries as one of the best read of all those who something new to offer, and the volume must be have elucidated the earliest annals of-this country. regarded, therefore, as an entirely new collection of He is a practical man, has investigated for himself discoveries and deductions tending to throw light monuments and manuscripts, and we have in the on the darkest as well as the earliest portiou of our above-named volume the fruits of many years' pa- national history. Alias. pOINS OF CUNOBELINE and of the ANCIENT BRITONS. ^ By the Rev. Beale Poste, B.C.L. 8vo, plates, and many woodcuts, cloth {only 40 printed). 1. 8* "D ARONIA ANGLIA CONCENTRATA ; or a Concentration of aU --' the Baronies called Baronies in Fee, deriving their Origin from Writ of Sum- mons, and not from any specific Limited Creation, showing the Descent and Line of Heirship, as well as those Families mentioned by Sir William Dudgale, as of those whom that celebrated author has omittrd to notice; interspersed with Interesting Notices and Explanatory Remarks. Whereto is added the Proofs of Parliamentary Sitting from the Reign of Edward I to Queen Anne; also a Glossary of Dormant English, Scotch, and Irish Peerage 2'itlcs, with references to presumed existing Heirs. By Sir T. C. Banks. 2 vols. 4to, cloth. 3. 3* sow offlkeb- toe 15* A book of great rcsrnrrb by the well-known nu- to his former works. Vol. ii. pp. S1O-S00, contains thorofthe " Dormant and Extinct Peerage," and an Historical Account of the first settlement of ether heraldic and historical works. Those fond of Not a Scotia, and the foundation of the Order of genealogical pursuits ought to secure a copy while Kova Scotia Baronets, distinguishing Uiete who it is so cheap. It may be considered a Supplement had seisin of lands there. Valuable and Interesting Books, Published or Sold by RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW (New Series); consisting of Criticisms upon, Analysis of, and Extracts from curious, useful, valuable, and scarce Old Books. Vol. 1, 8vo, pp. 436, cloth. 10s 6d * Published Quarterly at 2s. 64. each Number. No. VII is published this day. Contents op No. V. 1 Sir William Davenant, Poet Laureate and Dramatist, 1673. 2 Cooke's " Poor Man's Case," 1648. 3 Old English Letter-writing ; Angel Day's English Secretary, 1592 ; W. Fulwood's Enemy of Idlenesse. 4 The Old Practice of Gardening ; Thos. Hyll's Briefe and Pleasaunt Treatise, 1563. 5 English Political Songs and Satires, from King John to George I. 6 Medieval Travellers in the Holy Land. 7 The Athenian Letters, by Lord Hardwicke and others. 8 The Writings of Wace the Trouvere. Anecdota Literaeia. Pepy's Directions for the Disposition of his Library ; A Legendary Poem of the 15th Century, the Story laid at Falmouth, in Cornwall : both now first printed. Contents of No. VL 1 Drayton's Polyolbion. 2 Penn's No Cross No Crown. 3 Lambarde's Perambulation of Kent. 4 Philosophy of the Table in the Time of Charbs 1, 5 Russia under Peter the Great. 6 Life and Works of Leland, the Antiquary. 7 The Decay of Good Manners. 8 Stephen's Essayes and Characters, 1615. Anecdota Litebaeia. The Child of Bristow, a Metrical Legend. Now first printed. The title of this Review explains its objects. It to interest modern readers; we shall lay before them is intended to supply a place unfilled in our periodi- from time to time, essays on various branches of cal literature, and this first number is very satis- the literature of former days, English or foreign ; factory. The papers are varied and interesting, not we shall give accounts of rare ana curious books ; overlaid by the display of too much learning for the point out and bring forward beauties from forgotten general reader, but showing sufficient research and authors ; and tell the knowledge and opinions of industry on the part of the writers to distinguish other days." The design is welf carried out in this the articles from mere ephemeral reviews of passing number, and will, no doubt, be further developed as publications. In the prospectus the editor says the work advances. It is to be published quarterly, " It is our design to select, from the vast field of the at a very moderate price, and will, we have no doubt, literature of the past, subjects which are most likely prove a successful undertaking Atlas. REMAINS OF PAGAN SAXONDOM, principally from Tumuli in England. Drawn from the Originals. Described and Illustrated by John Yonge Akeeman, Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries. 4to, parts 1 to 9. 2s 6d each (Ft. 10 in the press). The plates are admirably executed by Mr. Basire, and coloured under the direction of the Author. It is a work well worthy the notice of the Archaeologist. WILTSHIRE TALES, illustrative of the Manners, Customs, and Dialect of that and Adjoining Counties. By John Yonge Akeeman. 12mo, cloth. 2s Gd We will conclude with a simple, but hearty re- mendation of preserving the old songs (and the airs commendation of a little book wlikh is as humour- to which they are sung), which are still to be heard ous, for the drolleries of the stories, as it is in- at most harvest homes and other merry makings, tercsting as a picture of rustic manners. Tallis's the well-known " Here's a health to our mcestcr," Weekly Paper. and a " A pie upon the pear tree top" among the Mr Akcrman's Wiltshire Tales embody rest. Botii to the philologist, therefore, and to the most of the provincialisms peculiar to this county general reader, the book is an interesting one. and the districts of other counties lying ort its Salisbury and Winchester Journal. northern borders, and possess the addition alrccom- HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE TOWN OF MARLBOKOUGH, and more generally of the entire Hundred of Selkley ia Wiltshire. By James Wayten, Esq. Thick 8ro, woodcuts, cloth. 14* This volume describes a portion of Wilts not occupied by Sir R. C. Hoare and other topographers. John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. SIGILLA ECCLESLE HIBERNICLE ILLUSTRATA. The ^ Episcopal and Capitular Seals of the Irish Cathedral Churches illustrated. By Richabd Catjlfield, A.B. 8vo. Part I Casuel and Esily, with 12 engravings, sewed. Is 6d TTLSTER JOURNAL OF ARCHEOLOGY: conducted under the '-' superintendence of a Committee cf Archaeologists at Belfast. Handsomely printed in 4to, with engravings. Published quarterly. Annual Subscription, 12*. (Not sold in single Nos.) Nos. 1 to 5 are ready. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES, and other Objects Illustrative of Irish History, exhibited in the Belfast Museum, at the Meeting of the British Association, Sep. 1852, with Antiquarian Notes. 8vo, sewed. \s 6d ANTIQUITIES OF SHROPSHIRE. By the Rev. R. W. Etton, -^*- Rector of Ryton. Royal 8vo, with plates. Parts I to HI. 5s each. Pub- lished Quarterly. The Work will extend at least to five volumes or withdraw his name after the publication of any twenty parts. Any subscriber will be at liberty to fourth part or completed volume. A NTIQUITIES OF THE BOROUGH OF LEEDS, described -**- and illustrated. By James Waedell, Esq. 8vo, 16 plates, mostly coloured. 7* 6d Laege Paper. 12* TTISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE CISTERCIAN ABBEY "^^ of SALLEY, in Craven, Yorkshire, its Foundation and Benefactors, Abbots, Possessions, Compotus, and Dissolution, and its existing Remains. Edited by J. Haeland. Royal 8vo, 12 plates, cloth. 4>s Gd A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF LIVERPOOL, as it was during -^*- the last Quarter of the Eighteenth Century, 1775 1800. By Richaed Brooke, Esq., F.S.A. A handsome vol. Royal 8vo, with illustrations, cloth. 1. 5* In addition to information relative to the Public lished, respecting the Pursuits, Habits, and Amuse- Buildings, Statistics, and Commerce of the Town, meats of the Inhabitants of Liverpool during that the Work contains some curious and interesting period, with Views of its Public Edifices, particulars, which have never been previously pub- A GUIDE TO LYNTON AND PLACES ADJACENT, IN *- NORTH DEVON, including Ilfracombe. ByT. H. Coopee. 12mo, 5 plates, and Map of North Devon, cloth. 3* Qd XTISTORY OF GREAT YARMOUTH, containing the Origin, Fcun- -^"^ dation, and History of that Ancient Borough ; and an Account of its Govern- ment, Incorporation, Liberties, and Franchises ; with a Description of the Public Buildings, Churches, Convents, and other Religious Houses of the Middle Ages, &c. Compiled by Heney Mansiup, Town Clerk temp. Queen Elizabeth. Edited by Chables Joiin Palmeb, F.S.A. Thick vol., post 4to, pp. 456, with 11 illustrations, half bound. 1. 1* ARCHAEOLOGICAL MINE, a Magazine in which will be comprised the Historv of Kent, founded on the basis of Hasted. By A. J. Dunkis. 8vo, Parts 1 to 12. Published Monthly. Od each. TVUNCUMB'S (Rev. John) HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES -^ of the County of Hereford. 2 vols. 4tc, portraits and plates, new, in boards. 1. 4* Hereford, 180-1-12 Tliis is the only Historv of the County published. Volume, which are wanting in all the Subscribers' This com contains live additional sheets (the Hun- copies. iked ot 'Gioftrw) and the Index to the Second John Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London. JJISTORY OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA and the other Territories on the North West Coast of America, accompanied by a Geogra- phical View and Map and a number of Proofs and Illustrations of the History. By Koeeet Geeenhow, Librarian of the Department of State of the United States. Thick 8vo, large map, cloth. 6s (pub. at 16*) JJISTORY OF ANGLING LITERATURE, and on Matters con- nected with Fish and Fishers from the earliest period, to which is added a General Bibliography of Books on Angling. By an Angler. Fcp. 8vo, cloth. 5 (nearly ready). pHRISTMASTIDE, its History, Festivities, and Carols. By William ^ Sandys, Esq., F.S.A., in one handsome vol. 8vo, illustrated with 20 ENGRAVINGS AFTER THE DESIGNS OP J. StEPHANOEF, cloth. 14 Its title vouches that Christmwlide is germane to Provensal, are selected from numerous sources, and the time. Mr. Sandys has brought together, in an comprise many of the less known, and more worth octavo of some 300 pages, a great deal of often knowing. His materials are presented with good interesting information, beyond the stale gossip feeling and mastery of his theme, and for excellent about "Christmas in the olden time," and the taste and appropriateness in binding, without ex- threadbare make-believes of jollity and geniality treme costliness, the book is a model. On the which furnish forth most books on the subject. His whole, the volume deserves, and should anticipate, carols too, which include some in old French and a welcome. Spectator. JUST IMPORTED. JJISTOIRE DE L' ARCHITECTURE SACREE du quatrieme au dixieme siecle dans les anciens eveches de Gekevb, Lausanne et Sion. Par J. D. Blayignac, Architects. One vol. 8vo, pp. 450, and 37 plates, and a 4to Atlas of 82 plates of Architecture, Sculpture, Frescoes, Reliquaries, cfc. cfc. 2. 10* A VERT REMARKABLE BOOK, AND WOETH THE NOTICE OE THE ABCHITECT, THE AeCHEOLOGIST, AND THE AeTIST. nOPENHAGEN THE TRAVELLER'S HANDBOOK TO ^ COPENHAGEN and its Environs. By Anglicantjs. 12mo, with large Map of Sealand, Plan of Copenhagen, and Views. 12mo, cloth. 8s A NTIGUEDADES PERUANAS, por Mariano Eduardo de Kivero, " Director del Museo Nacional de Lima, y Dr. Juan Diego de Tschudi {author of Travels in Peru). 4to, pp. 342, with woodcuts, and folio volume of coloured plates, Ids. 5. 5* A description of remains discovered In the sites tesque form and characteristic idols in terracotta and of ancient cities and temples in Peru, those objects the precious metals, textile fabrics, weapons of a which arrested the attention and excited the won- very remote period, and view of temples and build- der of the philosophic Humboldt, when investi- ings, which, for symmetry and beauty, may vie with gating the physical features of that remarkable those of Greece and Asia Minor in the dawn of country. The illustrative plates, executed at civilisation, all executed with a spirit and truthful- Vienna, from the drawings of the Artist, are among ness unsurpassed by any work of the kind that has the marvels of lithography. They comprise repre- come under our notice. Literary Gazette, Jan. 8, sentations of mummified bodies, prepared in the 1S53. manner peculiar to the Peruvians, vases of gio- ESSAI HISTORIQUE PHILOSOPHIQUE et Pittoresque sur le3 Danses des Morts. Par E. H. Langlois ; suivi d'une Lettre de Leber, et une note de Deppirsg sur le rneme snjet, publie par Pottier et Baudry, 2 vols, royal 8vo, with 54 plates of Death's Dance of various ages, also many vignettes, sewed, 1. Is T A ROMAINE, ou HISTOIRE, LANGUE, LITTERATURE, -*-* OROGRAPHIE, statistique des Peuples de la Langue d'Or, Adrialiens, Val- laque3, et Moldavcs, resumes sous le nom da Romans. Par J. A. Vaillant, 3 vols, 8vo sewed, 18*. VOYAGES, Relations, et Memoires originaux pour servir a i'Histoire de la Decouverte de l'Ainerique, publies pour la premiere fois en Francais. Pat H. Ternaux-Compans. 20 vols. 8vo, both Series, and complete. Sewed, 3. 10* A valuable collection of early voyages and relations on South America ; also tnnslalions of unpublished Spanish MSS., principally rela'.ing to Old and New Mexico. ov UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. V> MAR 12 197 $ URL &t&> &&*& LOi** ...MR181WI *> _ / Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 ilium iiiiiii^iiii.,. '"""' A 000 997 180