CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE 1 DJiSi«^UE ^^ ;^**^ 4!r Cornell University Library DA 670.W9A43 1852 On the ancient British. Roman and Saxon 3 1924 028 041 527 The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028041527 ON THE ANCIENT BRITISH, ANTIQUITIES FOLK-LOEE WORCESTERSHIRE. By JABEZ allies, Esq., F.S.A 3uanlii (BUiian, LONDON : J. H. PARKER, 377, STRAND; AND J. GRAINGER, 18, FOREGATE, WORCESTER. 1852. mi A.c?o5o2 [entered at stationer s' hail.] LONDON ; PRINTED BY T. BRETTELL, RUPERT STREET, HATMARKET. I PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. i - ^ ' |In the Preface to the First Edition of this work, puhlished in 1840, 1 stated that, in collecting the facts there detailed, my principal object was to show the unsubstantial nature bf the doubts of Dr. Nash, and some other writers, as to ■whether the Romans had stations to any extent in the ■^nterior 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. H, 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 leen expunged. In a few instances, the Border Antiquities of the neighbour- |ig counties have been noticed, principally in connection lith those of the County of Worcester. Relics^ of a date later than that indicated by the title page, itave in some cases been described ; these, however, were ■fcnerally found on the sites of earlier antiquities. '. In conclusion, I beg to return my best thanks to all <|^ose who have kindly rendered me their assistance during J||e progress of these collections, particularly to John l|(|ifton, Esq., and the other gentlemen at the Consistory 3urt of Worcester, for favouring me with the inspection IV PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. of the Apportionments of Rent 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 Archseological 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, HiiLiroBD Street, Islington, September 1862. CONTENTS. Aftee describing Worcester, from p. 1 to 54, tlie other places in which ancient relics have been discovered are classed under several supposed Itinera ; namely — Iteb I. PASE i'rom Worcester, southward, to Kempsey, Upton, Rip- ple, and Twyning* ; then westward to Eldersfield, Pendock, The Borrow, and Bromsberrow-t-; then north-westward to Castle Morton; and by the Midsummer Hill Camp and the Herefordshire I Beacon Camp, on Malvern Hills, north-eastward, isi to Powick, and back to Worcester, . . . 54, 74 Iteb II. JFi^om Worcester, south-eastward, to Eckington, Ad J Antonam, Strensham, Norton in Bredon, Bredon ' ' Hill (Kemerton)t, Bredon Hill (Conderton), Sedge- *■ barrow and Iccomb, or Icombe § ; then north-west- "ward to the Four Shire Stone, Dorn, Badsey, Church Honeyboume, Quinton||, Offenham, Cleeve Prior, Crowle, Bredicot, and back to Worcester 74, 98 •J Twyning is in Gloucesteraliire, but neaj-ly surrounded by Worcestershite. + This is in Gloucestershire, upon the borders of Woroestershiie. J Also in Gloucestershire, upon the border of Worcestershire. § j This was a detached part of Worcestershire, but is annexed to Gloucester- tH&et by the Eeform Bill. Ilsln Gloucestershire. VI CONTENTS. PAGE Iter III. From Worcester, northward, by Elbury Hill Camp to Droitwicb; Ombersley, Salwarp, Stoke Prior, Lincomb in Astley, Hartlebury, Bromsgrove, Chaddesley Corbett, BelbrougMon, 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 Eibbesford, 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 : — Iteb IV. The chain of hiUs 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, 153,316 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, Oruokbarrow Hill; Os- waldslow, in White Ladies Aston; The Round Hill, alias Cuggan Hill, in Spetchley ; Perry, or Pirie Wood ; TrotshiU, TroshUl, or Tootshill ; Elbury HiU ; Astwood ; Barrow Cop, in Perdeswell, and Tutnall, in,,Claines; and also Toot Hills generally, 316, 338 The following are the lines, or supposed lines, of the ancient roads, Vicinal-ways, Salt-ways, Eycknield * Kenvaur Edge and Over Ai'ley ai-e in Staffordshire. t In Herefordshire. CONTENTS. VU PAGE iStreet or Ridge-way, and Foss-way ; with notices of Jthe ancient camps and remarkable names of fields and iother places in such lines : — Iteb VI. From Wall Hills, near Ledbury and Malvern Hills, to Old Storage, Ankerdine, The Berrow, and Wood- H! buryHUls, 838,255 U Itee VII. jiFrom Malvern HUls, partly through Worcestershire, ij and partly through Herefordshire, to Tenbury, &g. 255, 361 Iteb VIII. From Worcester, by Woodbury Hill, in Great Witley, to Tenbury, &c. . . . . . .261,370 j Itee IX. From Droitwich to Stourbridge, .... 270, 275 8f 1 Itee X. ^'rom WaU Hills Camp, in Herefordshire, partly through Worcestershire, and partly through Glou- cestershire, to Gloucester, ..... 275, 277 : ' . Iteb XI. ^ f'rom Wall Hills Camp to the Herefordshire Beacon ' Camp, on Little Malvern Hill, and then to the ^ Rycknield Street, at or near Tewkesbury, . . 377, 280 Iter XII. f roni WaU Hills Camp to Towbury Hill Camp, in nm Twyning Parish, Gloucestershire, . ■ 380, 282 Itee XIII. Irom Wall Hills Camp to Upton, or the Saxons' Lode. ||rom the Herefordshire Beacon Camp to Hanley Quay. ■■ flrom Great Malvern Hill to the Ehyd, ... 283, 286 Vin CONTENTS. PAGE ITBB XIV. Portway from Kenchester to Frome Hill and Stifford's Bridge, in Oradley, in Herefordshire, and througli Cowley Park and Powick to Worcester ; and from thence to Ombersley, Hartlebury, and Wolverley, to Over Arley, ....... 286, 290 Iteb 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 390, 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- HUl, North Leach, &c. . , . . . 323, 339 Iter XIX. The Eycknield Street or Eidge-way, and its Deviation Lines . 339,354 Iter XX. The Foss-way, 354, 358 CONTENTS. IX PAGE Also, the following Chapters, namely : — Chapter I. On the places called Wick, Wich, and Wiccia, . . 358, 368 Chapteb II. On the Bambmyor Banbury Stone, in Kemerton Camp, otherwise Bambury Camp, on Bredon Hill, and on Ambrosiee Petrse in general 363, 381 Chaptee III. On Logan Stones and Hole Stones, . . . 381, 383 Chapteb IV. On Hoar Stones, . 383, 397 Chapter V. On places called " Oldbury," 397, 399 Chaptee VI. On ancient spots called by the nanie of " Castle," . 399, 401 Chaptee VII. Observations on the ancient names of Fields, &c., .401, 404 Chaptee VIII. Summary of the places called " Ridgeway," . . 404, 405 Chaptee IX. The like of places called " Portway", . . . 405, 406 Chaptee X. The like of places called " Street," . . . • 406, 407 Chaptee XI. The like of places called " Vineyard," . . . 407, 409 CONTENTS. Chapteb XII. On " Folk-Lore;" particularly on the Ignis fatuus, or WUl-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, 409 412 414 416 417 418 418, 443 419 420 429 430 431 433 434 435 436 ib. 437 441 442 443 ib. 444 446 CONTBNTS. XI PAGE Lulsley, Etymology of, . . . . . . 446 Alfriek, Fairies, 440, 447 Anglo-Saxon Elf, and Fairy Names, 451 Fairy Rings, .... 456 The Seven Whistiiers, 459 The Devil's Dream, . 460 The Mysterious Black Cat, ib. Witchery Hole, 463 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 Ignis fatuus, 468, 470 Appendix, 471,473 ILLUSTEATIONS. Belio or Antiqiiity. Place where found, Angerona, one of the Roman \ Penates . . . . .. j Bomau and Anglo-Saxon Belies, ^ Caaae'Hill ... Ancient British Coin Eoman Um, Diglis Ancient British barbed Spear-head, Diglis .... The like, British Museum . Anglo-Saxon Coin Buins of St. Clement's Church Dane Skins, Worcester Cathedral Wolstan's Seal Boman Fibula )» )j „ Pottery Kempsey No. Pago. . 14 Plate I. Plate II. Ancient British Spear-head Signet Thumb Bing, Saxons' Lode Upton Morton FoUiot,' Mediaeval Seal . . . .• or .Castle Morton ., Boman Um Powick „ Basin, or Mortarium . Anglo-Saxon Relics Ancient Earring (2 cuts) Boman Um . . . Curious Bing (2 cuts) . Eckington . (Norton in Bre-l pj^^^ jjj_ I don . ./ . BredonHill . Bredicot . • ■ to 1,18 r 1 ) 2 18 26 29 30 31 37 50 62 54 55 56 60 62 71 73 74 76 84 95 96 ILLUSTRATIONS. Kelic oi: Antiquity. Roman Um . Ancient British Celt Roman Fibula Ancient British Celt „ „ Stone Axe „ Knife . Ban'ow Hill, Tan Wood PlacG whore found, Droitwich . Lineholt pom- mon, Ombers ley . f Lincomb in Ast ■[ ley . Ribbesford . . Holt . Grimley Bevere Isle J Chaddesley Cor- bett ■[ Flute. Plate IV. Ancient British Hone, or Flaying ) ^ . , . , tLindndge . Knife (2 cuts) . . . .J ' Worcestersliire Ancient British Um (2 cuts) . . ■ Beacon, Mal- . vern Hill „ „ Celt . . . Malvern Link Legend of St. Werstan (4 cuts) : — 1. St. Werstan's Vision . . Malvern Church 2. Dedication of the Chapel built ^ by St Werstan . . . ) 3. The Grant of Edward the Con- ■! fessor . . . .} 4. The Martyrdom of s't.Werstan. „ Bedford Bridge and Gate-house, I Biinyan's Prison . . . ) Bunyan's Signet Ring (2 cuts) . . . Ancient British Tore . . . PerdesweU . fBredouHill,Ke „ „ Camp . . i . ' The Bambury Stone Ambrosiae Petrae Coin The like Plate V. Plate VI. No. Page. 10 11 ) 98 . 125 . 149 . 165 . 167 . 173 . 175 . 177 . 179 . 208 . 209 . 230 ib. 378 379 fist af Sttljwriljus. The late Most Noble the Makquis of Noethampton. The Bight Honourable Lokd Viscount Southwell. The Eight Honourable Loed Foley. The Honourable General Lygon, M.P. Sib Thomas Phillipps, Bart. Thomas Adams, Esq., Islington. .T. Allcroft, Esq., Lower Wick, Worcester. Miss Amelia Ann Allies, Worcester, Frederic Allies, Esq., St. John's, Worcester. Eobert Allies, Esq., Hill House, Worcester. William Bland, Esq., Hartlip Place, Sittingboume, Kent. Heray John Brown, Esq., Wilmington Squai'e, London. John Bruce, Esq., Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, London. Professor Buckman, F.L.S. and F.G.S., Cirencester. Colonel T. H. Bund, Great Malvern. Solomon Cole, Esq., Worcester. John Cramphom, Esq., Bellevue Terrace, South Sea, Portsmouth. Edward Dalton, Esq., D.C.L. and F.S.A., Dunkirk House, near Nailsworth, Glouoestetshire. Mr. Frederick N. Gosling, Worcester. William Grane, Esq., Bedford Eow, London. William James Grane, Esq., Bedford Eow, Loudon. J. M. Gutch, Esq., Common HUl, Worcester. J. O. HaUiwell, Esq., F.E.S. and F.S.A., Avenue Lodge, Brixton Hill. Eev. George Hodson, M.A., F.S.A., Henwick, Worcester. Edward Holland, Esq., Dmnbleton. Thomas Jee, Esq., Peokleton Hall, Leicestershire. Lockhaa-t Johnstone, Esq., Worcester. John Jones^ Esq., Leigh, Worcestershire. B. G. Kent, Esq., Levant Lodge, Upton. Andrew Lawson, Esq., Aldborough Manor, Borough Bridge, Yorkshire. Mrs. Leach, The Newaike, Leicester. Samuel Lewis,- Esq., Finsbuiy Place, London. Mr. Mansell, Gloucester. Mrs. Montague Marriott, Montpelier Square, Brpmpton. William Mence, Esq., Eonkswood, Worcester. James Nash, Esq., M.D., Worcester. The Eev. John Pearson, Eectory, Suckley. Mr. George Eobinson, The Fir Trees, Eedditch. Daniel Eowland, Esq., Grosvenor Place, London. The Eev. Edward W. StiUingfteet, Hotham, near Howden, Yorkshire. William Swainson, Esq., Walworth. William Jackson Taylor, Esq., Forest Hill, Surrey. Mrs. Thomas, White Ladies, Worcester. Boyes Thornton, Esq., Peckham. Charles Tucker, Esq., F.S.A., Suffolk Street, Pall Mall East. Albert Way, Esq., Wonham Park, Eeigate, Stm-ey. — (2 copies.) The Eev. Joseph Webster, Eectory, Hindlip. Joseph Wontner, Esq., Clapton. WOECESTEE. It is stated in Grose's " Antiquities*" that " Worcester is generally allowed to have been the Braviniumf of the Eomans, mentioned in the twelfth journey of Antoninus, twenty-four miles from Magna, now KenohesterJ, 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 Koman 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 1839, 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 Eoman copper coins were discovered ||, some of Constantius, others of Constantino the Great, Decentius, * Vol. vi., Supp. + This agrees with Stiikeley's account. Gale says Kushbiwy, 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. II It is also said that silver coins were found there, of Julia Mamaea, Julian, and Constans; but as these were casually brought tome, I cannot vouch so well for them. '^ B Claudius Gothicus, and Magnentius ; but the greater pai-t 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," &a. (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 was 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 was 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 Ben-ow Tymbs, Esq., presented these coins to the Museum of the Worcestershire Natural History Society. t 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 scorite 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 cUnkers 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 Yan-anton. 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 fiood'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 scorise 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 account of the sites of Eoman iron works in the above- mentioned districts, by Thomas Wright, Esq., F.S.A., in the " Gentleman's Magazine," January 18.53, p. 33, &c. defended by a tower or fort, wliieh 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 scorifs 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. GEE. P.M. TR. P. IMP. P.P. ; and the reverse contains the temple of Janus, and the inscription, PACE P.R. TERRA MARIQVE PAETA lANVM 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- grajihy, assigns to the Dobuni, under the name of Branogena; but which, 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. 3--4. cester by the Welsh ; whence the Saxons changed it to Wrangon coaster*; and thence by corruption came its present name.'" And, in page 13, that " Nennius, an ancient British writer, gives a catalogue of the cities of Britain, the sixth of which is Gair 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 Roma, 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 1 844, iipon 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 Corn 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 Wigomaoeaster in tlie Saxon Chronicle, 923, 1041. See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 558. 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). Judsea 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 Cappadooia, in the fourth year of that emperor's reign. The reverse has the representation of Mount ArgsBus placed on an altar. 4. Gallienus. Re.: PEOVIDENTIAE. Providence stand- ing. 5. The like. APOLLONI CONS AVG. A centaur bend- ing a bow. 6. Eoman Empress of about the time of Gallineus. Oblite- rated. 7. Claudius Gothious. Ee. : (S)TATOEI. 8. Quintillus. Ee. : CONCOEDIA. A woman holding two standards. 9. Tetricus the Elder. Ee. : SPES AVGG. Hope walking. 10. Brass, of Probus. Struck at Alexandria. 11. Diocletian. Ee. : CONCORDIA MILITVM. In the exergue, ALE (for Alexandria). The Emperor and Jupiter, supporting between them a figure of Victory. 13. Gonstantinus. Ee. : BEATA TEANQVILLITAS. An altar inscribed, VOTIS. XX. In the exergue, PT E. Struck at Treves. 13. Constantino the Great. Ee. : SOLI INVICTO COMITI. Apollo standing. 14. The like. Ee. : MAETI CONSEEVATOEI. 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 1678 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 iigure holding a standard. 18. Valentinian. Re.: SECVRITAS REIPVBLIGAE. Victory holding garland and palm branch. 19. Valens. 90. Greek ? Head of Jupiter ? Re. : Male figure holding a standard and the hasta. 21. Greek, of Catania. Head of Ceres. Re.: A tripod. 22. Greek ? Re. : Male figure holding the hasta. 23. Greek. Helmed head. Re. : OPOY (magistrate's name). A female figure. 24. Greek? 25. Greek, struck at Alexandria. Head of an emperor. Re.: Female figure with turretted crown, standing, holding the hasta. 26. 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. 31 . 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. : — Crispina, Caracalla, Gallienus, Claudius II., y Brass. Tetricus, Carausius, Gratian, Antonia Augusta, Domitian, Trajan, Hadrian, Faustina Augusta, Diva Faustina, Commodus, Valens, • Silver. 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'H, 18th year. Coin of Hiero II., Syracuse. Reverse — A trident, iepq.* 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 tlu-ough 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 foimd 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 Cruok- barrow Hill, where he intended to have built a housef ; 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 1631 + 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 iirst 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 " Archaeologia " 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 the 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 Eoman iron works at Cinder Point, on the bank of the Severn, are aU 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 wiU, 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 " Severe Island," as to a Greek silver coin supposed to have been found there. A coin of the Consulate was found at the Castle HiU as will be stated in its place. + Vol. xxxi.. No. 2, pp. 339 to 345. J See hereinafter as to this name. § See as to this name in the accounts of Hagley, Hindlip, and Malvern. II The word " port " also means an enclosed place, for sale and purchase, a market. See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii,, p. 550. 10 Now, witli respect to the finding of the first batch, I would ask, is it at all probable that some iinknown 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, tmrty-one years after the death of Mr. Ingram, find out that Captain and Mrs. Thomas were going to have a drain made in 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 de'sign, 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 Eoman. 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 the remarkable find of Greek coins at the site of the Eoman 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 *outh, 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 * Henmig's Chart, pp. 343, 343 ; and Thomas's " Worcester Cathedral," A., p. 21. + Or "Whitestan, ihid. + See further as to these forts, under the head Eycknield 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 Roman hghthouse 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 Idndness of Mr. Birch, of the British Museum, for a descrip- tion of these coins." But to return to Worcester. Upon sinldng a well, in the year 1844, at the house No. 13, in High Street, belonging to Dr. James 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 Eoman workmanship*. Similar small Roman statues of Mercury, Mars, Ceres, and ApoUo, 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 Cirencesterj. With respect to who this httle 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, 1653 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. 74. + Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," title " Exeter." + See the work entitled " Illustrations of the Remains of Eoman Art in Cirencester," published 1850, p. 111. § He is represented with his finger on his lip. u about her mouth, and was called the goddesse of ^ovXrj'; km 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, Eevue Archeologique, at Paris, 8vo., 1846, vol. iii., pp- 234-337, 364--371. This author has figured one as the head of a stylus, or aous crinalis, in p. 369, and others in PI. 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 " Britanniaf," says, " Worcester was probably founded by the Eomans 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 ; Eosin. L. ii., o. 19, &c., L. iv., c, 1 ; Alex, ab Alex. ; Gen. clier. L. iv. ; Plin., Festus, Turnebus, &e. + 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 1721, and afterwards published an account of his antiquarian researches in his ' Itinerarium Curiosum,' says, no doubt but this was a Eoman 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. Britten 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 Eoman 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 Eoman 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, vrith 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 LytMiton was also of that opinion. + Not Caligula, but Augustus. § It had the shape of a cone barrow. 16 more Eomau coins and other relics out of strata of blacliisli 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 Eoman locality, or by the Saxons, Danes, or Normans ; and that the black stratum which contained the coins was the ancient surface of the gromid, 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 — Nero 1 Vespasian 2 Titus Hachian Antoninus Pius Faustina I Diva Faustina Marcus Aurelius .... Julia Mamaea Gordian III Posthumus , . Victorinus 3 Claudius II 3 Tetricus 3 AureUan 1 Maximiau 1 Carausius 5 Allectus 1 Constantine 1 Urbs Boma 1 Valens I Gratian 3 Focas 1 Tlu'ee of them are good. A very fine coin. One rather fine. Eather good. A beautiful coin. Obverse good. The lite. Obverse of two rather good. Reverse rather fine. • Part of the hUl, probably, was formed of the materials excavated when the fosse was made, which ran from the hill to near where Edgar's Tower stands. 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 ^Ethelred 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 REX. Reverse — The Saxon cross, with the inscription, EL WINE 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 colonial one. + This was cut through, and each half doubtless passed as a halfpenny. 18 part of them are seen in the accompanying Plate I., all of the actual size, except the celt, um, 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 Gamden, page ccvi., resemble the one in question in many respects, except that they have not any of the indents. No. 3. — A Koman 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 deeji in the hill, and about a third of the way up it. There are several nearly resembling it in Montfaucon':, work on Grecian and Pinman Antiquities, Vol. iii., Part I. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 0, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.— Eoman brass fibulse or brooches*. Eight are of the bow shape, but of different patterns, and the other is oircularf. The acus is entire to those numbered 8 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 Koman 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 fibulse in Montfaucon's work|, 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 obsei-vations relative to fibulse, in the account of Kempsey. t 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. t Vol. iii., Part I., p. 4'i, &c. Flaxe.'I.pJ J.Basire lilk.. JnZirimJ^^-r fmnv the _Ca£^ JRlly. Worc&Slo: 19 Nos. 12 and 13. — Two views of a pair of bronze tweezers. No. 14. — An oblong four-sided cast brass bell ; it bad a clapper appended when found, which afterwards fell off. The two sides of the bell are one inch and two-eighths wide at the top, and two inches and three-eighths at the bottom ; the two ends are six- eighths of an inch wide at the top, and one inch and seven-eighths at the bottom. It stands upon four feet, and the hole through the handle is five-eighths of an inch in diameter. No. 15. — The brass clapper belonging to No. 14. There is another bell exactly like the above-mentioned, except that it is a little smaller and less worn. These bells were found in the black stratum under the hill. In Montfauoon's work* are engravings of Grecian and Roman bells of several shapes, and one exactly corresponding with these in question. In his account of them, he says the Greeks and Romans had sometimes small bells at their doors ; that such bells were often used for other pui-poses ; that they were, for instance, hung to the necks of horses, oxen, and sheep ; that they were used, according to Luoian, in houses, to call up the inmates in the moruiiig ; that those jiersons who went round the fortifications of the towns carried them ; and that thoy were put at the doors of temples. The bell in question is probably either Roman, Roman-British, or Anglo-Saxon. A four-sided bell was found in the bog of Glenade, in the county of Leitrimf. A small Roman cone-shaped bronze bell, standing on four feet, was found at Silchester. It is engraved in the " Journal of the Archaeological Institutej." There is, in the British Museum, a very interesting collection of small bronze cone-shaped bells of various sizes, from Nimriid, presented by Mr. Layard in 1851. * Vol. iii., Part I., page 106. + See " Archaiologia," Vol. xxvii., p. 400. + Vol. viii., p. 245. Also, see their " Proceedings at Norwich," p. 30, relative to bells of the Anglo-Saxon and early Iiish period. 20 The custom of hanging bells on horses is alluded to by the Prophet Zechariah*. No. 16.— An old brass key, with two small niches in the ward, and a pipe holef. No. 17.— A brass pin, an inch and a half long, and the eighth of an inch thick, with a whitish bead head, rather decayed ; lozenge- shaped indents on the upper half of the pin, and a double point. No. 18.— A large bead of common, darkish glass, two inches and five-eighths round, and the hole three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Likewise, a black touchstone, with a ring ; a brass seal, en- graved with a lion rampant ; fragments of a plain amber ring ; a brass medal, with the story of Gephalus and Procris on it ; old spades, &c. These spades and other relics which appear to be the most modern, Mr. Eaton says, were found at or near the top of the hill;. The Castle Hill evidently underwent considerable alterations from time to time, according to the modes of warfare of the different ages ; and the sandstone foundations which were dis- covered in or near the base, no doubt were of various periods. Some part of the top of the hill may have been made out of the excavated mass of sand and gravel, upon building the crypt of the Cathedral, or some other ecclesiastical edifice ; and I am rather strengthened in this conjecture by a diamond-shaped piece of ruby- coloured glass having been found in the hill. As the urn or jug, No. 2, was discovered about a third of the way up the hill, and about sixteen or eighteen feet deep, from the side horizontally towards the centre, this goes to prove that part of the mound in question was made by the later Eomans, unless we can believe that the urn or jug was thrown up by the Saxons, Danes, or Normans, along with the original surface, in the manner before suggested. • See Chap. xiv. v. 20, and Br. Adam Clarke's commentary thereon. + It is difficult to ascertain the age of keys, as those of the Eoman and later times very much correspond. } In the former edition I gave an account of a brass locket, or medal, found there. I have since discovered that it is of a comparatively modem date. 21 A similarly indented celt to that found at the Castle Hill is engraved in the " Aroheeologia," Vol. xvi., PL 84, No. 2, and is described in page 362. It is there stated that a ring of the same metal was attached to it, on which was a bead of jet, and that it was found near Tadcaster, in Yorkshire. The glass bead above mentioned may have been similarly attached to the celt in question. In the work entitled " Old England*" it is stated that " the weapons of the ancient Britons show their acquaintance with the casting of metals. Their axe-heads, called celts, are composed of ten parts of copper and one of tin ; their spear-heads, of six parts of copper and one of tin. Moulds for spear-heads have been frequently found in Britain and Irelandf." Of late years, much has been written on the uses to which these singular implements were applied. The preferable opinion appears to be that they served as hammers, axes, knives, chisels, gouges, and tomahawks, or missiles, according to their respective shapes and materials. The late Sir Samuel Eush Meyrick considered celts " to have been of foreign manufacture, brought to this island by stranger merchants, perhaps the Phoenicians, and purposely fashioned by them in imitation of the ruder stone implements used by our British ancestors, in order to secure a market by meeting their wants and tastes ];." Of the double-pointed pin, found at the Castle Hill, I gave a woodcut in the first edition of this work (p. 84) ; since that time I have made numerous inquiries as to its probable use, but without success. Instruments something like it (but with an eye or hole through the head, instead of the knob) are engraved in " Illustrations of the Remains of Eoman Art in Cirencester, the site of ancient Corinium§." They are described in that work as * Pait I., pp. 23, 23. + See the " Journal of the Ai-ch£eological Institute," Vol. iv., p. 1, &c. and p. 327, Sec, as to various fonns and moulds of celts. J See "Archaeologia," Vol. xxx., p. 493. § By Professor Buckman and C. H. Newraarch, Esq., 1850, p. 105. 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 Eoman 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 hues 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 Archteological 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 Sepulchrell Umes lately found in Norfolk," in a field of Old Walsingham, the author, in pp. 14, 23, refers to brazen nippers to puU away hair, as found in the urns. In the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. v., pp. 235, 236, there is a lithographic engraving, and also an account of Eoman tweezers of bronze with an ear-pick appended, found at Chesterford. — Amongst numerous Anglo-Saxon sepulchral relics found at Little Wilbraham, Co. Cambridge, exhibited by the Hon. » Oue with an eye was found at Droitmch witli Roman relics, and then thought to have been tlie 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 HiU, near this city, all which latter shells, Sir E. I. Murchison, has noticed in his work on the Silurian System*, ui 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 HiU; 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." This 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 Bam," from the corpse of a person who committed suicide having been found in the bam. 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 ; the particulars of which are as follow : — In January 1843, as the workmen of Mr. Holland, builder, were making an excavation for a building yard, in the marl bank, » Vide Vol. i., pp. 532, S33, 63i, 554. + See p. 9. just above Sidbury Place, on the south side of the London Road, opposite the Fort Royal, an ancient square underground apartment was discovered. Its v^alls 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 sohd 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 Enghsh style. A Dutch copper coin, with the name HoUandea upon it, was also discovered * These alternate courses very much resembled those in the Eoman pharos at Dover Castle. See "Old England," Vol. i., p. 27. 25 between the marl and the western wall, to which place it tad 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 Koyal, &c. ; but the late Plarvey 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 daj's 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 • Tlie above particulars I communicated to the Worcester Journals, in .January 1843. 26 Green Hill (which lies opposite the Fort Royal or Park), there was, tin 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, Victorinus, 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 tUes, 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 * In this latter case, they might either have been paving tiles or waU tiles. + Vol. vii., pp. 302, 30-3. 27 it is further added, — " The fragments exhibited presented some unusual peculiarities of fabrication, some of these tiles haying 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 with hemispherical knobs at the angles ; but this contrivance is unusual." The fragments of the tUes 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. 963, in MS., Cotton, Tiberius A. XIII. J, which seems to establish this view. It is a grant from Bishop Oswald to Oynethegn, of two and a half manses or hides of land, at Oddingley, in Worcestershire. The charter goes on to say, " Thonne is ealles thses landes the oswold bisceop bocath cynethegne, thrinde healf hid and VI. teceras at haranlea and XL. secera be eastan Lawern, and se haga be suthan byrig se is XII. gerda lang and IX. gerda 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 beorh, [or borough,] which is twelve yards long and nine yards broad." * See the " Aicliaeologia," Vol. xxx., Appendix, p. 537, relative to channelled bricks found in Eoman foundations at Thomham, near Maidstone, in Kent. + Leland, Habingdon, and others, wrote it " Sudbury," and it is so spelled in Saxton and Speeds' Map of 1610, and also in the map in " Boscobel." J Printed in " Cod. Diplom.," No. 507, which work also mentions Suthbyrig (Sudbiuy), in Suffolk, Nos. 685, 699. 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. Sidbuiy, 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 SUbury HUl, in Wiltshire, is of ancient British origin, and derived from the Keltic word Sul, the Sun ; and that the adjoining heights (now caUed th^ Fort Eoyal, 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 Eoman origin; for the Saxons thus distinguished the fortified places of the Britons and Eomans. In September 1844, several Eoman 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 stiU nearer the river, at the depth of about thirty feet, a great number of bones of the deer kind, and of short-homed cattle f and other animals, together with fragments of Eoman urns and pans of red earth, and a piece of Samian ware ; a httle 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 longifrous of Mr. Owen; fragments of the hones of which I sent to him. See the " Journal of the ArchtEological Institute," Vol. vi., pp. 34, 35, and 137. 39 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 pottery!, eight inches high, and twenty- six in circumference — (see the woodcut here represented). It seems probable that there were Eoman or Eoman 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 RippleJ ; and it is worthy of remark that the DigHs 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, 1 presented to the British Museum, affixed upon a hlock of the oaJc tree. ' + Antiquarians have been in much douht how such pottery was coloured. Perhaps the following extract from the " Axchseclogical Journal" (Vol. i. p. 280), relative to a communication from Mr. Edmimd Tyrell Artis, as to a Eoman 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 Eoman 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 time when its contents had reached the proper state of heat to ensure a uniform colour." Also see " Eemains of Eoman Art in Cirencester," pp. 78, 79, relative to how the colour was produced by chemical action. J See Eipple. 11 See Kempsey. 30 such as we find at the bottom of water-courses ; and my opinion is, that in the Eoman 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 wUl appear in the accounts of Pitchcroft and Eipple, tfiat the alluvium upon the level plains on the borders of the Severn has only accumulated about four feet since the Eoman time. Several of the fragments of the oak tree, before mentioned, still retain the bark. Fragments of bark also appear upon the oak cofBn 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 Locl^, -^ 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- j 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 I extremity in a shape more resembling the »J barbed head of an arrow, than the head of a ( long-handled weapon." It is figured in the " Proceedings of the Archsological 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 " Archaeologia," Vol. xxx., pp. 458 to 462. 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. Ixxvi., 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 ArchEeological Institute," Vol. v., p. 342, various forms of Greek and Eoman spears are represented with the amentum, or leathern thong, tied to the middle of the shaft, which was of assistance iu throwing the spear; but none there delineated have the barb. And in p. ICiEl 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. 156, June 1851, p. 170, there is copied from the " Harleian MS.," No. 603, 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 in the " Account of Droitwich," as to the probability that the ancient Britons not only used salt, but made the Saltways. t See a wood-cut of another spear-head, in the account of Kempsey. 32 follows, " Spear-head or sword ; flat, leaf-shaped blade, 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 Rainbow Hill, close by Worcester, portions of lead and wood, which apparently had formed a little rehquary 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 Imperforated 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 bad 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 deserve 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. 149. + See an account of heart-buiial in a leaden pot in " Hone's Evei-y Day Book and Table Book," Vol. iii.. Part 2, p. 230. 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 nolrth-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 Eoman 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 Eoman origin in the distinctive appellation, ' ceaster,' so commonly afiBxed to the Eoman 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 Eoman times, for there are no footsteps of any Eoman 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 Archseological Institute. + For Novemher 1840, p. 509, &c. J So Kttle were the antiquities of the county known a century ago, that the map of Worcestershire, in Herman Moll's maps of England and Wales, puhlished in 1747, is decorated round it with anticiuities belonging to the neighbouring counties, because this county did not supply any. D 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 navigSble 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 Eomans, tliree wears within two miles of Worcester : Bevere, Barboume, 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 Broadheath 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 Eomans 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 Beimett's History of that place, page 17. Also see Notices of Tewkesbuiy, Oldbury, and Halesowen. + Vide further notices relative to the antiquities in the neighbourhood of Worcester, in the subsequent account of the Western Trackway from Tewkes- burj', through Worcester, to Droitwich ; and in the other ancient lines of road to and from Worcester. 35 highest part, called Oldbury Hilln^, of Worcester, and of Tutnall, Elbury, and Cruckharrow 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 Eoman dominion. ANCIENT BRITISH PERIOD. That Worcester, or the heights on the east side of it, were regularly inhabited by the ancient Britons, will, I thhik, 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 HiUs), called Lowesmoor. Now this name, if correct, indicates that ancient lowes|, 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 Eoman occupation, and in tMs instance probably the casti'a aestiva, 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. 26. J Or lows. § Intitled, " An exact Ground Plot of the City of Worcester as it stood fortified 3rd September, 1651." See the thu-d edition of that work, published in 1680. 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. 903, 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 (17S1), 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 Fro^ge Mill were near the Severn. t See Nnlices of Kempsey and Powick. 37 \>e genuine. It is said to be the only Saxon gold coin which has been found*. It is in a high state of preservation, and weighs fifty-four grains and a quaiter. On the obverse there is a quarter side-face portrait of the king, with a sceptre, and the inscription, " EDWEED 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 W.^RINC." 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. Nash, 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- • But see infra. + Vol. ii., Appendix, p. 12S. 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. Perhapsj 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 CromwelHtes. 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 OELAMOTTES^" 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 " Archseological Journal* : " " Mr. Wright exhibited a drawing of part of tlie 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 land 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 Wserinc 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 Wcerinc 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 Archeeologioal Association, Vol. i., pp. 261, 263. f In the former work, No. 10, Vol. ii., p. 113 ; and in the latter, No. i, Vol. i. Intr., p. 91. I Obverse— Eadwaxd Rex. Eeverse— Pnrcl on Wseiinc. § 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 heen cited m 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, Wiri, 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 192). This paper, which he has kindly allowed me to subjoin, is as follows : — * See " Gentleman's Magazine" for November and December 1840, and January 1841, in proof that Warwick was the place of mintage. t Vol. i., p. 168. 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 earhest 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 skm, 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, 49 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-beU 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 1386. The * " A Catalogfue of Antiquities and Miscellaneous Curiosities in the pos- session of the Society of Antiquaries of London," p. 46. 43 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 stiU known to several persons in this city, who recoUect 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 Royal College of Surgeons, by whom I was favoured with the following report. " ' I have carefully examined the portion of skin which 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 hght-haired people do. The hairs of the human subject differ greatly from those of any other mammalian u 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 exuviae from Hadstock, in order to subject it to a similar test. Through the kindness of the Hon. Eichard NeviUe, 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 Eev. 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. R. C. Neville, &c., p. 3i. Saffron Walden, 1847. 8vo. 45 skin on the door at the present time. I have, however, in my possession, a short MS. account of the parish, mitten during the incumbency of John Dane, 1689-1714, wherein is the folloi^ng : " ' the doors of this church are much adorned with flourished iron- work, underneath which is a sort of sldn, talien 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 sldn, 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 sldn 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, in 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- 46 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 Eochester, 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. Bayley 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 fuU detail, at the risk even of appearing tediously cii-cumstantial. In a very few years it vfould 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 vUlages, 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 difBcult to comprehend. At Worcester, moreover, this was done in no days of barbarism, or disregard of judicial enactments : the reign of Eichard 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, vpas 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 end 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. ' Quem 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 componere];,' 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 infehcem 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 Sciiptores," col. 2519. + It is affirmed that amongst the dreadful cruelties of the French Eevclution at the close of the last century, the skins of the victims were tanned and made into hoots. } 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 679 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 monastery, 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. 67. + The stone arch of this dcoi-way still remains in the wall, but it evidently was much disturbed when the great window was ereetsd above it. E 50 Ihe citizens about the Danegelt ; and that in 1089 it was rebuilt by St. Wolstan, with the exception of the nave, afterwards added by Bishop De Blois about ] 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, wliile 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 therni. 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 renewedf. 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 8, 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. 3 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 \dew of the case, in the "Report of the Proceeding* of the Ai-chaeological Association at Worcester," published 1851, pp. 403 to 418. + See a general statement of Danish Relics in Worcestershire, in the pcr'nunt of Alfiick, facets Z.p. 50. I^'^l. A/ 'V. -. 1 3 from Coluber, others from the Latin Collis, a hill ; others from the Anglo-Saxon word Col ; others from the Swedish word Kol ; and others, again, from the bleakness or coldness of the situation, or of its accommodation, &o. In Halliwell'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 CoUes Place, CoUes 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; FOEMERLT CALLED HALES, AKD HALAS. This parish, until 1832, 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 tlie 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 Eock, near Stanford Court, in this county, the property of Sir T. E. Wimiiugton, Bart. — See the account of Stanford. } " Histoiy," Vol. i., p. 509. 143 affords some Roman antiquities. A military road, called the Portvvay, passes through Warley Wigorn, and probably is a branch from the great Eoman 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, Eoman, or Saxon, I will not affirm I, but great quantities have of late years been carried away and worked over again to advantage. — (See Pennant's ' Tour in Wales," Vol. i., 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 Eoman 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 Bycknield Street. + Vide what has been previoixsly said under the head " Worcester," p. 3, &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 KENVAUE (OE 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 hes about four or five miles west of a larger camp, on Kenvaur Edge. About the same distance east of Kenvaur Edge, on Wichbm-y 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 |." 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 Eambler 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., tifle " Oddingley," as to Dodo. + See the account of Hoar Stones. { Lewis's " TopograpMcal Dictionai-y." § Published 1851, p. 249. 14o field about ten years ago, and broKen to pieces, because it was in the way of his plough." OVER ARLEY. Dr. Nash, in the Appendix to the second Vol. of his " History," quotes the following account, from Bishop Lyttelton, of the 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 hmits I find an ancient road called the Portway (a name common to Roman yicinal 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!), the metes and bounds thereof are particularly described ; among which, one is denominated ^c]tAce 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, and from Worcester to Over Arley, is given in the latter part of this work. + Dugdale's " Monasticon," Tom. i., fo. 988. L 146 EIDBESFORD 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 Eibbesford, 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 4, No. 5, page 98.) 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 E. C. Hoare's " Ancient Wilts," PI. 8, p. 79. Eibbesford, in Heming's " Cartulary," is called Eebetforde, and in " Domesday," Eibforde. Bewdley, in Eibbesford, is supposed to be so called from " Beauheu," 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 Eibbesford. 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 takiug 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 about three feet, they struck upon an ancient focus formed of thin * See the account of Grimley. + Also vide Nash's " History," Vol. il, p. 377. 147 briclts, 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 Eomans 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 colom- in the interior. They appeared to be exactly of the same composition with the common Eoman 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 hoUow 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. " But the most curious discovery, as related by an eye-witness, occurred in a field 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 are at present ; but, 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. .Ixxvii., 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 intrenchmeuts ; 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 ArchsBological Institute. The following notice of it appeared in their Journal, Vol. vi., p. 409. " Drawing of an implement, supposed tp 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 Worcestershu-e 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, 13, &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 ' ArchfBological Journal,' Vol. v., pp. 883, 293, 333." ) The accompanying woodcut represents both its breadth and thickness. HOLT. A looped bronzed celt was found in the year 1844, in the middle of the bed of the river Severn, about three feet six inches under the gravel, as the workmen were dredging midway between the bridge and the entrance of the cutting for the Lock, for the purposes of the Severn navigation improvements. It is four inches and a quarter in length. (See an engraving thereof, Plate 4, No. 6, page 98.) The tongue of a fibula, of the same length as the celt, was also found about eighteen feet below the surface, and about 200 yards from the river, in the cutting outside the south gates of the Lock. (See an engraving of it, Plate 4, No. 7, page 98.) These relics are, I believe, in the possession of Mr. George Edwards, the civil engineer, on the works. WIGHENFOED. I have in my possession two Eoman coins which were lately found upon digging up the foundation of an old building at the farm called Woodend, in this parish. The one is a coin of Vic- torinus, the other of Constans. The obverse of the latter has the portrait of the sovereign, with a globe in his hand, and the inscription DN. CONSTANS, P.F. AVG. ; on the reverse is the figure of the emperor armed, in a grotto or hiding-place, leading out a boy, supposed to be one of the Christians, by the hand, thereby indicating his guardian care of them, with the in- 150 scription, FEL i TEMP i EEPAKATIO. P.L.C. A similar coin is delineated in Paten's work on Roman coins (pp. 471, 479, figure 5), accompanied by an interesting description. GRIMLEY. An ancient British stone celt, in tlie possession of Mr. John Evans, late of Worcester, was found in the year 1835, by a work- roan, in a gravel bed, several feet beneath the surface, near Ball Mill, in this parish. The bed hes upon rather elevated ground on the western side of the Severn, nearly opposite to Bevere Island, and within a short distance of it. The celt is five inches long, two inches broad at one end, one inch and sis-eighths at the other ; one inch and an eighth broad, and one inch and six eighths thick in the middle ; it weighs nine ounces and a half ; is edged at both ends, but the one end has been rather blunted and lessened a little by use. It has a hole through it for a handle. Two views thereof are represented in the engraving, Plate 4, Nos. 8 and 9, page 98. An ancient British celt, or stone axe, was, a few years ago, found by the brick-makers while digging for brick earth at Grim- Iffy Ham, fourteen feet deep in the alluvial soil, at the distance of about 127 yards from the Severn. It is in the possession of Mr. Amphlett of Farfield. It weighs eight pounds five ounces and a half, is nine inches and a half long, three inches broad, four inches thick at the blunt end, and three inches and a half broad at the sharp end : the hole for the handle is an inch and three quarters in diameter ; the stone is a species of basalt. (See an engraving of it, Plate 4, No 10, page 98.) There are several stone axes in the Scarborough Museum* ; the largest one, found at Sealby, and made of basalt, is nearly the same in size and shape as the one in question. When I visited the spot at Grimley Ham, there was an appearance as if an old dyke had been buried there by the alluvium, which would partly account for the great depth at which the axe lay. * See my account of them in the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxx., pp. 458-46:3. 191 BEVERE ISLAND. The several coins in my possession (the particulars of which are stated below) were collected by a gentleman of Bevere, in Claines parish. Some of them, it is said, were found on Bevere* Island, but of this I am not certain. A colonial coin of Augustus and Agrippa, with their joint portraits on the obverse; and on the reverse the words " Col. Nem." (Colonia Nemausus f), with a crocodile chained to a palm tree, an apt emblem of their victories in Egypt. A coin of Tibe- rius, with his portrait. Also one with his whole figure in a sitting posture, and which should contain the legend " Civitatibus Asiae Restitutus" ]:, but it is obliterated. Coins of Galba, Vespasian, Domitian, Trajan, Marcus Antoninus, Dioclesian, Constantine the Great, and VaJentinian, with their portraits. A consecration coin of Faustina, the wife of Antoninus Pius, with her portrait ; the inscription " Diva Faustina" on the obverse, and Juno on the reverse. Also a Greek coin, with a head of a female on the obverse, and a dragon or monster, and the Greek word Maaaa on the reverse, showing that it was a colonial coin of Massilia (the modem Marseilles). About the year 1809, an ancient British bronze celt, or knife, was dug up in Bevere Island. It is four inches and one- eighth long, two inches and three-eighths broad at the widest end, one inch and three-eighths broad at the middle, six-eighths of an inch broad at the narrowest end, and two-eighths of an inch thick in the centre. It weighs six ounces and three quarters, and is rather sharp at both ends, but most so at the smallest end. It is now in the possession of Mrs. Spriggs, of "Worcester. (See an engraving of it, PI. 4, No. 11, p. 98.) I was informed by the late Sir S. R. Meyrick, that the imple- ment in question was used as a knife, and was held between the finger and thumb like those of stone described in Keats 's account of the Pelew Islands. * So called fi'om beavers having formerly frecjuented it. •(■ The modem Niraes in France. J These cities had been destroyed by an earthqaake. 152 There is an ancient flint knife, something similar, delineated in PL 36 of Vol. xv. of the " Ai'chaeologia," p. 349, which was found in the parish of Kiltaran, in Galway. There is also another of flint in the Scarborough Museum*, four inches and a half long, which was found at Pickering in Yorkshire. Bevere Island lies about three miles north of the city of Worcester. THE HILLS. I shall now attempt to give some account of the origin of the names, and also the antiquities, of several of the hills of Wor- cestershire. Our first range will be the beautiful chain on the western side of the county, running parallel with the right bank of the Severn, at a distance from it of from four to five miles. This chain com- prehends the Malvern, Old Storage, Ankerdine, Berrow, Wood- bury, and Abberley Hills. I shall then advert to the Tot, Toot, or Teut Hills, lying about two miles off the eastern or left side of the Severn. These are Cruckbarrow, Elbury, and Tutnall ; the first of which faces Great Malvern and Old Storage Hills ; the second, Ankerdine Hill ; and the last fronts the Berrow, Wood- bury, and Abberley Hills. Towbury Hill Camp, before described, faces the camp on Little Malvern Hill ; but these two last do not strictly belong to Worcestershire, being just without the border. Some parts, adjacent to these hills, will likewise be noticed in speaking of the Toot Hills generally. The whole of this region has been very fully described, in a geological point of view, by Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, in his work on the Silurian System ; and is also referred to in my pamphlet on the Old Red Sandstone of Worcestershire and Here- fordshire, published in 1835 f. * See my account thereof in Vol. xxx. of the " Archaeclogia," p. 461. + I take this opportunity of stating that I am induced, hy a further ac- quaintance with geology, to reti-act many of the views advanced in the above pamphlet, respecting the circular and semicircular marks in the old red sandstone of that locality, as mammalia have not been discovered in such sand- .stone, although fossil reptiles have lately been found therein in Devonshne. 153 |tet |i. MALYEEN HILLS. Dk. Nash (Vol. ii., p. 121) says that the name Malvern is pro- bably derived from the British word Moel, signifying bald, and Wern, alders, importing a bald hiU, with alders at the bottom ; or rather from Moel, which, in British, signifies a mountain, and he cites several authorities upon the subject. It seems to me more probable that the syllable " vem " is derived from the British words " Sam," or " Yarn," which respectively mean a pavement or seat of judgment* ; if so, the name would signify the mountain of the seat of judgment, or the high court or seat of judgment f, proving it to have been an important station of the Druids. In corroboration of this view it may be remarked that the Mal- vern range contains what is considered to be an ancient British triangular-shaped camp J:, and is surrounded by other camps, stations, and antiquities, both British and Koman. In addition to this it is crossed by primitive roads §, some of which have already been described, and others wiU be noticed in the subse- quent part of this work. The Malvern Hills, and a piece of land called " Ambers," in * See p. 138 respecting these names, also the section relative to the Am- brosiae Petrae. + Malvern is spelled Malfema in " Domesday Book ;" and it mentions Malvertone, Co. Warwick, and Malveselle and Malveshille, Co. Hereford. { The sacred altars appear in some instances to have been within the camps, see the heads " Amhrosiaj Petrae," and " Ancient Eoads ;" therefore the Herefordshire Beacon Camp most probably contained a sacred altar, as well as a seat of judgment. § Particularly the Eidge Way. 164 Castle Morton, Fire Hill Field and Tyre HUl in Welland, Crookberrow and Elsborough in the Berrow and Pendock, Tuts- hill and Gadbury Banks in Eldersfield, Sarn Hill or Sern Hill in Bushley, the Mythe Tute near Tewkesbury, the Bambury or Ban- bury Stone in Kemerton Camp on Bredon Hill, and Stam Hill in the parish of Elmley Castle, are all nearly in a line -nith each other. Jones, in his " Brecknockshire," Vol. i., p. 86, makes Moel-y- Yarn, which is pure Welsh, signify the high court, or seat of judgment*. There is a hill in Stom'bridge which was formerly called Yarn- borough, but is now called Amburyf. Likewise a camp called Yarnbury, Yarnsbury, or Yanesbury, in Wiltshire, relative to which it is stated in Gough's " Camden," that " against the Eo- manity of Yarnsbury or Yanesbury Camp, it has been urged that Roman camps were generally square and single trenched, whereas this is double. Its being oval and so much like Bratton, only bigger, would induce one to think it Danish, and perhaps its name, with a small alteration of sound, implies as much." — StiU, however, I feel inclined to consider it British. HEREFORDSHIRE BEACON. King, in his " Munimenta Antiqua," states that " there are a vast number of strong intrenchments in all parts of this island, of a very peculiar kind, situated chiefly on the tops of natural hills, and which can be attributed to none of the various people who have ever dwelt in the adjacent country, except to the ancient Britons ; although indeed the subsequent conquerors, Romans, Saxons, Danes, and even the Normans, have on certain emergen- cies made use of them, on account of their great original strength. One of the most important and considerable is situated in a spot that could not but be an object of the utmost attention to the original inhabitants of those territories, which afterwards were deemed distinctly England and Wales. This is the Herefordshire * See Cliamtiers's " General History of Malvem," published 1817, p. 276. + See Sarn Hills, p. 128. 155 Beacon, commanding that which was once the only pass through the Malvern ridge of hills, and which, indeed, is very nearly so to the present hour." Beyond the camp, to the south, there is a smaller intrenchment. Dr. Nash has thus described the Herefordshire Beacon camp, in Vol. ii., p. 141, of his " History," under the head of "Little Malvern :" — " This little parish is a retired, romantic spot, lying on the eastern side of the hiU, and running up to its summit, where is a camp, with a treble ditch, an exact plan of which is here given for the amusement of the curious. Some have imagined it Roman, because of the preetorium, or centre part, and the name of the parish in which the greater part of it is situated, CoU- wall*, that is, CoUis Vallum. Some Eoman remains in Here- fordshire are called Walles, and Severus's Wall in the north is called Gual Sever, or Vallum Severi. But the shape of this camp doth not show it to be Roman, though I know not to what age to attribute it, as it is not mentioned by any author I know of, either in print or MSf. It was certainly prior to the partition trench before mentioned, which divides the counties of Worcester and Hereford ; for the outward trench of the camp serves for part of this ditch. " Within the distance of a musket-shot of the trenches of the camp, in the parish of Colwall, in Herefordshire, was found, in the year 1650, by Thomas Tayler, near Burstners Cross, as he was digging a ditch round his cottage, a coronet or bracelet of gold, set with precious stones, of a size to be drawn over the arm and sleeve. It was sold to Mr. Hill, a goldsmith in Gloucester, for thirty-seven pounds ; Hill sold it to a jeweller in Lombard Street, London, for two hundred and fifty pounds, and the jeweller sold the stones, which were deeply inlaid, for fifteen hundred pounds, as Mr. Clough, of Lombard Street, reported]:. The * Col, in Anglo Saxon, signifies a peak or sharp Mllock. + The late Rev, Dr. Card, Vicar of Great Malvern, in his " Dissertation on the subject of the Herefordshire Beacon," says, in p. 42, " I must take it for granted that he (Dr. Nash) never met with the story of Gray, hinting that it was occupied by Caractacus." + " MS. in Jesus College Library, Oxford." 156 register of Colwall has been searched, and I find that Thomas Tayler lived there about that time ; and when his death is entered there is a mark put to his name, as if something memorable had happened to him." Dr. Nash* states that " the coronet of gold found near Malvern Camp had probably belonged to some British or Anglo-Saxon monarch, who, expecting an assault, or meditating an escape from these fortifications, might bury this badge of royalty to prevent its falling into the hands of his enemies." Mr. Chambers also says, " It was supposed that the gold alone of this coronet might have been worth £.1,000, which, added to the value of the diamonds above-mentioned, amounted to the the amazing sum of £.2,500, for which the peasant who found it received but £.37f." Dr. Card, in his " Dissertation," has adduced several reasons for believing that the Herefordshire Beacon was either the work of the ancient Britons, at or before Csesar's invasion, or the work of Caractacus. He argues principally in favour of the latter hypo- thesis and remarks, in p. 40, that " if Roman coins should be dis- covered in any part of the work, they would merely indicate that these invaders occupied it at some period, which is by no means improbable, notwithstanding the non-existence of any Roman road in the neighbourhood. On the other hand, the coronet of gold, mentioned by Camden, as having been dug up about a musket-shot on the north-west side, in the parish of Col- wall, A.D. 1650, cannot be admitted as any proof of the period at which, or the persons by whom, the fortifications were primarily constructed. It is, however, an incontrovertible fact, that the country between the Wye and the Severn was the theatre of con- tinual intestine wars, in times subsequent to the Roman invasion, and that the Welsh princes wore coronets of a similar shape, as the following extracts from the ' History of Wales,' by Caradoc of Llancarvan, translated by the erudite Dr. Powell, will sufficiently * " History," Vol. ii, p. 29, of the Con-ections and Additions. + Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England," speaking of the ensigns of royalty says, " among the Saxons the cynehelm, or cynebeah, a cii'cle of gold, was in use, and worn round the head." 157 demonstrate : ' Eoderic, King of Wales, divided his kingdom be- tween his three sons, and because they (each) wore a coronet of gold indented upwards and inlaid with precious stones on their helmets, they were called the three crowned princes.' About A.D. 877. These chieftains were finally driven to the country beyond the Wye by Athelstan, between the years 934 and 939, consequently the ornament must have been lost at some period anterior to the latter date." The learned Doctor, however, was mistaken, in speaking of the non-existence of any Roman road in the neighbourhood ; for there is Evendine Street, leading from the Herefordshire Beacon Hill towards Colwall Village*, the Pendock Portway in the Berrow, and Keysend Street, Lime Street, Eock Street, Wick- ridge Street, Wood Street, Wain Street, Rye Street, Birt Street, Drake Street, Robertson Street, and Poolend Street — all in the neighbourhood, in the lines of the ancient roads which ran from Wall Hills Camp and the Malvern Hills to various places. Several writers have supposed that Caraotacus, for a season, made a stand against Ostorius, at the Herefordshire Beacon Campf ; but finding, after many struggles, that he could not defend his eastern frontier against the enemy, he retreated north- westward towards the mountainous regions of the Ordovices l- In the " Arch£eologia§," there is an account, by A. J. Kempe, Esq., F.S.A., of an intrenched camp at Wimbleton, Surrey, wherein he states, that " writers on the mihtary antiquities of Britain have considered that it was a principle of tactics with the Britons to arrange their forces on concentric circles of ramparts, rising one above the other ; and that the celebrated Herefordshire Beacon, on the Malvern Hills, is a remarkable specimen of that mode of defence." In Layamon's " Brut. ||," supposed to have been written in the * THs probably was occupied by tbe Roman garrison. + About twenty miles south-westward of this camp there is a square camp, called Caradoc, situate iu the parish of Sellack (or Sele Chyrch), on the Wye, in Herefordshire. + Tacitus says : — " Transfer! helium in Ordovicas." § Vol. xxxi, Part ii., Appendix, pp. ■')18-521. II Vol. iii., pp. 200, 201. 1.58 commencement of King John's reign, there is the following passage, as translated by Sir Frederick Madden : — " In North Wales was a king, Cadwan the Keen (named Cadigan) ; of South Wales was Margadud, fairest of all men (knight fairest of all) : they held all the good land into Severn, from the upper end, that floweth into the sea. In Malvern, near Severn, Margadud, the Idng, dwelt, with very mickle folk ; and Athelstan to him advanced, the king of this nation, and held them exceeding hard, and greeted them with harm, and drove them with his weapons out over the Wye, and took from them the land that lieth there betwixt ; the Severn and Wye, they possessed it not afterwards." This passage tends to throw further light upon Dr. Card's account relative to the coronet of gold, although we must allow for the fiction in Layamon's work. The hills are also noticed in the " Vision of Wilham, concern- ing Piers Plowman," a poem, supposed to have been written about the year 1353. In May 1844, 1 visited the place called Burstners Cross, where the coronet was found ; it is situated in an orchard, behind the house styled the Wind's Point, which lies on the turnpike-road by the Herefordshii-e Beacon. The tenant informed me that the old cottage, said to have been occupied by Tayler, the finder of the coronet, was taken down about thirty years ago, and that the site of it, and the garden, were added to the orchard. In the parish of Colwall, there is a small spring of water, situated on the western side of the Herefordshire Beacon HUl, called Coldwell; but I am inclined to the opinion, that the name of that extensive parish is derived from Collis Vallum, or ColHs VaUatus, a fortified hill. There are many names with the prefix, " Wall :" thus, there are, in Herefordshire, Wallhills, and WallhiUs Camp, near Ledbury; Wallsfield and Wallsfield Orles, in Cradley; Wall- hills, and WaUhill Camp, in Thombury; and WaUhill, in Orletpn. In Worcestershire, there are WaUdridge and Walls- hill, in Suckley; WallshiU, in Alfrick; WaUhill, in Orleton, in Eastham ; the Uke in Belbroughton and Bromsgrove ; and Wallbatch, Wallcroft, and Upper Wallcroft, in Grimley. And in 159 Staffordsliire, Wallcroft, Walls Meadow, and The Walls, in Over Arley. The names Coldwell and Collhill occur very frequently in Worcestershire. There are, or were in the Anglo-Saxon times, places called Coldwell, on the boundaries of Cotheridge* ; Collhill and Colford, on the boundaries of Sal warp f; and Cald- well, on the boundaries of Whittington I. There now are places called Coldwell Hill, Coldwell Eough, Coldwell Coppice, and Coldwell Piece, in Abberley ; Coldwell Hill, in Mathon ; Colwell Piece, and In Colwell Piece, in Claines; First Coldwell and Second Coldwell, in Abbot's Lench ; Coldwell Leasow, in Warley Wigom ; and Coldwell Manor, in the parish of Kidderminster. ■ There are also Coldnap (or Knap), by Cracombe Hill ; Cold Comfort§ Meadow, in St. Clement's parish, Worcester ; and Cold Harbourough (or Cold Harbour), in Hindlip||. There is a large block of limestone called Colwall Stone, situated by a cottage (formerly named the " Old Game Cock "), on the road-side at Colwall Green. Some have supposed that it was placed there in ancient times as a memorial of some event, or as evidence of some custom ; but, upon my visiting the spot in 1846, I learned from a person in the neighbourhood, that his late father, Francis Shuter, and others, about seventy years ago, got it out of the limestone quarry, in a copse at the foot of the Wytch, and, assisted by a strong team of oxen, dragged it to its present locality ; but whether it was brought there in lieu of a more ancient memorial I could not learn. It is four feet long, three feet broad, and two feet six inches thick; and I was informed that the landlord receives one penny a year rent for it. The most remarkable discovery which has yet occurred in proof of the Eoman occupation of the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, * See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 350 ; and Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 48. + See ibid. ... . .p. 353 ; and ibid. . . .p. .50. { See ibid. . . . .p. 359 ; and ibid. . .p. 53. § In Mr. HaUiwell's " Glossary of Archaic Words," Cold Comfort is given, as meaning bad news. II Also Coldridge, in Upper Alley, 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 Eoman 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 Eoman 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 ovra 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 British Museum, and was read before the Numismatic Society January 87, 1848f. 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. .3-56, 3S7. + Particulars were also given in the " Gentleman's Magazine," May 1848, p. 526. 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 Eoman 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 Eoman 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 trath 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 witli soft green anigo, 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 metalhc 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 that 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 Ohlonis, 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 Constantino the Great, included in the province west of the Severn, called Britannia Seounda, and was probably under the military government of the 2*" 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 pecuhar interest, as well to the student of Eoman history as to an Enghshman. Then, for the first and indeed the only time, Rome saw her empire administered by six emperors, in pretended, if 163 not real, harmony ; and England, under the rule of the gallant rebel Oarausius, for seven years successfully withstood the whole power of Eome, 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 Gonstantius, 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 Msiximinus Daza." MIDSUMMEE 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, 1843, 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 Eagged-stone HUl. The heel of the shoe overlooks the deep ravine called the Gullett, between the north side of Midsummer HiU and Warren Hill. This extensive camp has not been noticed as it deserves. THE EIDGE WAY. Between the Herefordshire Beacon and Eastnor there is an ancient road called the Eidge Way, which runs along the top of a fine hog's-back range of limestone. It is very remarkable that, on the western side of this most probably ancient British road-, * See the account of the Eycknield 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 Eidge 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 Eycknield Street, or Eidge Way. 165 THE WORCESTEESHIRE 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 Archseological 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. Lefes 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 \ . ._ ,.^^ ^^£!/yMJi-' represented, of half the size of the original) was found in a cavity of the rock, with some bones and ashes. The urn was * Vol. vii. pp. 67, 68. 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 ; breadth 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 marldng 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 Koyal 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 otlier, are called Twinbarrow. (See SirK. C. Hcare's " History of Wiltshire".) — Twinberrow is a personal name in Wor- cestershire. + " Histoiy," Vol. ii., p. 139. 167 engraved ; it has a beautiful patina upon it." (See the woodcut here given.) A similar celt is represented in " Camden," V^ol. i., p. 306. Montfaucon, in Vol. iii., 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 hiU. 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 1845 f ; illus- trated by several woodcuts, from the painted glass in Great Malvern Church, depicting the legend. By the kind permission of the Institute, I am enabled to lay the following copy before my readers. * See Iter xiii. t Vol. ii., pp. 48-65. 168 THE LEGEND OF SAINT WERSTAN, AND THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ESTABLISHMENT AT GEBAT 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 estabhshment 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 coimtry 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. 264; printed in new edit., Monast. Ang.i iii., 450." 169 " The documentary evidences, chartularies, and records, which might have thrown light on the early history of Great Malvern, have either been 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 Aldwin, 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 prioiy had been, for some time previously to the Conquest, ' 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 • " Plac. coram Hege apud Ebor., term Mic. 13 Edw. II., Monast. Angl." iro 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 httle 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 deicorations 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 sis years, and who had the opportunity of consulting the muniments, * " Thomas Habingdon or Habmgton, of HindJip, 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 in 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 Piiory,' 8vo., 1728 ; Nash's ' History of Worcestershire,' ii., 129 ; and in the new edition of the ' Monasticon.' Dr. Thomas gave a Latin version in his ' An- tiquities of 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 priory. 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 reUgious 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 smaU 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 1460 ; 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 • " Leland, Coll. de rebus Britann., i., f- 62." 172 Jave, which was of somewhat later date than the choir. The construction of the church, as augmented and renovated in the Perpendicular style, appears to have commenced towards the middle of the fifteenth century ; and it is to prior John Malveme, who is first named in the register of Bishop Bourchier, in 1435, that the commencement of this new work may be attributed. Habingdon has recorded that in the window of the clerestory of the choir, on the northern side, nearest to the east end, the kneeling figure of that prior was to be seen, with an inscription commemorative of his benefaction. It no longer remains, as described by Habingdon, but it is possible that the fragment which may stiU be noticed in the lower part of that window, being the head and upper part of a figure of a Benedictine monk, may be the portraiture of prior Malveme, the founder of the new choir : and it may readily be distinguished by the inscribed scroll over the head, © felii anna pro mc ad ip'm ex ora. The following inscription formerly recorded his benefaction, ©rat£ pro antma ^ajbanntd J^alberne, pi igtam ftnegtram fieri fecit, and although it is not certain that such requests for prayers on behaK 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 173 174 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 hiU, formed of several banks or terraces one above another, appears as the back- ground, and over his head is a scroll thus inscribed, Sanctum SSScrStanug JWarttr. 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 had 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 fised 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 JWartir 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 ■"'"iit/i, lewMOTTeitHtAwisiiJE-s Dedication of the Chapel built by St. Werstan. 176 St. Werstan on the spot miraculously pointed out to him in the vision. The angels elevate their right hands as before, in benediction ; one bears 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, 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 aspergUlum, 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 Hbrary 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 XSLAMOTTBi- HEAVISIDC.Bo The Grant of Edward the 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, Sc'S CJCtoartuS tex ; 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, SZSiir m' : ©IifDarliuS : 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 as 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 1137, 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 • " ' Una vii-gata ten-e in Baldeh, de feudo de Hanley, quam Eex Edwardus dedit.' Carta E. Henr. I. a.d. 1127. In another charter of Henry I., cited in Pat. .'iO Edw. III., per inspeximus, it is called ' Baldehala,' and in Plac. 12 Edw. II., ' Badenhale.'" 1'79 D EiJi MO.ITEII AfAl'I S(D E A 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 beU-turret and spire, but precise conformity in minor details has not been observed in these two representations. At one of the windows of the oratoiy 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-pieces, 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- tuiTet and spire : possibly, indeed, so little were minute propriety 181 and couformitj of represeutation 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 Conqueror to Aldwin, the founder ; the grant to him by St. Wolstan, bishop of Worcester; and the acts of donation by WUham, 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 hiUs 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 either 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 poitions 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 Malveme, 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 Eichard 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 Eegister as follows : — " Eegistmm Carpenter, vol. i. f. 155. ' Consecracio altarium in prioratu reajoris Malvernie. Penultiino die mensis JiJii, Anno Domini millesiino cccc™° sexagesirao, Eeverendus in Christo pater et dominus, dominus Johannes, permissione divina Wigomiensis Episcopus, erat receptus in monasteriixm sive prioi-atum majoris Malvernie per priorem et Conventum ejusdem, crun 183 pulsacioue ciimpiuiai-imi, et ibidem pernoctavit, cum clericis, ministris, et servientibus suis, sumptibus domus. Et iii crastino die sequeute consecravit ibidem altaria, videlicet, primiun et summum altare, in lionore beate Marie vu-ginis, Sancti Micbaelis Ai-chaugeli, Sanctorum Johannis Evangeliste, Petri et Pauli Apostolorum, et Benedicti Abbatis. AlinA altare in choro, a dextris, in honore Sanctorum Wolstani et Thome Herfordensis. Aliud in choro, a sinistiis, in honore Santorum Edwardi Hegis et Confessoris, et Egidii Abbatis. Quartum, in honore Petri et Pauli, et omnium Apostolorum, Sancte Kateiine et omnium virginimi. Quintum, in honore Sancti Laurencii, et omnium moi-tirum, et Sancti Nicholai, et omnium confessorum. Sextum, in honore beate Marie virginis, et Sancte Anne, matris ejusdem. Et septimmn, in honore Jesu Christi, Sancte Ursule, et imdecim mUia vh'ginmn." " The period, therefore, at which the work had so far progressed that the services of the church might talce 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 veiy 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 ohace 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 Malveme,' 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 hindf. Not a trace of this interesting subject is now to be * " Nash, Hist, of Worcestershii-e, ii. 133." + " Anticiu. Prioratus majoris Blalverne : descriptio eeclesiae, p. 21." 185 distinguished. It must be observed that, although the Prioiy 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 Kichard, ' 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." + " Ecton gives in 1754, 'NewUnd, 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 heen 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 laistory of the locality; it will suffice now to suggest, that the forgotten site of the hermit's primitive chapel may stUl 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 apphed to it the name of the Grand Duke's ViUa, II hello sguardo. The neighbours now commonly call it BeUo 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 hiUs, 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 lined 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 chief 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 ' Monastioon.' (Dugd. ' Monast.' Vol. i., new edition, p. 591, Append, to Worcester, Mon., No. 33.) 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. 1 9 ; Tom. ii., p. 349.) Edward the Confessor, according to Sir Robert Atkyns and Rudder, caused the monastery to be rebuilt and consecrated about 1056 1. That 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' (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. See " Codex. Dip.," Chai-ters Nos. 186, 824, 829, and 830, relative to Deorhyi-st or Deerhurst. f " Dugdale, ' Mon. Angl.,' Vol. iv., new edit., p. 664." + " Atkyn's ' Hist, of Glouc.,' p. 385 ; Eudder, p. 403 ; also see Lysons' ' Antiquities of Gloucestershire,' p. 18." 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 Deerhurst to Malvern, and supposing that he was about thirty years of age, tliis 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 Atkyiis, in his " History of Gloucestershire," p. 388, says, " There is a small island in this parish [Deerhurst] anciently called Oleueayf, and by the Saxons Alney, and now the NeightJ, 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. lOlC. + Or " Oleneag," see " Camden." { Or " Eight," ibid. The word is sometimes spelt Naight, Neyt, and Ait, see the accoiuit of the Ambrosise Petrse. § See also Cough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 270, first edition, 1789, where it is said that the isle lies between Aversbiidge and Maysemore. 189 the Severn and Canute's on the east*. Now, asDeerhurst lies on the east side of the river, the ahhey, 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 J, 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 " Eoger ofWendover's Flowers of History," pub- lislied in 1849, Vol. i., pp. 290, 291. + Vol. XXX., Part 2, p. 514. + See Cradley. § Vol. i., pp. 57, 69, 72. 190 It is stated in the " Zoologist," No. 1, p. 8, in a notice of Bell's " History of Britisli Quadrupeds," that, " in the days of Plutarch, hears were exported from Britain for the amusement of of the Eomans." 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 Wigom ; 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 I ; and that Turit, or Tirit also signified a tower or turret§. In the Celtic, Tarau means thunder, Taranis is the name of the Celtic god of thunder, and Tan means fire||. 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 (Bearcroft) 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 Hirableton, Co. Worcester. + The descendants of Ham. J Bryant's " Ancient Mythology," Vol. i., pp. 399, 400. § Ibid., p. 404. II See p. 124. 191 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 beginning of the word, is a common provincial vulgarism -f-. Old Storage is situated in the hamlet of Alfrick, in the parish of Sucldey. The views from it axe 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 modem 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 ' la na 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 * There are Great Storage HUl and Coppice, and Little Storage Hill, in Beoley; and a river called Tomdge, near Little Torrington, Co. Devon. + As Stitchen Hill for Pitchen HUl, Stitches for Pitches. + See farther remarks on St. Augustine's Oak in the accounts of Alfrick and Abherley Hfll. 19'2 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 f of the custom, in 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 dmidical temples of upright stones, vrith 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 calie 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 idolatiy 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 faiiies. \ Vol. i., pp. 840, 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 hut 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 Coimty of Wilts," considers that Knap Hill, which lies between Albury and Stonehenge, was derived from Kneph, or Cneph, which, as well as Thoth I, was the Egyptian or Phoenician name for Mercury. The greater probability, however, is, that the name of Knap, in Alfrick, came from the Saxon. ALFEICK. 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. i., pp. 366, 367, relative to Pol or Pal. There is Polsden, in Hants ; and Polsdon, in Surrey ; and it is possible that Podon, or Poden, in Church Honeyboume, Co. Worcester, may be similarly derived. + Vide the account of Pauntley. J 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 19-1 quote any authorities upon the subject. He, howevei-, refers* to an Inquisition, dated in 1479, in which the two chapelries of Lullesley and Afurwike|- are mentioned as belonging to the parish of Sucldey J ; 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 Liilsey and Alfric, in Bacon's " Liber Eegis," p. 977 . } In " Domesday Book," it is called Svchelei in Dodintret hundred. § See also Nash, Vol. ii., p. 75, " Con-ections and Additions." II 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. ^ Vide Iter VI. »• Hid. ++ The former being in Alfiick, and the latter in Lulsley. In Greenwood's Map, published in 1822, the latter is by mistake called " Baffler's Green." 195 " Camden ='.= :" — " When the Danes, under Inguar and Hubba, landed, a.d. 867, in Dunsby Bay, two miles east [west] of this place [Whitby], and encamped on an eminence still called from their standard Ravenshill, 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 j-i'JjiM.nhhsL at Sltrekingham, in Lincolnshire I, 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, which was called Reafan, from its having the figure of a raven § embroidered upon it by the three sisters of Hubba ||. » Vol. iii., p. 334, second edition, 1806. + Camden says " 867." + See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii., p. 334, second edition, 1806. § It may be observed here that childi'en to the present day commonly call any large tame bird they may have by the pet name of Eaff, Eafe, or Ralph. In Hone's " Table Book," pp. 826, 837, he gives an account of a tame raven which was called Kafe. II See Sydney's " History of England," &c. The above-mentioned was a most important event, as it drew Alfred from his retreat to further victories, and ultimate triumph. 196 In Gibson's " Camden*" it is stated, that there was upon the coast of Devonshire, a castle called Kenuith [or Kenwith], " 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," &o. Dr. Thomas, in his " Survey and account of Worcester Cathe- dral," &o., published in 1737, mentions a place called Ravenshill, or Raefneshill, situated two miles east of Worcester]:, and says, that in the year 876, Coenwlf, King of the Mercians, gave * Vol. i., p. 167, fourth edition, 1772. + Also see Gough's " Camden" thereon, Vol. i,, p. 30, first edition, 1789, 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 Wamdon and Crowle. Also see " Codex Dip." No. 209, and 209 App., Vol. iii., as to this Hrsefneshyl ; and No. 289, and 289 App., Vol. iii., as to Hrefiiespyt, near Honeyboume, in this county. 197 Rfefneshill to the Bishop of Worcester, &o. * ; 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 RavenhuU. 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 Hopyard|, 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 Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 267, •')07, .3.37. + The word Hopyard attached to the above name must be comparatively modern, it probably was Dane ground, or some stTch name, in days of yore. 198 the year 894, when he drove Hastmg, 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, [Ethelflted], 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 theh 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 Woerfred'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 * Wiccia, a province of the Mercian kingdom, contained Worcestersliire, Gloucestershire, and part of Warwickshire. He appears to have been Duke of Wiccia and viceroy of Mercia. + " Heming's ' Cartulary,' p. 3." J " Or Wffirferth, or Werfrith." § " This was a duty on wares carried out ; one penny each horse-load, and twelve times as much on a loaded wain." 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, dt 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^:" — " iEDELRED, DUKE OF MERCIA, a.d. 878-899.— At a gemot held between these years, and very likely at Worcester, jEthelred and ^thelflaed 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 jEthelflasd, as follows : — " ^DELRED, 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 hetween 871) and 899. § " Codex Dip.," Nos. 327, 1068. 200 latter case, it is clear that Jilthelred and jEthelflEed sat at Salt- wic, meaning Droitwich*, which lies only about 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, jEthelraed the ealderman, and ^thelflsed 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. ^Ethelrjed and Jilthelflsed proclaim, that they have just granted with good-will to God and St. Peter, under witness of ^Elfred the king, and all the witan in Mercia, excepting that the wain-shilling and load-penny | are to go to the king's hand, as they always did, from Saltwic ; but as • See hereafter " Droitwich." + Vol. il p. 328. } " There can he no douht that Waenscilling, written erroneously in the MS. WsegnscUling, is what is meant by statio et inoneratio plaustrorum, in another charter. — ' Codex Dip.,' No. 1066. It is custom or toU upon the standing and loading of the salt-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 ^Etheb-aed 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 recognitoiy rent for land held under the burh 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." t Namely, to them and their daughter MlNdne, a vUl iu Worcester, and about 133 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 metropohs of the west." { Heming's " Cartulary," p. 13 ; also see the manuscript in the Cotton Collection, British Museum ; " Tiberius, ' A xiii., fo. 66 ; and " Codex Dip.," No. 339. a02 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 wi'ite ; 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 ^Ethelred and ^thelflseda's charter, dated in 880, as follows : — " + Ego Alfred rex consensi et sub- scripsi ;" and also the Dulte's charter, dated 883, as follows : — " + Ego .Alfred rex huius traditionis munificentiam signo sanctae crucis adfirmo." — (See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 311, 313, and 313 App., Vol. iii.) — And the charter relative to property in London, granted to Bishop Werfrith, dated in 889, is signed by the three as follows : — " + Ego Alfred rex anglorum et Saxonum, hanc donationem confirmans signo crucis subscribo,+ Ego ^thelred, subregulus et patricius Merciorum, hanc dona- tionem signo crucis subscripsi. + Ego ^thelflaed 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 Alfervvikef, as stated by Dr. Nash, the fact of a place called * There also was JSlfere, Duie of Mercia, temp. King Edgar ; jElMck, a learned and pious writer in the time of Ethelred II. ; and .ffiliick, or Agelric, Archdeacon of Worcester, temp. Bishop WiUstan. + 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 fnundcr. Alfruigton tything, Co. Dorset ; and Alfi-iston parish, Co. Sussex. Tmuuli are numerous in this latter parish. 208 Eavenhills, and Kavenhills Green, or Kaffnals Green-is 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 Alfredesvfic, either on occasion of the battle, or shortly after- wards ; when it is said by some writers that Alfred divided the Idngdom 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, resembhng the above-mentioned, there is a place in Suckley, in Worcestershire, on the border of Oradley, in Herefordshire, called " The Bante];," 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 Soir, 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 "meet at this green : one of them runs up to the Bound Hill. + See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. 248 ; and also Astwood. { It lies between 'Wallridge and the Upper and Lower Barrow (or Berrow). See the Ordnance Map. This place is desciibed as " The Baate," in certain title deeds referred to in the " 23rd Eeport of the Commissioners for Inquiring concerning Charities," p. 570. 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 ' Soir,' 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 vrith full authority to preside over the ecclesiastical affairs of Huicoia or Wiccia; and in charters of this Ethelred, dated 691 or 693, and 692 f, Worcester is styled Uueogoma 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 ] 846 ; and in the Sep- tember following, a letter appeared in the " Athenseum ||," wherein, the writer says, " Alfrick " (the place in question) * " Less usual are Elba and Para. The Norse Herrad may in some sense be compared witih these divisions." + See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 32, 34. } Which, in the Latin, is Wigoma et Vigomia. — (See Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 109.) § It is named Wigercestresire in Edward the Confessor's charter of 1066, and 'Wirecestrescire in another of his charters. — (See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 829, 830.) II For September 19th, 1846, p. 955.— (See also the numbers for October 2nd and 9th, 1847, pp. 1030, 1005.) 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 mediseval 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, vrith 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. 49q, 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 H) ; and Dr. Nash certainly describes " Alfrick " as Alferwyke, and Alfredeswio, as before stated. t B. ii., c. 2., p. 81, Giles's translation. } This conference is said to have taken place during the Saxon heptarchy in A.D. 603. § " II-'^ ." II " III., 325." soo Wiccii and West Saxons, and may be a contraction of Austinfric * q. d. Austin's territory. But, not to mention that the true name of this village in writingsf is Aulfric and Alfredeswio, 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 oocidentalium Saxonum,' p. 186) ' Ac id est robur Augustini in confinio Huicoiorum 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 Austinric. + 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 1806. X There is no Tillage in the hamlet, unless a very few cottages scattered about near Alfrick Pound may be called a village. § That is, in those published prior to Gough's additions. II MSS. Thomas and LyttUton. 307 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 Eock ; 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 Eock, described in Vol. i., p. 10, &o., 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 eelebrated 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 Koads, 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 ChirkenhiU, 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 Bunyari. 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, — uaniel)', 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, 1773*, 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, Plate 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 bomf) 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. + Born 1628; died 12th Augfust, 1688. 209 1817, and was then in. his possession. That the circumstances related by M^ 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, 29th 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., Poet Laureate, &o. &c. &c." P 210 ford about Bunyan, which I think wUl convince Dr. Southey that Bunyan was certainly confined in the Gate House of that town. " The communication is from the Rev. Mr. HUyard, 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. HUyard '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 tlmt 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 sorry 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 ianding 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 pubHsh these interesting accounts, because they tend to elucidate some points in the biography 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, 1843, and May and July, 1844, relative to the early editions of the " Pilgrim's Progress," in which the writer hereof took a part. 212 relative to Banyan, 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, 1 672, 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 Bimyan 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 Boughead, in the towne of Bedford, or in any other place, roome, or house, licensed by his Ma^^- " ' 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 iu 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." J VUe Nash's " History," Vol. ii., p. 68. 2] 3 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 Woodbiiry Rock. WHITBOURNE. In Duncumb's " History of Herefordshire," Vol. i., p. 936, it is said that " within Whitboume Court Park was a Roman in- trenchmentf, and divided from it by a meadow and vaUey, 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 t, 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 hill, 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. J The Saxons generally applied this term to those places which had been fortified by their predecessors. § From " birighe," (Saxon) to hide or bury. 314 WOODBUKY 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 Oubuiy HiUf. Dr. Nash, in speaking of it, says : " In the parish of Great Witley, the river Teme passeth under Woodbury HiU, remark- able for an old intrenchment on the top, commonly called Oweri 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 mUes, 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. ABBEELEY HILL. It is said that this hill was formerly caUed Abbotsleyll. In " Domesday Book" the name is written Edboldelege. With respect to the etymology of the word ley. Sir Wilham 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. t There are places called Howbuiy Meadow and Little Howbury in Suckley, and Woodbury in Upton Warren. { 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 Bush Meyrick, K. H. § Vide Vol. ii., p. 465. II Also see the Ordnance Map. If See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary," also th'e " Eambler in Worces- tershire," published in 1851, p. 162. The prefix Ab may be a conti'action of Abbot, as Habbe Lench, or Hob Lench, is of Abbot's Lench. It is called Hab- leah in the " 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 Abherley 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," pubhshed in 1848, it is stated that " on Abberley HiU, 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. 46. 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 AntioLua," 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. aiR |ttr CEOCKBARKOW 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 Eomans 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. Ok. 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 HOI 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 .Vstwood, as to this place probably having been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks. + At all which places Koman relics have been foupd. I See also the " Strangers' Guide to Worcester," by Ambrqse Florence, p. iir. 217 the Royal Society, on the 11th June, 1834, relative to the Saxon derivation of various names, 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 Crookberrow 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 hUl 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. Ixxx,); Cruckberew in a grant, 3rd Edward III.; and Crokeborrow in the first register of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, folio 84. 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 Cruggion, 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 j 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, PortneUs, the Pendock Port-way, Wain Street, Keysend Street, and Elsborough. Adjoining the Berrow is Bid Marley D'Abitot, which, in the Anglo-Saxon times, was called Reodemaereleah and Eydemsereleah ; and in " Domesday Book, " Eedmerleie or Eidmerlege. As Eyd in ancient British and Phcenician 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. Adjoiaing 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 HiQ; while, between Eastnor and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, is the Eidgeway. In Eldersfield there are Gadbury Banks and Tutshill : Gadbury Hill, in Castle Morton ; and SamhiU, 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 enclosme. I There are several places called by the name of Doc in Anglo-Saxon charters, set forth in the " Codex Dip. ;" as, Doccenaford,No. 1093; 1175Doccen- graf. No. 1141 ; Doccyng, No. 759, (Docking in Norfolk). The word Docca in Anglo-Saxon means the dock weed. 219 In regaid to the names Barrow, Burrow, and Berrow, we must remark thait the last is a corruption of the two former. As the Saxons called the British and Roman burial places by the name of Barrow, and the British and 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 HUl ; 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 Warudon), which now goes by the name of the Round Hill, but was called Cuggan HUlf 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 j HiU ; and, if so, we have the same repetition as in the name of Cruckbarrow Hill, which proves, first, 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. 491, &c. + See the accounts of the Ebund Hill, in Spetchley,— Toot Hills,— and the peneral account of Spetchley. } See p. 217, 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 hiU, and ' Barrow,' which word often signifies a place fortified by the Bomans, 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 WeU ; from Fuet's Well thence it cometh to Ramsden ; along Ramsden thence to the street ; along the street thence it cometh to Oswaldslow ; » See StouUon, Iter XVIII. + See " Codex Dip.," Nos. .570, 612. 221 from Oswaldslow along the Salt Street, to Foul-mere ; from Foul-mere again to Lusthorn *. The above-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. 612, dated 977. + Dated 964. See Nash, Vol. i., Introduction, 61 ; and " Codex Dip.," No. 514, Vol. iL, and 514 App., Vol. vi. ; and Heming's " Cartulary," p. 517. The authenticity of this charter is doubted. J Published 1820, p. 6. § " Between Spetchley and Wolverton." 222 THE EOUND 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 HiU. Some further remarks on it will be found under the heads of Cruckbarrow and Toot HiUs. 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 t, is of considerable depth ; its east end runs in shape Uke 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 J, 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 " Salwarp," p. 110. + There is a place called Perry Wood, iB Pirton. { Between these parts and Worcester there is the site of a place which was caUed Perry Court ; nothing, however, but the trenches of the moat remain. § See Dodsley's humorous account of it in his " Chronicles of the Kings of England," puhhshed 1799. S23 ments at Lepard Hill*, Eonk's Wood, and Perry Wood. These hills are in a line from Cruckbarrow to Elbury 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 HiU, there is a farm in Wamdon, commonly called Trotshill, or Troshill. It is named Tootshill in Isaac Taylor's Map of Worcestershire, published in 1773, 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. f " Domesday Book." + See " Gentleman's Magazine" for August, 1841. 234 Mr. Bryant says, that El, Al, HX, sometimes expressed Eli, was the name of the true God ; But with the Zabians it signified the Sun ; whence also the Greek "HXto?, and 'ileXto?. 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 comers 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 HiU at Spetchley on the east. Although the name of this hill is most probably of much greater antiquity than the time of the Romans, 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 hUlf, 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 95 he says, " Caph, 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 Dummel in Arley, in Warwickshire. t See pp. 9, 23. J See p. 95. 225 This hill, although it has heen 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 count-y, 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 hUl. 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 1773, Helbury Hill, in the " Stranger's Guide to Worcester*," and Uke- wise in the "Worcester Miscellany f," and Elbury HillJ in the Ordnance Map. There was, in the Anglo-Saxon times, a place called EUesheorh and Hallesburg (Ellesborough) near Twyford and Evesham on the Avon §; and an idea has been entertained that EUesheorh (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 ; EUbatch Wood on the north-west side of Woodbury HUl ; 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; EU Bank Piece in Northfield; EU Wood in Romsley, in Hales Owen ; and AUsborough HillH near Pershore. There also are EUbarrow 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 1828, pp. 130, 131. t Published 1829, Vol. i., No. 2, p. 68. J " Domesday Book" mentions Elburgelega in Herefordshire. § See " Codex Dip.," No. 1868 and 61, 61 App., Vol. iii. II Ibid., No. 570, 422, 422 App., Vol. iii. ^ Most probably meaning Elsbun-ow Hill. — See the " Fairy Mythology." •• The names "Elkin," or little gods, or of kin to the gods, appear to oori- 226 ASTWOOD Is a hamlet or tithing in the parish of Claines, adjoining to Elbury Hill. As there areagreat many places in this county thathave names commencing with Ast, an inquiry into the etymology of the prefix does not seem altogether uncalled for. Bryant and others would trace the derivation to the Greek earia, 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 Soutlibury or Sidbury ; Westwood* lies west of Droitwioh ; Aston, Easton, or Eston Episcopi (White Ladies' Aston) is about four miles east of Worcester, and Astley, Eslei, Estley, Asteleye, or .^stleye, 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 AsthiU, Little AsthUl, and New Asthills, in Upton Warren ; Upper Aston in Knighton ; Astwood, on the west side of the Kidgeway, in Feckenham ; Aston Field in Rushock, Astley Ground in Beoley, Astmore Common in the Parish of Kempsey, Astwood in Hanhury, Estbury in Hallow, in Grimley, and the parish of Eastham (Estham in " Domesday Book"). nect our faiiy mythology with that which was more ancient. See the Folk-lore. And some other of the aboye names of places of small note, which have not the word "bmy" or "borough" attached to them, may have been given in reference to the fairies. • See " Codex Dip.," No. hli., as to Westwudu. + It is called Eastun (Aston Magna) in the " Codex Dip.," No. 117. " Domesday Book" also notices Estun and Estone, m WorcestersMi-e ; and TIeming's " Cartulary," p. 43i, mentions Austan (Aston Pan-a), and Eastune, Eastiui, and ^stun, in p. 56, &c. 327 Still it is possible that the tithing of AstvvoocI is indebted for its designation to the fact of its being east of Northwiok, ^yhich 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 JVstwood 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 'Earia, and the Eomans, 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 " Astaj." 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, difitarev, were explained and enforced.' Hence, Homer, speaking of a person * " Domesday Book " has Astenewic and Astune, in Yorksliire ; and Astenofre, in Herefordshire. f *' Est " is a prefix to many names in foreign parts. J There was, in Northamptonshire, in the Anglo-Saxon times, a place called Asctun (Ashton). See " Codex Dip.," No. 575 ; and in a confirmation of that charter, No. 908, there is a place called Astun (Aston). Now, if these mean the same place, we appear to have a corruption of the 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 Northamptonshii'e. Also, see what is before stated as to Astridge or Ashridge, in Powick. It is called Astridge in the Tithe Commutation ; but, in the " 2.3rd Ftu-ther Eeport of the Commis- sioners for Inquiring concerning Charities," it is spelled Ashridge, 338 not worthy of the rights of society, calls him 'A(j>pilTwp, ade/j,iaTO<;, aviario^*. In this view of the case, the three naraes, Elbury HiU, Astwood, and Barrow Cop, designate all that an ancient community required, namely, a sacred altar, or place of worship of the god El, or the sun; a sacred hearth; and a place of sepulture f. The Saxons possibly may have converted some of these sacred hearths — if there really were any in tliis country — into " marks " (which afterwards became parishes, tithings, and hundreds) ; and the names of such small places often remained unchanged. Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England];," has given a very interesting Ust of patronymical names, which he believes to be those of ancient marks §. The following, in Worcestershire, are taken from Anglo-Saxon charters : — Birlingas " Codex Dip.," No. 570 Grundlingas . „ 548 Heallingas . „ 309 Oddingas „ 309 Dristhngas „ 570 Orohheeme . „ 507 Hinhseme „ 764 MonninghEeme „ 645 Secghseme „ 764 Domhagme „ 511 Beonotsetan . „ 366 Bradsetan „ 389 Grimsetan „ 561 Incsetan . . „ 511 Mosetan . . „ 266 Wreocensetan „ 377 ♦ Bryant's " Ancient Mythology," Vol. i., puBlished 1774, pp. 63, 63. + See a similar case in the account of Tan Wood, Astwood Hill, and Barrow Hill, in Chaddesley Corhet, p. 126. + Vol. i., p. 449, &o. § 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. 329 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. 434, Mr. Kemble says : — " In all likelihood every mark had its religious establishment ; its fanum, delubrum, or saceUum, as the Latin authors call them ; its hearh, as the Anglo-Saxon no doubt designated themf; 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 PerdesweU J, 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 'WMttingtoii, Huddington, Oddingley, and Astwood, lie in a circle within a few miles of each other. + Besinga hearh, fanum Besingorum. — " Codex Dip.," No. 994. J See 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 tebrse, which are twenty in number, and are cmiously twisted and tooled. Between each piece there is a thick ring, shaped hke 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 Eoman-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. 3, in Plate 50, of the 16th 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 14th of December, 1848 ; and the above engraving of it is given in the " Archseologia," Vol. xxx., pp. 564, 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, Eochdale. This latter ornament, which appears to be suited rather for an armilla than a collar, measures 6| inches in diameter; its weight is lib. 4Joz. One-half of the circumference • See " Claiae.s." 331 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, Uke the decorations of early architectural mouldings*." The Perdeswell 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 33, 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 vertebrae 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 finger 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 " Ai-chaeologia," Vol. xxxi., App., p. SI''', and Vol. xxxiv., p. 86. There is also a most curious gold tore, belonging to Her Majesty the Queen, engraved in the "Archseologia," Vol. xxxiii., p. 176 ; !>"' i' is ""' ol the pattern in question. 233 The tore, chain, or rather wreath, is frequently alluded to by the early British bards. " Yet in the battle of Arderydd 1 wore the golden torques." Merddin, Avellanan. " roui--and-twenty sons I have had, Wearing the golden wreath, leaders of armies." Llywarch Hen, " Of all who went to Cattraeth, wearing the golden tore or wreath." A7iewm. The same bard states, that in the battle Cattraeth were three hundred and sixty who wore the golden torques *. TUTNALL, TETNAL, or TOOTENHILL; ALIAS OAKFIELDS. This hill is in the parish of Claines, and lies about three miles north of Worcester. It overlooks Severe and the northern side of the city, and would communicate by signals with the camp at Ombersley, Ostorius's supposed fort, and Elbury Hill. We have thus traversed this remarkable chain from Cruck- barrow Hill to Tutnall, and it appears almost impossible to beheve that the names of the several links could have been given accidentally, and without reference to the manners and customs of the ancients, which they so admirably illustrate and confirm. We shall now proceed to a more detailed account of Toot Hills. TOOT HILLS. Toot Hill, in Lindridge, is an elevation situated near to the parish road-side at Doddenhill, and forming part of the estate of Sir Wm. Smith. The following are also in or upon the borders of the county: — Tutnall or Tootenhill, in Olaines; Trotshill, Troshill, or Tootshillf Farm, in Warndon; Tutnal, Tutnal * See Giles' " Eiehard of Cirencester," published 1848, p. 427. + It is called Tootshill in Isaac Taylor's Map of 1772 ; but, as no par- ticular elevation now remains there, the tumulus must have been removed some time or other. — See pp. 217, 2.30, as to similar' oases. 333 Mount, and Tutnal Piece, in Tardebig*; Tonthall [Tothehel] Cross t, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Tutshill Common Field, and Little Tutshill, in Bldersfield ; Tutbatch, in Lower Sapey, — aU in Worcestershire. There also are the Mythe Toot or Tute, near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire ; Tatnell Bridge, near Yatton in Herefordshire ; and Tatenhill and Tutbury in Staffordshire. " Domesday Book J" notices the above-mentioned place in Bromsgrove, called Tothehel, and describes it as terra regis. It also mentions Teotintune, in Worcestershire; Teteberie§, Tet- inton, and Toteham, in Gloucestershire; Toteberie, Totehala, and Totenhale ||, in Staffordshire ; Tetisthorpe, in Herefordshire ; Tutenelle, in Somersetshire ; Toteham and Totehele, in Mid- dlesex ; Toteled, Co. York ; Totele, Cos. York and Lincoln ; and Totenais and Totescombe, in Devonshire. Dr. Thomas, in his " Survey of Worcester Cathedral," &c., notices in A. 18, Teottingtun, Tetintun, Taterington II, or Tetyng- ton, near the river Cerent or Carent, which runs through Over- bury, Kemerton, and Ashchurch parishes into the Avon, near Tewkesbury, and states that King Oifa gave five manses of land at Teottingtun** to the Monastery at Breodun-H-. There is much contrariety of opinion as to the etymology of the name of the places in question ; some say it comes from the Saxon word " teotan," to look out, and others from the Celtic god Teutates. Bryant derives the name of such round hills from " Tith," and says, when towers were situated on eminences fashioned very round, they were by the AmonianstI called Tith, • Tutnal and Cobley were added to Worcestershire by tlie Reform Bill. + See Nash, Vol. i., p. 150. { Vol. L, p. 172a. § It is called Tetteburi in the " Codex Dip.," No. 23, 23 App., Vol. iii. II In Heming's " Cartulaiy," p. 431, mention is made of a place called Totenhale. If Also, see Heming's " Cartulary," p. 26, as to Tateringetun. ** There is, or was, a toft called Toten, in the paiish of Badsey, as appeai-s by a title deed dated in 1722. ++ Heming's " CartiUai-y," p. 453. J} That is, the descendants of Ham, 334 which answers to-^Jiin Hebrew, and to ti't^;? and rir^os ii Greek. That they were particularly sacred to Orus and Osiris, the deities of light, who by the Grecians were represented under the title of Apollo. That these mounts were not only in Greece, but in Egypt, Syria, and most parts of the world ; that they were gene- rally formed by art, being composed of earth, raised very high, which was sloped gradually and with great exactness, and the top of all was crowned with a fair tower *. Although the Anglo-Saxons may have used such hills as " look- out stations," still many of them may have been of ancient British origin and derivation ; and the fact that all the above-mentioned hills or places in Worcestershire are either close to, or near upon the sides of roads, appears to favour the opinion that they were sacred to the Celtic Texitates, who was the guide over the hills and track-ways. Bryant says, Theuth, Thoth, Taut, Taautes, are the same title diversified, and belong to the chief god of Egjrpt. That Eusebius speaks of him as the same as Hermes. That from Theuth the Greeks formed &EOSy which, with that nation, was the most general name of the Deity. That it was the same deity which the Germans and Celtse worshiped under the name of Theut-Ait, or Theutates, whose sacrifices were very cruel, as we learn from Lucanf. The following interesting passage upon the subject is extracted from the " Worcestershire Miscellany|." — " Caesar, in his remarks upon the religion of Britain, observes, that Mercury was the chief object of popular veneration ; that there were many images of him, and that he stands as a guide oyer the hills and track- ways §. Not that the Eoman Mercury was actually worshipped by that name before Csesar's arrival in Britain ;. but stones being sacred to Mer- cury among the Greeks and Romans, and Caesar perceiving the ar- tificial mounds surmomited by a stone, or simulacrum, were parti- cularly venerated, he hence concluded that Mercury was the god * Bryant, pp. 417, 418, 419. + Ibid., pp. 11, 12. J Vol., i., No. 2, June, 1829, p. 65. § See Kemble's " Saxons in England," p. 339, &c., as to the identity of this Mercury with Woden. 285 held in peculiar esteem. Now, Mr. Bowles says, ' The Egyptian Thoth*, Thot, or Tot; the Phoenician Taautus, or Taute j^lhe Grecian Hermes ; the Eoman Mercury ; the Teutates of the Celts (so called by Lucan, from the Celtic Du Taith, Deus Taautus), are universally admitted to be the same-|-.' A stone was the &st rude representation of Thoth, Taute, or Teut (the Latinized Teu- tates of Lucan) which being placed on eminences, natural or aiti- ficial, and more especially near roads, were thence called Tot- hiUs, or Teut-hills, and in many instances, in various parts of the kingdom; are so called at present." " A writer, designated as 'Merlin,' in the 'Gentleman's Magazine,' March, 1839, says, ' When the Cimmerian Druids migrated from Asia into Europe, they carried with them patriarchal traditions, their Chaldsean lore, and their Cadmsean alphabet, together with that grand and characteristic badge of distinction, the name Theu-tate.' He further observes, ' There is no language, ancient or modern, into which this name is so easily and naturally resolvable as the Cim- bric, or British, and that Theu-taut is nothing more nor less than Dhiu-Tad, the universal parent, or God the Father.' Merlin says the Druids cherished ' this revered offspring of patriarchal tra- dition' till obliged by the stern Romans to relinquish it for the gods of their conquerors. Mr. Bowles, too, observes, ' It will not be denied, then, that as the Celts popularly worshipped Mercury, that is, this Thoth, the Druids secretly taught the immortality of the soul. The secret worship was of one infinite God, whose representation was the circle.' " Mr. Bowles also says Mercury's " name in Celtic was Du Taith, from whence Lucan calls him Teutates. According to my idea, Thoth, Taute, Toute, Tot, Tut, Tad, Ted, Tet^, are all derived from the same Celtic root, and are in names of places in England, indicative of some tumulus or conical hill, * " Thoth, according to Bishop Cumberland, was the son of Misraim, the son of Ham, and grandson of Noah." + But see the " Gentleman's Magazine," January, 1829, pp. 4-5, 46, where doubts are stated as " to the identity of the Egyptian Thoth with Hermes, or the Gaulish Mercurius Teutates," and arguing that Taut or Teutates was the Egyptian Hercules, a symbol of the sun. I There were in the Anglo-Saxon times the following names, as mentioned 236 dedicated to tlie great Celtic god Taute, or Mercury, when there were ubique per Angliam, plurima simulacra, according to the testimony of Ceesar." The reviewer of Mr. Bowles's work in the " Gentleman's Maga- zine," February, 1839, p. 140, observes, "It is plain from Livy that Mercury, 'EwSto? (or Vialis), was called among the Celts, Mercury Teutates, and both these tumuli (referred to by Mr. Bowles) were on the sides of roads. Caesar proves the application ; for he says of the Britons, that they made Mercury ' viarum atque itinerum ducem,' hence the case concerning Toot-hills is very satisfactorily made out." In the parish of Nemnet in Somersetshire there is a remark- able baiTow, called Fairy Toote, thought to be a work of the Druids*. In Cough's Camden, in the account of Staffordshire, it is stated that " Theoten-haU, q. d., the haU of nations or pagans, now Tetnall [was] dyed with Danish blood in 911, by Edward the Elder." I mention this place, not that it belongs to the- Toots, but because its name has been corrupted so as to correspond with the corrupted names of some of the Toots. It is possible that some of the other names which are given as coming from Toot would be found, could they be traced, to belong to other roots f. Before proceeding to describe several additional ancient British, Eoman and Saxon reUcs which have been discovered in Worces- tershire and its vicinity, I must say a few words on the meaning of certain names and terms which wUl very frequently occur in the course of the narrative. in the " Codex Dip. :"— Taedsbroc, No. 561, 1369 (Tadsbrook) ; T^tlingtun, No. 676 (Tatlington), and Teottingtun, No. 146, &c. (Teddington), all in Worcestershire, and Tadanleah, No. 603, 1092, 1094 CTadley), Hants ; Tad- maertun,No.442, 448, 453, and 453 in App., Vol. iii., and 1195 (Tadmarton), Oxfordshii-e ; Tatanbeorh, 366 (Tatborough), Dorset; Tatanbroc, 714 (Tat- brook), Oxfordshire ; and Tatangrafes wurtwale, 347, 347 App., Vol. ui. (Tat- grove), Worcestershire. • Gough's Camden, Vol i., p. 105. + This observation may also apply to other schedules of names which are in this work classed under some particular root. 937 1st. Sacred or altar stones were called ainbrosise petrse, or amber stones. Snd. Boundary stones were called hoar stones. 3rd. Roman stations are in many instances known by their being called after some Roman game, such as the Quintan, &c. 4th. The name of Portway is common to the Roman military ways, and 5th. The ridgeways are considered to be either of Roman or ancient British origin. The name of Castor, Cester, or Chester, generally indicates a Roman station ; and Sarn, Street, Stane, and Stone, as fre- quently show the course of a British or Roman way*. I. The ancient British ways are not raised nor paved, nor always strait, but often wind along the tops or sides of the chains of hills which lie in their course. II. They do not lead to Roman towns, with which they have no connection, except when placed on the site of British fort- resses. III. They are marked by tumuli, like those of the Romans, but often throw out branches, which, after running parallel for some mUes, are re-united in the original stemf. ANCIENT ROADS, CAMPS, AND REMARKABLE NAMES OF FIELDS AND PLACES. As the ancient British, Roman, and Saxon roads and camps, in Worcestershire and its borders, have only been casually noticed in the previous part of this work, I have endeavoured to collect and consolidate aU the principal facts relative to them ; and have likewise given the names of several fields and places which lie in or near the lines of such roads. * See the late Mr. Hatcher's notes to his edition of the much disputed work intitled the " Itinerary of Richard of Cirencester," published in 1809, p. 105. f Ibid., p. 101. The parallel branches most probably were made by the Romans and the primitive lines by the ancient Britons, as stated in the account of the primitive roads. i38 Iter i|. WESTEEN SIDE OE THE COUNTY. ANCIENT KOAD AND CAMPS, FBOM WALLSHILL CAMP AND MALVERN HILLS TO WOODBUET HILL. In my account of the hills, I have likewise described the camps which lie on the western side of the county, in the line of the Malvern Chain, — Cowley or Cowleigh Park (in Leigh), Old Storage and Piound Hill"-;= (in Alfrick), Lulsley, Ankerdine Hill, 'Whitbourne, The Berrow, Ridge, and Woodbury Hills. It is pro- bable that an ancient ridgeway ran in that line near to the ridges of the hills, from Wall Hills, Colwall, and the Malvern Hills Camps to the camp at Woodbury Hill in Great Witley ; for there are several pieces in Leigh, called Big Ridway, and in Suck- ley, called Walldridge ; and adjoining the Round Hill in Alfrick there is a ridge called WaUshill Coppice (vrhich is partly in Alfrick and partly in Suokley), and a lane, partly in Alfrick and partly in Lulsley, called Green Streetf , and not far from thence is a rock called Osebury or Oseberrow, in Lulsley ; therefore the pro- bable line of the road in question, from Old Storage or Storridge, was by Tundridge in Suckley, then by Catterhall, and along the east side of the Suckley Hill chain, between it and Buall or Bewill; Nor- grove, Oughton or Eoten Wells J ; Gorway's Green, Cruise Hill§, * It is astonislimg what a number of round hills there are in the coiuity. See the account of the Toot HUls, p 233, &e. t There is a place called Green Street in Harvington. See Iter XIX. J See " Folk-Lore," Chap. xii. § So called in a deed dated 27 Charles II. 339 or Cruse or Grewshill* ; the Round Hill and Walla Hill, — all in Alfrick ; then to Batesbush and Osebury Rock, and across the ford at Knightsford bridge, to Ankerdine Hill, and the camp at Whitbourne, and also to the camps at the Berrow and Woodbury Hills, where it probably joined the ancient road from Worcester to Tenbury, hereafter described. A line nearly parallel to this road probably ran from the Bridges Stone f, at the foot of Old Storage, in Alfrick, by Callow's Leap, and up the hill at the Knap or rising and by Patches (or Paches) Farm, leaving the Upper House and the Grimsend on the left ; thence along Clay Green and by Payne's Castle, in Alfrick, and along Green Street, in Alfrick and Lulsley ; thence onwards, by the Folly I Farm, in Alfrick, and Puttocks, otherwise Pothooks or Pauthooks, in Lulsley, and over the river Teme at Broadwas, Broadis, or Bradewas Ford ; thence through Broadwas and Dodenham to the camps at the Berrow and Woodbury Hills. A cross-road appears to have formerly run out of the first-mentioned road, from Nor- grove, or Gorway's Green, along a part which used to be called Cate Lane §, situated on the west side of the close by the Uppei; House, and thence by Grimsend to Payne's Castle. Another branch, instead of crossing the Teme at Puttock's End, most probably went from thence over the Red Cliff into Leigh parish, through the Devil's Pig-trough (which is a trench across a ridge of ground), and on through Leigh, Bransford (otherwise Braunts- ford), and St. John's, to Worcester. This line is principally distinguished by the names Wall Hill * There is a place called Crews-field in Dymock, Co. Gloucester. + Erroneously called " Bridger's Town" ia Isaac Taylor's map, published in 1772. As much new red sand-stone rock was at an early period cut through at this part to form the road, I presume the bridge, which is of wood, acquired the name of the Bridge at Stone or the Bridge of Stone. It is called by the latter name in a deed dated 27th Charles II. t There are a great many places in Worcestershire and the neighhora-ing counties called " The Folly." § There is a place called Crate Lane in Stanford in the Teme. See Iter VIII. Perhaps these names mean Gate Lane ; gate being a Saxon term for a road or way; it also means a wicket. 240 and Wall*, occurring in several parts of it, which are evidences of Roman possession. The following names occur in this line : — In LEIGH there are Hocker Hill, Luckall's Orchard, Dead Loons, Upper and Lower Dead Loons, Hurfield, Hire Field, Great Towbury, Little Towbury, Wynns (or Wins) Grave, Ping Hill, Hovlands, Musmore Hill, Obersley, Old Ovens, Sich Orchard, Crumpenhillf Meadow, Castle Green Suffield, Castle Hill Meadow, Big and Little Lonkers Ley, Mundole Orchard, Rowberry's Meadow, Boustens Field, HoUocks, Cra- combe Hill, The Hoardings!, Harding's Meadow, Quag Suffield, The Sturts, Warwick's Wish, The Mounds, The Nap (Knap), Cowley (Cowleigh) Park, Big Ridway Pieces, The Red Cliff, The Devil's Pig Trough, Tinker's Cross, Black Jack's Cave, Patch Hill§, and Omber's Hill||. This parish is called Lege, in " Domesday Book." Dead Loons was probably the site of a battle or skirmish in the civil wars, as human bones and cannon-balls have been found there. It lies at the bottom of the east side of Old Storage. Dr. Nash IT, speaking of a military skirmish which happened in Leigh, says, perhaps it was " while the Parliament forces lay in this county, before Brereton summoned the town of Worcester, in March 1646. In September 164S, the king marched from Wor- cester to relieve Hereford, and obUged the Scots to abandon the siege**." A cannon-ball was, a few years ago, found several feet » The parallel line fi-om Malvern Hills to Tenbury, &c., next hereafter described, is also so distinguished. (See the derivation of the name " Wall," and a list of Wall Hills, in the account of the Malvern HiUs, pp 155, 158, 159.) t Otherwise Crumpal or Crumpton HUl. J See as to a hoar-stone in Leigh, in the general account of hoar-stones. § Several of the above-mentioned places are referred to in the " Folk-Lore," Chap. xii. II Most probably meaning Ambers HiU. (See what is stated relative to Ombersley, in the account of Ambrosae Petrae, Chap, ii., and " Folk-Lore.") ^ Vol. ii., p. 74. ** About two miles from Dead Loons, in Upper Sherridge, in Leigh, there is a piece of ground and a bam called Cromwells, vulgo Crumells, or Cromalls. 241 deep in the bank by the roadside, at Callow's Leap, not far from the north side of Old Storage, in Alfrick; and another was ploughed up in the Grimsend estate. Besides " The Devil's Pig-trough," there is a place called The Devil's Den, in Stanford, and also in Bromsgrove; The Devil's Bowling Green, in Inkbarrow; The Devil's Dib, in Areley Kings ; The Devil's Leap, in Dodenham and Martley ; and The Devil's Spadeful, in the parish of Kidderminster. A pot of silver coins was found in this line of march at HaJes- end, in Cradley, the property of Richard Yapp, Esq., the par- ticulars of which were given in Berrow's " Worcester Journal " for August 1843. These coins were chiefly of Edward VI., Elizabeth, and Charles I., and were doubtless buried for seciu'ity in the troublesome times of the civil wars. A quantity of silver coins were also found in Mathon, as stated in Laird's " Topographical and Historical Description of Wor- cestershire," the particulars of which could not be ascertained. Within the last half century, a hoard of gold coins was found, upon stocking-up an old hedge in the Grits Farm, in Cradley, in Herefordshire, the property of Wilham Morton, Esq., of Lower Wick : these were of George III., and Portuguese gold pieces of John V. and Joseph I. In BKANSFOKD, in Leigh, there is Tibshill*. According to Dr. Nash, Bransford, Bradilesford, Braynsford, or Braunsford, means the ford of Braines. It is caUed Branesford in " Codex Dip.," No. 65 ; and Bregnesford, in No. 508, 508 App., Vol. iii. In SUCKLEY there are places called Great and Little Kitchill Coppice, Tundridge, Catterhall, Sharmore Meadow, Wreckless, Babbins Woodf Great Babbins, Little Babbins, Upper Babbins and Lower Babbins, Kithay Coppice, Lower Berrow, Cornowles I Meadow, The Odnetts. Howbury§ Meadow, Little Howbury, • See " Folk-Lore." f There is a place called Babbins Wood, near Whittington, Co. Salop. J Also Ceamowl, in Knigbton-on-Teme. § There is Eowberry's Meadow, in Leigh ; Eoughborough, in Stretton-on-the- Fosse, Co. Warwick ; and several places called Bowbeny in Ilfraconabe parish, Co. Devon. R 242 Gossy Pails, Bearcroft, Aroheii Field, Aldery Hill, Swerdy Hill, Image, Quabb Coppice, Camp Orcliard*, WaUdridgef Hojiyard, Walldridge Meadow, Little Walldridge Meadow, The Batch, Egghill Coppice, The Ovens, The Ovens Coppice, Oventree Orchard, Little Oventree Orcliard, Pinner's Piece, Tin Meadow, Tin Meadow Hopyard, Tin Meadow Orchard, Red Castle Orchai'd, Wile Coppice, The Bante, or Bant]:. In " Domesday Book," this parish is called Sukelei. In addition to the above name, " Kit," there are places called Near Kit's Close and Far Kit's Close, in Lulsley ; Kitlaughton, in Knigliton-on-Teme ; KitsaU, in Hanbury ; Kit's Iron, in Feckenham ; Kit's Castle, in Tenbury ; Kit Meadow, in Upton WSirren ; Kit Pit, in Elmbridge ; Kitcroft, in Beoley ; Kitwell, in Northfield ; Kitwell Meadow, in Clent ; and Kittans, in Castle Morton. There are also Kitlands and Kitlands Coppice, in Over Arley, Co. Stafford ; Kitbatch, in Tedstone Delamere, Co. Hereford ; Kitstone, in the parish of Ilfracombe, Co. Devon ; Kit's Green, Kitgreen Leasow, Kitgreen Field, and Near and Far Kit- green Pieces, in Sheldon, Co. Warwick; and Kit Hill, in Cornwall. As the word " Kistvaen," or " Kistven," means a Druidical monument, or stone chest consisting of four stones or coits, it is possible that the above-mentioned " Kit " is a corruption of " Kist." The Kistvaen, at Aylesford, in Kent, is commonly called "Keith Coty House §," or '-Kit's Cotty House;" and Lambarde, in his " Perambulation of Kent," 1570, says it then was " termed of the common people there, ' Citscote House,' " This Grose derives from Catigem, a Briton, who is supposed to have fallen in the same battle with Horsa, the Saxon, and is said to be buried there. This idea, however, is strongly refuted in " Old England," Part i., p. 15 ; and we should think it not * It lies near Acton Beauchamp. f See Malvern, pp. 158, 189. X See Alfrick, Iter I V- jb. 2 o 3 • § See Grose's "Antiquities," second edition, p. 1 31 ; and Cough's "Camden," Vol i., p. 311, second edition, 1806. 248 improbable that " Kit " is an abbreviation of " Kist," and " Cotty " another form of " Coit." I bave 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 Adivtoeem Mevm 59. Nata Ghonew- 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 1593*- It will be observed the inscription states that the queen was bom September 6th ; but many writers say it was on the 7th ; others on the 8th; and others on the 13th 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 J, on the authority of Sir Robert Naimton, states that Queen Ehzabeth's silver bore the words, " Posui Deum adjutorem meum§" — " I have chosen God for my helper." A proclamation, dated 1563, in the 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 the same may be by others followed, &c. ; and for that her majestie perceiveth that a grete nOmber of hir loving subjects are much greved, and take grete « Some iwcount of this portrait appeared in the " Journal of the Archseo- logioal Institute," Vol. iii., p. 89. t Vol. iv., p. 246. t Vol. vi., p. 145. § " Fraginenta 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 HiUs, 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 wordHssg, 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 DoderhiU ; 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 J." * Eg or Ig, in Anglo-Saxon, signifiea an ige or island, or eye ; but several of the above-mentioned names cannot be so derived. " Down " comes from the Saxon " Dun," a hUl. t Vol. L, p. 875. X See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., p. 54. 245 The following list of moduses, or supposed moduses, 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 hack, at least, as the time of Eichard I., otherwise they were rank f . These payments are now happily all extinguished under the Tithe Commutation Act. Smoke, Id. J, and garden, l(i.§ Q,d. The mUk or white of each cow Id. Cider and perry per hogshead Srf. Calves, if reared for plough or pail, per each . . id. Calves, if killed for the family, the left shoulder . Qd. Sheep's wool, if under ten, per each fleece . . Id. Lambs, if under seven, per each Id. For each colt 4(i. Eggs : two for each hen, and three for each cock, at Easter Eggs : two for each duck, and three for each drake. GosUngs : 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 Q,d. for a colt, and a Jrf. for lambs, if under seven. They also paid what is called " Leighton Money" in lieu of tithe fruit, Q,d., and id. for a pigeon house. * See further on tMs point in the acconnt of the " Manorial Customs of Omhersley," Iter XY. +. 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 la^. — See the note in Bum's " Ecclesiastical Law," by S. Fraser, Esq., Vol. iii., pp. 458-459, seventh edition, 1809. { In lieu of all tithe wood, or fire-wood. § In lieu of all titheable matters growing in the gai'den. 246 Qtiery. — Why was the modus for tithe fruit called " Leightou Money?" In ALFEICK there are,— The Old Hill, Copson's Coppice, Hodnett's Orchard, Eycester or Ayciter, Benty Vere, Fleur-de-lis, Stichen's Hill, The MiUards, Sibhay or Tibhay, The Tibbins, Quince Hill, Mancroft*, Prick-pears Coppicef, Cheapside, Clap Gate, Green Street, YeU, The Knap, Luckholds, Payne's Castle, The FoUy, Wonam Meadow or Wad Meadow, Koman Orchard |, 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 HiU, Wallshill Coppice, Eaffnals or Ravenhills ||, Sonit Hole, Callow's Leap, Fairies Cave, Patches or Paches, Patch Hill, Grimsend, Oughton or Eoten Wells, and Halvens or Halvins H. As synonymes with " Hodnetts" may be mentioned Hodnet, near Market Drayton in Shropshire, and the Odnetts in Suckley. Of names neai'ly allied to " Stitchenshill" in appearance, are the following : — Pitchen Hill, in Spetchley ; Hichen Hill, in Lindridge ; Pitchall HUl, in Atch Lench ; Big Stitchings, and Lower Stitchings, in Hagley ; Stitches and Stitchens Bank, in Lulsley ; and First and Second Stitches, in Grimley. 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 Knighton-on-Teme ; and likewise in Upton-upon- Sevem. f This appears to have reference to a species of wild prickly pear tree. It is said the Romans introduced the pear tree into England. I This has nothing to do with om- antiquities. The Orchard was so named from an apple called Roman. § There is Crewsfield in Dymock, Co. Gloucester. II See p. 194, &c. If "With respect to the etymology and antiquities of Old Storage and Alfrick, see pp. 100 and 193, to 303, and " Folk-Lore," 347 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, 1 1th Januaiy, 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 Eomans, 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 Bullseum, in Brecknockshire, on the Portway. There also is a place called " Tump Bewhill," in Church Honey bourne ; Bewill Field, in Sutton, in Tenbury ; Beawells, in Aston in Blockley ; Beauhall Meadow, Big Beauhall, and Little Beauhall, 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 1570 ; with Notes and Illustrations, by J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A., &c.," published by the Shakespeare Society. " 1565-6 — R''- of Thomas ColweU, for his lycence for pryiiting of a ballet intituled the Cater brawles, both wytty and mery iiij'*'" 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 " Handfull of ever- pleasant Delights," 1584, is the " Historic of Diana and Acteon to the Quarter Brawles," p. 120. * See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., pp. 49, 50, 63. f See 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 hes 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 Phcenician 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 DoleJ, 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 VIII. , as appears by the " Valor Ecclesiastious," Vol. iii., p. 247, col. 3 ; 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 they 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 peasanti7 call a stone, a stouan. + See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 67. I 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 Callow will be found in the account of Bromsgrove, 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 1973, 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- pemhill Coppice, Raffnals or Ravenhills Green, Rafifnals Orchard, Bachefield, Bachlield, or Batchfield; Stitches; the Jags, Little Jags, Penhill, Little Borrow, 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 Cophern Hill ; Stitchens Bank and Coppice ; Near and Far Kit's Close ; Cockshut, or Cockshoot ; Horsage I, or Horrage Coppice ; Green Street ; Buttocks, Pothooks, or Pauthooks-end Orchard ; Patch-Ham; Bates-bush; Harding Orchard, a,nd Whistlers §. Speaking of Puttock's-end, we may mention also a farm called " Poltucks-end," near the Rhyd, by Dripshill 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 Puttock's, 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 Alfrickwas consecrated by Bishop Thomas, temp. leS."). t See " Folk-Lore" and " Old Coles." I Also, Horsage Orchard, in Wicheuford. § See further mention of Lulsley under Al&ick, p. 293, &c., and " Folk-Lore." 250 have acquired tlieir designation from these hooks; if so, the suffix " end," attached to such names, is probably a corruption of the word inn. In the Ordnance Map the place at Flyford Fla- vell is called Pothook's Inn *. The word Puttock means a courte- zan, also a small candle added to make up a pound f; and in ornithology, a kite or buzzard. Several observations appeared in the minor correspondence of the " Gentleman's Magazine" in 1849, relative to certain applications of the word Puttoc. In BROAD WAS there are EUbatch Coppice, Round Hill, The Hale, Graffridge, Petchwick, and Gainsbury. Broadwas is also called Brodis, or Bradewas; in " Domesday," Bradewesham. In the Saxon times there were places on the boundaries of Cotheridge named ^ting-way, the Old Cross, Wulfgars-mere, Coldwell, and Brainsford]:. Cotheridge was anciently named Coddaryege, Cod- raie, Coddanhrycg§, and Coterug. In " Domesday," Codrie. In DODENHAM, or Dodeham, there are Great Womage, Little Womage, Peoplenon Meadow, Vine Hill, Vine Rough, The Vineyards, Loveridge Bank, Gurnuok's Dingle, Lond HiU, Alduns, Upper Round Hill, Lower Round Hill, Little Hag- burrows, and the Devil's Leap||. The " Codex Dip,," No. 154, 154 App., Vol. iii., mentions Dodaema Pull (Dodenham Pool). See p. 213, as to Ankerdine HiU. In KNIGHTWICK (otherwise Knitwick, or Knitwyck) there are the Round HiU, Blacks-well H, Great BlackweU, Black-well * There is Eobert's-end Sti'eet, in the parish of Hanley Castle, in this county, and Tedney's-end, in Whithourae, Herefordshire, near the river Teme ; and " The Vines-end, or Vine Inn Estate," in Cradley, Herefordshire. See the " 26th Further Report of the Commissioners for inquiring conceiiiing Cha- rities," p. 570, relative to Tedney's-end; and then " 33nd Finther Report," Part 2, p. 109, relative to " The Vines-end, or Vine Inn Estate," whereby it appears that the latter was called " The Vine Inn" as far back as 1667, There are many names, however, which perhaps rightly terminate with the word " end," which are called " in " or " inn," and vice versa. f See Halliwell's " Glossary of Archaic Words," J Vide Heming's " Cartulary," p. 350 ; also Nash, Vol. ii., Appendix, pp. 47, 48. • § See " Codex Dip,," No. 508, 508 App., Vol. iii. II It is a deep dingle, partly in Dodenham and partly in Hartley. ^ See " Folk-Lore." 251 Hopyard, Dumble Hole Coppice, Upper and Lower Coal Pits, and the Vole. In WHITBOURNE, Herefordshire, there are Gadbidge, Crumplebury Hill, and Wishmoor, near Inksmoor. In MARTLEY (Martely, or Mercelei) there are Castle Hill Meadow, Tin Close, War Croft, Bossook Coppy (Coppice), Radbury Bank, Poke Meadow, Berrow HiU, Berrow Stone, Jacob's Baver, Rodge, or Rudge Hill ; Battle Field, Hither and Further Callow Field, Callow's Piece, Puckley Green Farm, and Devil's Leap. In HILLHAMTON, in Martley, there are Upper and Lower Wolstones *, HeU Meadow, Twhit Lane, and Great Castle Field. In CLIFTON-ON-TEME there are The Old Hills, The Imp Or- chard f, Camp Meadow; Hell-hole Orchard, Coppice, and Ash-bed; Egg Down; Round HiU ; White-way Head, Ashbed, and Coppice ; Upper and Lower Stuckbatch, and Woodmanton. In " Domes- day Book," Clifton is named Clistvne. The estate called Woodmanton is a manor of itself, separate from the manor of Clifton. The knightly family of the Wyshams, who were lords of the manor of Clifton, were seated at Woodman- ton between the reigns of Henry III. and Edward III. |, that is between 1316 and 1377. Sometime afterwards Woodmanton was possessed by the Callowhills of Tedstone Delamere (the heirs in the female line of the Wyshams). It is now the property of the Cowcher family, and has been so ever since the early part of Queen Elizabeth's reign. In Woodmanton Chapel, Clifton Church, there is a raised monument representing a knight in armour, in a tarbard, with a lion at his feet§ ; he is recumbent and the legs are crossed ; this is supposed to be the tomb of Sir Ralph Wysham. The lion at his feet (which looks more like a dog) gave rise to a legend current amongst the peasantry to this day, that as Sir Ralph was one day walking with his dog, from Woodmanton to Clifton, he fell down dead under a yew tree, where he was found lying on his back, with his legs crossed, and his faithful dog crouching at his * See " Astley," as to this name. + See " Folk-Lore." I See Nash, Vol. i., pp. 242-249. § Ibid., p. 249. 253 feet. Sir Ralph is supposed to have been a crusader. The family arms are represented in the painted window of Woodman^ ton Chapel, and in other windows of the church. Sable, a fess argent, between six martlets of the second*. Martlets, it is said, were depicted on the shields of the crusaders. The old moated t wooden mansion was taken down in the early part of the present century, and rebuilt of stone by the late Martin Coucher, Esq. In my juvenile days, my venerable grand- mother used, when I visited her at the old mansion, to show me one of those remarkable large variegated glass beads called Druid's eggsj or adder gems, which some antiquaries suppose were brought from the east by the crusaders as talismans or charms, as a portion of one was found in the tomb of the crusader Udard de Broham§. Others say that they were Druidical, and of Phoe- nician manufacture 1 1. The following extract, from Nash, bears upon the subject of the Woodmanton estate being a manor to itself IT : — " There are two very ancient deeds in Latin, without date, in the possession of Francis Ingram, of TickneU, Esq., owner of the Upper Home, in Clifton, whereby some lands are granted to his ancestor, then owner of the Home, or Ham (it being called Home in the one grant and Ham in the other) ; and these grants are made to hold » See Nash, Vol. ii., App. 93. f It is said there were, at the quadrangles of the inner margin of the moat, four loop-holed round towers or turrets of stone ; only one now remains. The draw-bridge was taken down, and part of the moat filled up, probably about a century and a half ago, after the conclusion of the civil war. + " Anguina ova," or Druid's eggs of Pliny. § Situate within the chancel of the parish church of Brougham, in West- moreland- II See the " Archseologia" thereon, Vol. xxxiv., p. 46 to 50, and the " ArchEeo- logical Journal," of the Institute, Vol. iii., p. .354, and Vol. iv., p. 60. Also, vide the " Proceedings of the Archaeological Institute at Salisbury, 1849," p. 3, relative to the " gleyn neyder, or holy adder stone," said to have been found in a cist in a tumulus near Winterboume Stoke, containing " circular lines of opaque sky-blue and white, representing a serpent entwined round a perforated centre." % Vol. ii.. Corrections and Additions, p. 9. 253 of the grantor and his heirs, and not of the lord of the fee, which must be antecedent to the year 1290, when the statute of ' Quia emptores terrarum' was made, which prohibits such inferior hold- ings. The deeds are in good preservation ; the one is by Lucianus de Woodmanton, and the other by Elias Venator de Woodmanton, and the name of the former is stiU legible on the seal ; and the ' habendum' and ' tenendum' is ' de me et hseredibus meis pro ser- vitio,' &c. Woodmanton was formerly the Wysham's, and adjoins to the Upper Home or Ham, the ancient estate and residence of the Ingrams." John Coucher, who purchased the Woodmanton estate in 1569, was High Bailiff of Worcester in 1563 and 1565*. John, his son (Alderman of Worcester) was BaUiffof that city in 1593 and 1595 1, and also a burgess in several parliaments, temp. James I. and Charles I.t In Green's " History of Worcester," Vol. ii., p. 36, there is a curious account (dated 28th January, 19th James I., 1620) of the wages, 2s. Qd. a-day, paid by the citizens to their members, Robert Barkeley and Mr. Coucher §, for attend- ing the parhament. The alderman's son, Edmond, married Anne, eldest daughter of Philip Bearcroft, of Meer-green Hall||, Esq., as appears by the pedigree of Bearcroft in the Herald's Visitation, Worcester, in 1682-4. Edmond 's sister (Mary) IT married George Tvritty, of Clifton-upon-Teme, as appears by the pedigree of Twitty in the same Visitation. Edmond's grandson, Thomas (son of his son Edmond) in 1736, married Susannah**, daughter of Edward Ingram, of Upper Home, or Ham, Esq., by his wife Susannah, daughter of John Cox, Esq., of Clent. * See Na8h, Vol. ii., Appendix, 112. + Ibid. I Ibid., Vol. i., Intr., p. 30. § He was also one of those who were appointed aldermen in the charter of the 2nd of October, in the 19th year of James I., 1620. II In the parish of Hanbury. ^ There is a blank for her name in the Visitation Book, but I have supplied it from the will of her eldest brother, Thomas Coucher, dated in 1643. ** She was his second wife. 251 In SHELSLEY WALSH, or Little Shelsley, there is Witchery Hole*. This parish was anciently called Caldesley, Seldesley, and Sheldesley; and in " Domesday Book," Caldeslei. In SHELSLEY BEAUCHAMP, or Great Shelsley, there are Street Bank, Camp HUl, Big Holboum, Round HUl, Poke Meadow, HeU Hole, Harhorough HiU, and Barrel Heald, or Barrel HiU. It was anciently called Sholdesley, and in " Domes- day," Celdeslai. There is a hamlet in this parish called Shelsley Kings. * See " Folk-Lore," 255 |to ill. ANCIENT EOAD FEOM MALYEEN HILLS TO TENBUEY, &G. A BEANOH road from the Malvern line* may have gone north- westward from Cowley Parkf, in Leigh (at the end of the North Malvern HUl), through Cradley, in Herefordshire, by Eidgeway Cross I, along the Eidgeway, and by the Eidgeway Oak ; thence through Acton Beauchamp, in Worcestershire, and Woiferwood Common, Avenbury, Claterpark, Bromyard Downs, and by Broad Oak and Brockampton, in Herefordshire ; thence through Edwin Loach, a detached part of Worcestershire (where there is a camp), and by WaU HiU Camp, at Thornbury, west of CoHington ; thence by Lower Sapey and through Upper Sapey (between which and Shels- ley Walsh there is a camp at Farmers' Copse, on the border between Worcestershire and Herefordshire) ; thence by Stoke Bliss and Wol- verlow otherwise Wolferlow, in Herefordshire, and by Handley Wil- Ham, Handley Child, and Kyre to Tenbury in Worcestershire; from whence it may have continued northward to Edge Hill, and the ancient encampment at Titterstone§, on Glee Hill, in Shropshire. In MATHON (or Mathin) which is partly in Worcester- shire and partly in Herefordshire, there are Street Meadow, Horsenett's Coppice, Horsenetts, Eowburrow Wood, Clater Park, Castle Field, Castle Bank, Little Castle, the Yell, • See p. 238. + See Chap, iv., relative to the hoar-stone in that part, X Where it prohably crossed the Portway hereinafter described. See Iter XIV, § See " Hoar-Stones," Chap, iv., concerning one of the summits of Titter- stone called War-edge. 256 and Penfield, Pen Coppice*, Quin Hill, Cotherwood, Jack Field and Jack Field Coppice, Lower Dobbins, Dobbin's Meadow, Gronage Moor Meadow, Colwell Hill Orchard, Little Bervet's, Moundlngs, Imburrow Field, Eve Nuts, Axdown, Bail's Nap, Backburrow Coppice and Orchard, Long Mondene and Quin HUl. In " Domesday Book," Mathon is called Matma. In con- junction with the names "Yell and Penfield," we may mention YeU Bank and Yell Coppice, in Holt and Little Witley ; Yell's Meadow, in Great Witley ; the Yeld and Yeld Coppice, in Acton Beauchamp ; the Yellings (a common meadow), in Chasely ; Yeld Meadow, in the parish of St. Peter's Worcester ; Yeld Wood, in Abbot's Lench, Fladbury ; Burcott Yeeld, Shepley Yield, and Wood Coat Yield, in Bromsgrove ; Yelters, in Longdon ; the Yield, in Astley ; the Yells, in Sutton in Tenbury ; and the Yeld, in Eochford. As the name Yell, in Mathon, is connected with the name Penfield, we may perhaps be allowed to suppose that in the latter place cattle were penned f up to feed, and in the former were slaughtered. If, however, the name Yell, instead of mean- ing a cry of horror, is a corruption of " yield," it means productive land ; but it must be observed here, that in North Devonshire there is a belief in a spectral pack called " yeth hounds," or "yell hounds," supposed to be the disembodied or transmigrated spirits of unbaptized children, which having no resting-place wander about the woods at night, making a waihng noise J. In CEADLEY, Herefordshire, there are Tump HiU, Dole Field, Stoney Cross, Upper Barrow or Upper Berrow, Barrow Coppice, Barrow Meadow, Barrow Field, Barrow Wood, Lower Barrow Wood, Little Barrow Wood, Eound HUl, the Vineyard, Great Vineyard Wood, Little Vineyard Coppice, Eiderdine • Heming's " Cartulary," p. 404, &c., notices Penhyll or Penhulle, in Wor- cestershire. There is Penhill in Lulsley. + The Saxon word " Pen," signifying an enclosure for sheep. See further as to this word in the account of Cruckbarrow Hill. J See further on this subject, and also as to the wish or wisked hounds, in the "Athenaeum" for March 27, 1847, pp. 334, 335, and also as to the wisked hounds in the account of the Pixies, in the " Folk-Lore." a57 Coppice, Stivt Meadow, Dane Hop-yard, Baldridge, Ridgeley , Walls- field Meadow, Wallsfield Orles, Jumper "s Hole*, Park Barrow Or- chard, Park Barrow Coppice, Hidelow Alders, Astwood or Pimple Hill, Harrold's Coppice, Harrold's Orcliard, Hariold's Meadow, Leitchcroft, Further Leitchcroft, Leitchcroft Coppice, Leitchcroft Orchard, Mobbledepleck Orchard, or Mobled Pleck, or Mabled- pleckf, Harrell's Gardens, Big Harrells, Little Harrells, Wofrick, Coneycut Hill, Bears Wood |, Bears Wood Common, Eidgeway Cross, Eidgeway, and Eidgeway Oak. The name Cradley is written Credleaie in " Domesday Book," and Cyrdesleah in the Anglo-Saxon Charter, No. 755, in the " Codex Dip." In ACTON BEAUCHAMP there are Yagtree, Goddis Pit, Camp Coppice, Camp Field, Yeld Coppice, the Yeld, the Croat, Balletts, Winthill§, Peppin HUl, Puckhills Coppice, Puckhills Ashbed, Puckhills Orles, PuckhUls Orchard, Puckhills Field, Puckhills Hopyard, Upper Puckhill and Lower Puckhill||. Heming, in his " Cartulary," p. 361, notices Hawkeridge, Scot's PathlT, Sal- ter's Way, and Elfstan's Grove, as being the boundaries of Acton Beauchamp, in the Anglo-Saxon times. See also Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 58. Acton, in "Domesday," spelled "Actune," signifies the Oak-Town. In AVENBUEY, Herefordshire, there is a place called Big Castle Field. In ULLINGSWICK, Herefordshire, there are eight pieces of land called by the name of Hoarstone ; two called Hoarstone Length, and one Hoarstone Piece. Also places called Street-end Orchard, Street-end Garden, and Street-end Meadow. * There is also a place called Jumper's Hole, in 'Wielpley Brook, Stanford Eegis, neai' Stanford Bishop, Co. Hereford, where there ai'e some of those re- markable indentations in the old red sandstone, referred to in my pamphlet upon that subject. + See the " Folk-Lore." + See pp. 189, 190. § Perhaps meaning Wins HUl. See the " Folk-Lore." II See the " Folk-Lore." ^ Also see " Codex Dip.," No. 570, as to Scotta Pteth. S 958 In TEDSTONE .DELAMEKE, in Herefordshire, there are Burlip Hill, Pixall or Pixhill, FoUy Coppice, "^'ineyard, the Gob- bets, Hoarstone, and Kit Batch*. EDVIN LOACH, a detached portion of Worcestershire, con- taining a camp, was formerly called Yedfen, or Yedfen Loges, and anciently Edevent. In COLLINGTON, Herefordshire, there are Castle Field, Castle Meadow, Castle Leasow, Hoarstone Leys, Hoarstone Leasow, Hoarstone Piece, Hoarstone Hop-yard, and Hoarstone Meadow. At THORNBUKY, a few miles west of Collington, there is a large camp, called Wall HiU Camp. It " has a triple intrench- ment, almost perfect, and is supposed to be the work of the ancient Britons under Caractacusf :" if so it was doubtless after- wards occupied by the Romans, and acquired a Roman name J. Its shape also is more Roman than British. See the Ordnance Map. In BOCKLETON, or Bokelton, in " Domesday" Boclintun, there are Upper Quinton and Lower Quinton. In LOWER SAPEY, or SapeyPritchard, named in " Domesday Book" Sapie, there are Gospel Green, Ankstry Field, and Tut- batoh. It is called Sapian in the Anglo-Saxon Charter, No. 142, in the " Codex Dip." In UPPER SAPEY, Herefordshire, there are Colly, KintaU, CaUowbrain Orchard, Pouk Lane, Criftin, Sivy Yam, Warden's Grove (in Criftin Farm), and Camp Field. In STOKE BLISS (including Little Kyre), which is partly in Worcestershire and partly in Herefordshire, there are Camp (in Thorn Farm), Camp (in Garmsley), Powk House Meadow and Field, Hockeridge, Camp Orchard, Ick Field, Red Castle Or- chard and Meadow, Old Wall, and Vineyard. In WOLVERLOW, Herefordshii-e, there are Round Hill, Hare Hill, and Slatherbatoh. • See p. 242, as to this name. + See Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary.' J See pp. 158, 255. 269 In HANLEY WILLIAM, or Upper Hanley, in Eastham, there are Bowcutt, Bowcutt Field, Upper and Lower Hur Cott, Wolf Piece, and the Quob Meadow. This place, in " Domesday," is named Hanlege. In HANLEY CHILD, or Lower Hanley, in Eastham, there are Castle Acre, The Dumps, Impy Orchard, Tuck Hill, Tuck Hill Leasow, Upper and Lower Tuck Hill, Yeld Orchard, and Pooten's Hole*. In " Domesday Book" it is speUed Henelege. KYEE WYRE was anciently called Cure Wyard. In " Domesday," Cuer. In Isaac Taylor's Map, there is a place called Romen, situated between Kyre and Bockleton. TENBURY, Temebury, or Temebyrig, in Worcestershire, was anciently called Tametdebirie. In " Domesday," Tamedeberie and Tametdeberie. In the township of Tenbury there are places called Castle Meadow, The Burgage, Round Hill, and Cat Brain. In the Foreign of Tenbury there are places called Terrill's Orchard, TerrUl's Meadow, Dagger's Orchard, Round Bank, and Round Hopyard. In BERRINGTON, in Tenbury, there are places called Kit Castle Orchard, Castle Meadow, Cadmoor Field, and Cadmoor Meadow. ■ In SUTTON, in Tenbury, there are Round Hill, Nine Holes Orchard, Nine Holes Hopyard, Nine Holes Piece, Dicker's Hole, Quantrals, Egdon, Big Egdon, Little Egdonf, Sitch Meadow, BeweU Field, Jacksbutts, The YeUs, and Gadnal's Grove. The Ordnance Map notices the Castle Tump on the north- west side of the town of Tenbury and Callow's Gravel, within a mile south of that town. Berrington is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon Marks §. In BRIMFIELD, Herefordshire, in the line between Tenbury * See the " Folk-Lore." f See aJso " Stone." J Vide mention of Callow's Leap, in Alfrick, p. 948 ; and in the account of the Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove, p. 123 ; and in the " Folk-Lore." § See p. 229. 260 and Croft Ambrey, there are Kyle Alley, High Orca, and Camp Orchard. In GELETON, Herefordshire, adjoining Brimfield and Eiohard's Castle Parish, there are places called the Portway*, Portway Orchard, Portway House, Camp Orchard, Camp Piece, Storrel's Stocking, Wolfin's Dens, and Hare's Croft. ♦ See Ordjiance Map. 861 |to i|||. SUPPOSED ANCIENT EOAD FKOM WOEOESTEE TO TENBUEY, &c. This supposed road probably went from Worcester*, through Oldbury, near Upper Broad Heath, in the parish of St. John, (thought to have been the Castra (Bstiva\, or summer quarters of the Roman garrison of Worcester) ; thence by Green Street Farm, in Hallow, through Wichenford ; by Grimley, Holt, and Little Witley, to the Camp at Woodbury HUl, in Great Witley, and Cold Camp. It then either crossed the Teme at Stanford, and went along the south side of that river through Orleton, Eastham, and Rochford, to Tenbury ; or continued from Great Witley along the northern side of the river, through Stockton, Pensax, Rock, Lindridge, and Knighton, to Tenbury. Both these lines were most probably used. In the parish of ST. JOHN, in Bedwardine, otherwise Beodwardin, there are places called Ridgeway Meadow, Stan Field, Black Jack's Hole J, The Eight Ridges, Oseby Meadow, The Yell, Oldbury, and Hogmore HUl. It is a question whother the proper authography of this latter place is not Ogmore, inasmuch as there are Ogmore Castle, Ogmor River, Ogmoor Down, Ogor, and Ogor River, in Glamorganshire; Ogwen River, in Carnar- vonshire; Ogbury Ring§, the parish of Ogbourn St. George, or * See pp. 1 to 54, on the ancient British, Roman, and other relics found at or near Worcester. + See pp. 34, 35, as to this camp. I See the " Folk-Lore." § See Gough's " Camden," second edition, Vol, i., p. 135. 263 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 Eomans f . To return to St. John's. In Chap, iv., " Hoar Apple Tree" is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Wyke I, near Doferic, (Doveridge), where 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 Wulfrio's Mere, iElfric's Mere, The Military ■W"ay§, 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 IT. 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 upou-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 Stoues in the south of Ireland and in Wales, which are inscribed in the Ogham character, supposed to be Druidical. Some 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 Archeeological Institute," Vol. iii., p. 175; Vol. vii., p. 409; and Vol. ix., pp. 116, 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. '85. I See " Codex Dip.," No. 6S, 136 and 1358, as to Wick and Lower Wick. § Or Herepath. II Keel-way. 1[ See " Codex Dip.," No. 126, 126 App., Vol. iii., &c., as to Lawern River and No. 273, 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 649, 666, and 724, relative to Cloptiiu (Glopton), in that very valuahle vfork. 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 Tree (Thiccan Apple Treej). With respect to the name Bedwardine, or Beodwardine, Dr. Nash I derives it from the Saxon word Beod [Breed], 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, Princevana Meadow, Princevana, Quincehill .Vineyard, Estbury, and Hen wick or Hinwyke§. The name Hallow is spelled Halhagan, in the * See " Botanical Looker-Out," by Mr. E. Lees, p. 14. + See Dr. Thomas's " Sui-vey of Worcester Cathedral," &c., A. 60 ; also Chap. iv. of this work, as to several Hoar Apple Trees. { Vol. ii., p. 319. § See Heming's " Cai-tulary," 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 WICHENFOED there is a place called Horsage Orchard. See pp. 149, 150, concerning Koman 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- ridgell 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. ; Sl.'i, 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." I See pp. 34-35. II On the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Bentley. — (See " Codex Dip.," No. 498, 498 App., Vol. iii. ; and 570 ; snd Heniiug's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 352.) 265 In SHBAWLEY there are places called Eound 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 HiUs, 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 Eochford, 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 Eidge, Silway, Yerdway, and the Fig-tree. They are likewise mentioned by Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 49 ; and the " Codex Dip.," No. 682, notices CyUanhrygc, or KyUanhrygc. § 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 ABBEELB Y, near Great Witley, there are Cobs Hole, Hares Hill, Upper and Lower Mogul Tree Bank, Little Warders, Sturt Piece, EUbatch Orchard, Far and Near EUbatch Band, Lower Ellbatch Coppice, Upper EUbatch, Eadge Coppice, Catterbatch Piece, Catterbatch Meadowy, The Dotch, Dotch Meadow, Little Dotch, The Dots, The Vinne, Vinne Orchard, Big Vinne, Little Vinne, Great Viney, Sallens Field Orchard, Sail ens Field, Coldwell Hill, Coldwell Eough, Coldwell Coppice, and Coldwell • Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." t See Isaac Taylor's map, published in 1772. ♦ See " Codex Dip.," No. 682. § No. 136, 126 App., Vol. iii., Iji. 661, 683, 1369. ]| There is Catterhall, in Alfriek.— (See Iter vi., pp. 346, 247.) 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 I, 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 vrillow§. It is said the service or sorb-tree was first introduced into Britain by the Romans ||. 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. Rook was anciently called Alwintou, or Aka, from the Saxon " Ac," an oak. There is a chapelry in it called Heightington. In LIND RIDGE there are Toot Hill IT, Castle HiU, Newnham or Neowanham, and Hiohen 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 was peculiarly unsettled, being spelled indifferently, Lindrycg**, Linderyge, Linderycgeas, Lindrug, Lindruge, Lindrugge, and Lindruggtf. It includes Yerdiston, Earston or Eardulveston, ♦ See " Malvem," p. 159. + See p. 148, concerning ancient intrenchments there. { Vol. i., p. 10, &c. § There is a tree of the kind in the grounds of Upper Arley Castle. II See Whitaker's " History of Manchester," Vol. ii., pp. 49 and 62. ^ See the general account of the Toot Hills, p. 232, &c. »• See " Codex Dip.," No. 570. ++ See pp. 148, 149, as to an ancient relic found in this parish. 367 Knighton or Cnihteton, and Penaax. Duke Wifered, and Alta his lady, in Offa's reign, gave lands in Cnihtatan, and Neowenham, and Eajrdulfeston. In " Domesday Book," two of these places are called Ardolvestone and Cnihtetone. In STANFOKD * {vulgo Stamford) there are Crate Lane f. South- stone Rock or Southern's Botch, Devil's Den, and Hell Hole. Southstone Rock is a very remarkable mass of travertine or calca- reous matter, situated near Stanford Court J, 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 story 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. S09, 509 App., Vol. iii. ; and Stanford, in " Domesday Book." + See Alfrick, Iter vi., p. 239. J The seat of Sir Thomas Edward Winnington, Bart. § Also see the " Rambler in Worcestershire," published 1851, pp. 174, 175. II Within a mile of the south-west side of the rock there is a place called the Camp, which is said to be 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 Wigom ; Hell Hole, in Shelsley Beauchamp, or Great Shelsley ; Hell Hole Coppice, in Clifton-on-Teme ; and Hell Kitchen, in Newbold-on-Stour. In " The Kambler 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 OELETON, 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 Uttle 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 speculatoria, raised upon convenient spots for watch and ward. * P. 193. + " Domesday Book." { There is a ford adjoinicg. 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 Ceam Owl, Mancroft, Hell Hole, DarnhiU Orchard, Darnhill Homestead, Over Sale Meadow, Over Sale Field, Kit Laughton, and Upper Aston. Dr. Nash, in Vol. ii. of his " History," p. 43T, says, the name Knighton means " the town of soldiery." ANCIENT CAMPS ON THE NORTHEEN 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 HiU, near Birmingham. * Vide pp. 146, 147, 148. 270 |to If. — » — ANCIENT EOAD FKOM DEOITWICH TO STOURBEIDGE. There is a line of road (mentioned in pp. 109, 110 of this work) which runs from Droitwich, hy Hampton Lovett and Doverdale, through Elmbridge, 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 HiU. It was anciently called Han- tone, Hanton, and Hante ; and, in " Domesday Book," Hamtune. In DOVERDALE there are HeU Hole Meadow and Round HiU. 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 intrenchment at Harborough Hill. f Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." X See " Codex Dip.," No. 56, 56 App., Vol. iii., 13S5, 1366. 371 parisli 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 EUSHOCK 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, Eadnall, and Aston Field. It was anciently written, Eixuc * and Eushoke Eegis ; and, in " Domesday," Eussococ. In OHADDESLEY COEBETT 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, BUzzardines, Hobf Moor, Har borough Ash, Eattlestones, Warstone, Little Warstone, The Warrage, Dead Moor, Far and Near Lincridge, Linoridge Meadow, Cakebole Pool, Near and Far Cakebole Meadow, Eohin Hood's Oak, Yes HiU, Tagboume, Sharrow Point, Astwood Hill and Meadow, Barrow Hill, Barrow Hill Field, Barrow HiU Lane Field, Far Long Barrow Field, Long Barrow Field, Little Barrow Field, Cross Barrow Field, Ean Dan Woods, Tatton HUl, 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 BELBEOUGHTON there are Hanging HiU, Barrow's Croft, Bound HiU, Tom HUls, Belsey Field, Eadnall Pit, Bonfire HUl, Big, Little, Middle, and Burnt Lights, Dane Field, WaU HiU Strip, Little and Great Chenil, Ean Dan Woods, and Cakebold J. In BECOME there is a place called Castle Hedge. In CLENT there are places named Saltpit Piece, Upper Worgen, Lower Wargen, HiU Church, KitweU Meadow, Warstone, The Beacon HiU, Little Beacon Hill, Upper, Middle, and Lower Tin » See " Codex Dip.," No. 508, 508 App., Vol. iii. + See the " Folk-Lore." J See p. 1.35, relative to Roman relics found in this parish. 272 Fields, and 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 Wichbuiy 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 Eoman 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 CAKEMOEE, in Hales Owen, is Dogney's Meadow. " lu 1804, many Eoman 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 ASBUEY, in Hales Owen, there are Jack Field, Little Jack, Old Jack, and Tom Wood. In the tow^^ship of HALES OWEN there is a place called Tenter Field. InLUTTLEY, in Hales Owen, there are Pen Field, Twizzle- batch, and Eobin's Field. In CEADLEY (anciently Cradelei), a township in Hales Owen, there are Warling Meadow and Coppy (Coppice) ,Warling. In EOMSLEY, a township in Hales Owen, there are Long Doles, Great Castle Hill, Castle Hill, Uffmoor, Old Battery Meadow, Quinton Piece, and EU Wood. In OLD SWINFOED 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 Swin]:; but Dr. Nash§ doubted that opinion. May it not have been the ford for swine ? STOUEBEIDGE PAEISH 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, Eound Hill, aaad Babylon. This line of road is referred to by NashlT, who quotes the following from Bishop Lyttelton's account of the Eoman roads : — " A third Eoman 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 Dictionaiy." + MS., Lyttel. J There is also the Swin, in the sea, off the Suffolk coast. Can it be synonymous with the word " swill." § Vol. ii., p. 20. jl See the " Folk-Lore." «f Vol. ii. App., p. 107. T 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 Whiohbary 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 OP 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 Camp f, 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 HUl, Kemerton Hill, Conderton HiU, Oxenton Hill, Dixton HiU, 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. + The Ordnance Map has it " Eilbury Camp." 275 • ANCIENT KOAD 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 HUl, and along Lime Street, in Worcestershire ; across Corse Wood Hill, along Wickridge Street, by the Barrow Farm, and Barrow Hill, to Cinderbury ; Ashelworth Gi'een, 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, The 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 HiUs, 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. 70, 71, 218, relative to this remarkable liill. 276 from the river Leden, which intersects the parish from north to south. In RID MAELEY, or Eyd Marley D'Abitot, there are JSTottin Dole, Dark-ham, and Folly Field. It was formerly called Eid Merleya*, and in " Domesday Book," Redmerleie or Eidmerleye. In Heming's " Cartulary," it is stated, that, in the Anglo-Saxon times, there were places on the boundaries of Eydmerley, called Preonsdale, Salter's Ford, The Glenk, Glenking, Mteresbrook, Ceolan Head, Brute Gate, and Werlass Down. Nash calls Eid Marley " the field with the mere ;" but, as the ancient British and Phcenician word " Eid" 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 Eid Marley. It is probable, that in the Anglo-Saxon era it acquired the name of " Salter's Ford." In ELDEESFIELD 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 + Ford, and Cob Croft. In CHASELEY, or Chadesley, adjoining Eldersfield, there are Norgast Field; Great, Middle, and South Norgast Field; Eound Hill, The Yellings, The Gome Field, and The Leys, next Eock Street§. * Keodemsereleah and Rydemaereleah in " Codex Dip.," No. 510 ; 510 App., Vol. iii., and 619. t See " Britannia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 66 ; also the account of CruclLbarrow Hill. } See Droitwicli, p. 100, and Oughton "Wells, in the account of " Folk- Lore," concerning this word. § See Chap. IV. as to Horridge (Hoar Eidge) in the neighbouring hamlet of Corse, Co. Gloucester. 277 Pr il ANCIENT EOAD FROM WALL HILLS CAMP, NEAR LEDBUEY, 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 Malyern Hill chain into Worcestershire, at White-leaved Oak between Ragged Stone Hill and Keysend Hill ; and, southward, along Keysend or Case-end Street, to Camer's or Camomile Green; thence along the Pendock Portwayf, in the Barrow, to Cromar's Green ; thence to Gadbury Banks j, in Eldersfield ; thence, north-eastward, through Pendock, and between Bushley, in Worcestershire, and Forthampton, in Gloucestershire, by Sarn HUl, 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 be thrown upon it in Hatcher's " Richard of Ciren- • There was in the Anglo-Saxon times a place called Waenric (Waimitlge) , in Oxfordshire. — See " Oodex Dip.," No. 775, &c. + See p. 70. + See pp. 68, 60. 278 cester," from which the foUowmg 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 essedse," 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 essedce, a lighter kind, adapted probably to situations and circumstances in which the covini could not act, and .occasionally performing the duties of cavalry. The essedse, with the cavalry, were pressed forward to oppose the first landing of Ctesar ; and Cassivellaunus afterwards left 4000 essedse, as a corps of observation, to watch his movements. — CoBsar " Comment.," Lib. v., s. 15. In THE BERROW, formerly Bercwe or Berga, there are Berrow Hill, Puck Dole, In Portridge Field, Little Portridge, Portnells, In Pioknell, 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 HiU, Gowler, and Oldin Hillf. In PENDOC, or Pendock, Pendoke, Penedoc, or Peonedoc, there are Wasborough, Wilkin's Pasture, Wilkin's Field, Little Wilkin, In Berrow Wood, Badenshall, Allotment in Berrow Meadow, CatshUl, 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, &c.," App.,p. 30, reference is made to a bequest of Peonedoc by Ceolwulf, King of the Mercians, to the Monastery at Worcester J. This is mentioned in a charter of King Edgar, a.d. 964. On the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Pendoc, there are places called .^Ifstan's Bridge, • P. 11. + See p. 70 ; likewise tlie account of CnickbaiTow Hill, relative to the Pen- dock Portway. J Also see Hciuiug's " Cartulary," ]>. 3.31. 279 Osric's Pool, Ducas Pit, Edred's Field*, Stanborough, and Salt Field f. This place is spelled Peonedoc and Penedoc]; in " Domesday Book." With respect to the derivation of the name, the reader is referred to p. 918. BUSHLEY was formerly called Bysseley, and in "Domesday" Biseleye§. * It is called Eadredesfeld (gj/. Addersfield) in the " Codex Dip." No. 308, 308 App. Vol. iii., and 538. + See Heming'3 " Cartulary," p. 360, and Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 57. Also see Chap, iv., relative to " Hour Withy," in Pendock. } There is a place called Pendock Meadow, in the hamlet of Orleton, in the parish of Eastham. § See p. 138, concerning Sarn HUl and Wood Street, in this parish. 380 |to III. ANCIENT ROAD WALL HILLS CAMP TO TOWBUEY HILL CAMP, &c. FsoM Wall Hills Camp a road appears to have gone south- westward by Ledbury, Eastnor, across the Eidgeway, and along Wain Street, in Herefordshire ; through the Malvern chain, into Worcestershire, by the Holly Bush, between Eagged Stone HUl and the south side of Midsummer Hill Camp, thence to the Eye, thence eastward along the Eye Street, and through Birt's Morton, Longdon and Queen Hill, to PuU Court, on the west side of the Severn, opposite to which, on the eastern side of the river, is the site of the Eoman pottery works*, and an ancient vicinal paved roadf at Bow Farm, Eipple, and a camp at Towbury Hill |, in Twining Parish, Gloucestershire. The river was probably crossed opposite Towbury HiU, the road in question falling into another road which runs from Tewkesbury to Wor- cester. Another branch of tliis road extended from Wain Street, by GuUett Wood, and through the pass named the GuUett, 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. ♦ See p. ea, 03, 64. t See p. 05, 66. } As to this remarkable lull, see p. 64. There are places called. Great Tow- buiy aud Little Towbiuy, iu Leigh. 281 In BIET'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 HUls, Agg Meadow, Ambers, Stoned Hole, Great Gog Bridge, Little Gog Bridge, Tadmoor, Inkstones*, Camp Hill, Gadbury Hill, and Kittans. It was formerly called Morton FoUiotf. 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, GuUer'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, Langdiin, Langandiin, Lengandune, and Longedune J. • See Intberrow, Iter XVII. f See pp. 71, 72, concerning Morton FoUiot seal. J See " Codex Dip.," No. 57, .57 App., Vol. iii., &c. (-j<^V<^^ 282 |to nil. ANCIENT EOAD WALL HILLS CAMP AND THE HEREFOEDSHIEE BEACON CAMP TO UPTON, OR THE SAXON'S LODE. FROM THE HEREFORDSHIRE BEACON CAMP TO HANLEY QUAY. FBOM 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 Duckswick 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 Hanley Castle parish to Hanley Quay, where it probably crossed the Severn. A road likewise appears to have run from Great Malvern, along 383 Pool-End Street and Barnard's Green, by Dripshill or Tripshill*, and Drake's Place to the Ferry or Ford at the Ehydd or Riddf. In COLWALL there is a place caUed 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}. 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 HiQ 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 Woiien ? In the parish of UPTON§ upon Severn, there are Mount||, Raven Hill IT, Leckeridge, Lookeridge ; Upper, Middle, and Lower Tuck-Mill Piece, GUver 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 Robert's-end Street. This parish is named Hamley in Leland's " Itinerary." In the parish of GREAT MALVERN there are Quorn Meadow, Hob Welltt, Twinberrow II, 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. J These names, most probably, are a corruptioii of the word " assart," or " essart," wliich means land grubbed in a forest and converted into tillage. § It is written Uptun in the " Codex Dip.," No. 65, &c. II There is an earthwork near it in Green Fields estate. • % See p. 194, &c. •* See pp. 60, 61, 62, concerning ancient relics found there. ++ See Gough's " Camden." ++ Twinbarrow, vulgo, Twinberrow, is situated about a quarter of a mile northward of the Moat Farm, in Barnard's Green. See pp. 166, as to the derivation of the name. 284 There is Radnal Field, in Elmbridge, in DoderMll ; Eadnal Pit, in Belbroughton ; Ead Meadow, in Claines ; Bad Meadow, in Hindlip ; Had Castle Orchard and Meadow, in Stoke Bliss ; Badge Coppice, in Abberley, Badnall, in Eushock ; Badbury Bank, in Martley ; and Bad Meadow, in Great Witley*. These names are probably derived from the Saxon " raad," council. It is said that the name " Cook-shoot," probably designates the places where springes or nets were set to catch woodcocks f ; and that the syllable " shoot," means the hole or gap in the bank or hedge through which the woodcocks either ran or fled into the springe or net. Now it must be observed that the springs of water from North Malvern HUl, run by the spot in question, and it was a very likely place in days of yore to be frequented by woodcocks. Still, however, spouts or cocks for water-shoots, vulgo shuts |, at the bottom of hiUs, banks, or slopes, may possibly have given rise to some of the names in question ; for instance, there is Cock- shute, by Dormston Hill ; Cockshoot Hill, in Hadsor, near Droit- wich; Cockshut§ Hill, in Lulsley; and Cockshoot HUl at Shels- ley Beauchamp. But as these localities, even if they have or had spouts, would be equally favourable for woodcocks, it is probable that the first-mentioned derivation is, in some such cases, the primary one ; and when Shakespeare speaks of " cockshut time||" he probably refers to the twilight, when woodcocks IT run or fly * A place called Eadborough was one of the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Codeston or Cutsdeam, and Eadley of WMttington. See Heming's " Cartu- lary," Vol. ii., pp. 348, 359. + See the "Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Yol. v., pp. 118 to 121. } The peasantry call those channels made to carry rain water off ploughed lands " land shuts," and natural rills " water shuts." Thus a spring with a spout at the foot of a hill or slope, would, in common language, he a " cock- shut." There is one on the side of the Malvern road, just above Cockshut Farm. § Cockshut is also a personal name. See Nichols's " History of Leicester- shire," Vol. iv., Part 2, p. 524. 11 Kichard HI., Act v., Scene 3. ^ Almost all classes in the country, when speaking of woodcocks, scarcely ever use the prefix. 283 out of the covers, and were caught at the shoots in the springes or nets. In MADRESFIELD, Maddersfield, or Madersfield*, there are places named Stamperfield, Stampal or March Field, Dripshill or Tripshillf, and Cleve Lode or Clyve Lode. * Perhaps from die Saxon " madere," a plant. This parish does not ap- pear to be noticed in " Domesday Book. " + See the " Folk-Lore." 286 Iter m^' - »■ PORT-WAY FROM KENCHESTER, THE ANCIENT MAGNA*, THBOnOH CKADLEY, ACEOSS THE NOKTH END OF GKEAT MALVERN HILL TO BRANOGENA (WORCESTER), AND THENCE THROUGH OMBERSLEY, HARTLE- BURY, AND WOLVERLEY, TO OVER ARLEY. DuNCUMB, in his " History of Herefordsliire,"t says, " a third Roman road enters this county [Herefordshire] from Worcester, and passing Frome Hill, Stretton Gransham (Grandison), Lugg- hridge, 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 I 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 Ariconium was the ancient name of Kenchester. + Vol. i., p. 29. See also " Topographical and Historical Description of Herefordshire," hy Brayley and Britton, p. 406. J The name Stretton is derived from " Via Strata," or the street. § Vol. 15, Part 2, p. 6. 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 Bullseum, now BueltJ, 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 Une 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 StampaU Ground, Oldneys, Old HUls, 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 HiU, The Vineyard, and Cinders Perry. The name of this parish is spelled Poincgwic in the " Codex Dip.," No. 570, and Poiwic in " Domesday Book IT." 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 Boss, and that Magna means Kenchester. J With respect to the derivation of this name, see " Bewdley." There is a hill called Bual, or Bewill, in Alfrick (see p. 347), on the Une of road from Walls HUl Camp and Malvern Hills, to Woodbury Hill. — See p. 238. § See p. 256, 257. II See p. 240. ^ See p. 73, relative to Koman 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 Wear-j-, 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 J. Lithe 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 IT. 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 Eidgeway Farm to the Old Hills, ruiming from thence to Pixam Ferry on the Severn, nearly opposite to Kemp- sey village, where ancient relics have heen found, as stated in pp. -54 to 60. + " Waer," Saxon. { See " Archaeologia," Vol. xi. , pp. 102, 107. § See p. 261, as to various names of places in this parish. II See p. 262. TI 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 Oroces, 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. * See " Codex Dip.," Vol. vi., p. 218. 290 Iter ,p. WESTEEN TEACKWAY, 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 Uxellaf (Exeter), Taunton, Bridgewater, Bristol |, Glevum (Gloucester), Branogenium or Bravinium^ (Worcester), Salinse (Droitwich), and Kidderminster II, 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, Cocoium (Blackrode H), and Lancaster, to Luguballium (Carlisle), &c. In Mr. Hatcher's edition of " Richard of Cirencester," * See glimpses of tliis road ill the account of Worcester, p. 23 ; Upton, 01 ; Oiutersley, 108 ; Salwai-p, .109, 110 ; Pen-y Wood, 222, 223 ; Elbury Hill, 224. + Some think that Uxella lay near Bridgewater, or at Bai-ton-on-the-Foss ; others, that Isca and Uxella were the same. J Some say this road went from Bridgewater through Ad- Aquas (prohahJy WellsJ, Aquee Soils (Bath), and Coi-inium (Cirencester), to Gloucester. If so, the road through Bristol was probably a Eoman deviation or short line. § See p. 1. II According to some authoiities, this road ran fi-om Droitwich, through Binnuigham, to Wall. ^ Stukeley says Bm-ton, by Lancaster. S91 this road is considered to be British, since it connects many of the British towns. It appears 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 Eycknield 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. Pboman coins have been found in a small camp in this parish. The parish of RIPPLE (or Eippel |) contains the site of Roman pottery 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 GROOMB, 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 Osbem, 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 Roman coin of Magnentius, now in the Worcestershire Museum, was, a few years ago, dug up in this parish||. » See the " Beauties of England and Wales," Vol. xv., Pai-t ii., p. ti. + See p. 64, containing an account of Towbuiy Hill Camp. + " Codex Dip.," Nos. 17, 538. § In Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 348, Aberold, Wiiiterbourne, Wipley, and Eagle's Lawn, are mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Crombe. II See pp. 65, 66, 67, concerning a paved ti-ackway from the Mythe Tute, near Tewkesbury, through Eipple, to Severn Stoke Hill, and probably to Wor- cester. This trackway appears to have been a mere vicinal road. ■U9-2 In PIRTON, formerlj' spelled Pereton, there is a place named Pen-y Wood. In the parish of KEMPSEY, Kemsey, or Kemesey, are Dane's Close, Quintins, 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 NOPbTON 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 Cruckharrow|. Whittington was formerly called Hwitingtun §, Widingtun, Witington, Witinton, and Witintun. It is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon m.arks||. It is, in " Domesday Book," spelled " Widintun." Heming's " Cartulary," p. 359, mentions Caldwell and Radley, on the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of this hamlet IT. In SPETCHLEY, Speohesley, Spechley, Sp^ckley, Spscleah- 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, Wlttlesley, Kyneldworth, Swineshead, Sunderland, Omber- * Hoberdy is one of the provincial names for the igiiis-fatuus. See " Folk-Lore." t See pp. 54 to 60, concerning the Roman camp, cists, and other relics, found at Kempsey. t See p. 216, &c., relative to CruckbaiTow Hill. § See " Codex Dip,," Nos. 201, 670. II See p. 229. If Vide also Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 30. •• See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 209, 209 App., Vol. ui., 210, 542. ++ As to the etymology of this name, see p. 219. ^93 land*, and The Three Meres f. Cudley Manor is in the parish of St. Martin,- and Cudley Farm and Swineshead Farm iu Wai'ndon. 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. 156, June 1851, p. iro. The Cuggan Hyll 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 modem name of " Eound Hill," were distinguished by the prefix of " Crug," " Toot I," &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 969. (See " Codex Dip.," No. 559.) Pman 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 Whittington, BatenhallT (Battenhall), Timber- dine, and other places. In CLAINES parish are Port Fields Farm, Port Fields Road, Harbour Hill, Astwood, Elbury Hill, Street Hill Tillage on Rainbow Hill ridge abutting against Merriman's Hill range; • See " Ambrosiaj Petrse," Chap, ii., as to this name. + See Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 55. + See pp. 216, 217, and p. 233, &c., as to these names. § See p. 223. II This elevation was probably one of the outposts of the battle of Worcester, in 1651. (See pp. 223, 223.) It might, however, have been a more ancient camp, as it is in the direct line between Cruckbarrow and Castle Hills. <\] See " Codex Dip.," No. 059. 294 Ead Meadow, Colwell Piece, and In Colwell Piece, in Astwood ; Wall Meadow and Wall Ground, in Tollardine ; In Bow Stone Field, at Femall Heath; Camp Close, near Bevere Green; Copsons ; Tutnall, Tetnall, or Tootenhill ; TetnaU Close, Dane's Close, Barrow Cop Field, Barrow Cop Orchard, Barrow Cop, alias Little Barrow Cop ; Puckpit Farm, alias Tapenhall, or Tapenhale ; and the Fort, in Windmill Field, near to Little Lowesmoor and Great Lowesmoor*. For further particulars relative to Claines, see the account of Worcester, Perdeswell, Bevere Island, Elbury Hill, Astwood, and Tutnall. BEEDICOTf.— The name is spelled "Bradecote" in "Domes- day Book ;" and, according to Dr. Nash, it means the cot of Brade. In Hemiug's " Cartulary," p. 357, mention is made of the Salt- road, Wolfpit, Wynn Meadow, and Callew or Callow Hill J, 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 H, 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 fctt. TroshiU, or Tootshill, Cudley-H-, and Swinesherd or Svfincherd ; • See p. 36. + See pp. 05, 96, 97, as to Koman relics found there. f Also see Nash thereon, Vol. ii., App., p. 53. § See " Codex Dip.," 507, 507 App., Vol. iii., and 683, as to Calawan byl (Calwan hyll). II See " Codex Dip.," No. 100, 150 App., Vol. iii., and 023, as to Tim- bingctun and Timhiintun. IT See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 237, 242, 242 App., Vol. iii. ** But query Crow Field. 1 1 It was called Cudley in Kiug Edgar's time (see Thomas's " Survey, &c. nf Worcester Cathedral," App. 40) ; and Cudclei in " Domesday Book." Nash (Vol. ii., p. 439) says Cudley means the field of Codi. 295 also a field called Tinciroft, 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 I, 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 J, from an engagement near this place between the Anglo-Saxons and Danes. — MS. Fellows §." In HINDLIP, or Inlip, and Alcrinton (now Alfreton), there are Had Meadow, Wolfs Meadow, Coverley Field, Oldbury Field, Smite Hill, Upper Smite, Lower Smite, Doken Field, and Cold Harborough, or Cold Harbour ||. In the Anglo-Saxon times it was called HindehlypIT; and in " Domesday Book," Hindelep and Alcrintun. In Heming's " Cartulary," p. 463, mention is made of Herpath, or the mihtary way on the boundaries of this parish. The name Hindlip is said to signify the Hind's Leap **. A Eomau copper coin was found in the rectory grounds in 1840. MAETIN or MERTON HUSSINTEEE is spelled in " Domesday Book," Husentree. In the year 1833, a Roman copper coin of Commodus was found on levelling a bank by the roadside, near the inn called the Shoeing Horse. In Catshalltt 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 called Portway Plat. * See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 118, 118 App., Vol. iii., and 570. + Ibid., Nos. 618 and 1053 as to Smite. J Smitse in Anglo-Saxon signifies a slow, greasy stream, or pool. § See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 452. II Much has been said of late relative to the derivation of the names of the numerous places called Cold Harbour. — See Hagley, pp. 138 to 142, and Malvern, pp. 155, 159, &c. ^ See " Codex Dip.," No. 402, 402 App., Vol. iii. ** See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 437. +f There is Catnell Green in Elmley Lovett. 296 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., 1368. 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 1633 ; 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 f: — * The coat is azui'e ; a lion rampant, argent. Crest ; — On a wreath of tlie 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 Eichard Aly, of Sapwell, Co. Hertford, as stated in the Harleian MSS., 1140, for Hereford, does not resemble either of the above- mentioned. + Also, sse p. 245. 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At Pied- 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 HAETLEBURY there are places called Hargrove, Har- groves, Hargrove Lane, Dolesrin-Torton Meadow IT, Egg Lane, Puck Hall Field, Far Puck Hall Piece, Dole **, in Hanging Close ; Bound Hill, Tyn-fieldes (Tin Fields), Tin Fields Neai", Tin Fields Far; First, Second, and Third Tin Fields i-|-. Great Hoos Head, and EU|| 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 " Cpdex Dip.," Nos. 56, 56 App., Vol. iii., 64, 1355 ; also, see " Am- brosiffi Petrae," Chap. ii. + For account of Roman and other relics, which were found at Hadley Heath, in this parish, together with a British celt foimd at Lineholt Common, vide p. 106 to 109 ; also, see account of the Eyctnield 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. § See " Codex Dip.," No. 56 ; also, pp. 113, 113 of this work. ,|) Vide Layamon's " Brat," Inteod., pp 10-10, Ed. Sir F. Madden; also Nash's " History," Vol. i, p. 41. f See p. 113, as to the word Torton. ** See Alfrick, p. 248. ++ See p. 137. II See Elbury HiD, p. 223, &c. §§ See p. 113, concei-ning relics found in Hartlebury; and Clmp. 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 Organ'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 PuckaU, Round Hill, and Catnell Green. Elmley Lovett was anciently called Almeleia or Aumeleia. In " Domesday" it is written jiElmeleia. In ARELEY KINGS, or Lower Areley, are Dreaole HiU, 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- 3'ard, 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, Hargraves, on the limits of the manor, where also are "Lowe Field," " Hagg Lane," and " Torton Field." * Or Valley. ■f See p. 146, 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 " Kambler 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 ; King Cador would have kissed her ; The damsel slipt aside, and said, — ' King Cador, yon have miss'd her.' (" i. e., Cador, or Keder-mister.") The above may be taken as a specimen of medieeval 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 HiU. In the parish of the Foreign of Kidderminster, including the hamlets of Hurcott and Comberton, there are places called Elleme Field, or EUame Field, Tipper's Oak, Cop Hill, Battle Field, Bound HiU, 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. + See pp. 144, 145, as to Wassal Hill Camp, or WarshUl Camp, in this jtarish. 306 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 carrj'- 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 391 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 foiir 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 " Archeeologia," 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. It is a confirma- tion from Kalph de Mortuo Mari of a grant of land in Wribben- hall, Co. Worcester, made by Turstinus to the monks of a * Appendix, p. 475. 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 contractsf, and it is well known to have been represented by the cross J. In WOLVERLEY§ there are Portway Piece, Big Oldbrough, Round HiU, 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 Staffordshii-e, there are ColdRidge Wood, Lower Ooldridge, Kitlands, Kitlands Coppice, Wall Croft, The Yeals, Wall's Meadow, Upper Burgage, Lower Burgage, Castle Field, Tedge Hole, Heunage, the Innage, The Walls, Little Yeals, Big Yeals, and Hawk-batchlT. Over Arley • See p. 202. + See " Codex Dip.," Vol. i.. Int., pp. 94. 100. + In Kemble's " Saxon's in England," Vol. i., p. 347, it is stated that tliis peculiar weapon of Thor " 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. II See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 391, 292, App., Vol. iii, and 766. The same work sets forth other names of places in Worcestershire, having the prefix " Wolf," as WuKandun, No. 59 App., Vol. iii., &c. If See p. 14S, as to the Portway, Roman Camp, Castle Field, and other relics in this parish. 308 was anciently written " Ernlege, Emleali*," Amley and Arlegh. With respect to the etymology of the sufl&x "ley," see the account of Abberley Hill ; the prefix " Ar" is British, and sig- nifies the same with super in Latin f. EASTEKN SIDE OF THE COUNTY.— ANCIENT 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 I^ower Salt-way : and from Bidford to Edgbaston, near Birmingham, &c., in the account of the Ryck- nield Street. * See " Codex Dip.," No. 705. + See Dugdale's " Warwieksliire," Vol. i., p. 103. Ed. Thorn. 309 |to PI 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 vrith 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 Goston Hacket, Northfield, and Witohall, 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, &o. ; so on to Stretton, on the border of Warwickshire I, as stated in the • See Brewer's " Beauties of England and Wales," Int., p. 13, thirteenth edition, 1818. + See the conclnsion of this article, and also the account of the Eycknield ■Street. I do not pretend to say which is the oldest, the Salt-way, or the Eyck- nield Street, but should think the latter. t That is Stretton-en-le-Fields, in Derbyshire. 310 ',' Beauties of England and Wales," Vol. i., pp. 61, 62 ; and in " Ricliard of Cirencester," p. 116. DROITWICH. — Much has been said in the former part of this work as to this place having been the Salinse 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 Droitwioh were used by the Britons. With respect to the Anglo-Saxon times, it appears that, in 716, ^Ethelbald of Mercia granted certain salt works 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 (yico) emptorio salis, to Evesham f. In 888, ^thebed, 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 wtenscilling and seam- pending, — literally, wain-shilling and load-penny. — See the Charter of ^thelred, Duke of Mercia, in the " Codex Dip.," No. 1078, and the account of Alfriok in this work||. Mr. Kemble, in his " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., pp. 71, 73, 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. + See " Codex Dip.," No. 67 ; and Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii , p. 70. ♦ " Codex Dip.," No. 68. § Ibid., Nos. 327, 1068, 1075 ; and Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vo). ii., p. 202. Also see Archbishop Wulfstan's Chai'tcr, No. 1313, dated 1017, reliitive to ScuUwic. II See p. 200. 311 for theii' 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 Eiohhom himself looks upon as difiScult of explana- tion f. Many of the royal rights were unquestionably inherited from the pagan priesthood |." SALWAEP 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, CoU-ford, Omber- setene, and Portstrset, on the boundaries of this parish ||. The following names of places occur in the line in question from Droitwich to Birmingham : — In DODEEHILL 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 HUl, Astwood or Carpel Meadow, Piper's Hill, and Impney II. 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, Twintonjj, Great, Little, and near Ast.billa, Sitch Close, HeU Patch, Kit Meadow, and Warridge. In " Domesday Book" this place is spelled Uptune. Cokesey in this parish is spelled Cockesie. * Tacitus, Aim. xiii., 57. + Deut. Staatsr., ii., 426, § 397. J Also see the general observations relative to the names, Wick, Wich, andWiccia, Chap. I. § Vide " Codex Dip.," No. 34, 56, 67, 117, &c. II See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 353 ; Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 30 ; and " Codex Dip.," Nos.370, 1366; also ante, pp. 109, 110, 111. ^ See Bum's " Ecclesiastical Law," Vol. iii., pp. 446, 447. »* Vol. ii., p. 347. + t But query this. J J ProbaWy meaning Quiuton. 3ia In DOVERDALE*, near Upton Warren, there are places called Hell Hole Meadow, and Round Hill. Doverdale was anciently called Lunuredale and Doudale. " Domesday Book" Las it Lunuredale. In STOKE PRIOR there are places called Hell-end Meadow, Harbour's Hill Piece, Callow Lane, The Styche, Robin's Meadow, Hobden. In Latin records it is written Stoka, or Stooha. 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, Honier Boon, Oven Piece, Wall HiU, Wall HUl 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, Ham- 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 Fatoh Leasow, in Burcott. At a place called Pigeon- House Hill, by Longbridge, on the north side of Bromsgrove Lickey, several Roman coins were found as stated in the account of DroitwiohH. 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. I See Vol. ii., p. 380. § Called Pin Fields in the Ordnance Map. II Meaning Puck's Hole. — See " Folk-Lore." t See p. 102. *» See pp. 115, U2 ; also, Chap. IV., and Shepley Eoad, Eycknield Street, Iter XIX. 313 Tothehel, now called Tonthall Cross*, is likewise noticed. In Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., Appendix C, p. 551, in the account of Anglo-Saxon towns, there is the following : " Bremesbyrig.— At this place Ethelflsed built a burh. ' Saxon Chron.,' 910. Florence says, ' urbem,' an. 91 1, perhaps Broms- grove, in Worcestershire, the Et Bremesgrafum of the ' Codex Diplomaticus.' " In COSTON, or Cofton Hackett, there are Oreamen Meadow, The Sprights, and " Part of Warstone." This place was anciently called Codestun and Coftunf . 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 t. In FRANKLEY there are Came's Meadow, Upper Hoblets, Banky Hoblets, Warstone Farm, Great and Little Round 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||, EUbank 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 Rough, Quinton Oak, Port Fields, Castle Hill, KitweU, Harboume Meadow, Hob Acre, • See Nash, Vol. i., p. 150. + See " Codex Dip.," Nos. 596, 660, 138, 362, 351. + Ibid., Nos. 138, 262. § See " Domesilay Book." II See Chap. IV. 3U First and Far Hobridge, Hob Eedding, Hob's Croft, Jack Piece, Middle and Far Jack Piece, Bound Hill, and Weoley Castle. In BIKMINGHAM there are Wor-ston, Warstone Lane *, and Hoar Quebb, in tbe Foreign of Birmingham f. It is written Ber- mengeham in " Domesday Book." In Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 3 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 Eycknield 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 wTiter, R. Higden, cited in Gale's ' Essay on the Roman Roads' J, the YkenUd 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, I make no doubt, it proceeded to Wich, the supposed Salinse 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 Ibid. I Leland's " Idn.," Vol. vi., p. 109. 315 Alcester and over Broadway Hill and Middle Hill, to Northleach, and the other by Elmley Castle, Ashton Underhill, Sudeley Castle, and HawUng, 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, I shall call the former of these two lines The Lower Salt-way, and the latter the Lower Deviation Salt-way. 316 ito mi THE LOWER SALT-WAY, FROM DROITWICH TO BROADWAY HILL, NORTHLEACH, &c. 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 HiU 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 UUington, in the parish of Pebworth ; thence between the Honey- bournes, through Weston Subedge, over Willersey HiU ; 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 Honeyboume, 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 was the earliest line of the Hycknield Street t There described as the Haydon-way in the Ordnance Map. { Called " Buggilde StriEt" and " Bucgdn Straet." — see the Charter of Keured and Offa, dated A. D. 709, and in " Codex Dip.," Nos. 61, aSO, 534, 1368. 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 Une southward through Smallthorn and Condicote J, to the Foss-way, either at Bourton- on-the-Water, or Stow-on-the-Wold, aU 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. Ald-nins, &c., as hereafter stated. From Church Honeyboume (or rather from UUington) 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 UUington, to Bidford, unless the Eycknield Street did run from South Littleton to UUington, 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. 364, 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 Eoad, by Saintbury, to the top of WUlersey HUl^ whence, crossing the London road, east of the Fish, on Broadway 'HiU, it appears to have joined the Foss-way at, or near Stow." In the middle of Camp Field, in Seven Wells Farm, Wor- cestershirelT, 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 the adjoining field. The traces of * I rather thiuk 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 centmies back. + See Chap. IV., concerning Hoar Stones, in Catsdean, which parish lies near the line in question, between Middle Hill and SmaJl-thom. J Or it might have gone by a more circuitous route, through Cutsdean, Temple Guiting, Guiting Power, and Naunton. § See " Salopia Antiqua," by the Eev. Charles Henry Hartshome, Int., p. 12. II See " Eycknield Street." f Belonging to Lady Louisa Lygon ; not to Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., as stated in the " Salopia Antiqua." •• The seat of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart. 3J8 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 Eichard Colt Hoare, Bart., in his " History of Wiltshire," Vol. ii., p. 43, describes a s-mall camp, similar to the above, on the ridge of a hill, near Banwell, in Somersetshire. He says, — " Its form proclaims it to be Eoman ; but I cannot conceive for what it was destined. It measures, in circumference, 330 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 HiU, 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 Eycknield Street on the west, and the Fossway on the east. This no doubt was a most important station. Before leaving Meon Hillf, we wiU 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. i Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary of England," published 1848. 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 Meno'is, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza, and the Msenaemi Gastrum, which the Theodosian Code places near to Beer-sheba*." But still the question is, from whence the remarkable bUl 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 f ; 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 J, 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 " Babel's 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 HiU 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 between the Mercians and the West Saxons. In 689, a congress of the Saxon chiefs, confederated for the conquest of Britain, was held here." In the reign of Charles I.,1[ Mr. Robert Dover established » Dr. Adam Clarke's "Com.," on33thver.ofChap.xxm.ofFir3tBookof Sam. ^ lUd., on Chap. xii. of 2 Cor., ver. 3. + The word Meon likewise signifies the moon; also, men, a multitude, &c. § See Wamdonj.p. 295. II Various Eoman, Anglo-Saxon, and other relics have been found in the vicinity; namely, at Four-Shire Stone, Dom, Badsey, Church Honeyboume, Offenham, and Cleeve Prior. ^ Or James I. 320 Whitsun-week games on the Cotswold Hills, which are described in a book published in London in 1636, intituled, "Annalia Dvbrensia, vpon the yearly celebration of Mr. Eobert 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 hne in question, are as follow : — In St. PETEE'S PAEISH, DEOITWICH, there are several pieces of land called by the name of Sutnal. In St. ANDEEW'S, DEOITWICH, there are Trimnel's Dole, Camp Hill, and Furlong ; Falsam Fields, Sutnall Field, Singer's Hill, Great and Little Singer's Hill, Masgundry Field, Lozelle Field, and Belfrey LozeUes. HADSOE was anciently called Hadeshore, or Headdes Ofre. In this parish is Cockshoot HiU. In HANBUEY, 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 Eoman coins are said to have been found there. It is called Hambyrie, in " Domesday Book." In 836, Wiglaf, of Mercia, confirmed the liberties of Hanbury, with all its possessions, including salt-wells and lead-works |. In STOKE (or Stock) and BEADLEY, there are the Salts, Marl Pit Close, Part of Harcourts, Near and Far Sale's Orchard, Puck Croft, Beart Field, and Part of Eonsil Meadow. There are numerous ancient marl-pits in this county. PHny says, the Britons manured their grounds with marl. * Vide " Codex Dip." Nos. 32, 127, 166, and 237. + From the Saxon, " ham," home ; " vicus," village. { Vide " Codex Dip.," No. 237 ; and Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 70. 321 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 Syehampton, in Ombersley ; and Sallen's Field and Orchard, in Abberiey. Stock and Bradley are hamlets in Fladbury. In FECKENHAM there are Worralls.Worrall's Hill, Norgrove, Merry-Come-Sorrow, Monksbury, Upper and Lower Puck Close, Astwood Close, Norbury Hill, North Norbury Hill, South Nor- buiy. Old Yarn Hill, Old Yarn Hill Meadow, Tricks 's Hole, AUotmeut in Trickholes Lane, Auberry Hill, Berrow Hill, Wad- beiTow Hill, Wadberrow Meadow, Castle HiU, Camp Field, Wargrave, Warridge, Bound 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 Eidgeway. 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, Roimd Hill, Noberry Hill, First and Second Archer's HiU, 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 are extinct in England, and nearly so in Scotland, f See p. 65, as to this name. J The above place seems to have been named ironically, as I am informed it was, till lately, one of the roughest pieces of ground in the parish. § Also see the " Folk-Lore." T 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 | Furlong, and Domap. 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 Bidgeway. Vide summary of tlie Eidgeways. § See " Codex Dip.," No. 570. 393 pr Pill. 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- wich, 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 J. 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-HiU, 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, 69 ; and by the foUowing 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 hiUs above Sudeley Castle, where it is still * See pp. 314, 315, as to this tlUe. + See pp. 109, 110, as to this line of road, and the antiquities found in those parts. + See pp. 311, 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 Ikeman 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 Winsou, and on the west side of Aldsworth. In ODDINGLEY there are places called Sitch Meadow, Round Hill, Ourshill, Trench Wood, and Marl Pit Field. In the Anglo-Saxon time, Callow Hill (Calwan Hill) was one of the boundaries of Oddingleyf. The name is spelled Oddungalea, Odduncalea, Odingalea, Oddinga-lea, Oddungahlea sive Oddin- gleye, in several Anglo-Saxon charters J, 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 Oding IT ; and, if by that he meant the Saxon God, Odin, or Woden**, we think he is quite correct. * By Venta Belgarium (Winchester), and Clausentirm (Bittern). + See Nash, Vol. ii., App. 51 ; and Heming's " Cartulai-y," p. 355. J See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 160, &c. § Vol. ii., p. 200. II Dugd. " Men." i., 154. It is said they founded Tewkesbuiy Monastery, and Dudley Castle. — (See Saxon Chronicle.) If See Vol. ii., p. 437. There certainly was a person of the name of Odin, an under-tenant of land in Cheshire at the formation of the " Domesday" Survey. ,j« •* It is said that Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, means Wodensbury. Heming's " Cartidaiy," p. 431, notices Wodnesfeld. 825 This place is supposed to have been one of the Anglo-Saxon marks*. HIMBLETON.— In Heming's " Gaitulary," 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 f, Chester Gate, Chester Way, Badas Ash, and Win stile J. Dr. Nash notices, likewise. Puck Hill Comer, and Puck Hill, as boundaries of Himbleton mentioned in the Parliament Survey in 1648 §. Himbleton is also called Hymelton, Hemelton, or Humilton. " In 884, ^thelred, Duke of Mercia, who acted as a viceroy in that new portion of Alfred's kingdom, and exercised therein all the royal rights as fully as any king did in his own territories, gave ^thelwulf five hides at Humbleton, and licence to have six salt pans, free of all the dues of king, duke, or public of&cer, but stiU 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 IT. BROUGHTON HACKETT is, in " Domesday Book," written Bretune. GEAFTON-SUPEBrFLIVORD was anciently called Graston or Grafton. In " Domesday Book" it is written Garstune**. In FLYFOED FLAVELL, or Flavell Flivord, there is a place called Puttocs End, or Pothooks Inn-fi. The name is spelled Flseferth, and Fleferth in " Codex Dip.," No. 346, &c. In NORTH PIDELET there is a place called Ennick Ford In UPTON SNODSBURY there are places called Castle Hill, Havrfoot, SuUadine Field, and Salt Moor Meadow. This parish is • See pp. 228, 229. + See p. 190, as to the derivation of tMs name. J Vide Nash's " History," Vol. ii., App., p. 52. § Ibid., Vol. i., p. 579. II See Kemhle's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 71, and " Codex Dip.," No. 1066. t See p. 229. ♦ • Gars means grass in Saxon. ++ See Lulsley, p. 249. 326 also called Upton Stephani, and Upton-juxta-Snodsbury. In " Domesday Book" it is written Snodesbyrie*. In CHURCHILL t, 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 ChircheheUe, CorishuU, Chirshall, and Sarishell. NAUNTON BEAUCHAMP is also caUed Naunton, Newington, or Newintune. In WHITE LADIES ASTON: there are Harrold's 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 Lusthom (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 Pibhnton and Piphntune. 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, Salam Common Meadow, Dear Sale, Cosnett's Meadow, Allsborough Hill, and Tidsley Wood. Pershore, or Pearshore, was anciently called Perseora and PersoralT. 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. I See pp. 226 to 229, as to this name. § Vide Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 154, 359 ; " Codex Dip.," Nos. 570, 612, 098, 1053. Also see the account of Oswaldslow, p. 221. II See the " JElambler in Worcestershire," published in 1851, p. 331. H See " Codex Dip.," No. 570, &c. 337 MON, showing that Abba was the Monetarius or mint-master. This coin, which is in a very fine state of preservation, is in the collection of John Parker, Esq., of Wood Side, Perry Wood, near Worcester. ELMLEY CASTLE parish.— I have examined the line of the Lower Deviation Salt-way, in this parish, and find that it is an old and very miry bye- way running for about a mile under the name of the SaJt-way, in a direction inclining northwards towards Per- shore, and southwards towards Ashton-under-HiU. Alongside of it there are pieces of laud called Nostern's Well Piece, Hell Hole, Upper Saltway Piece, Salt-way Baru*Piece, and Salt-way Coppice. And not far from, and overlooking it, there is a long slope called Starn HiUf, which rises up to a higher part of the eminence called the Bound HiU. A piece of ground, called the Breach, lies along the east side of the two latter ; between them and the Salt-way there are pieces caUed Throughters and MoU Hays J. The Hue of this road continues southward to Ashton-under-Hill, and formerly towards Pershore ; but upon the inclosure it was diverted into the direction of Cropthorne. In this parish there is also a place called Cames or Cams Coomb §, a strip of ground which runs from the bottom, partly up the side of Bredon HiU, between two coppice woods. There are also in this parish Little WorraU or Middle Hill, Elecampane II and White Way II Quor Piece. About half-way between the site of Elmley Castle ** and Kemerton Camp there • The Ordnance Survey notices this Salt-way Bam. + See p. 128, as to this hill. Mr. Wm. Moore, of Elmley, the owner of the hill, kindly conducted me over this range. J There are places called Big and Little Moll-horn iu Bromsgrove parish. § Comhe, from the Anglo-Saxon Cumh, signifies a valley or a cleft in the hiUs. It signifies the same in Welsh, and is written cwm hy them. II Perhaps a locality of the plant of that name. 1[ A line of road called the " Welsh Way," or " Old White Way," crosses Gloucestershke. The ahove name may throw a light upon the name Cames or Cams Coomb, as " Can" in Welsh and Irish signifies " white." " Cain," however, in those languages signifies fair and chaste, and " Cam," crooked. There is a place called White-way Head Ashhed and Coppice, in Clifton-on- Teme. ** Dr. Nash says the Castle was built in the time of William I., and de- molished temp. Henry VIII. 328 is an immense mound, composed of earth and loose stones, called the Winds-end, which runs in an inclined plane from the bottom to the brow of Bredon Hill, at that part called Sheep HiU. Vestiges of ancient shallow excavations, to a con- siderable extent, appear in the adjoining pastures from whence, no doubt, materials were taken to form the mound. There are also some remarkable cuttings in the pasture on the eastern side of Sheep Hill, near a barn, between the mound and the site of the Castle, called " The Horse Camps," which it is said were made to protect the horses in the time of battle or siege. The name of this parish was Elmleah and Elmlseh in Anglo-Saxon times*. » See " Codex Dip.," No. 139, 764. 329 m III. KYCKNIELD STEEET, OE ETDGEWAY. The great ancient road, called the Eycknield Street, or Eidge- way, is said to have passed Bidford, in Warwickshire, in its way from St. Davids (Menapia) to Tynemouth. Its exact course is little known, but some writers say it may be traced from Glouces- ter to Norton ; thence to a little east of Tewkesbury ; thence to Ashchurch, in Gloucestershire ; thence across a small portion of Worcestershire*, to Beckford and Ashton-under-HiU, in Glouces- tershire ; thence to the west of Sedgebarrow, in Worcestershire ; thence to Hinton, in Gloucestershire ; thence a little east of Evesham, and through South Littleton, in Worcestershire, to Bidford, in Warwickshire ; f thence through Wicksford, to Alces- ter ; thence near Coughton, Studley, and Ipsley, in Warwickshire ; that it thence re-entered Worcestershire near Beoley, passednear Edgbaston J, iu Warwickshire, and, a little west of Birmingham, crossed the Tame at Woodford Bridge, in Staffordshire; ran through Sutton Park, and by Shenston ; crossed the Wsethnger Streets (Watling Street) about a mile from Wall and Lichfield ; thence to Streetley; crossed the Trent at Wichnor ; thence taking Branston in its way, it left Burton-upon-Trent half a mile to the east, passed through Stretton, and entered Derbyshire over Monk's Bridge, near Egginton. The direction of the road cannot be traced further, although * In Overbury parish. t See Gale's " Essay towards the Becovery of the Courses of the foui- Great Eoman Ways," written about the year 1760, and inserted by Hearne, in Leland's " Itinerary," Vol. iv., ed. 1764 % See Chap. IV., concerning the Hoar-Stone which stood there. 330 its course is said to have been through Derby, Chesterfield, York, and so to Tynemouth *. I am, however, indined 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, Atoh Lench, Church Lench, Stoney Morton, and along the Kidgeway by Kedditch, 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 Feokenham, between Worcestershire and Warwickshire, near Alcester. Several antiquaries consider it to be Roman J; 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 IckenUd Street in Yates's Map§ of Warwickshire. In the Ordnance Map, from thence northwards to Ipsley, it is called the Hayden-way || ; thence from Ipsley to Beoley, and towards King's Norton and Edgbaston, the IcknUd-way; between Birmingham and Lichfield, the Ick- * See Collen's " Britannia Saxonica;" also, Leland's " Itinerary," Vol, vl, pp. 116 to 150; and Nash's " History ofWorcestershire, Vol. i.,Int., p. 3. ■j- The ancient Britons, no doubt, preferred the ridges of the hills 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. CI, 62, 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 Eycknield Street ran fi-om South Littleton to UUing- ton, and thence to Bidford, instead of going through Middle Littleton, North Littleton, Cleeve Prior, and Marlcliif, to Bidford. See p. 316. II There is a road called the Maiden way by the Wall, and Bewcastle, in Ciunberland. 33] nield Street, and so on to Wichnor-on-Trent, &c. In the Eev. 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 I, 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 IT." 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 ft-. 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. 15, Part 2, p. 6. + 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, p. 107, where he quotes Bishop Lyttelton on the subject, who says it is sometimes called Ickle, or Ikenyld Street. *« Nash, Vol. i., p. 17. ++ Pat. 12 Edw. II., p. m. 12. Vide Nash, Vol. ii. App,, p. 7.'). 332 Street, passes through Alvechurch in its course from Aulcester to Wall, near Litchfield. I find it mentioned as a boundaiy 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. id., 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 [Kycknield] 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 Eidgeway to Headless Cross ; it then passed by Kedditch and Bordesley, through Tardebig, by Salter's Lane, Eidgway Close, Broad Green, and TutnalJ, in Tardebig, to Twathng 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 Eomans 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, t Ibid., concerniag a mention of " Hoar-Stone," in a survey of Bromsgrove, Norton, and Alvechiu'cli. X See p. 233, on the name Tutnal. § See p. 309. 333 hills and tortnosities of tlie 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 Alveohurch, 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 Rudgeway I, by Walton Cardiff. The follovring 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 II, are mentioned in the "Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries II." It is noticed in the "Saxon Chronicle," 577, 918, as Urbs Gloverniae, Glocestriae, a fortified city of Mercia**. * There is a place called the Port-way in the Ordnance Map, a little east- ward of the line in question, probably a branch of the line. f This term, "Lower Icknield Street," does not allude to a lower road, but a 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. X See the summary of the Eidgeways as to this name. § Some suppose Caer-Gloew, or Glow, to be derived from a British prince named Gloew. II This was perhaps the line of the Eycknield Street, out of Gloucester. ^ See "Wright's " Gazetteer." *» See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. ii., p. 555. 334 Rudgeway occurs between Tredington and Walton Cardiif, 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, Fetter 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 Thome, 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 Tute, near Tewkesbury, and p. 34, as to Boman coins found in Oldbury Gardens, t See " Codex Dip." No. 308. 335 Anglo-Saxon marks*. In Heming's " Cartulaiy,"p. 362, Carente, Bules Ditch, and Pevin-ton, are mentioned as Anglo-Saxon boun- daries of Teddington. The Cserent, Carantf, Cerent, or Oarron River, runs by the South side of Bredon HUl, through Overbury, Kemerton, and Ashchurch parishes, into the Avon I, near Tewkes- bury. Offa of Mercia gave certain property at Teottingtun,or Tetyng- ton, nearthe 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 OarunlT. 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 387, 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 brook jiEsegbume. In " Domesday Book," Sedgeberrow is written Secgesbarue. Offa gave Segges- * Seep. 229. t 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 HiUs, p. 232, &c. II See Denham and Dick's edition, 1805, Vol. i., pp. 9, 10. ^ " Car-avon, winding river." 336 berewe to Aldred, duke of the Wiccians. Various relics have been found here. See p. 85. EVESHAM.— The a,ppellation 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." BENGEWOKTH was anciently called Benningweord, or Benninewyrth. Dr. Nash says, the signification of this name is the farm or estate of Bening. 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 1722, 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 Portway Furlong." It is not, however, specified in which of the above places the latter was 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 HUl, Game's Acre, Goomb Nap, (Knap). — Wickhamford was anciently called Wicque. In " Domesday Book" it is Wiquene ; and in a charter of Kendred and OSa, Wikewane. In SOUTH LITTLETON are. Vineyard Orchard and Howburn Hill. In " Domesday Book" this place is written Liteltune. * Bretforton is noticed ia the " Codex Dip.," No. 380. + See pp. 87, 88. I See " Codex Dip.," No. 61. § See p. 239. 337 CLEEVE PRIOR* was anciently called Olive. 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) jnay 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 Offenham, including Cleeve Prior and the three Littletons J 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 Comer, 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 HUl; Ground next Portway; 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. 363. + Namely, North, Middle, and South Littleton. § Perhaps means peaked stones. II This is ty 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 OLDBEEEOW, otherwise Oldburrow, or Owlborough, Co. Worcester, there are, — Harding's Pleck, Harding's Meadow, Whamap 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 1833, 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 Cadburj'," that " Agned Cathbregion has been generally recognised in the modem 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 t, 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 Dlanuyl (Owlwell), in Worcestershire. + See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. v., p. 191, &c. 339 Icknield Street, Lower Ickuield Street, The Himpey, Will Fields, Cob's Meadow, Pennils or Pinhill, Bound Hill, Battle Field, Bobin's Hill, Long Cross Himpey, and Long Himpey Street and Meadow. This parish is vulgarly called Allchurch ; it was anciently designated Alvinechurch, Alveineoherclie, Alviethcherche, and ^Ifgythe-cyrcea. In KING'S NOBTON, Co. Worcester, which includes the chapelries of Moseley and Wythall, there are, — Tin Meadow, Hob Irons, Bound Hill, The Dole, Hobbis's Piece, Pucldin's Meadow ; Big, Little, Upper, Middle, and Lower Pucklins, Puck- lin's Lane, Warstone, Warstook 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 Comer, Camp Close, The Bufferys, Puok- 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 YABDLEY, Co. Worcester, anciently Eardleah -1% Gyrd- leah, and Gyrdleaf, there are, Ballondes Lane, and Hell Bank. The following Names occub in the supposed Bodte of the Bycknield Stbeet, fkom Evesham to Edgbaston. In OFFENHAM, or Uffenham, there are, — Norvill, Upper, Middle, and Lower NorvUl, and Hob's Hole. Antiquities have been found here. — Vide p. 90. In NORTON (alias Abbot's Norton) and Lenchwick, there are, — Asken Corner, Upper Sj'tch, 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 I, there are,— Green Street, Bound Hill, and Nurder. In Heming's " Car- • See " Codex Dip.," No. 507. ■)■ Ibid., 570, 816, 1322. J Ibid., No. 61. 340 tulary," p. 347, there ai'e, Hunningham Street, and Wistan's Bridge, on the Anglo-Saxon houndaries 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 Eound 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 Eerferthun. This 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, Ban's Orchard, Dragon's Hole, First and Second Cold Well, and Yell Wood. In the hamlet of SHERIFF'S LENCH, or Shreve Lench, in the parish of Chiurch 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 PitchaU HUl 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 Constantino was dug up in Abbot's Morton, otherwise Stoney Morton. * Vide also Nash, Vol. ii., App., p. 44. t 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. 363, mentions Elfled's Bridge •)• and 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, Northiield, 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 UUington) 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 HUl, 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. 190. + This, no doubt, was a bridge built by tlie Lady ^Etlielflaed. 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. 1.V2, as follows : — From " Rose or Beri-y Hill, in Weston," under Penyard, near Ross, to Miles. Glehon Oolonia, . . 15 Gloucester ; Ad Antonam, . . . 15 On the .Avon; Alauna, 15 Alcester, on the Aln. The editor, Mr. Hatcher, remarks, in a note : — " As the author has only left the name of a river for the next station to (iloucester, 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 carry 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 =i'-." 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-HiU, Sedgebarrow, andHinton, to Evesham, &c., as before suggested ; and, secondly, in the nearly direct line from Tewkesbury, through Bredon Hardwiok, 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 Comberton, Fladbury, and Crop- thorne ; across the Avon at Chadbury Ferry, and through Lench Wyke, Norton, Harvington, and Atch Lench, to Alcester. It is * Sep p. 7-0. 348 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 ; bat as Evesham is twenty-two miles from Gloucester, it could not (according to " Eichard 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 I, and Roman relics have been found there, as previously described in the account of Eckington. According to Tacitus, Ostorius Scapula, in the year 53, 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 Nyne, or Nen, in Northamptonshire, that being too distant from the Severn" — P. 365. 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 Eichard of Cirencester's statement upon the subject. • " Eichard of Cu-encester," p. 134, seventh edition, 1776. .t See pp. 76, 77. + Mr. May, in his "History of Evesham," p. 364, contends that the station in (iiiestion lay in the vicinity of the encampments on Bredon HUl. 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 Salinse, 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-worklT by the river side, within a mile of the • See pp. 54 to 60. + See pp. 60, 61, 62. } See p. 66. § Some have supposed that the adjoining camp on Bredon Hill, in Kemer- ton, TFas the work of Ostorius ; others that it is Danish ; hut it seems most probahle that it is ancient British, Vide " Ambrosiae Petrae," Chap. II. II See pp. 91 to 94. 1[ It is considered by s6me 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, hy Bewdley ; and the next at Over Arley* ; a full description of all which places will be found in this work. We must now retui-n to the supposed deviation line of the Eycknield Street from Tewkesbury, through Eckington to Alcester. In NORTON, in BREDON, there are Eidgeway Furlong, Eidgeway Far Close, Eidgeway Middle Close, Eidgeway Little Meadow, Eidgeway Ground f, Calmus Hill, and several places called Clatsmoor and Hickley. Various Anglo-Saxon relics have been found in this chapelry J. 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, EccyncgtunlT, and Ackintune. Wollashul, WoUashill, WoUershull, 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 Bomans did carry a branch line of the Eycknield Street, or Eidgeway, from Tewkesbury, through Eckington, to Alcester. + Vide p. 76. § See the " Eambler in Worcestershire," published in 1848, p. 159, and the " Eeport of the Archaeological Association at Worcester, in 1851," p. 277. II See pp. 78 to 84, relative to Kemerton Camp, Banbury Stone, an ancient granary, and other relics on Bredon Hill. Also the account of " Ambrosiae Petrse," Chap. II. ; and the derivation of the word Bredon, p. 84. t See " Codex Dip." No. 570, 1398. »* Vide, pp. 74, 76. 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 DEFFOED there are places called Part of Horell Orchard and Hales Well. Between Deflford and Besford there is Horrell Wood. This place was anciently spelled DeopanfordJ, 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 Fleodanhyryg, or Fledan- byrig§. In " Domesday Book," Fledebirie. Dr. Nash says the name signifies the village of the stream. Bradley, in Fladbury, was formerly called Bradanlsegh. CROPTHORNE was anciently called Croppan thorn || and Copperne, and in " Domesday Book," Cropethom. CHADBURY FERRY is a ferry over the Avon, from Crop- thorne into Ghadbury, in Lenchwick, a tithing in Norton, alias Abbot's Norton. It is possible that a branch road ran from Eckington, by the north side of Bredon Hill, through Elmley Castle parish, and along the Salt-way, into the Rycknield Street at Ashton-under- HUl, 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 loknield 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 Icknield Street, since this latter runs quite in another direction, namely, through the southern part of the Idngdom. A modem reviewer, writing of the Rycknield Street, saysH, » See " Codex Dip." No. 570. f See p. 239. ♦ See " Codex Dip." No. 570. § " Codex Dip." No. 3-3. Il See "Codex Dip." Nos. 130, :J47,.5U, 1358. % See " Gentlemtin's Magazine" for November, 1H40. 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 Eidge-way ? Eic or Eeao 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 Eycknield Street-s and also in the numerous branches which issued from it, that the name Ridgeway frequently occm'sf. The ancient British and Gaulish words Eix and Eich, and the eastern word Eik, mean strong and powerful :J. The Saxon word Eic or Eeac 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 veiy particularly traced through several of the midland coun- ties, and which appears to have been the connecting road between * The term " Bycknield Street" does not appear out of the two main Unes (that is the ancient British line and the Koman deviation line), hut in the branches the tenn Ridgeway is used. + See the summary of them, Chap. VIII. J See " Britaimia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, p. 68. § See Chap. I., as to the Saxon word Wio, 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 Eev. T. Leman, 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 Eyknield 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 foUovring 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 Eykenild 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 Wygomia, make it pass ' per Here- fordiam.' Harrison, in his ' Description of England,' says, some call ' Erming Street, The Lelme,' and then describes the Ikenild, 349 or Eikenild, 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 Villam de Mere. Seldon, in his notes on the ' Polyolbion,' says Eioen-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 7 th century, which calls it, as it passes over Tupton Moor, ' Eignal Street ;' and Lysons, in his ' Derbyshire,' says that an old survey of Sir H. Hunloke's pro- perty in Derbyshire, says, that Eikenild Street was there called Eignal Street, as well as in other estates in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, where it is described as a boundary. Eickenhall, 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 ISth 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 " Archseologia .Siliana ;" and in the " Archaeological Journal of the Institute," Vol. vi., pp. 323, 334, there is the following " 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 ' Eidgeway,' 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 (Carmardhiu), and to have taken in that branch of Antonine's Itinerary that lies from Maridunum to Isoa. The Strata Julia may have been part of it." According to Leman's " Itineraryf," 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 HiU, 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 J), and Isca (i.e. Iscalegua), Silurium (Caerleon§), Ballium, Usk||, Blestium, Monmouth, toAriconium, (Berry Hill, near Eoss) ; thence it probably passed by Brampton » Leland's " Itin.," edit. 1767, Vol. vi., p. 138. + Vol. iv., Part 1, p. 05, edit. 1761. { See the " Journal of the Archaeological Institute," Vol. vii., p. 173, as to Roman relics found at Landovery, in Caermarthenshire, near the Eoman road called Sam Helen, or Helens Eoad. § Vide ibid., Vol, viii., p. 167, &c., and the previous journals there cited, concerning Roman relics found at Caerleon. II Some say from TJsk, 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, aud Liuton, 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 Komans, for military and other purposes, probably made two deviation lines, one from Isoa to Venta (Chepstow), and across the Severn, at or about Aust Passage, or Oldbury Passage, into the Western Trackwayt ; 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, appears 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 Ryclmield 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 ||, 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. 977, &c., in which is the before-mentioned road, called the Ridge- way, running between Eastnor and the Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Malvern HUl ; and where also are met with the * See p. 289, as to a probaWe branch road of the Eycknield Street having gone from Wall Hills Camp to Frome Hill, and on to Worcester. + See p. 290, &c. J See Brewer's " Beauties of England and Wales," Introduction, pp. 13 and 133, edition 1818. § The lines to these two passes are, however, given in dots, or doubtfully. II See pp. 348, 349, in further proof of this. 35 d remarkable ancient British, Roman, and Saxon names of Wain Street, Keysend Street, the Pendoek Portway, in the Berrow ; Gadbury Banks, in Eldersfield ; Crookberrpw, in Pendoek and the Berrow ; Sam Hill, and Wood Street, in BusUey ; and The Myths 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 HUl, 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 withf. 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, Borrows and Little Barrow's Orchard, BerrowMeadow, Berrow Rough,BerrowHomestead,Berrow's Bank, Castle Meadow, Crewsfield, 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, t Broc, in Anglo-Saxon, signifies a brook. 353 An agricultural custom prevails at this place ou Twelfth-day- eve, thus described in Hone's " 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 LEDBUEY, 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 Kne, 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 TewkesburyJ ; the second, at Tewkesbury, and terminated at Alcester ; and the third, at AJcester, 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. + " Kudge's 'Gloucester.'" J The line from Berry Hill, near Eoss, to Gloucester, was merely a cut across the first link. 354 Sto M- FOSS WAY. As the Foss Way passes througli Blockley, Shipston-on-Stour, and Tredington, -wldch are detached portions of Worcestershire, I have collected the following names which occur in those places and their vicinity. CODESTON, Cotesdou, or Cutsdean, is a hamlet of the parish of Bredon, Co. Worcester. In the Anglo-Saxon times there were places called the Greystone, and Kadborough, on the boundaries of Codeston*. The parish of BLOCKEY was anciently called Blockelet and Blockel. In " Domesday Book," it is written Blockelei. It is said that urns and other Eoman 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 Eoman station." In the hamlet of Blockley there are places called Old Oven, Eound 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, VoJ. ii., App., p. 45, and Heming'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-HiU, Co. Gloucester. 355 In Dome, a hamlet in Blockley, there is a piece called the Foss Way Ground. British and Eoman 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 BsBcces horan*, now called Battesford, bounded by Bourton HUl to the south, by the Fosse, or King's Highway, to the east, and by rivulets to the north." — ^A. p. 13. ICOMBE, otherwise Icoancumb, Ikecumbe, or Ickham, was a detached parish of Worcestershire, but has been annexed to Gloucestershire by the Reform BUI. There is a camp there f. DAYLESFORD, Dalesford, or DaUsford, is a detached parish of Worcestershire. It was anciently called Deiglesford ; and in " Domesday Book" it is written Eilesford. In EVENLOAD, 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 EunUade 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 here, 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 J." • Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 34, 376. + Vide p. 85. J Lewis's " Topographical Dictionary." 356 On the border of the parish of TIDMINGTON, Tidminton, 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 STKETTON-on-the-Foss, Co. Warwick, there are places called Little Roughborough, Great Eoughborough, Roughborough Hill, Roughborough Meadow, and FoUy 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 Tredinctunt (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.) DarUngscott 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 ALDERMINSTER, formerly called Aldermaston, or * See Chap. IV., also Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 348 ; and " Codex Dip.," No. 614. + See p. 239. } See " Codex Dip.," Nog. 620, 676. § See p. 229. 357 Aldermanston, there are places called Hoberton, Upthrop Meadow, WoUand, Great Pike, Little Pike, and WeUod 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 GENEEAL OBSEEYATIONS EELATIVE TO THE NAMES WIOK, 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 Wichea." 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 J. I cannot find that ' Wic,' or ' Wich,' signifies salt spring in its primitive sense." In a note relative to the words " Wi," or " Wye," Nash says, " Perhaps the word ' Wice,' in English, vritch, 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 Wichenford, Vol. ii., p. 457, says, — " From whence comes the word Wic, or * See Vol. ii., p. 469. It included Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and part of Warwickshire. + See Vol. i., p. 29f). I Tacit. " Ann.," Lib. xiii. ; also see Droitwich, pp. 310, 311. 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 ia 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 Wichime at first, or Wic; for the hiUs 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- ime, Wigume, Wegurne, Weogeme, Wigorna, Weogoma ; and, in Latin, 'Wigorna et VigomiaJ.' 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 Wygeme-ceastre, Weogeme-ceastre, Wigor-ceastre, Wyogorna- ceastre, Wigorn-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." • See Baxter, " Ad voces Bratmogenium et Iceni." ■f- See before, p. 35, where it is contended that it was a town in both the Eoman and ancient British time. J Heming's " Cartulary," p. 6 ; and 19 MS., Thomas. § See pp. 17, 20, as to the probability of the Castle Hill having been partly thrown up in the Eoman time, although the castle itself may have been built by the Saxons, or Normans. 360 The following is a summary of places called by the name of Wick or Wich in this county, together with a particular descrip- tion of their geographical features. Western Side of the Coukty. KNIGHTWICK is a parish which contains much high ridgy ground, near the Kiver Teme *. ALFKICK, Alferwyke, Afurwike, or Alfredeswic, is a hamlet in Suckley parish, containing very high ridgy ground, principally on the borders of Leigh Brook, by Old Storage, or Storridge, and along the east side of Suckley Hillj. POWICKl, or Powycke in " Domesday," (Poiwic,) is a parish containing much high ridgy land, near the banks of the Severn and Teme. A road called the Ridgeway § also passes through it. Lower and Upper Wick, Wic, Wyken, or Wyke Episcopi, Rushwickll, or Eushwyke, and Henwick, Hinewick, or Hynewyk, contain considerable ridges, either upon the Severn or the Teme, and lie on the western side of the Severn, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine H, except Henwick, or Hynewick, (which is in St. Clement's parish, and Hallow). They run in almost a continuous hne from Povnck to Worcester. Hardwiok, or Wyke **, is a manor contained partly in St. John's parish, and partly in the neighbouring places. KENSWICK, a chapelry, in Wichenford parish, lies north- west of Henvrick, on Laughem Brook. Wichenford tf lies north of Kenswick. There is a place called the Ridges H, by Laughem Brook, between Kenswick, Wichenford, * There is a tridge at the ford there, caJled Knightsford Bridge, f See pp. 190, 248, &c. J See p. 73, concerning Homan relics found there. § See pp. 287, 288. II In Nash, Vol. ii., p. 308, it is stated that Bushwyke is a modem name. IT See p. 288, concerning a piece of ground called the Bidgeway Meadow in this parish. ** Called Wiche in " Domesday Book." See Nash, supra. ++ See p. 149, 150, as to Boman coins found there. XI The Ordnance Map calls it the Kedges and Kedges Copse. 361 and Ridge-end. Ridge-end Copse, and Ockeridge Wood lie on the north side of Wichenford*. SoxjTHEEN Side of the CouNTy. Bredon's Hardwick, in Bredon parish, south of Bredon Hill. Eastebn Side of the County. Wickhamford. — For this parish see p. 336. WICK, Wyke, or Wycke Waryn, is a ridge on the border of the Avon, near Pershore. LENCH WYKE is a ridge on the border of the Avon, near Evesham. North Side of the County. NORTHWICK lies on the ridge on the east side of the Severn, near Worcester. DROITWICHf, or Wych, lies on the sides and bottom of the ridgy banks of the river Salwarp. WICHBOLD, or Wicelbold,J; is a manor in Doderhill, by Droitwich, and lies on the banks of the Salwarp. CHADDLEWICK, Chadelewick, or Chadwiok, and Willing- wicke, lie on the north-west side of Bromsgrove Lickey. WICHBURY§ HiU is in Hagley parish. WYTCHALLIl lies between Northfield and Edgbaston. From a general review of the above-mentioned places, we are inclined to think that the name Wick, or Wich, is derived • Nash, in Vol. ii., p. 458, says, " Mr. Habingdon thinks that Wyke, near Worcester, and Wichenford, ■were formerly joined together; indeed, ' Domes- day' and several other records seem to confirm this conjecture. — Tab. ii., Col. b." Perhaps it was called Wichenford from its being detached from the rest of Wyke by Laughem Brook." + See pp. 98, &c., 310, &c. } See p. 311. § See p. 136, as to its antiquities. II See p. 332. 36'i either from the Saxon word ' Wic', signifying a station, mansion, place of security, or secure habitation, from Wician, to inhabit ; or from the Latin, ' Vic,' ' Vicus,' a street or village*." We find that almost all the above-mentioned places are connected with high ridges of ground f-, or dorsal elevations, which in ancient times would be considered as the most advantageous and protected places for residence J. • See pp. 310, 347, 358. + It is possible that some few places in this kingdom were named Wick or Wich in comparatively modem times (see Rushwyke, p. 360), without any regard to the configuration of the ground ; but it is worthy of remark, that almost all the above-mentioned places not only occur on ridges, but are in or near the lines, or supposed lines, of the ancient Eidgeways. — See Rycknield Street. J ' Ymb Wicigean' means, to encamp about. ' Wicing,' or 'Wiceng,' means a pirate, — See " Saxon ChrorL," 931 and 879. r;cv^ 363 BAMBUEY STONE ON BEEDON HILL, AND AMBEOSItE PETEJl GENEEALLY. In the first edition of this work, I cursorily referred to a re- markable stone on the border of Kemerton Camp, otherwise Banbury or Bambury Camp, on Bredon Hill, close by the boun- dary Une between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The fol- lowing additional observations on this stone may not be thought unworthy of notice. It stands within about forty yards of the south-west end of the inner vaUum or trench of the camp, and near a tower or prospect house, which was built in modem times upon the summit of the lull. It is situated a little within the entrance of an oblong basia or amphitheatre, near the western focus of the eUipse, and is about twenty yards in circumference, four yards high, and nearly flat at the top. The basin resembles a dry dock, with its entrance upon the verge of the precipice of the hUl, and is about two hundred yards in circumference. The stone, at several mUes distance, looks something like the huU of a ship coming out of dock. I have no doubt that this basin is artificial, and that the earth and stones excavated were applied towards forming the inner agger of the camp, which is high and wide, and would take more materials in the making than could be obtained out of the vaUum* or trench. The stone is a mass of inferior oohte, • There ore also traces of very considerable excavations, in the ground be- tween the outer and inner vaUum, at the south-east comer ; the materials from which were no doubt used for the above-mentioned purpose. 364 the same as the rest of the hill, and no doubt was denuded upon the basin being dug, and most probably was preserved for an altar stone. At the distance of about six yards before it, westward, nearer the precipice, there is another stone about eleven yards in circumference, and two yards above the surface ; and about six- teen yards further westward, at the precipice, is a third stone, about ten yards in circumference, and two yards high. The former of these two stones was probably disturbed at the time of the excavation, as the stratification is nearly vertical, and the other either appears to have been moved to the very edge of the precipice (down which it seems on the point of rolling into Wor- cestershire), or the earth has, in the course of ages, fallen away from before it down the precipice, and left it upon the brink*. There is also another stone, behind and to the east of the Bam- bury stone, which measures about eight yards in circumference. All these stones are nearly in a line with each other, and stand in an easterly and westerly direction ; the one on the brink, stands on or near to the site of the ancient granaryf . Laird, in his " Topographical and Historical Description of Worcestershire!," describing this stone, says, " Near the Prospect House, is Bramsbury Stone, an immense mass of rock, but of which there is no traditionary account ; and which is, most Hkely, merely a natural production, without any reference to ancient events." In Derham's " Physico-Theology" the camp is called Bems- bury Camp§. In Nash's plan of the camp it is called Bembury Stone, and in the plan in the second edition of Gough's " Camden," Bunbuiy stone ; but neither of those authors take any further notice of it. In Greenwood's map, dated 1880 and 1831, it is called Bambury Stone, and in the Ordnance Map Banbury Stone. ' See p. 78, relative to the land-slips at the part in question. t See pp. 78, 79, 80. } See p. 364. § Vide p. 80 of this work. 365 Dr. Nash, in his plan (here given), only noticed the principal stone, and placed it on the brink of the precipice. Neither has SaALE OF 220 YARDS. he represented the hollow basin in which the stone stands. Perhaps, therefore, the woodcut here set forth, which was drawn after a per- sonal inspection in 1841, will give a more clear idea of the matter. With respect to the word Bambury, it may be observed that not only do the peasantry frequently substitute one con- sonant for another at the commence- ment of a word, but that it is a vulgarism of the county to super-add a consonant to words commencing with a vowel ; thus Bambury might easily be the same as Ambury. Dr. Nash* says, " The common people of this county frequently add the leter N to words that begin with a vowel ; thus they say Vol. ii. p. 167. 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, houatsfor oats, a howl for an owl, a hex 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 HiU, in Old Swinford ; Omber's Hill, in Leigh f ; Omberland, on the boundaries of Cudley]:, 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- mook, Co. Gloucester ; an intrenched camp, at Wimbledon, Co. Surrey, called Bensbury IT ; 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." J See Heming's " Cartulary," p. 358 ; and " Nash," Vol. ji,, App., p. 55. § Called by the Saxons, Banesbyrig. Some ancient British gold coins were found near Banbury." See " Gentleman's Magazine," for July, 1843, p. 39. II See the Ordnance Map. The parish is called Crofta, in "Domesday Book." It lies in the hundred of Wolphy. If See " Camden," also the " Archaeologia," Vol. xxi.. No. 2, p. 518, &c. •* See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii,, p. 127, second edition, 1806. Also Gadbury Banks, pp. 68, 69. 367 number of druidical stones called Humberds*. " Domesday Book " mentions Ambreforde, in Yorkshire ; Ambrelie, in Sussex ; Ambresberie, in Hants and Wilts ; Ambresb'iee, in Wilts f; Am- bresdone, in Oxfordshire ; Ambretone and Ambritone, Buclung- 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 Avemestre, 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, &o. See Gough's " Camden" Vol. iii., p. 275, second edition, 1806 ; and Vol. ii., p. 506. There is Hawtesstone Bntts, in Tredington, Co. Worcester. + Ameshury, or Ambresbury, in Wilts, is written Ambresbyrig, 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. J There is a house called Almery, or Ambry Court, near the town of Per- shore ; but this name is derived from Almomy, Almonarium, a place where alms were distributed. See Nash, Vol. 1., p. 409. Almery, or Ambry, also means a moveable receptacle for household stuff. See the " Archseological 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. II Vol. iii., p. 84. 868 implies a woody situation* ; while others, commencing with H, may come from the Anglo-Saxon, " ham," home ; " vicus," of 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 mUes 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 Eagged Stones (oolitic formation). The adjoining vale is called Woeful Dane's Bottom. This camp was kindly shown to me by Edward Dalton, 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. f Perhaps identical with what are called " Druidical obelisks." J There is also a parish called Humberston, in the county of Lincoln, § Vol. iii.. Part 2, p. 981, 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. Poohin, 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 grovmd 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 bom 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 Guidhehan British, signifies a pit, or hollow of the hand ; and in such hollows this moving stone is often found.' • TMs 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-amher, 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 Amesbuiy (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 ia 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 Chamwood 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, poiated 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 sKghtly 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, Ethelward*, son of Oshere, king of the Wiccians, with the consent of Cenred, king of the Mercians, gave, by charter, to Bishop Egwin, twelve eassates of land at Ambreslege, with the appurtenances, especially two wears, one where Ombreswelle f 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. 56, and 56 App., Vol. iii. + See p. 366, concerning Omber's HUl, in Leigh and Omberland, on the boundary of Cudley. I Also see Nash, Vol. ii., p. 916 ; and " Codex Dip.," Vol. i., No. 56, and 56 App., Vol. iii., as to Ombresuuel. § " Codex Dip.," Vol. i.. No. 64. 37^ 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 tirne 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 |. The ancients distinguished stones, erected vrith a religious view, by the name of Amber, by which was signified anything solar and divine. The Grecians called them Uerpat Afi/Spocnai. (Peti's Ambrosise); and there are representations of such upon coins. • Vol. iii., pp. .533, 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 sbictly to belong to the class of Logan stones. 373 HorapoUo speaks of a sacreij 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. Stouehenge 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 AmbrosiaB 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 Anao ; 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 Blorus and Pelorus. People were so struck with their grandeur, that they called every 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 Phoenices, 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; aU 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 discipUne in Britain, one fact weighs with me more than a thousand argu- ments. I allude to the Tyrian coin I, on which appear the oak * See Stnieley's " Stonehenge," pp. 49, 50. + Published 1838, p. 78. } It has been conjectured that this coin belonged to Cadez, or Gades, which is of Phoenician origin. See " Gentleman's Magazine," February 1839, pp. 140, 141. 374 tree, the sacred fire, the two stone pillars of Hercules (Thoth), and the singulai- legend, Tyr. Col.* (Colony of Tyrians), and the still more remarkable words under the erect stones, AMBPOZIE IIETPE (Ambrosife Petra;), 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 Ambrosiee Petrse; and if he does not think the origm of Ambrosebury, or Amesbury, was derived from the Ambrosiaa Petrae, or anointed stones of the Tyrian colonists, he will think the coincidence most remarkable];." The Eev. 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, petrse 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 ' Petrse Ambrosiae,' whilst beneath them is the figure of a conch shell." • The legend is COL .TYEO .METB.— See after. + They are called " Immortal Stones," in " Gentlemen's Magazine," Fe- bruary 1829, p. 141. { It must be observed that many of the theories advanced in the " Hermes Britannicus" 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 Archseological 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 roimd temple dedicated to ApoUo, and situated in an island ' opposite Oeltica.' 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 Eound Temple Stonehenge, or Avebury, or the Rolrioh 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. 153, 153^.) 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 inde in Galliam translata esse existimatur ; et nunc qui diligentius eam rem *. Vol. -riii., p. 143, &c. + But see the contrary opinions to this, set forth in the " Proceedings of the Archseological Institute at Salishury," p. 124, &c. 376 cognoscere volunt, plerumque illo disoendi causa proficiscuntur." — B. G., 16. Mr. Guest thus concludes : — " I think, therefore, we may fairly conclude that Stonehenge is of later date than Avehury, and the other structures of unwrought stone ; that it could not have heen huilt 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., &o.* :— "After a ride of two hours over a beautifully undulating country, we arrived at Emsorahf, or, as the modem 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 circlej, 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. 16, 16 of that work. t " 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 Dtuidical, and that he compared them with the remains of Stonehenge. 377 shelving road leads to a well called ' 'Aiti tayyeb ' (good spriug). 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. The elk-horn 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 rehgious 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. D. seems to allude here to a similar tradition in some part of Ireland. 378 sojourn. It is said tbey founded Tingris or Tangier, where, according to Procopius, they erected two white pillars, with an inscription in the PhcEnician 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 Jilgean and Mediterranean Sea. It is supposed also that colonies of this people were spread over diSerent 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. I am informed by Mr. Akerman that its genuineness is imquestionable, 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 Roman 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 VaiUant states it to be an oUve tree ; and after describing the Ambrosise Petrae and flaming altar, states that the shell is of that kind from which the Tyrian * See the " Journal of the Ai'chaeological Institute," Vol. ra., p. 8, relative to a bronze figure of a bull found in Cornwall, conjectured by some to be Phoenician. + Part ii., p. 151, ed. 1697, wherein he refers to Tristan's work, Vol. i., pp. 91, 491 ; and Vol. ii., p. 508 ; and also to Nonnus. 379 dye was made. lu the same page of Vaillant's work there is another Tynan 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. METEO. COL., "which VaiUant interprets, " Colonia Tyrus Metropohs." 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 Uke two rocks. In p. 351 of that work, a Tyrian coin of the time of GaUienus is represented with the stones smooth. It has the inscription, " Col. Tyro. Metr.," which VaUlant 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 in 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 AMBPOSIE IIETPEi. Although aU these objects are * " Pausanias, Lib. viii., c. 15, describes two remarkable stones, called Petroma, venerated by the Pbeneatae." + " Mionnet, Descrip., Tom. v., p. 43C, No. 66V. 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 TyreJ we find a serpent entwined round a large egg-shaped stone. VaUlant considers that this relates to the serpent or dragon which was fabled to have been 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 Kock in Kemerton Camp, otherwise Bambury Camp, on the top of Bredon HiU, was one of these Ambrosiae PetrEe||, 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 Tyrians. This would, if so, tend to confirm my idea that the Kemerton Camp is ancient British, although afterwards occupied by the Eomans, Saxons, and DaneslT. * « Lib. xl." + " Vadllant, Num. in Ool. percussa." J " Vaillant, iUd. Tom. ii., p. 136." § Ibid., p. 350, pub. 1688. II There is a place called " Petre HOI" in Amblecote, Co. Stafford. If See pp. 83, 84, and the Celtic derivation of the name of the hUl. Vide also the accounts of Eckington, Norton in Bredon, Sedgebarrow and Conderton, as to ancient relics found at those places. 381 ^feapto LOGAN STONES AND HOLE STONES. It has been contended by some antiquaries that the Logan, or Rooking 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 appHed thein 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 -j-, 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 tlieir sacred rites, divinations, and judgments." — See " Gentleman's Magazine" for March 1843, p. 287. + There is a Rocking Stone in Soyland, in Yorkshire, called the Awse, or Fairies' Hole, with a Camedh. — See Gough's " Camden," Vol. iii., p. 275, second edition, 1806. J 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 has 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 €Wtx |i. HOAE STONES. From the Amber or Sacred Stones of primitive times, we descend to tlie 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 Itahan ' 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 " the unaspirated Greek ' Ores', denoting a moun- * See pp. 48, 49 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 probably 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 : — " SOMNEE. " 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 thsene 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 ' Camden.' " " HUTTON. " This author, speaking of a Roman station at Birmingham, says, he can find no vestiges remaining, though ' the most likely place is Wor-ston,' which he interprets ' WaU-stone,' part of the Ikeneld Street being called Warstone Lane in passing through that neighbourhood. — ' History of Birmingham,' third edition, p. 921." " The stone itself is mentioned in deeds as late as a.d. 1676." * Also, see " Gentiemaji'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 heihg, holy.' — ' History of Leicester- shire,' Vol. iii., 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 I 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 Norths field Manor, &c., for sale, a.d. 1820. * But see pp. 369, 370, as to Mr. Dudley's subsequent opinion. t This stone is noticed in the Ordnance Survey Map. The farm there is called the Hoai-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., ag to a place called Hore-stan. C c 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 NeviH. " Of reodmsedwan 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., Olive, p. 345. " 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." — Rental of Hagley, at Lord Lyttelton's ; 33 Hen. VIII. And the following are some of those which are in the neigh- bouring counties. Gloucestershire. — The Hore-stone at Duntesboume 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 3, p. 981. Monmouthshire. — " Per circuitum usque at Horston." Boun- daries of land belonging to Tintem Abbey. — " Monast. Angl." i., p. 723. 387 Harold's-stones, at Treleoh. King, " Munimenta Antiqua," i., p. 199. Also Coxe's " MonmouthsHre," ii., p. 333, 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 Harhorne 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 wiU tend to throw much light upon many of the names which will be hereafter mentioned in the lines of ancient roads, &c. No. 1 . Hoar. ■2. Hoar Oak. 3. Hoar Withy. 4. Hoar Thorn. 5. Hoar Hazel. 6. Hoar Maple. 7. Hoar Apple-tree. 8. Hoar Cross. 9. Hoar Stoke, or Place. 10. Hoar Ham, or Home. 11. Hoar Ton, or Inclosure. 1 S. Hoar Worth, or Inclosure. 13. Hoar Wood. 14. Hoar Thwait, Assart, or Kidding. 15. Hoar Park. 16. Hoar Land. • The whole of Hales Owen was added to Worcestershire in l&il by the Eeform BUI. ;5BS No. 17. Hoar Grounds. ] 8. Hoar Ley, or Pasture. 19. Hoar Mead. 20. Hoar Ing, or Meadow. 21. Hoar Field. 22. Hoar Croft. 23. Hoar Moor. 24. Hoar Moss. 2.5 Hoar Quebb, or Quagmire. 26. 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 Hyme, or Comer. 32. Hoar Wick, or Bank. 33. Hoar Knap, or Eising. 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. 46. Hoar Torr. 47. Hoar Way. 48. Hoar Street. 49. Hoar Lane. 50* • Mr. Hamper here inserted Hoar Path, from " Herepath ;" but that word ngnifles a military load. 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 HaU. 59. Hoar By, or Village. 60. Hoar Chester, or Camp. 61. Hoar Castle. 63. Hoar Dyke. 63. Hoar Sytch, Sike, or Water-course. 64. 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 Harau Apel-treo." — Heming's " Cartulary," Boun- daries of Wyke*, Co. Worcester, p. 75. • This Wyke means Wick Episoopi, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwar- dine, near the city of Worcester. (There also is Wyke, Wick, or Wych Waryn,near Pershore.) The apple-tiee stood near where the Teme joins the Severn. 390 " In Haran Eapol-derae." — Ibid., Cofton, Co. Worcester, p. 7. Bishop Lyttelton translates tHs, " to tte grey apple-trees," in his account of Alvechurch parish, as printed by Nash, Vol. i., p. 20. " To thaere Haran- Apeldran." — Ibid., HaUow, Co. Worcester, p. 340. HOAE STOKE, OR PLACE. Warstook, ia 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 Eoll as " le Horestok, in con- finio comitat. Wigorn. et Warr." HOAR LEY, OR PASTURE. " Ondlang thaes weyes on Haran Lseh." — Heming's " Car- tulary," describing the boundaries of Lawem, 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 Whor Knap, bor- dering on Oldboroi^h and Morton. HOAR MEAD. War Meadow, in SolihuU, Co. Warwick, abutting on King's Norton, Co. Worcester. HOAR CROFT. War Croft, in SoKhull, Co. Warwick, abutting on King's Norton, Co. Worcester. 891 HOAR QUEBB*, OE QUAGMIEE. " A leasowe, or pasture, called Hore Quebbe, within the forren . of Birmingham, nighe Wynsdon Greene," is named in a deed, 33 Elizabeth. HOAE KNAPt, OR RISING. Whor Knap, at the verge of Wootton Wawen parish, Co. Warwick, bordering on Oldberrow and Morton. (See Horelond.) HOAR GRAVE, TRENCH, OR VALLUM +. " Andlang th«re die in Here grafuQ."— Heming's " Cartulary," boundaries of Witlinc, Co. Worcester, pp. 171, 384. It appears to be the same place as Hargraves, in a survey of the limits of Hartlebury, about a.d. 1648 (Nash, Vol. i., p. 570). Hargrave, an estate in Bickenhill, Co. Warwick, bordering on the parishes of Elmdon and Hampton-in-Arden. It is called " The Hargroves§," in a particular of sale, a.d. 1662. HOAR EDGE. One of the summits of the Titterstone Clee Hill, near Ludlow, Co. Salop, is called the War-edge. • There is a place called Qnatb Coppice, in Suckley; and The Quob Meadow, in Hanley William. + There is the Knap, in Alfrick. J " Grave also signifies a grove ; perhaps, in its primary application, one that was protected by a graff, or trench ; as, I presume, a coppice derives its name from the cops or mounds enclosing it." The word " graf " means a grove, and " grefa," " graefa," ahole. (See BromsgrOve, p. 133.) With respect to the word " cop," there are Copsonf s Coppice, in Alfrick ; Copern HiU', in Lnlsley ; Copson's, in Claines ; Copern Pit, in Hallow ; and Peril Cop, in Astley — all in Worcestershire; and Great Coppel Croft, and Little Coppel Croft, in Arley, in Warwickshire. § There are places called Norgrove, in Alfrick ; Norgroves-end Fann, in Bayton ; and Norgrove, in Feobenham. The adding an N to names and words, is a vulgarism of the county. See pp. 365, 366. '■ HOAE EIDGE. Horridge is a hamlet in Corse, Co. Gloucester, bordering on Worcestershire. HOAR LANE. " Hairlane, otherwise Herlon, Harelane, and Bound-lane," in the suburbs of Gloucester. — Rudder, p. 205. Mr. Fosbroke, in his history of that city, p. 8, calls it Hare-lone, Here-lone ; i.e. Army-lane," without noticing it as Bound-lane, which is merely a translation of its ancient appellative. HOAR BOURN, OR RIVULET. Harbome (in " Domesday," Horeborne), Co. Stafford, bor- dering on Warwickshire and Worcestershire. HOAR MERE. " Of tham on tha ealdan die on Haran maere." — Heming's " Cartulary," boundaries of Bishop's Stoke [Stoke Orchard], Co. Worcester [Gloucester], p. 192. HOAR PIT. " Of sandune on Hor pytte." — Heming's " Cartulary," boun- daries of Tidminton, Co. Worcester, pp. 192, 348*. " Andlang rices thaet cymth to theem Hor pytte." — Ibid., Longdon, p. 209. HOAR WELL f. A land boundary at Pershore, Co. Worcester, is " Hor wyllan," Cotton MS., Augustus II., Art. 6. * Also see Nash, Vol. ii., App. 45. + In SeTem Stoke, EaiTs Croomb, and Defford, there are places caUed " Part of HorrcU Orchard." See " Codex Dip.," No. 340, 340 App., Vol. iii., and 570, as to Horwyl, in Worcestershire ; and Heming's " Cartulary," p. '541, as to Horeweil. 393 " Inde per Fulanbroc usque in Haren willes." — Boundaries at Evesham, Co. Worcester, " Monast. Angl.," Vol. i., p. 145. The following is the account given in the " Archseologia," (Vol. xvi.*) of the Duntesboume Abbot's Stone : — " Nov. 20, 1806. — An account of a tumulus, opened on an estate of Matthew Bailie, M.D., in the parish of Duntesboume Abbots, in Gloucestershire, communicated to Samuel Lyson, Esq., Director, by the Eev. 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 ia that county by the name of the ' Hoar Stone.' It is of the calcareous kind, twelve feet high, jBfteen 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 boundary stones. The etymology advanced by Messrs. Dudley and Nichols, in regard to the Holstone, in Humberston Field, might at first appear, iu 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 appears 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 Duntesboume, Co. Gloucester, already mentioned, is fixed upon an ancient sepulchral tumulus ; and a barrow in • See Appendix thereto, pp. 361, 362. + The first edition was published in 1820. 394 Norfolk is actually the boundary mark of the three parishes of Aylsham, Burgh, and Tutington." — " Archaeologia," 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 1834, by Edward Rudge, Esq., who judiciously deems it to have been originally a cromlech, supported after the manner of Kit's* Goity-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 boundary of Alderley and Presbury parishes, and near the ancient division of Hamestan and Bochelan Hundreds, is an estate called the HarehiUs." " Omerod," iii., p. 307. Harehillf, near the Roman Wall, Co. Cumberland. " Horse- ley," p. 153. HarehUl, near Leeds, Co. York. Thoresby, by Whitaker, p. 145. In Leigh there are places called the Hoardings, and Harding's Meadow ];. In AMrick, 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 ohapelry 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 Eoman 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 Oak, before described. See p. 386. 395 called Worrall, In Birliugham, Harrils Hill. In Severn Stoke, Earl's Croomb, and Defford, a piece called Horrell Orchard. Between Churcli Honeyboume and Middle Littleton, a place called Norridge HiU. In Holt with Little Witley, places called Hares- hill Field and Hareshill Orchard. In Offenham, places called NorviU, Lower, Middle, and Upper NorviU. In Chaddesley Corbett, places called Warstone, Little Warstone, and Warrage. In Longdon, Hare Hock, and Hare Bridge. In Chaseley, Norgast Field, Great, Middle, and South Norgast Field. In Feckenham there are places called WorraUs, Worrall's Hill, Worrall's Meadow, Wargrove, Warridge, Upper and Lower Horcuts, Nor- grove, Norbury HUl, North Norbiiry HiU, 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 Wamap Hill. In Whittington, Norcroft, Hares Close, and Wordings. In Stock and Bradley, a place called Harcourts. In Tidmington, Hoar Pit. In Abberley, Hareshill and Warden. In CatshaU and Coneygree, in Ombersley, Hither WarvUl, and Further WarvUl. In Uphampton, in Ombersley, WarwiU. In Chadvrick, in Bromsgrove parish. Warding. In Hanley WiUiam, Upper Hurcott. In Grimley, Hares Moor. In King's Norton, Warstone, and Warstock Piece. In Cradley, ui Hales Owen, Warling Meadow and Coppy (Coppice). In Northfield, Warstone, and Warstone Field. In Clent, Warstone, Upper Wargen and Lower Wargen. In Martley, Waxcroft. HEEEFORDSHIRE. In UUingswick, Horestone, Horestone Length, and Horestone Piece. In Wolverlow, Hare Hill. In Ledbury parish. Hare HUl, and Warcroft. In Much Marcle, Harold's Croft, Harwell Orchard, Harwell Field, and Worrall's Meadow. In or near Ken- derchurch, Harold's Ewias. In Upper Sapey, Warden's Grove, At Kentchurch, Orcopp. In Cradley, Harrold's Coppice, (or Herold's Copse), Harrold's Orchard, Harrold's Meadow, and Big and Litde Harrells. In Oollington, Hoarstone Leys, Hoarstone 396 Leasow, Hoarstone Piece, Hoarstone Hopyard, and Hoat Meadow. In Orleton, Harescroft. STAFFOEDSHIRE. In Amblecoate, Hare's Close. WARWICKSHIKE. In Solihull, Warstock Comer, War Croft, War Meadow, War- ing's Coppice, Hare Croft, and Near Hare Croft. GLOUCESTEESHIRE. In Dymock, Harding's, Haroomb, and Harcomb Coppice. OXFORDSHIRE. In Chastleton, Harcomb, and Wyton's Harcomb. Near Dublin a place called Harold's Cross. " Domesday Book " has Harehille, in Gorsedone's hd. Oo. Gloucester ; and Hore-dane, and Horefelle*, in that county. Horebourne, in Staffordshire ; Horemede, in Herefordshire ; and Haregrave in Northamptonshire and Cheshire. In WALES, single stones set up as boundaries, or as com- memorative of any event, were termed " Meini-hirion," or tall stones, and were often spoken of as " Llaydion," i.e., grey. Now, there is a piece of land called Greystone Field, in the parish of Dudley ; and there are fields in the parish of Ilfracombe, in Devonshire, called Near, Far, Inner, Big and Little Greystone, also places called Eastern, Middle and Western Horedown, The Broad Hoar, and Higher and Lower Arcomb Meadow. In Outs- dean, Worcestershire, there is the Grey-stone. • Also, Tristham's Harries, Eowberry, and Kitstone. 39T OLDBURY (PLACES SO CALLED). In pp. 34, 35, some observations are made relative to two or three places in Worcestershire, called by the name of Oldbury, accompanied by the remark, that the name is an evidence that such places were generally occupied by the Eomans. The fol- lowing list, whicb contains all sucb places as have come to my knowledge within the county, together with a few of those met with in the neighbouring counties, may not be thought altogether uninteresting. Oldbury, in Hales Owen *, also in St. John's, near Worcester ; Big Oldburrow, in Wolverley; Oldbury Field, in Hindlip; Oldbury Bam, in or near Elmbridge ; Holborough Green, near Feckenham ; Holbro' Field, in Inkberrow ; Oldbury, in Upton, Warren ; Little Oldbrough, and Little Oldbury Wood, in the parish of Oldberrow ; Oldbury, on the boundary of Smite f, which lies partly in Wamdon, and partly in Hindlip ; Oldbury Eough, in the parish of Bromsgrove ; Oldbury, Big, Little, and Middle Oldbury, and Far Oldbury Meadow, in Eushock; Aldbrough Meadow, in Beoley ; Big Holboume, in Shelsley Beauchamp ; Howboume HiU, in South Littleton ; and Howboume, in Norton-juxta-Kempsey. * There was in the Anglo-Saxon times a place called Ealdanbui-h, Aldbury, or Oldbury, in Worcestershire. See " Codex Dip.," No. 570 ; also see Elbury HiU, pp. 223 to 226. + See Heming's " Cartulary," Vol. ii., p. 355. 398 The following are not in Worcestershire : — High Oldbury, in Amblecote, Co. Staiford. Oldbury Gardens, at Tewkesbury, Co. Gloucester. Oldbury, in Much Marcle ; Oldbury and Vineyard, in the parish of Ledbury ; and Lower Oldbury, in Linton, Co. Hereford. Oldborough Castle, near Abury, Co. Wilts. 399 CASTLE (ANCIENT SPOTS SO CALLED). In p. 145 I quoted Bishop Lyttelton's opinion, that a place called Castle Field, not far from the Camp in Over Arley, but on the west side of the river, " was so named from the Eomans encamping there, as no ruins of a castle, or any tradition of there ever having been one there remains." Now, this also may be equally said respecting the Castle Hill in Hadley Heath Camp *, and of a place called Payne's Castle, in AUrickf, where there is nothing but a cottage. In " Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales," p. 1, it is. stated that " the Saxons, Romans, and even according to some writers of antiquity, the ancient Britons, had castles built with stone." In a paper in the " Gentleman's Magazine," for July 1842, entitled, " An Inquiry into the true History of King Arthur," it is stated, in the account of " The Battle of Castle Gumion," that " the title of castle, which is here prefixed, denoted, in the phraseology of the middle ages, a Roman fortress, or a town built on Roman foundations, in the same sense in which ' Chester,' or ' Chesters' is used in numerous instances in the existing topography of Britain." There are Castle Green SufBeld, and Castle HiU Meadow, in Leigh parish ; Big Castle Field, in Avenbury ; Castle Hill, in Lindridge ; Castle Tump Meadow, in Eastham ; Castle Hill, in Upton Snodsbury ; Castle Field, Castle Bank, and Little Castle,^ in Mathon ; Castle Hill, in Feckenham ; Kit's Castle, Castle * See p. 108. t See p. 239. 400 Tump, and Castle Meadow, in Tenbury parish; The Castle Hedge, in Broom ; Castle HUl, in Clent ; Castle Acre, in Hanley Child ; Castle Hill, in Northfield ; Red Castle Orchard, in Suckley ; Castle Hill Meadow, in Martley ; Great Castle Hill, and Castle Hill, in Eomsley, in Hales Owen ; and Great Castle Field, in Hillhampton, in Martley. 401 €w^'( m- GENEEAL OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO THE ANCIENT NAMES OF FIELDS, &c. My principal object in marshalling together so large an array of names of fields and places in the different parishes, particularly in the lines or supposed lines of the ancient roads, has been the hope that in many instances these names will tend to throw light upon the etymology of each other, and also upon their own his- tory both in early and later times. The sources to which I am mainly indebted under this head are the surveys and apportion- ments under the Tithe Commutation Act, the Ordnance Survey Map, and the "Report" and " Further Reports of the Commis- sioners for Inquiring concerning Charities*." Although some of these names have become partially corrupted by provincial pronunciation, it seems almost miraculous that so large a number have been accurately preserved through the lapse of so many ages. I have inserted the names of the places, as they appeared in the authorities from which I drew them ; and when I knew any such to be erroneous, or that the places also went by other names, such additional information has likewise been given. Should it be asked what evidence we have that such names were given in ancient times, we reply that, for the most part, the evidence is internal, but not the less positive on that account ; and that, although the names of some of the places may • The names of the parishes, vills, and hamlets, have generally been taken from Dr. Nash's " History," Dr. Thomas's " Histoiy," Heming's " Cartulary," and the " Codex Diplomatlcus." D D 40-J have been boi'rowed in after-times from those of an earher 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 Eoman power for about four hundred years, and where agriculture, after its more complete subjection by x\gricola, had been so much encouraged, that it had become one of the western granaries of the empire. The Britons, therefore, of the iifth 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., App. No. 2. 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 wUl best account for the numerous divi- sions, and accurate and precise descriptions of land which occur in almost aU the Saxon charters. No modem conveyance could more accurately distinguish or describe the houndaries of the premises which they conveyed." The following are summaries of the places, in or near the county, called by the names " Eidgeway," " Portway," and " Street." Vjr-T 404 C^a^to i|||. EIDGEWAYS. 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 Blookley ; 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 Gamp 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 " 34th 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. 4:05 :fr l|. POETWAYS. In either Badsey, Aldington, or Bretforton, a piece used to be called Portway Furlong*. There is Portway Piece, in Wolverley ; Portway Plat, in Croces ia Sychampton, in Ombersley; Porte Fields Farm, and Porte Fields Road, 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 Portfleld, 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. 14S. 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 " Badsey." + See p. 286, &c., as to tMs Portway through Worcestershire. 406 |. STEEETS. Theee 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 Eock Street, in Chaseley ; Wood Street, in Bushley ; " 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 DoderhiU. ; Street Bank, in Shelsley Beauchamp ; Street Orchard, in Grimley ; Street-end Meadow, in Alvechurch ; Eye 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 UUingswick, in Here- fordshire. King Street, near Berrington, not far from Shrewsbury, in Shropshire. Streets Brook Coppice and Meadow, and Shirley Street Meadow, in Sohhull, Co. Warwick. * See p. 340, referring to Heming's " Cartulary." i07 Qmin ||. SITES OF ANCIENT YINEYiUBS. As the name " Vineyard" occurs in almost every parisli 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 liis " History," p. 307, in spealdng of a place called The Vines, in Droitwich+, says, " Suetonius teUs 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. 258, and Whitboiime, p. 213. + See " Britaimia Antiqua," by Aylett Sammes, pubUshed 1676, p. 5. J Several Boman relics have been found there.— See pp. 98 to 102. § See Mr. Pegge's dissertation in the first volume of the " Archscologia," p. 32.J! . Several autiquaries consider that tlie places called Vineyards refer to apple or other fniit orchards, and not to the vine ; but see before, pp. 08 to 102. 408 And in Vol. ii., " Corrections and Additions," p. 24, the Doctor says, " In William of Malmsbury's description of Thomey 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. ; Pladbury, temp, circa Henry III. ; in Leigh, temp, circa Edward I. ; and also in Sedgbarrow and Elmley Castle. It is said that the sides of Towbury 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," second edition, 1845, pp. 18, 84. 409 €\n:^kx FOLK-LOEE. ON THE IGNIS FATUUS, OR WILL-O'-THE-WISP, AND THE FAIRIES. The following chapter was published as a separate pamphlet, in 1846, 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 pubhshed 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 I never had the pleasure of seeing it myself until the night of the 31st of December, 1839, in two meadows and a stubble field on the south side of Brook House, 410 situated about a mile from Powiok 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 Une 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 WiU-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 locahty 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 se\'eral 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 5 th 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 dming the whole of those observations, which were made by others of the house as weU 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. 6, 1836, p. 180, quoting Borby and Spence) ; 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 a " Will-o'-the-Wisp," caught a mole cricket in his hat : but the probability is, that in chasing one thing he caught another ; and, 1 believe, we have yet to learn whether mole crickets are luminous or not. 412 HOB. In an account which I published in 1835, relative, to the appearance of the ignesfatui in Alfrick and its neighbourhood, I 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, 18451, 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," "hobanyj," and "hob,"mostprobably, 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 II, 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." { There were in Anglo-Saxon times Obanleah and Obantreow. See " Codex Dip.," No. 20, and 20 App., Vol. vi., * 508. § See Johnson's " Dictionary," title Hobby. II And hence the words " hobby-horse " and " hobble." U A hobbling or awkward-gaited country lad is called a hoberdy-hoy. *♦ It is said that the merciless wreckers on the coasts of Coi-nwall and Devon sometimes, in dark windy nights, iittach a lantern to a lame horse, and then lead him along the coast, hoping that some passing vessel may mistake flie undulating light of the lantern for that of another vessel, and thereby be decoyed on shore and wrecked. 413 a fiend horse, which afteirwards 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 " Archseologia," Vol. i., p. 4. In the " Literary Gazette " for May 9, 1846, p. 436, the subject is also noticed as follows : — " Hobby, a little Irish nag for the hobelers, a land of Irish Imights, light horsemen ; hobelers in England, those whose tenure was by maintaining a light nag, to certify an invasion, or any perU 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. HaUiwell, Esq., pp. 179, 325.) And it also occurs in the curious old poem on " The Man in the Moon," printed in Mr. HalliweU'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 HiU, 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 Sheriff's 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 Eough, and Little Hob HUl, in Beoleyf; Hobbis's Piece, in King's Norton ; Hob Acre, First Hob Ridge, Far Hob Ridge, Hob Redding, and Hob Croft, in Northfield | ; 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, 1806, p. 487 ; but it has now lost its name. + Also " Sling, near Elvins." 1 Also Witches' Bough. 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 WiUington, in Barcheston ; Hobs Croft, in Ipsley ; Hobbin's* Close, in Great Alnef; Hobbia's Close, on Copt Heath; and Hobs Moat, in SolihuU. In the " Athenaeum" for Sept. 18th, 1847, p. 983, 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, laugliing 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 behef 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 Angha quoddam demonum genus, quod suo idiomate Qrant nominant ad instar puUi 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 (French), a pacing horse. + Also Elvin's Close. 415 word " hoppe ;" for the word " dobbin," to this day, is a pro- vincial term for horse. The following account of the Dobhies is given in a list of ancient words at present used in the moun- tainous districts of the West Eiding of Yorkshire, printed in the "Archseologia," 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 his 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 Borrow ; Dobbs Hill, in Eldersfield ; Dobbin's Meadow and Lower Dobbins, in Mathon ; Upper Dobbins and Lower Dobbins, in King's Norton ; and Dobies, in Chaddesley Corbett. 416 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 Northfield ; Cob Hill, in Elders- field ; Cob's Orchard, Cob's Close, and Cob's Croft, in DoderhUl ; Cob's Meadow, in Alvechurch ; and Cob's Croft, in Staunton. In Gloucestershire. — Cob's Hole, iu Dymook. 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. J " Or Cobb HaU." § See Gough's " Camden," Vol. ii., p. 385. 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 cavemed 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 bump, 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 Pamell'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 HiU, 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 Caesar and others, was worshipped at the Toot Hills as the guide over the hills and trackways]: ; 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. 334, 335. § 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- borrow, or Osebury|| [vulgo Eosebury) 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 II) ; 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 faiiy, 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 comer 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. II By mistake named WoodbiUT Eock in the Ordnance Map. ^ And also a hole called the " Witches Oven." 419 wherein they had been 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 om' paU." 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 Inihro'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 foUowed 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 ofWhittington and his cat. In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. ii., pp. 154, 155, several instances are given of the Trolls' hatred of hells, in Scandinavia. ■420 make him amends for his pains, danced round him till he wound him 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 Ufe. 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 maiing quite, Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite, Call'd JRobin Good-fellow : are you not he, That fright the maidens of the villagery ; Skim milk; and sometimes lahour in the quern. And bootless make the breathless housewife chum ; And sometime make the drink to bear no barm ; Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm ? Those that JTobgoblin call you, and sweet Puck, You do their work, and they shall have good luck : Ai'e you not he ? " Puck. Thou speak'st aright ; I am that meri'y 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 HaUiweU's " Fairy Mythology," p. 195.) + He also is called by the name of " Hobgoblin" and " Hob" several times afterwards in that poem. 431 He thus that spoil'd my sov'reign's face, I would Ms neck were broken.' " In the " Illustrations of the Fairy Mythology of a Midsum- mer Night's Dream," by Mr. HaUiwell, for the Shakespeare Society, the following account occurs in p. 137, in what is called the " Life of Eobin Good-fellow* :"— " How Robin Good-fellow seeved a Clownish Fellow. " Presently Eobin shaped himselfe 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 baoke, but long had he not rid, but with a stumble he hurl'd this churlish clowne 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, ]33:— " How Robin Good-fellow led a Company of Fellows out OF THEiE Wat. " 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 downs 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 lads i Tell your mammies and yom' dads, * It is supposed that Shakespeaj'e 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 Wispe. If that you but 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 PKANKS 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 thera 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, 1 blurry laughing ho, ho, ho ! " The following is from the ballad of " Eobin Good-fellow," (See HaUiwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 164) :— * In Shakespeare's " King Lear," Act ui., Scene 4, there is the same expression. t This song is attributed to Ben Johnson. J 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 " Sometim^s 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 Eobin Good-fellow, Hob-gobliu, or mad Crisp, And some againe doe tearme him oft By name of WiU 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 hoUowing out a turnip, and cutting eyes, nose, and mouth therein, in the true moon-Uke 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 " Eobin" are corruptions of the name Kobert; but I would ask, whether it is not much more probable that the Eoberts were, by an easy transition, nick-named from our fairy mythology, and that Eobin was originally a corruption of Hob or Hobin. (See pp. 412, 413, 414.) There are legends relative to Eobin 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 : — " Hob-thrush, Hobtrusse, the thirce or wicked demon, Ang.- * Causing them to be " Poake ledden." See p. 418. 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 Eobin 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., 3033, gives ' Athurse, an apparition, a goblin (Lancashire); a thurs house or thurse hole, a hollow vault in a rook 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 1438, 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, Eobin Goodfellow, Hob-thrush, a spirit which playes reakes in men's houses a-nights; Loup- garou, a hobgoblin, hob-thrush, Eobin Goodfellow, also a night- walker,' &e. Howitt, in ' Eural Life,' mentions there Hob- thrushes. Forby gives Hobby-lantern as the name of the Will-o'- Wisp 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-lull, in Acton Beauchamp ; Puck Meadow, in Hallow ; Puck HaU 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 HiU Comer, 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-lull, Leasow, and Upper and Lower Tuck-hill, in Hanley Child f; Upper, Middle, and Lower Tuck MUl Piece, in the parish of Upton-upon-Severn ; Tuck MiU, near Broadway ; Puck Pit Farm, alias Tapenhall, in Claines ; Puck Piece, in Abbot's * See p. 418, as to Pug-flest or Puck-foist. \ Also Impy Orchard and Pooten's Hole. There is likewise Imp Orchard in Clifton-on-Teme. Impey, The Himpey, Long Cross Himpey, and Long Himpey, in Alvechmch. 435 Lencli, in Fladbury ; Pucldins Meadow, Big, Little, Upper, Middle, and Lower Puoklins, and Pucklins Lane, in King's. Norton ; Puck Dole, in the Borrow ; Pouk Lane, in Upper Sapey ; Poke Meadow, in Shelsley Beauchamp ; Puck Pit, in Abberton ; Poke Meadow and Pucldey 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 Pucltrup, near Towbury HiU, in Twyning; and Puckmore and Puckmore's Hitch, in Dymock. 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 {vulyo Bagger's) needle, in Worcestershire. It is stated in the "Literary Gazette" for March 38, 1846, that, " Akin to Puck are the Dutch ' Spook,' the German ' Spuck,' the Swedish ' Spoke,' and the Danish ' Spdgelese' — 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.") t In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. i., pp. 180, 183, it is stated that the God Loke's mother was "Laufey (leafy isle), or Nal (needle) ; I. e., the leaflet of the fir ;" and that " trees with acicular leaflets, like the fir, cedar, yew, and the like, are called needle trees." 426 is properly Puck-ball or Puck-fist ; 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 Peeccian (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 buU, 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 Chyniaera, that same Pouk, With goatish body, hon'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 theu* charms, Ne let hobgoblins, names whose sense we know not, Fray us with things that be not.' " The Pouke or Pooka means Hterally 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. 427 to which he has given his name, as Drohid-a-Pooka, Castle Pook, and Carrig-a-Pooka. The island of Melaan, also, at the mouth of the Kenmare river, is a chosen site whereon tliis malignant spirit indulges his freaks. It is uninhabited, and is dreaded by the peasantry and fishermen, not less because of its gloomy, rugged, and stem 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 th'e 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 aU his most malignant glor)^ 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 suflering, 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 joUy, 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. 424, as to Tuck Hill, &c. In Thorpe's " Northern Mythology," Vol. lii., p, 158, it is stated that the North German " Tiickbolde" is identical with the .Tack-o'-Lantern. 428 very probably in his 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 ; StUl walkiug 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. Thoms tells us, in the " Lays and Legends of Ireland I;" 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 .horns and cloven feet are preserved, as well as the similarity of name ; ' boo' (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 nortli side of the Bay of Dublin. + See also Vol. ii., p. 200, { 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. Lulus, 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 \vhence Puck, an elf, or dwarf,) meaning the place of the fairy." EOBIN HOOD. In the account of Eobin 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, Eobin Hood. His period, real character, &c., investigated, and perhaps ascertained." Mr. Hunter endeavours to identify him with one " Eobyn Hode," who entered the service of Edward II. a little before Christmas 1328, and continued therein somewhat less than a twelvemonth ; and considers that he was one of the vanquished at the battle of Boroughbridge, in 1321-3. In support of this view, Mr. Hunter joins Mr. Wright in regarding the passage in the " Scoti Chronicon," relative to Eobia 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 Eobin • It is as well to remark that the person descrihed as DuguU in " Old England," as contemporary with Eobin Hood (see p. 133 of this work), is called Daynil in the ahove " Chronicle." 430 aud Robin Hood* ; and I 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-gi-andfather, Henry II., and added to the forest. JACK-O'-LANTERN. In addition to what has been already said this name appears to be famUiar 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," &o. 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 |." 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 J, as " Jack of all Trades," " Jack and the Bean Stalk," " Jack the Giant Killer," " Jack in the Green," " Jack Pudding," &o. ; 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 Bobin Hood's men " were wont to resort when they went out a-Maying, or to try their skUl with the bow." There is another subject which it is to be hoped Mr, Hunter will treat upon, namely, the disputed " Itinerary" of Richai-d of Cirencester. + This appears to be the more modem idea. There is a fancy in Devon- shire that the YeU Hounds and Pixies are the souls of unbaptised children. See the account of " Mathon," pp. 255, 256, and " Pixie," infra. \ Like " Black Jack," 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 Eushock ; In Jack, Upper Jack, Lower Jack, Jack Meadow, and Jack, in the Borrow ; 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, &c., and the Swedish word " wisp," a small bundle, as of hay or straw, ignited |. • See his " Amcenitates Quemeae." f See Gough's " Camden," Vol. i. ♦ Some of our readers -wUl remember an interesting pictiu-e, exhibited several years back by the Boyal Academy, of " Will-o'-the-Wisp," in which a goblin horse was depicted going stealthily over a moor or bog, in the night, 432 111 Parnell's " Fairy Tale*" lie is mentioned as follows : — " Then Will, who beai;g the wispy fire To ti-ail the swains among the mire," &c. The common jjhrase " Wicked Will " probably refers to the same personage : we find that " Wicked Will kill'd the dead owl f with the wash beetle." And also that " Wicked Willy WUkin} 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 mUk at mom, and prevented the butter forming in the chum. 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 WiU, looking backwards, and holding up a lighted wisp in his hand, in a most decoying manner. * See Halliwell's " Fauy Mythology," p. 306. + Meaning the screech owl, the wamer of death. I In Percy's " Reliques of Ancient English Poetry," sixth edition, Vol. i,, p. 84, it is stated that the most diligent incxuirers 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 Contiuest), recorded by Lambarde, in his " Dictionary of England," p. 36 : — " Hoppe WyUken, hoppe Wylikeu, 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 Dvbrensia upon the yearly celebration of Mr. Robert Dover's Olympic Games upon Cotswold HUls," published in 1636, there are the following lines, in Mr. Robert Durham's address : — " As Phoebus is Heaven's curl'd-pate chaiiter. 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. " In the night, the ' hor, hor,' or ' hrok, hrok," of the night raven is frequently to be heard. This bird js much larger than the common raven, and almost as large as a full-grown hen. By • See p. 423. There is " Wisp Hill," in Eoxbuighshire, and a hiU 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. t Vol. viii., February 13th, 1836, p. 66. X See the account of " Pinket," p. 435. § Vol. iii., pp. 97, 98. F V 434 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 dovrawards." 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 ' aUr,' and the Gotliic ' albs;' and that corresponding with our Enghsh ' 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 HalvinsJ, and there are two wells adjoining each other on the side of the road ♦ See p. 9 of Mr. Kemble's edition. + Or Titans.— (See Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., pp. 3T9, 381.) J Probably Elvins or Elfvins. 485 tetween 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 mueli 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 FuUer'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 mUky 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 MablT. • They are more generally known by the appellation of " Haywaril'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. , II See the account of Elbury Hill, p. 226. The place there noticed as Allsborough Hill is also caUed Alesborough, and Aylesborough.— See iii/ra. f See Drayton's " Nymphidia ;" and also Halliweirs " 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 Derby and Not- tingham; and two mines called " The Pink," in Cornwall f. PIXIES, AND WISH OK WISKED HOUNDS. Fairies arp called pixie in some parts, particularly in Devonshire. There is Pykesham, or Pixam, in Powick; Picke-fields, on the border 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' Eock, on the Yealm Paver. In Herefordshire, an eminence called PixaU, or PixhiU, near Tedstone Court; and Pixley, Pikesley, or PykesleyeJ, 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. t Can this have any reference to what are called " Knockers " in mines. J " Extracta particula de Gestis Abbatum," in Har. MS. 376, British Museum. § See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," Introduction, p. 17. ;1 Also see p. 430. 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, foi* March, 37, 1847, p. 334 to The writer, E. 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^ see Queen Mab has been with you}." 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 foUows : — 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 Kemble's " Saxons in England," Vol. i., p. 346, 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 fom- miles south-west of Wanborough m SuiTcy, and another near Gloucester," &c. &c. •j- Also see the account of Bromsgrove, p. 123. + Bomeo and Juliet. § Pleck is a common term in the country for a plot or small piece of ground. 438 Ellis, ill his editiou of Brand, mabled, pronounced mobled, signifies led astray by a WUl-o'-the-Wisp *." The place in Cradley was, in early times, called Little Pleck, afterwards Moblee Pleck, and subsequently Mobbled Pleck f, as appears by the title deeds of Eichai-d Yapp, Sen., Esq., the owner of the estate. Mr. Thorns, in a communication to the " Athenseum" for Nov. 1847]:, 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 Romeo 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, GRIM, SIB, TIB, LICKE, LULL, HOP, DRYP, PIP, TRIP, 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 H. In Drayton's " Nymphidia" he is noticed as follows : — " When by Tom Thujn, a fairy page **," &c. In the " Life of Robin Good-fellow," are the following lines :— '.' Pinch and Patch, Gull and Glim, Goe you together ; For you can change your shapes Like to the weather. * Popular Antiquities, Vol. iii., p. 218, ed. 1841. f It is called " Mobblede Flecks Orchard," in the apportionment to the tithe commutation. } Page 1150. § There is " Thumb's Close," in Doderhill. II A small person is, by way of ridicule, called a " durgie " in these parts. % See ChamTjers's " Edinburgh Journal ," for Febmary 1844, p. 68. •• Also see lialliwcU's " Faii^ Mythology," p. 199. 439 Sib and, Tib, Licke* and Lull, You have trickes too ; Little Tom Thumb that pipes + Shall goe betwixt you {." In Drayton's " NympHdia " it is stated that the under- mentioned fairies formed the retinue of Queen Mab : — " Hop, and Mop, and Diyp 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 HaU, 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 |i. The following are in this county : — Pippin HiU, in Acton Beauchamp; Tibb Eibbin, south of Tardebig; Tibley, in Bir- lingham; Pin's Green, by Newland Green, in the parish of Great Malvern; PennUs or Pinhill, in Alvechurch; Tickridge Piece, in Bromsgrove ; Great Tickridge, in Hanley Castle ; Ticknell, or Tickenhill, near Bewdley; Tidsley Wood^, by Alls- • There is Lick Hill between Stagbury Hill and Lower Mitton. + " 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 moonUght, playing his harp to the elves, who dance on the flowery margin." — Washington Irving. X See HaUiwell's " Faur Mythology," p. 149. § 76id, p. 300. !| See " Notes and Queries," Feb. 14, 1853, p. 163. IT Perhaps this name means Titsley Wood, and comes from Tad, Ted, or Tet, which words are said to mean the Celtic god Mercury. See the account of the Toot Hills, p. 335. ' -140 borough, Alesborougli •!=, or Aylesborough Hillf, uear Pershore ; Wiutill, in Acton Beauchamp ; Winstile in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Hymelton, Hemeltou, or Himbleton ; and Wynn Meadow, in the Anglo-Saxon boundaries of Bredicot or Bradi- cotej. There is also a farm called "Patches" or "Paches§;" an eminence called " Patch Hill;" an estate called " Grimsend;" pieces of land called " Sibhay " or " Tibhay," and the " Tibbins ;" and a hole in a rook called the " Fairies' Cave," in the hamlet of Alfiick ; a hamlet called " Lulsley," adjoining Grimsend ; " Patch-ham," in Lulsley ; Tib's Hill," in Bransford, in Leigh ; " Patch Hill," " Pin's HiU," and " Win's Grave," in Leigh, adjoining to Alfriok ; 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 fauies. 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 HiU," in Madresfield, is sometimes called " Trip's Hill," and is so designated in Isaac Taylor's map, published in 1772 ; but I rather think " Dryps" title to the hiU is better than " Trips." " Tib's Hill," in Bransford, in Leigh, abuts upon Powiok ; " 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 Hill IF, and not far from Alfrick and Lulsley; and * See the map in Gibson's " Camden," 1st ed., 1B95, and the account in the 2nd ed., 1722, Vol. i., p. 629. + This name probably means Elsborough HUl. See Elbury HUl, p. 225. J See Nash, Vol. ii., App., 52, 53, and Heming's " Cartulary," pp. 355, 356, 357. § It is spelt " Paches," in a deed of 1735. II This is either a natural trench, or an ancient artifical cutting through the declivity there. It lies on the north side of the present bye-road. If A flue 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 this day call a hammer " Omber." The ancients distinguished stones, erected with a religiotts view, 441 " Pin's Hill," in Leigt, 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 Kock, 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 HaUiwell's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 102, 119 ; and Drayton, in his " Nymphidia," in describing the battle between Oberon and Pigwiggeu, says, that they " Botli 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 iri Worcestershire, in the Anglo-Saxon times, a place called UuiggangeatlT (Wiggingate), and Wiggen-hall, in Norfollt ; Wiggin-thorpe, in Yorkshire ; Wiggins-haU, 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., Anibrosiae Petrae, p. 372, &c. * There also is a place called Great Towbmy, in Leigh. See p. 64, as to Towbrny Hill Camp, in Twyning, Gloucestershire. + Heming's " Cartulary" notices Hoptun, in Shropshire, and Hopwuda (Hopwood), in Worcestershire, see pp. 276, 610. + " Win" in Anglo-Saxon implies a battle. See Gough's " Camden," Vol. i., p. 160. § The word " grave" is sometimes a corruption of " grove" and vice versa. See the account of Bromsgrove, pp. 115, 118, 122. II See " Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales," a seqitel to the " Nursery Rhymes of England," by Mr. Halliwell. If 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 nomies, that is, fairiesj, 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 nomies 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 MiUham, 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 Hon, with eyes as big as saucers. Mr. Pressdee said, that the man appeared to • See Hone's " Every-day Book and' Table Book," tol. in., p. 674. + In 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. { Nomir (Islandic), is ratlier "fates" or "destinies" (porcse.) § The traditions are very confused as to the tinker's c^ime. His burial in the cross road, prima facie, goes to show that he committed suicide, and some say that the yew tree was originally a stake that was driven through his body ; but I am inclined to think that he committed an atrocious miu'der 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 imbelievers, 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, ho 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-FeUow devill, So cal'd in kindness, 'cause he did no evill ; Knowne by the name of Eobin (as we heare), And that Ms eyes as broad as sawcers were, ^¥ho came a-nights*, &c." Patch Ham, in Lulsley, lies near the river Teme, by Puttocks or Pot-hooks-end. Oseberrow or Osebury (vulyo 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 " Bate's 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 at that part, it now is a few yards out of the lane, on the left- * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 170 ; and in pp. 13, 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 and pranks of Kobin Goodfellow, under the name of ' Kobinet.' " 444 hand side going down. This well and Osehury Eock, Black Borough, Common Barrow, 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 Eock. 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 Alfriok 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 mysteriously 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 Eock 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 hke a black pig ; and that another person, as he was one night returning home from Oldham, near the Eed Cliff and the Devil's Pig-trough, to Colles or Coles * There is a place called Headless Cross at Ipsley, Co. Warwick, t 1 had tlr.s from liis sui'viving sister. t I had this 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 ^¥ay 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 was 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 Kock, Black Borough, the Ked 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 Eavenhill's [vulgo Eaffnal'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 oif at full gallop by the enchanting vision, and never stopped till he arrived at his journey's endt. * See the section " Old Coles." f Grimm, in his " Gennan Fairy Mythology," furnishes some instances of the EvU One assuming ihe shape of a " hog." See " Athenaeum," Sept. 18, 1847, p. 982. t 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 been seen in the night, proceeding as swift as the wind along the foot of Osebury Eock, by the side of the river Teme, the clatter of his hoofs on such occasions having been distinctly heard. As we have just passed the Eed Cliff, it may as weU be remarked that in it there was a hole called " Black Jack's Cave," but it is now nearly filled 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 Famham {vulgo 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 chff, 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" (vulgo 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 KnoU." 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 " LuUesley " * ; and Lulsey in Visitations of 1461 and 1507. We meet with " LuUesley 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. II Also see p. 193 to 20.5, and Iter VI., pp. 249, 2-50, 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-reioh, or fairyland. Its most probable signification, however, is Alfreds wic *. 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- hay," 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. 193 to 207, and Iter VI., pp. 246 to 249. Since p. 206 was printed, I find Alfrick is called " Alfredes-wic" in the first edition of Gibson's " Camden," published in 1695, 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 win 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 was tired, at his supposed antagonist. + See pp. 246, 435. J This name, probably, is a contraction of Tibia, the name of an ancient musical pipe. § See p. 440. 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 " Kobiu'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 HUl 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 buUding 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 taldng 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. • Shakespeai'e. + Perry's Dictionary. J See p. 130. § See p. 193, as to the derivation of tlie name of this hillock. II See the section " Old Coles." 449 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 10 of Janewary, 1602, to bye lame skenes for the ' Black Dogge of Newgate,' the some of x'." 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 Oastle. (See also, Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 309. Patch has given his own character in the " I^ife of Eobin Good-feUow*," 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 smuoh 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 -j-. The fool of Henry VIII. was also so named. Grim thus describes himself in Halliwell'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, Hke a skritch-owle, cry at sicke men's windowes, which make the hearers so fearefuU, that they say that the sick person cannot live§," &c. * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 151, 152. + See the " Lives of the Queens of England," by Miss Agnes Strickland, Vol. iv., p. 62. J Pp. 152, 153. § 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 ;" a a 450 " When candles bume botli blue 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 fiLres we warme and dresse our fayry children. If wee find cleans 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 wash our children in their pottage, milke, or beere, or what-ere we finde," &c. " Tib and I the chiefest are, And for all things doe take care ; Licke is cooke and dressetb meate, And fetcbeth 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 vrith 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. Feekenham is called Feckeha, in " Domesday Book." * See Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," pp. 163, 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 mediEBval fairy mythology, the following names of places, taken from the " Codex Diplomaticus eevi 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. Names of places ia the « Codex Dip." No. of the Charters. Cob . Cobbanden . . 753, 1136. Gobden\, Hants. jj Cobbelia . 752, 1094, 1187. Cohley, Hants. j> Cobbenstan . . . 482, 482 App., Vol. iii. Capstone, WUts. Elf . yifetham . Hants. . 595. )J Ylfingden . . 1198. »» ElftehamJ . . . 938. Eoten. Eotanford . , 1246. Etford, Dorset. Grim . Grimes die . . 446, 446 App., Vol. vi.; 456, 456 Ibid, 778. Grimsditch, 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 airy mythology and ghostology are connected. This, I trust, will be a suffi- cient excuse for my having given several stories of the latter class. * Some of Drayton's names were most probably invented by him to suit the rhyme, as, Mop, Skip, Fib, Quick, ja,. Jin, and Nit. + " Where the modem 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, 383, &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 Elveston, jElfintun; &c. And "Domesday Book," as to Alfestun, Aluestnn, Alvestuu, &c. ; also see pp. 434, 435, of this work. 452 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Grim . Grimastun .... 759. Grimstone, Norfolk. ,, Grimanliyl .... 466. Worcestershire. s> Grimsetene gemero 561. Grimset, Wore. ,, Grimes hylle* 209, 209 App., Vol. iii. ,, Grimanleah, Grimanlea, or Grimgeleget 266, 266 App., Vol. iii.; 514, 614 App., Vol. vi. ; 515, 515 App., Vol. iii., 1069. Grimley, Wore. ,, Griman edisc 180, 180 App., Vol. iii. Hob . Hobbesse .... Hauboys, Norfolk. 785. Hop . Hopping .... Hopping, Surrey. 537. )) Hopwuda .... Hopwood, Woroes. 261, 351. „ Hopwudes wic 262, 262 App., Vol. iii. Imp . Impintuu _, . . . Impington, Camb. 907. LuU . Lullan setl. .... 652, 1065. 3» Lulan treow .... 18, 18 App., Vol. iii. LuUesbeorh .... 374, 374 App., Vol. iii ; 488, 488 7iii., 1003, 1186. Lulleshorough, Hants. * See Heming's " Cartulary," for Grimanhylle, sive Grimmanhylle, vel Gremanhil, pp. 164, 16.5, 257, 300. f Itid , as to Grimatileage, Grimanlege, Grimanleag, Grimelege, Grimanleg, Grimeleage, Giimanleah, vel Grymley, p. 147, &o., 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 . Lulleswyrdi .... 714. Lulsworth, Oxford. Luling .... 1245. ,, LulUnges treow . . . 827. Lullingstree, Midd. „ LuUingmynster, Lullyngminstre 314, 350, 1067. ? Lullington, Sussex. Patch. Pseccingas, Peaccingas, Pec- cinges .... 114,481,715,896. Patching, Sussex. Pink . Piacanden .... 570. Pinkden, Wore. Pincanham .... 347, 347 App., Vol. iii. Pinkham, Wore. Pin . Pinnan rod .... 767. Pmnelesfeld . . .172. „ • Pines heafod . . . 1088. Pip . Pipe 118, 118 App., Vol. iii. [Pipe,] Wore. Pippanleah .... 549, 1279. Pipley, Wore. Pipmynster . . . . 774, 1117, 1140. Pitminster, Somerset. „ Pippanslsed .... 150, 150 App., Vol. iii. Pipslade, Wore. Pippeh-ethig . . . . 1171. Pipplerithe, Berks. PippeUrieg .... 1171. Pipplebridge, Berks. ,, Pippenes fenne . . • 1360. ,j Pippenes pen . . . 436, 436 App., Vol. iii. Pipspen, GIouc. 454 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names. " Codex Dip." Charters. Pip . Piperingas . Pippering, Sussex. . 1001. „ Pipemses . 731. Pippemess, Kent. „ Pippesleali . . 1133. Pipsley, Berks. if Piplingcgtun Pipplington, Wore. . 570. Puck . Pucanwyl Puckwell, Somerset. Sib . Sibbe stapele Wore. . 209, ,J Sibbeslea . 1094 ,, Sibbesweg . . 595. Hants. JJ Siblingchurst . 589. Hants. 408, 408 App., Vol. iii. 209, 209 App., Vol. iii. Tib Tybenham . Tibbenham, Norfolk. „ Tibbanbol . Tick . Ticenheal . Ticknall, Derby, Tit . Tit . ,, Tittajidun . „ Titferthes geat Wilts. ,, TitterJialh . Tittingale, Wore. Trip . Triphyrst Triphurst, Glouc. 785. 1000. 710, 1398. 957. 346, 346 App., Vol. iii., 970, 1295. 378, 378 App., Vol. iu., 1120. 559. 385. 455 Fairy Names of places in the No. of the Names, " Codex Dip." Charters. Trip . Tripelau Triplow, Camb. . 907. Win . Wynnedun . Windon, Somerset. . 516, 516 App.,Vol. iii. „ Wineshyl . 710, 1298. Winshill, Derby. " Wynne maedua . Wore. . 683. )) Wynes leah . . 585, 585 App., Vol. iii. Wimley, Wilts. " Wines treow . 437, 427 App., Vol. iii., 1147, 1177, 1198, 1265. )> Wynburh edisc Worces. . 570. With respect to tbe 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, &c. 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 rings 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 spav\'n 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, thx'ough 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 oui' round, And see oiu: moonlight revels, go with us, &e. » See p. 412. t That it is fibrous I 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 pronoimccd it to be fibrous. 457 The rings are also noticed in the " Life of Robin 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 flllch, blacke, and pinche mayds of the dau'yes. Make a ring on the grasse with your quicke measures ; Tom shall play, and I'le sing for all your pleasm*es." 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 : — " Bound 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 II," 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 Keynel, our curate, Mr. Hart, was annoy'd one night by these elves or fayries. Com- • See HaUiwell's " Fau-y Mythology," p. 132. + Ihid., p. 149. + Ibid., p. 168. § Ibid., p. 180. II Ibid., p. 197. f Ibid., pp. 235, 236. 458 ming over the dowries, it being neere darke, and approching 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 fertils subterraneous vapour, vfhich 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 wiU 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 alohymist, which apphed to your visual orbs, wiU 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 tUl the oyle come white ; then put it into the glasse, ut supra ; and then put thereto the budds of hollyhooke, 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. 1406, written about the year 1600. See also Halliwell's " Fairy Mythology," p. 239. 459 THE SEVEN WHISTLEKS. 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 KnoU, in Suckley, say that oftentimes, at night, when he happened to be upon the hiU 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 ^ndf, 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 " AthensBum I," 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 hiU in Ireland, called " Knock-na-feadalea," which, accord- ing to NeUson, 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 a similar account from others, + " Like the dai-kened moon he (Crugal's ghost) retired, in the midst of the whistling hlast." — Ossian, " Fingal," Book ii. " Often are the steps of the dead in the dark-eddying blasts." — Ossian, " Temora," Book vii. + For September 19th and November 14th, 1846, pp. 955, 1162, 1163. § See Thorns' " Lays and Legends of Ireland," p. 51. 4B0 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 'U give the ' Devil's Dream;'" which, no sooner had he struck up, than about 150 strange female figures came and danced aU 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 \. 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 Sinton, called " The Oak and Crab Tree," the hounds used invariably to run full cry after something which nobody could see, and never ceased the pursuit until they arrived at a cottage, situated about a mUe 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 " Athenseum " for September llih, 1847, p. 958, 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 groimd, 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 Alfi-ick, after the hounds ; and yet, strange to say, he was quite blind duiing the latter part of the time that he followed that diversion. His servant used to take the 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 hght of an inch of candle ; and, as he was not to rise again until the candle was quite biurnt out, it was, therefore, thrown into the * The old dame was also charged with having frequently upset waggons as they passed by her cottage, and then, having looked very innocently out of her wiudow, asked what was the matter. ■f In this we appear to have a kind of mediaeval version of the cave of .Solus. 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 hght 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 tiU 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 I, succeeded him ; whose son and heir, Mr. Edmund Colles, Uved 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 Suckleyl|, 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 CoUes, of Leigh, in the reign of EUzabeth. He left it to his son, Mr. WilHam Colles ; whose heir, Mr. Edmund Colles, sold it to Sir Walter Devereux, Knight and Bart. II" It is not improbable that the legend may have referred to the * Vol. ii., p. 73. + He died 19th December, 1606, aged 76. X Died 20th September, 1615. — (See Nash's accoimt of the family momiments in Leigh Church.) § Thomas Habington, or Habiugdon, of Hinlip, the historian, died 8th October, 1647. His son William died November 30th, 1659.— (See p. 170; and Nash, Vol. i., Introduction.) II This manor includes the hamlets of Alfriok 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 the reign of Hemy 111., as belonging to the family of Colles." — (See Nash, Vol. ii., p. 400.) There is also " Coles Green," near Sandlin, in Leigh. 1[ Nash, Vol. ii., p. 397. 464 unfortunate Edmund CoUes, the second, who, having lost liis 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 " Eambler 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 ladyship's 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 I : — " 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 through 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. t See the " Athenaeum" for 29th August, 1846, p. 886. t Ibid., for November 7, 1846, p. 1142. 465 it was confidently asserted in the cider shops that ' twelve pai-sons' had been convened to lay the spirit in the Eed Sea. Stni, 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 Imawed 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 BlickUng, 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, ColtishaU, 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 wam'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 never found but one person who had ever actually seen the phantom. Perhaps some of * Vol. i„ No. 29, May 18, 1850, p. 468. I I 466 your coiTespondents 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 Alfrick-f-, and also of one in Holt Castle J. 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 fatwus. 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-NaU, 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 HiU, Little Dobbin's HiU, and several * " Dout," for do out. t See p. 448. X See the " Eambler in Worcestershire," puWished ia 1848, p. 184. § In Coston Hacket, adjoining Bromsgrove parish, there is a field called " The Sprights." » 467 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. InFrankley, 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 Hartley, Poke Meadow, and Puckley Green Farm. In Alfrick, Oughton or Eoten Wells, Sibhay or Tibhay, The Tibbins, Grimsend, Patches, and Patch HiU. 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- hall near Wiggens-hall. SPUNKIES. The ignis fatuus is called " Spunkie" in Scotland. In Stewart's " Superstitions of the^Highlands of Scotland," pubhshed in 1823, the Spunkies are described as foUows : — " 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 Spunkie 's perfidy." 468 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 gobhn, 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, iato 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., 1836-37, No. 48, p. 439 ; and Dr. Buokland's " Bridgewater Treatise," Vol. i., p. 361 ; and Sir E. J. Murchison's work on the " SUuiian System," Part i., pp. 178, 179. t See " Athenaeum," December 5, 1846, p. 1344. 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 kiU the cattle, and firing hay and com ricks for near a mile from the coast. It is repre- sented to have had the appearance of a weak blue flame. AU the damage was done invariably in the night ; and in the course of the winter not less than sixteen hay-ricks and two bams, 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. 308 of the " Philosophical Transactions f." 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," Marcli 9, 1839. + See also Gough's " Camden," Vol. iii., pp. 174, 175. } It is fortunate for tlie Welsh that one of their strange Ughts is quite the reverse of being mischievous; for in Wright's " Scenes in North Wales," pub- lished ia 1833, it is stated in the Appendix, that " sometimes a warning Ught is seen to shine out before the traveller, and conduct him to the precise direc- tion of his journey; distinguished from Jaok-o'-the-Lantem in this respect— &at the latter cruelly ' lures us to oiu' doom." " 470 phere. In proof of this, I have been informed that a person once saw several ignes fatui rise out of a boggy comer 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 HaUe, 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). Eameleah, Anglo-Saxon, the Eagles' Lea. But see p. 308. Lower Areley is written Emleye in Layamon's " Brut." Bromsgrove (pp. 115, 1^2). Bremesgraf, from the Anglo-Saxon " brome," a plant, and " graf," a grove. But the former derivation (at p. 123) 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. 3 87, 188, 189). Deor-hyrst, the Bush of Stags. Evesham (p. 336), in Anglo-Saxon, Cronuohomme, 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), .3ilnta die, and iEnta hlew ; the Giant's Dike and Mound, Goggislond, and Gugedike. Old Swinford (p. 373). Swynford, the Ford of Swine. Lincomb (pp. 113, 113). Anglo-Saxon " lin," flax, and " cumb," a stream or trough. Lindridge (p. 266). From the Anglo-Saxon, Lindhrycg, the Eidge of Lime Trees, where was pasturage for swine and goats. Pendock (pp. 318, 319). 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 ; " peonedoo" 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. 318 of this work. Kid Marley (p. 218). Eeodemereleah. the Lea by the Mere (or boundary) of Eeeds. But see the derivation, p. 218. Eushock (p. 371). Anglo-Saxon, Eixuc, (?) Eisc-hoc ; the Eush- hook, or corner of a field where the rush-weed abounded. Sedgebarrow, or Sedgeberrow (pp. 85, 335). From the Anglo- Saxon, Seogesbearuwe, 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. ^ttine weg, Cotheridge (see p. 263). Beartan-weg. Bradan weg [Broadway] (see p. 323). 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 [bo'ondaries of Clopton] (see p. 263). Dagarding weg, Beoley (see p. 337). Deorelmes dyk, near Thorndun. Dicweg, Himbleton (see p. 325). Dunnedyk, near Evesham (see p. 336). Ealhmunding weg, Twyford. Ehnedesdich, Bleedon. Eyshinige dich, Littleton (see p. 336). Gerdwseg. Irfiirlanges 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, Powiek (see p. 287). Rahweg, near Tredington, Gloucestershire, or Worcestershire (see p. 356). Eugandyke, Ruganweg, or Rugwie, near Evesham (see p. 336) [and also in Broadway] (see p. 322). Salteraweg, Sealtstrset. Scearpweg, Stoke Prior (see p. 312). * Added by the translator of the Treatise. + Query, the Archery-dike, from " ir," a bow. FINIS. INDEX. Abbeeiey, 365, 366. Abberley Hill, derivation of the name of ; supposed sapling of St. Augustine's Oak there, 314, 21.'). Abberton, .340. Abbot's Lench, or Habbe, or Hob Lench, 340. Abbot's Norton, and Leuchwick, 339, Abbot's Morton, otherwise Stoney Morton, 340, 473. Acton Beauchamp, 257. Acton Scott, Co. Salop ; Greek and Eoman coins and other relics found there, 9, 11, 12. Ad Antouam, most probably at Eckington, 75, 342, 343. Agg, or Egg, 244. Aka, or Eock (see Eook), 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 304. Alfredeswic (see Alfrick), 193, 194, 302, 303, 304, 306, 447. Alfrick, etymology of, 193, 194, 202 to 205, 447. Eound Hill, 194. Raven HiUs, and the standard of the raven ; the Danes ; Ethelred and Ethel- .flaed, 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 maldng a cross, 201, 202. The Baute, or ancient division of land before shires, 203, 204. As to the derivation of the name Worcester, 304. 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, 309. Quince Hill ; Greek custom respecting quinces; Catterhall and Callow's Leap, 346, 247, 248. Folk-lore, 412, 418, 434, 435, 440, 445, 447, 448, 460, 461, 482, 406. Eoten or Oughton Wells, 434. Fairy names, and Fairies' Cave, 440, 448. The Devil's Dream, 460. Alne, Great, 337. Alney Isle, 188, 189. Alvechurch, 338, 339. Allies, in Borley, in Ombersley, 296. Manorial customs, 397 to 303. 476 Alluvium, accumulation of, since the time of the Romans, at Cinder Point. near Worcester, 30, and at Ripple, 67, 68. Amberley, Gloucestershire (see Ambrosise Petrse), 368. Aniblecote, in Old S^viIlford, 373. Ambrosise Peti-se generally, 363 to 381, 440, 441. Woodcuts of Tyrian coins, 378, 379. Ancient British coin, found at Green Hill, Sidbury, Worcester, 35, 36. Wood- cut, 26. Ancient names of iields, 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, 329. Graves, 110, 111. Ankerdine Hill and Osebury Rock, 213, 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, 373. Ashchurch, Co. Gloucester, 334. Ash, Wiggen, 441, 443. Ast (see Astwood, in Claines), 336. Astley, Redstone Ferry, Layamon's " Brut," 303 ; also see Lincomb, 113, 113. Aston, or Eston Episcopi, or White Ladies Aston, 226, 326. Aston or Eston Magna, 226, 354, 473. Aston-under-HUl, Co. Gloucester, 329. Astwood, in Claines, etymology of, 326, 337, 328. Various names with the prefix " Ast," or " Est," 226. Anglo-Saxon marks, 228, 229. Astwood Hni, in Chaddesley Corbett, 124, 135, 136, and woodcut, 125. Atch, Ast, or East Lench, 340. Augustine's Oak, 191, 205, 206, 207, 215, 366. Austirtfric, Austiniic, or Austins-rie, 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. Ambrosias Petrae 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, 243. Barbed brohze spear-heads, with woodcuts, 30 and 31. Bark, on a wooden coffin of an ancient Briton, 30. Barrow Cop, in PerdesweU, in Claines ; tore discovered there, 339, 230, 331. Copper-plate engi-aving of it, 330. Description of tores generally. 231, 232. Barrow Hill, in Chaddesley Corbett, 124, 135, 126. Woodcut of it, 125. Bates-bush, iu Lulsley, 444, 445. Battenhall, 293. Battlestone, or Boltstone, 144, 146. 477 Beol-tine, or Beltein, 124, 191, 193, 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. Beltroughton, Boman relics found there, 135, 271. Bells, Eoman, found at the Castle HiU, Worcester, 19. Engraving of one of them, Plate I., No. 14, p. 18. Bengeworth, 336. ' Bentley, in Holt with Little Wittey, 264. Bentley, in Tardebig, 341. Beoley, 337. Camp on Beoley HiU, 337, 338. Derivation of the name, App., 471, 473. . Benington, in Tenbury, 259. Berrow, the Parish of the ; Pendock Portway, 70. Berrow HUl, in Hartley; ancient camp there, 213, 278. Berrow, the name either a corruption of Barrow, or of Burrow, 219. Besford, 336. Bevere Island, Eomon coins and ancient bronze celt or knife fotmd there, 151, 153. Engraving of the knife, Plate IV., No. 11, p. 98. Bewdley, in Eibbesford, 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, 438. Bockleton, 258. BoggUde 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, 403, 403. Bow Bridge, in Ripple ; paved trackway from thence to the Mythe Tute, 65, 66, 67. Bracelets, Anglo-Saxon, 111, 113. Bradley, in Fladbury, 346. Bradley and Stoke, or Stock, 320. 478 Bransford, in Leigh, 241. Brants (see Upton), 383. Bredicot, 294. Iloman urn and coins, 95, 90. Curious ring, 96, 97. Wood- cut of the urn, 95. Woodcuts of the ring, 96. Bredon, and its chapeWes of Norton and Cutsdean, and the hamlets of Bre- don, Hardwick-with-Mitton, Kinsham, and Westmancote, 345. Bredon HUl, Conderton Camp in Overbury, and Eoman coins, 84. Bredon HiU, Kemerton Camp, 78 to 84. Ancient granary, chaiTed 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 Soddiugton, in Mamble, 146, 147, 148. Bride Stones, 367. Brimfleld, Co. Hereford, 259, 260. Broadwas, 250. Broadway, 322, 473. Brockhampton, Co. Hereford, near Linton, 352. Broclihampton, Co. Hereford, neai Bromyard, 255. Bromsberrow, Co. Gloucester ; Conygree Hai, 70, 71, 218. Bromsgi'ove, 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 WUly, 433. Buckle Street or BoggUde Street, 316, 317, 464. Budden Hill, and Budden HUl Common Field, in Castle Morton, 71, 281. Derivation of "Budden," App., 471, 472. Bmiyan, his signet ring ; the prison where he was incarcerated, and anec- dotes of him, 207 to 212. Woodcuts of the ring, 209. Engi'aving of the prison, Plate V., 208. Bushley, 279. Bustards, extinct in England, 321. Cad, and Cadbm'y, 338. Cakebold, 271. Cakemore, in Hales Owen, 273. Caldwell, 305. CaUow, 123. Callow's Grave, 259. Callow Hill, 123. CaUow's Leap, 248, 448. Gamps, small intermediate, 317, 318. Caractacus, 167, 213. Carausius, 335. Carent, Cerent, or Carron River, 334, 335. Castle, ancient spots so called, 399, 400. 479 Castle Hill, Worcester; auoient British, Bomaii, and Saxon relics found there, 15 to 33. Engi-aving of them, Plate I., p. 18. Castle Morton, or Morton FoUiot; Tumuhis, 71. Ancient seal, 71, 72. Woodcut of the seal, 71. Castle, 72. Parish, 281. Budden-HU, App., 471, 472. Gog, 472. Cat, mysterious black, 460, 461, 462. Catterhall (see Alfiick), 347. Catshall, and Coueygi-ee, in Ombersley, 295. Cave, remarkable (see Upton), 60, 61. Caves generally, and ancient granaries, 60, 61. Thumb-ring, found at Saxons' Lode, 61, 63. Woodcut of it, 62. Celts, engravings of those found at Castle HiU, in Worcester, 18 ; at Om- bersley, 98 (described in 108, 109) ; at Astley, 98 (described in 112, 113) ; at Hibbesford, 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, 134. Barrow Hill, 134, 125, 136, with a woodcut of it, 125. Ban Dan Woods, etymology of, 135, 136. Astwood Hill, 136. Places of the name of Tin, and etymology of the name, 127. Sam or Sem Hills, Yam and Dam Hills, etymology of, 128, 129, 130. Robin Hood, his probable time and birth-place, 130 to 135, 433, 429, 430. Chaddlewick, or Chadwiok, 361. Channelled or grooved Eoman tiles (see Sidbury), 36. 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 HiU, near Kidderminster, 272. Church Hill, near Bredicot, 326. Church Honeybom-ne, relics found there. The Quinton Way. The game of quintain, &c., 88, 89, 90, 316, 317, 323, 473. Church Lench, 340. Cinder Point, in Pitchcroft, near Worcester, 2, 3. Cinders, probably Eoman, 3, 143. Claines, 293, 394. Clevelode, in Maddersfield, 385. Cleeve Prior, Eoman jar and coins, 91 to 94. Eycknield Street, 337. Clent, Eoman relics, 135, 136. Ancient names, and etymology of Clent, 271, 373. Chfton-upon-Teme, 251, 252, 253. Clopton, in the parish of St. John, in Bedwardine, 363, 263, 473. Cnap, 417. Cneph, 417. Cob, 416, 451. Cobley and Tutnal (see Tardebig), 341. Cockshoot (see Great Malvem), 283, 384. Codeston, or Cutsdean (see Bredon), 345, 354. 480 Cold Harbour, 138 to 142, 296. Cold Place, Lulsley, 143. Cold Wells, 159. Coll Hills, and Wall Hills (see Malvern Hills), 158, 159. CoUiiigton, Co. Hereford, 258. ColwaU, 155, 166, 157, 283. Colwall Stone, 159. Comberton, 346. Combertou, and Hurcott (see Kidderminster), 305. Coles, Old, 462 to 465. Colt, Pixy, 414. Conderton Camp, in Overbury, on Bredon Hill, 84. Constentine the Great (see Kempsey Camp), 57, 58. Conygree Hill (see Bromsberrow), 70, 71, 218. Cop, 416. Corn, parched or charred (see Bredon HiU), 78 to 81. Coronet of gold found in Colwall, 155 to 158. Coaton, 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 Eobin 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., 473. Crows, or ravens, mysterious, 448, 466. Cruckbarrow HUl, or CrugbaiTow, in Whittington ; description and etymology of it, 216 to 220. Cudley, in Spetchley, 292, 393. Cuggan Hill, now the Bound HiU, in Spetchley, 219, 293. Cutsdean, or Codeston, 345, 364. Daddock, 468. Dane skins, on a former door of Worcester Cathedral, &o. &c., 40 to 51. En- graving of the door, Plate 11., 50. Danes (see Alfrick), 194 to 199. Danegelt, 302. Darliugscott, in Tredington, 356. Dam Hais, 138, 139, 130. Daylesford, 355. ■ Deadloons, in Leigh, 240. Deerhurst, Co. Gloucester, 187, 188 ; and App., 472. Defford, 346. Devil's Bit (see Stanford), 368. Devil's Dream, 460. ,4, 481 Devil's Den, 267, 463. DevU's Leap, 250, 251. DevU's Hg-ti-ough, 240, 440, 445. Devil's Spadeful, or Spittleftd, 305, 306. Devonshire spectre, 464. Diglis, Eoman 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. DoderhiU, 311. Dolday, in Worcester, 4. Dole (see Alfrick), 248. Domesday Survey, 53. Dormston, 321. Dom, British and Eoman relies found there, and derivation of the name, 87, 355. Dover, Mr. Robert, his Olympic games on the Cotswold HUls, 319, 320. Doverdale, 270, 312. Droitwich; Eoman urns, fibulae, tesselated pavement, coins, Eoman naUs, 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. Eoyal 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 TripshUl, in Maddersfield, 285, 440, 447. Dryp, the fairy, 439. Dudley, etymology of, 143. Grey Stone Field, 144. Durgie (duergar), 438. Dymock, Co. Gloucester, 352. Eabl's Cboomb, 291. Eastham, 268. Echo, a very distinct one, 447. Eckington ; Eoman and Eoman British relics found there, and woodcuts of them, 74. Ad Antonam, 78. WoUer's HiU, and Nafford; Anglo- Saxon mark, 345. Edvin Loach, 258. Egg, or Agg, 244. El or EU, various names with that prefix, 225. Elbury Hill, description and etymology of it, 223, 224, 225. Camp, 324. Various names with the prefix " El," 225. Eldersfleld ; Gadbury Banks, 68. Etymology of the latter, 69. Probably the site of an ancient British town, 68, 69, 70. Derivation of the name, 276. Elf, 434, 435, 451. Elizabeth, Queen, portrait^f, 243. 482 Elldn, or litfle gods, 225, 926, 435. El^iMdge, 270. Elmley Castle parish, Starahill, Old WMte Way, Windseud Mound, aud Horse Camps, 327, 328. Elmley Lovett, 304. Emsorah, in Africa, 376. Stone circles, 376, 377. Encaustic tUe works, site of, near Droitwich, 103 to 106, 189. Encaustic tile works, site of, at Great Malvern, 189. Eoten or Oughton Wells, in AlMck, 246, 434, 435. ' Eotenford, Etford, Dorset, 451. , Est, or Ast (see Astwood), 226. Eternal Waggoner, or Night Haven, 433, 434. Ethelred and Ethelflsed, Duke and Duchess of Mercia, 194 to 203. Evenload, 355. Evesham, 336 ; and App., 472, 473. Faiky rings, 456, 457, 458. Fairies' caves, 418, 420, 448. Feckenham, 321. Fetch, 449, 450. Fihulae ; engravings of those foimd at the Castle HUl, Worcester, Plate I., p. 18 ; at Kempsey, woodcuts, pp. 54, 55 ; at Holt, No. 7, p. 98 (described in p. 149). Fields, general obsei'vations 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 FlaveU, 325. Fogs, electricity of, 468, 469. Folk-lore, 409 to 470. Foss-way, 354 to 358. Fom' Shire Stone, Danish and Saxon battle field, and ancient barrow, 85, 86, 355. Frankley, 313. Gadbukt Bauks, 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), antic^uities and derivation, 333. Godwald, Saint, site of a chapel of, at Sidbuiy, Worcester, 25. Gog, 281, and App., 472. Grafton-super-Flivord, 325. Granaries, ancient and modem, and caves, 78 to 81. Grant, a goblin so called, 414. Great Malvem (see Malvem, 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, Sliropshire, 5 to 13. Grey Stone Field, Dudley, 144. Grey stones, 396. Grim, the fairy, 438,' 449 to 452, 455. Grimesdic, App., 472. Grimley, stone celtg ftund 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 Koman tiles, found at Sidbury, Worcester, 26, 27. Habbe or Hob Lench, 340. Hadsor, 820. Hagley, 136 to 142. Wichbury Hill Camp, and Roman relics, 136, 137, Ancient ban-ows, 137. Hai-borough, 138. Hoar-stone Brook, Kings- head Land, and singular image, 138, 139. Stones used by slingers, 138, 139. Etymology of Hai-borough and Cold Hai-bour, 139 to 142. Etymology of Hagley, 272. Hag (see Suckley), 244. Hales Owen; Portway; Soman cinders; Quintan; Oldbury, &c., 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 143. Hardwick (see Bredon), 345. Hariy-ca-nab (see Bromsgi'ove), 115, 116, 123. Hartlebury, 113, 303. Hamngton, 339, 340. Hatfield (see Norton-juxta-Kempsey), 292. Hawkestones, 367. Hayden Way, 330. Heart biurial, 32, 33. Heightingtou (see Eock), 266. • Hell Hole, places so called, 267, 268, 462. Herefordshire Beacon Camp, on Malvern Hills, 154, 155. A coroSet of gold found near there, 155, 156, 157 ; and a pot of Roman coin, 159, to 163. HiUs, account of, 152 to 238 ; and see Introduction, p. vi. Hill Cromb, 291. Hill Hampton, 251. Himbleton, 325, 473. 484 Hinlip, 295. Smite, and Cold Harbour, 139 to 143. Hoar Stones, and places and things 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, 413, 423. HobgobUn, 412, 420, 423. Hobin, 414. Hobs Hoth, 413. Hob-thrush, 424. Hob Well, 383. Hodening, 412. Hodington, 325. Hogmore HUl, and Ogmore, 261, 263. Hole Stones, and Logan Stones, 369, 370, 381, 383. 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, 333, 473. Honger, 65. Hop, the fairy, 438, 439, 453. Hoppe, 412, 432. Horse Camps (see Elmley Castle), 328. Hounds, Yell, Yeth, or spectre, 256. Hounds, a pack of, bewitched, 460, 461, 463. Human skin on church doors, 40 to 51. Humberston, Co. Leicester, 368 to 371. Hurcott, and Comberton (see Kidderminster), 305. Hypocaust, site of a Eoman, at Sidbury, Worcester, 33 to 37. IccoMB, or Icombe Camp, Co. Gloucester, 85, 355. Icknild Street (see Eycknield Street), 346. Ignis fatuus, 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, 331. Fairies, 419. Inlip, or Hindlip, and Alcrinton (now Alfreton), 395. Ipsley, Co Warwick, 337. Iron nails, Eoman (see Droitwich), 103. Itinera in this work (see Introduction), pp. v., vi., -vii., viii. C 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 133. 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, Bomancamp, and cists or burial ground at; fibulae, potteiy; inscrip- tion in honour of Constantine the Great; bronze spear-head, 84 to 60. Woodcuts of the fihulse, 54 55 ; of the pottery, 56 ; of the speor-head 60. Kempsey parish, 292. Kenswick, in Wiohenford, 360. Kenvaur or Kinver Edge, 144, 145. Keys, ancient, 20. Engraving, Plate I., No. 16, p. 18. Kiddermiaster ; legend ; Caldwell ; Mitton ; Foreign of Kidderminster ; Hnr- 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, 153. Knighton, 269. Knightwick, 350. 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 bvirial, 33, 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, „ Sheriff's, „ Atch, y 340. „ Rous, „ Abbot's, or Hob, or Habbe, Lenchwick (see Abbot's Norton), 339. Lioke, 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 Lindi-idge ; ancient hone, or flaying knife, 148, 149. Woodcut of it, 14'J. Toothm, 332, 260. Derivation of Liudridge, 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, 837, 473. Little Washbom, 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 32it. 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, 446. Large yew tree there, 447. Luttley, in Hales Owen, 273. Mab, Queen, 437, 438. Mab-led, or mobled, 437, 438. Madresfleld, or Maddersfield, 285. Malvern Hills, 153, to 189. Etymology of Malvem, 153, 154. Herefordshire Beacon Camp, and ColwaU, 154, 155, 156. Coronet of gold, 155 to 158. Caractacus, 157. Layamon's " Binit," 157, 158. Names of places with the prefix "Wall," and "Col" or " Cold," 158, 159. ColwaU Stone, 159. Pot of Roman coins found near the Herefordshire Beacon, 159 to 163. Midsuramer Hill Carnp, 163. The Ridgeway; mistletoe on an oak there, 163, 164. Mistletoe in an ancient British coflin at Scar- borough, 164. Worcestershire Beacon ; ancient British cinerary urn, found on the simimit of it, 165, 166. Woodcuts of the um, 165. Twinbarrow, 166. Celt found at Malvem Link, 166, 167. Woodcut of it, 167. Roman coins, 167. Radnor and Had, 167. The legend of Saint Werstan and the fii'st Christian estabhshment at Great Malvem, 167 to 188. Foiur woodcuts upon the subject, taken from a painted glass window in Great Malvem Abbey Church, 173, 175, 177, 179. Ahiey Isle, 188, 189. Site of encaustic tile works, 189. Refectory, 189. Malvem, Great, parish of ; Hob-well ; Twinbarrow, Radnor, and Rad ; Cock- shoot, and derivation of, 283, 284. Malvem, Little, 154 to 163, 283. * Mamble and SoSdington, 140 to 148, 269. Matiorial customs (see Ombersley), 296 to 303. Man witliout a head, 444, 445, 464. Marks, Anglo-Saxon, 303, 228, 229. MarlcUff, in Warwickshire, 337. Marl pits in Britain in the Roman times, 320. Martin Hussintree, 295. Mai-tley, 218, 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, ia Powick, 287. Moduses (see Suckley), 245. Mole crickets, 411. Morton Folhot, or Castle Morton, 71, 73. Seal, and woodcut, 71. Much Marcle, Co. Hereford, 352. Mythe Tute, near Tewkesbury, 65, 66, 291. Naffokd, 345. Nails, Roman (see Droitwich), 103. Names, ancient, of fields, 226, 401, 403. Naunton Beauchamp, 326. Newbold, 356. Newland Common (see Salwarp), 109, 110, 111. Newland, near Great Malvern, 287. Night Raven, or Eternal Waggoner, 433. Nixies, 436. Nomies, 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 111., 76. Norton, in Bredon parish, 345. Norton-juxta-Kempsey, 292. Oberok, 414, 420, 456. Oddingley, 324. OfFenham, 90, 339. Ogham Stones, 262. Ogmore, or Hogmore, 261, 362. 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, 463, 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 HUls, 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 HiU, 108. Ancient British celt, 108 ; and an engi-aving of it, Plate IV., No. 3, p. 98. Ombersley parish ; Catshall, and Coneygree ; Croces and Stewards, in Syohamp- 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 Eock, 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 Eiver ; Carausius, 334, 335. Owen Glyndwr, 214. Ox, bones of an extinct species of, found at Diglis, 28. Paletein, or Belton (see Old Storage), 191, 192, 193. Parcae, fates, or destinies, 442. Parched or charred wheat, in ancient granaries, 78 to 81. Patch or Pach, the fairy, 438, 448, 449, 453. Patch HiU, 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, Eoman, 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, 336. Perdeswell (see Barrow Cop), 229, &c. Perry Wood, or PLrie Wood, 222 ; ancient trench road there ; Cromwell's contract with the devil ; camp ground ; gauntlet sword, 222, 223. Pershore ; St. Andrew, and Holy Cross, paiishes of, 336. Phorises, 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 feiry, 438, 453. Pinck, or Pink, the fairy, 435, 436, 438, 453, 407. Pinket, the fairies so called in Badsey, 435, 436. Pins HUl, in Leigh, 441. Pip, the faiiy, 438, 453, 454. Pirton parish, 392. Pixies, 436, 437. Poake-ledden, 418. Pooka, or Phooka, 426, 427, 428. Pooten's Hole, in Hanley Child, 259, 424. Portflelds Koad, near Worcester, 9, 23. Portway, from Kenchester to Worcester, and thenee to Over Arley, 286 to 290. Portways, summary of, 405. Pottery, Roman, slate-coloured ; how made, 39. 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 fatuns seen in Powiek, 409 to 411. Also, see App., 473. Pack needle, 425. Puck, Poke, Poake, Pouk, Pouijue, Powk, &c., 418, 430, 433 to 429. Pugfist, Puckfoist, or Puckball fungus, 425, 436. Pugs Hole, in the parish of Bromsgrove, 424, 466. Puttoeks-end, or Pothooks Inn, 249, 250, 443. QuEEw 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. Qninton Way, and game of quintan, 88, 89, 80. Radnor and Had (see Great Malvern), 167, 283, 384. Ran Dan Woods, in Chaddesley Corbett, and Belbroughton, 125, 126. Rang-tang, or tang-rang (see Chaddesley Corbett), 125, 126. Ravens or Crows, mysterious, 448, 466. Raven Hills (see Alfrick), 194 to 199. Raven, standard of the, 194 to 199. Receipt, curious, 458. Red Cliff, in Leigh, 440, 446. Red deer, antlers of, found at Diglis, 29. F.edstone Ferry Hermitage, 303. L L 490 Refectory site of, at Great Malvern, 189. Ribbesford, and Bewdley ; celt, 146. Engraving of it, Plate IV., No. 5, p. 98. Eibbesford parish, 304. Ridgacre, in Hales Owen, 272. Ridgeway, in Powiek, 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 HiUs), 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 HUl 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 and dikes, Anglo-Saxon, in Worcestershii'e. See App., 473. Rohin, and Robert, 423. Robinet, 443. Robin Good-fellow, 418, 420 to 423. Rohin 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, foimd 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 Twyning), 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 HiU, in Spetchley, 219, 222. Rous Lench, 340. Rushock, 271, and App., 472. Rycknield Street, or Ridgeway, 339 to 354. Derivation of the name, 347. Sacbed 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 Chmxh, 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, 263, 263, 473. Bedwar- dine, derivation of, 263. Ridgeway, 388, 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. Salinae 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 Pritchaid, 258. Sapey, Upper, Co. Hereford, 258. Sam or Sem HiUs, 128, 129, 130. Sam HiU, in Bushley, 128, 279. Saxons' Lode (see Upton), 61, 62. Sea shells in the native gravel bed under the Castle HUl, Worcester, &c., 23. Sedgebarrow, or Sedgeberrow, British and Boman 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, 265. Sib, the fairy, 438, 450, 454. Sibhay, or Tibhay, 447. Sidbury, or Southbury, 15, 23 to 26. Ancient British coin found on Green HUl, and woodcut of it, 26 ; Eoman coins and Roman hypocaust, 23 to 27. Etymology of Sidbury, 27, 28. Slate-coloured Romam pottery, with a woodcut, 29. Sleepers' Den, in Lower Mitton, 304. Small intermediate camps, 317, 318. Smite, 141, 295. Babel's HiE, 295, 319. Soddington, in Mamble ; Roman rehcs, and site of Roman brick works, 146, 147, 148. Solihull, Co. Warwick, 339. Sorb-tree (see Rock), 266. South Littleton, 336, 337, 473. Southstone Rock (see Stanford), 267. Spear-head of bronze, barbed (see Diglis), 30, 31. Woodcut of it, 30 ; and of one in the British Museum, 31. 493 Spear-head (see Kempsey), 59, 60. Woodcut of it, 60. Speoulatories (see Shrawley), 265, (and EocMord), 268. Spetcliley, Cudley, Cuggan HiE, Swineshead or Swinesherd, 292, 293, 294. Sprights, 458, 466. Spuiddes and spunk, 467, 468. Standard of the raven (see Alfrick), 194 to 199. Stanford ; Southstone Bock and legend ; Hell Hole, Devil's Den, Devil's Bit, 267, 268. Stam Hill, in Elmley Castle parish, 128, 327. Staunton, 376. Stewards, in Sychampton, in Ombersley, 296. Stockton, ancient iutrenchments, &c., 148, 266. Stoke Bliss, 258. Stoke Prior ; Anglo-Saxon bracelets, ancient ovens, &c.. Ill, 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. Stoiu-port, 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 Bante, 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. Thombury, Co. Hereford ; Wall Hills Camp, 258. Thoth, 193, 417. Thumb-i-ing (see Saxons' Lode), Upton, 61, 62. Woodcut of it, 62. Tib, the fairy, 438, 450, 454. Tibhay, or Sibhay, 447. ■ Tibia, 447. 493 Tibberton, 294. Tib's HiU, in Bransford, 440. Tick, the fairy, 438, 454. TickenMll, Eoman gold coin found there, 146. Derivation of the name, App., 472. Tidmington, 356. TUes, Eoman, grooved or channelled, 26, 27. Timberdine (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 WUl-o'-the-Wisp, 427. Tit, the fairy, 438, 454. Titania, 456. Tom Thumb, 438, 450. ToUardine (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 Eipple and Twyning), 64, (and Folk-lore), 441. Track-way, ancient paved (see Hippie and Twyning), 64 to 67. Track-way, the Western, 290 to 309. Tredington, including the hamlets of BlackweU, and Darlingscott, 356, 473. Tredington, Co. Gloucester, Budgeway, 334. Trip, the fairy, 438, 454, 455. Trips Hill, or Drips Hill, iu Maddersfield, 285, 440, 447. Trots HUl, TroshUl, or Toots Hill, in Wamdon, 223, 294. Tuckbold, or Jack-o-Lantem, 427. Tuck HUl, in Hanley Child, 259. TutnaU, Tetnal, or TootenhUl, alias Oak Fields, 232. Tutnal, and Cobley, 341. Tweezers, Eoman, found at the Castle HUl, Worcester, 19, 22. Engi'avings of it, Plate I., Nos. 12 and 13, p. 18. Twinbarrow, Great Malvern, 166, 283. Twinkling Will, the Northern Waggoner, 433, 434. Twyning, Co. Gloucester, 62 to 67, 291. Tyrian coins, and woodcuts of them (see Ambrosiae Petrae), 378, 379. Uliingswick, Co. Hereford, 257. Uphampton, in Ombersley, 296. Upper Arley, or Over Arley, Co. Stafford, 145, 307, 308. App., 471. Upper Mitton ; Organs Hill ; and etymology of it, 304. Upper Salt-way, 309 to 316. Upper Sapey, 258. Upton Snodsbury, 325. Fairies' cave there, 419, 420. Upton-upon-Sevem, the Upooessa of Eavennas ; remarkable cave or well found there, 60, 61. Thumb-ring at Saxons' Lode, and woodcut of it, 61, 62. Upton parish, 283. Upton Warren, 311. Urchins, 457. Um, ancient British, foimd at the Worcestershh-e Beacon, Malvern Hill ; and woodcuts of it, 165. 494 VinEYASDS, sites of ancient, 101, 407, 408. Wagooneb, the Eternal, or Night Haven, 433, 434. Wains, or Co-rini, 278. Wain Street, derivation of, 277, 278. Walking fire, 421, 422, 423. Wall Hills and CoUlills (see Malvern Hills), 158, 159. Wall HUls Camp, Co. Hereford, 274, 275, 377, 280, 282. Walton Cardiff, Co. Gloucester, 333. Wap, the fairy, 438, 439. Waresley, in Hartlebury, 304. Warley Wigorn, in Hales Owen, 272. Wai-ley Salop, in Hales Owen, 272. Wamdon, TrotshUl, TroshUl or TootshiU, and Smite, 294, 295. Warning light, 469. Wash-beetle, 432. Washboum, Little (see Overhury), 334. Warwick, anciently Waerino, 37 to 40. Wassal Hal and Kenvaur dr 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. Werstam, the legend of (see Malvern HiUs), 167 to 188 ; and four woodcuts, 173., 175, 177, 179. Western Track-way, 290 to 308. Westmancote (see Bredon), 345. Whistlers, the Seven, 459. Whisthng Hm, in Ireland, 459. Whitboume, Co. Hereford, ancient intrenchment and camp, 213, 251. White Ladies, Worcester, Greek and Eoman coins found there, 5 to 13. White Ladies Aston, 326. White Way, Old, or Welsh Way, 327. Whittington, 316, 393, 293. Wiccia, the province of, 198. Wichbold (see Doderhill), 311. Wichbury Hill, in Hagley, 136, 137, 138. Wichenford, Eoman coins found there, 149, 150, 364, 360. Wick, Wich, or Wiccia ; places so called, and derivation of .the name, 358 to 363. Wick, Upper, and Lower, 363, 387, 388. Wickhamford, 336. Wick Waryn, near Pershore, 361. Wiggen, fairies so called, 441 . Wiggen-Ash,-''441, 443. WUkin, 432, 433. '. Will, 409, 431, 432, 433. WUlington, in Barcheston, Co. Wanvick, 356. Will-o'-the-Wisp, 409, 411, 423, 431, 432, 433. Win, the fairy, 438, 441, 455. Win's Grave, in. Leigh, 441, Wish, or wisked, or spectre hounds,' 123, 437. 495 Wishmoor, in Wliitboum, 437. Witchcraft, 460, 461, 462. Witchery Hole, 462. Witches' Oven, ia Osebury Rock, Lulsley, 418. Wifley, Great, 265. Witley, Little, with Holt, 264. Witten Tree (see Book), 366. Wizzards, 459. Woden, 283, 324, 437. Wontesdic, 264. WoUers Hill (see Eckington), 345. Wolstan's seal, 5l, 52, 53. Woodcut of it, 52. Wolverley, 307. Wolverlow, Co. Hereford, 258. Wolverton, 230. Woodtiiiry HiU; ancient camp, commonly called Owen Glyndwr's Camp, 314. Woodmanton _(see CUfton-on-Teme), 251 to 363. Worcester, 1 to 54. The Bravinimn of the Romans, 1 to 4. A supposed fort of Ostorius there, 1,3. CiaderPoint,inPitcl;croft,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 Southhury, 15. Castle HiU ; British celt ; Roman relics ; and Roman, Saxon, and other coins found there, 15 to 33. 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 37. . Site of St. Godwald's chapel, 35. Ancient British coin found at Green Hill, Sidbury, 25, 26. Woodcut of it, 36. Grooved or channelled tUes, found in the hypocaust, 36, 37. Etymology of Sidbury, 27, 28. Roman slate-coloured and other pottery and reUcs, fragments of the Bos longi&ons, and of the red' deer, found at DigUs, 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 Chui'ch, 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 SI, with an engraving of the door. (See Plate 11., p. 50.) The wSst 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, 198. Ethelred and Ethelflaed's charter to Worcester, granted' most probably at Worcester, in the presence of Alfred, 198 to 301. They signed charters by making a cross, 301, 302. Worcester burnt in jHardicanute's time, 303. Etymology of Worcester, 33, 204, 359. Worcestershire, when first so called, 204. Worcestershire Beacon (see Malvern HUls), 165, 166. Ancient British cinerary urn found there, 165, 166. Woodcuts of it, 165. Roman coins, 167.- Wribbenhall, 305, 306, 307. Remarkable charter of land, 306, 307. 496 Wyre Pidelet, 326. Wysham, Sir Ralph (gee Clifton-on-Teine), 251, 252, 253. Wytchall, 361. Yaedlet, 339. Yam Hills, and Dam Hills, 128, 129, 130. YeU and Penfleld (see Mathon), 355, 256. Yell Hounds, or Yetli Hounds (see Mathon), 256. Yew trees, remarkable, 70, 447. LONDON: PRINTED BY T. BKETTELI,, EUPEET STREET, HAYMAEKET.