samedi 13 août 2005

More Scenes from Wiltshire... Maud Heath's Causeway To drive along the back lanes of north-west Wiltshire, literally in the middle of nowhere, and suddenly see a lengthy and solid brick arched causeway seems decidedly odd. The sparsely populated area between the hamlets of Christian Malford, Langley Burrell and Kellaways does not appear to have a need for defensive works against marauding tribes (since the Danes captured Chippenham in 878) nor wild animals... although current weekend holidaymakers might pose a threat. To understand the reason this elevated walkway was built you have to turn the calendar back many years. From Saxon times there was a thriving market place in the nearby town of Chippenham... and to help set the scene it's worth looking at the spelling of that town and other village names during those times. The main town of Chippenham was variously named - Cyppanhamm 878 in Old English meaning an enclosed water-meadow, or piece of land in the bend of a river, in this case owned by Cyppa, Schyppenam 880/5, Cyppan hamm 930, Chippenham 940, Chepeham 1086, Cheppeham 1155, Chipeham 1200, Sypeham 1240, Chuppeham 1250, Shippenham 1319 and Chippyngham 1541. Christian Malford means "the ford by Christ's mark" or "the ford by the cross" and is the only village in the UK with Christian in the name. It was also spelt Cristemaleford 937, Cristemeleford 1086, Cristesmeleford 1166, Cristemalleford 1316 and Crystmaelford. Langley Burrell was combined from Langan-leah "the long clearing or meadow" and the Burrell family who held the manor from the Doomsday Book up to the early 14th century. Thus the village names were ad Langelgh' 940, Langefel or Langhelei 1086, Langelega 1181, Langleye Burel 1289, de Longaleye c1290, Langle Burel and Longley Burrell 1535. Kellaways, derived from a French family name was Cailleway 1226, Caillewey 1304 and Keylewayes 1585. Also worthy of mention, for those enjoying odd, old names, is the nearby village of Tytherton which stemmed from Terintone or Tedelintone 1986, Tidrinton 1196, Tuderyngton Kaylewey 1289 and Tuderyngtone Calowen 1327 amongst others, which sound like place names from "Lord of the Rings." In those long-ago days villagers from the surrounding area would have to travel to market on foot to sell their wares... then return laden with their purchases at the end of the day. Life before the motor car was not easy. The Sherston branch of the River Avon, meandering through north Wiltshire and collecting water from a wide area, broadens considerably at this point, frequently flooding low-lying land on either bank. Even today after prolonged rain caution has to be observed when driving along some of the winding lanes to the east of Chippenham because of the threat of standing water flooding a car's engine and the driver having to wade to safety. If that happens they will know how Maud Heath felt every time she went to market down a muddy lane on a wet day struggling with her baskets of eggs. But Maud Heath was a thoughtful woman, and on her death she bequeathed sufficient money to be spent building and maintaining a causeway between Wick Hill, where a monument to her has been erected, and Chippenham almost five miles away. At Kellaways the later causeway, built by the Earl of Lansdowne, is raised almost six feet above the road level on sixty brick and stone arches. And on the other side of the lane is a smaller pillar, topped by a sundial, with the inscription: "To the memory of the worthy MAUD HEATH of Langly Burrell Widow Who in the year of Grace 1474 for the good of Travellers did in Charity bestow in land and houses about Eight pounds forever to be laid out on the Highways and Causey leading from Wick Hill to Chippenham Clift." The pillar was set up by the trustees in 1698 and includes the words "Injure me not" - advice travellers over the centuries have heeded. Today the arched brick section of the "causey" is undamaged so local villagers and ramblers can pass in safety whenever the winding lanes are flooded by the unpredictable Avon. In 1974 on the village green of nearby East Tytherton a modern "ziggurat" monument and sundial was erected to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the building of the causeway. Maud Heath's memory lives on in this part of the world. 9:11:11 PM    comment []