B R U N A N B U R H

A D . 9 . 37

FRA I W T T D B E N C . S RY S . U M A , . .

R EL C L L EG E O & FO R D O I O ,

E‘ 4 8 d (3 Of v 18 3

QAM PBELL QOLLECTI ON

L O N D O N

H EN R Y FR OWD E O & FO R D U N VE R TY P R E A M E N C R N E R E C . , I SI SS , O , CH E STE R

P H L L P S ON GOL D E R EA TGATE R ow O L D A N K B U L D N G I I , S B I I S O & FO R D

H AC H A P I N TO TH E N I V SI Y OR E RT, R TER U ER T ‘ B R U N A N B UR H ’

A WO RK is i n a for war d state of preparation (for publicati on at an ea a e wh ch is ho e ma esen in a n ew h rly d t ) i it p d y pr t , lig t , ’ some oft en d ebated p oints relating t o Kin g Athel stan s great ‘ e e on cu m n a n at unan u h nc en a some xp diti , l i ti g Br b r i id t lly, references will b e mad e t o matte r tou chin g on localities all ud ed

i h m n The o ow n a es t o n Art urian or ki ndred Ro a ce . f ll i g p g

o esh a w the con en s of the wo an d ar e n e for the f r do t t rk, pri t d

on ma e is com n consideration of those interested . Additi al tt r i g i n almost daily . ’ - un an u the a e field - as a so un an urh own n ow Br b rh ( b ttl ) , l Br b t , ’ B b r B r ombor ou fz on . i n ece e n sh r zem o on the g (pr r iv d E gli , ) 1 e se es in the old wa en a e of a —the coun of M r y , li p t k Wirr l ty ( ’ hes e s en nsu a e hn o o ca a mos can d n a an the C t r) p i l , t l gi lly l t S i vi ,

on ue of an wh ch w an es ua on e he s e an d t g l d i , ith t ry it r id , w h th os e e se sho e o me n ea n o it e Opp it M r y r , f r d a rly A gl

h n s - we n o se s eac ea wa e en t wo sh oms . N r trip , r i g rd , b t Briti ki gd ‘ ’ h s i s ha W rale wh ch a oach e om the each a o e T i t t y i , ppr d fr b , b v ’

i h r H well i . t the s e f w n Fl n ts i e s o e . a o o e ou a n ly , id H ly ll M t i I n ot far om its sac e s n an d B asi n werk A b b e fr r d pri g g y, ‘ ’ 2 O uer a e o - e e the Gr een /z s o n mes t t a . b H ly H d , n t ry 1 The so- called Wapen take C ou rt con ti n ued to b e held (for the w n r h un e f un a o h h ape take o dr d o Wirral) til b ut 1 85 7. T e ot er ’ M erseyside wapen take h as lon g been kn own as L an cashire s H un dred of h c n a n h n w a a - n — s ac o s ce am . a n wh We t D erby. E t i a T i g ll pl e Wirr l i i ch on ce hes e c wa s n c u e —wou n dee as a of th o se C t r ity i l d d ld , i d , p rt e N r se em en i n e se s e a ea to h a e em a n e N ar i /l a mbd a” a h e ttl t M r y id , pp r v r i d , r t r h an e c an in cha ac e an d o an z a on hou h e en u a w h t M r i , r t r rg i ti , t g v t lly, it o h a s of hesh su to e an n om n Th e e ec c u e a at eas . e t r p rt C ir , bj t M r i r l , i lly l t ' somewha an eech of kes/zzr e has a i e t Midl d sp C prev il ed n Wirral . N ver th el es s o e he w h he s e c a ma ha e con n u e to b e an d , t g t r it C t r ity , Wirr l y v ti d , o a was accoun e man a o on of th e esse o wa pr b bly , t d , by y, p rti l r N r y ’ - - ‘ o e he w h it s n e h ou an of M an &c . as L uc an th M on ke t g t r it ig b r l d , i e almos seems to ha e m t v i plied . 2 It is impossible for me t o thin k that the author of the Gr een Kmlgfit ’ cou h a e m ean A n l ese s o -h ea n am e C aer b i its m ld v t g y H ly d , d gy by i babi - an s to da . G awa n seems to ea e all th e s es of A n lese on hi s e t t y i l v i l g y l ft . It i s th en made clear that he passes over by th e fords an d for el an d es ’ . e. th e D ee o s an d m an m en s n o W r al e n am i f rd e b k t , i t y , ed in th at ’ oman r ce. Though H olywell i s still called Tr efiyn on by man y Flin t sh ire eo e in s ea n e sh et e n so n ea n an it s n sh n am e p pl , p ki g W l , y , b i g r E gl d, E gli o we h as a wa n much u se —Wel on i n om s ee a . (H ly ll) l y b d t , D esd y

0 A 2 4 BRUNANBURH

‘ ’ m es ha G awa n c osse the san s o a s the ne h It i pli t t i r d d , t w rd ig ’ D e Ga ton s a te or b our hoo f Ga on . e . e o s . d o yt , i by f rd y g , 1 c oss - oa was n o ou su ose the au o t o ea him r r d , , d bt , pp d , by th r, l d ‘ ’ on o om o ou h ool en ou e f or e se an d a h t Br b r g P , r t M r y Str t c de or e en for ha n or the n n om of him h a was the ly , v t t r ki gd t t ’ ’

e l o . hese wo s f an e . an s en a o o e . l rd Alb i , i Alb y l g d ry rd T rd from Romance (quoted some n ine pages lat e r than those t o

e f ce is m a e i n n o e I on 6 i nfr a eca the which r e ren d t p . ) r ll

' ' kzstor ze n of an ons ant n e who on h is ou e ki g Alb y (C t i ), , r t ’ ‘ ’ s unan u h o ous en e e o b en towa rd Br b r , bvi ly t red th f r idd

’ ‘ e sh or o h a of a wh ch the c oss - oa was W l N rt p rt Wirr l , i r r d m o h a n ow N orsified was ‘ e cut ade t o avoid . N rt Wirr l ( w ll off om her a es in esen - d a a es o e as e n (fr lli pr t y W l Pr p r), b i g ow h ose ne he o s of D ee the o s om a o e o bel t t r f rd , f rd (fr b v H ly we ac oss to Ga ton he e at the each whe e w e emem e ll) r y , w r , b ( r r b r

G a on o a e the we - ua e a te e an to r un v ia yt C tt g ) ll g rd d g b g , ’ n an a s m s a e t o the P ool - tun now owe A gli Wirr l Bri t g , ( L r ‘ ’ n n s om ou oo B ut h or B ebingto ) a d o t o Br bor gh P l . N ort ‘ ’ ’ ‘ ’ N r SI fi h s e sh a s . e . o ed s a two hen W l Wirr l , i Briti Wirr l , (t ) en in sul et s w h al e a ase e e cu ou s mo e p , it W l y (W ll y) w r , ri ly, r ’ access e om ancash e h an we e om o ou oo ibl fr L ir t r Br b r gh P l ,

n ces et a he u he es ua For th e c ossi n s c os a d pl a y f rt r p t t ry . r g l e ’ e se s m ou h ar e sho te han o e s h he u H ad by M r y t r r t th r ig r p .

ons an ne n en e t o ass n o wha n ow we ca al es he C t ti i t d d p i t t ll W , i n e s t ha e had a di . i cu l e wa s m h t . o ecu e the ig t v y I d d , it r ‘ ’ c oss - oa om om o ou oo t o G a on an d the r r d (fr Br b r gh P l yt , ‘ ’ hen ce t o he e h f l n s r c o s t t e one a de o o s . e . f rd w r p , i D eeside

1 ’ The c oss - r oad fr om G a on each to om o ou h oo i s n o ou r , yt b Br b r g P l , d bt ’ th e a cu a a l e wh ch m o e han o h e s con uce to th e or seman s p rti l r g i , r t t r , d d N - n am i n of the ace . B ut G a on is a ace of oa m ee n s ea g p l yt pl r d ti g . N r the G l e e ms he e se e a an c en wa s o n the c oss - oa gg Ar (t r ) v r l i t y j i r r d , us a e i t h a s m oun e the e om the sh o e om th e s o wh h e j t ft r t d ridg (fr r , fr p t it r - D ee c oss n s l ed . o m e th e sh o e s e oa the oa a u e to r i g ) F r rly , r id r d ( r d ll d d sh o a w h as to his m ee n w h a en on h a n asse by Bi p C rt rig t , ti g it Cl r d ) , vi g p d ’ om hes e al on ee s n as far a s P ar k a l e to wh ch i t a e fr C t r, g by D bri k , g ( i g v n am e su en m oun e th e e to o n th ea c o - ) , dd ly t d ridg , j i e gr t r ss road n ear - G a on a e . us whe e the c os s oa e n s to escen th e s ee s yt vill g J t r r r d b gi d d t p , ’ owa s the eac h and u m aam o s we m a s an an d l oo to the t rd b g f rd , y t d k ’ ’ o os e lmts hI r e e f or a G awa n s oa om the a e of Cl w the pp it (F ) ridg i r d fr V l yd , e a e ou e wh ch G i r al d us asse on om Rhu an owa s o v rit bl r t by i p d fr ddl , t rd H ly we a mos o os e to G a on We seem to see m oun i n l on ll l t pp it yt . it t A pme fashi , er e u n s o th h h e m l or th a f l e e e s n a e f e e o C w (1 . h an it t r v r ig t , V l y T ere d in a 5 c oss oa we sce n two l n I n th cha n of a s n Wirr l r r d , di r i k s e i g t e leadi g f om . sa h owa s G as ow r St A p , t rd l g . BRUN ANBUR H 5

’ m n s a ea ed as O er at e o - e e a as embank e t , pp r u b H ly H d ) th t ,

' ma com n in n o h - eas om ess se e w e shall see , A l f, i g , rt t, fr N , iz d Brimstage an d the whol e of the gu ardin g B r unanwer c as it

une feld T o his n as o n of n an exten ded within the B r . i v i A gli

his ocee n e on the e e n nc e s of Wirral , pr di g b y d v r i vi ibl trip we sce n ec a s on i n N orsifi ed British D eeside, di r dir t llu i ’ ‘ William of M almesbury s words mu ltu m i n A ngliam pr o cesser at j uven is audacissimus It i s of his aud acity in cross ing l ’ th e e ou s e a on as e or B r u n efeld s n ow sh u n en e r p t id H dd C tl , r k

C o - L e his h a n en e e the B r un efeld an d n an p y, vi g t r d A gli Mid

’ h n mme a e o ows Wi a ha h s assa e s ea s . e rr l , t t t i p g p k T , i di t ly f ll ’ 2 ‘ n n mo h s a u es to the esum on et illicita spira s a i . T i ll d pr pti ‘ shown in his there seizing the B r unan wer c on incontestably

n sh oun his sa ac oss the u n of msta e an d E gli gr d , lly r b r ( Bri g ) ’ - h l l heatk of t o a s S ou r Flats &c . e on . e . t e ev e d y , (b y d) , i he n a a t o a ac he s an n h nea the H u m N ort r S g , tt k At l t , by ig t , r ’ s s o N o ou son - in - law and a he - in - law ou b er d on fo t . d bt f t r w ld ’ he e ha e o ne han s had not he s an s o ces n e ce e t r v j i d d , At l t f r i t r pt d ‘ ’ em un a ou the H umb er sdon an on Wi nheath h o d . t , r d b t The kings of Albany and Strathclyde (Cumbria) knew well the ou e en ce t o am a hou h in a C ons an ne r t th C bri , t g , Wirr l t ti ‘ d a e not a oach ha oa at its e se end whe e r d ppr t t r d M r y , r

he s an menace om th e H umb er sd on he h s or om t e At l t d fr ig t , fr h

om o ou h eni nsul et s on an d n at u a o e Br b r g p , tr gly r lly f rtifi d .

o eo e such o ces as came an om the o h wou M r v r, f r by l d (fr N rt ) ld refer t o arrive am on g their allies on this groun d dreaded by p — English groun d comprisin g at l east t wo (then) pen insul ets of ’ N or sified British Wirral ; an d they could en ter it by the

sho e hou h o e c oss n . e. om e oo to rt r (t g l w r) r i g , i fr Liv rp l

Birken head .

B ut I am ess n om the G a s o ec digr i g fr r il t ry , r alled by ‘ ’ ’ men on o f the o of an e . he e G awa n as oes ti l rd Alb i W r i , g the s o is a o to see ha n e on e or o h ? t ry, b ut k t t ki g (b y d Clyd F rt ) h e might appear (to many at l east) as j ou rneyi ng by yet

l Co in hesh e s n es an a c a d e whe h p, C ir , ig ifi y rtifi i l ri g t er for defen ce o a a n n m or m - - s e e es es or e e as a oun a e . . a h e e an g i t i tid , r ly b d ry g dg b k . Wl th h s as SI n ification i s s in a t i l t g , it till d ily u se . 2 Gesta R e m u ed . u s 1 2 Th assa g , St bb , I , 4 . e p ge j ust quoted con tai n s all usion to I llicitas tor v asque min as A nal afus an h el an s h ‘ ’ I n t e eon ne o m uo b . e e . . Th l i p q t d y W. M ibid i , 1 5 1 e words E thelstan i 6 BRUNANBURH

’ e - a ou e a n a e se the ee s mar s/z an other ov r Wirr l r t , h vi g tr v r d D ’ o s h he u om the oo an h e h s a o e C amb r ia s f rd ( ig r p) , fr w dl d ig t , b v ho L l an eur ain s m a n for th Haward en and N ort p ( g ), fir t ki g e ’ ’ 1 sho s u man o . e . n an s ur on o n sh one Bi p fruitf l r , i E gl d B t t w ip ,

c n ns - a mong others so n amed . It o tai the N ess head (n ow B urt on 2 m a n ca e field - n ames as N e se o n s n s a s t . P i t , till u i t k bly i di t d , by , ) e the hea an is the a c a ess on e i n B low dl d , p rti ul r N l g h ld

’ adhuc v iv en tis u se am of the au ho the oem as we as , d (by Willi ) t r Of p , ll ’ he o m s n e n a e en ce m an ea e a e han ha assoc a e t p e i t r l vid , i ply rli r d t t t t i t d w h th e oem sho u s i n his e ace . shal show om sev er a l it p by Bi p St bb , Pr f I l , fr sou ces ha the w e of th e oem was con em o a w h wa the r , t t rit r p t p r ry it Ed rd

an d w h he s an an d mun . u he w b e shown h a Elder it At l t Ed d F rt r, it ill t t ’ the au ho he s an s e a h e he w as h at w e of the oem or t r Of At l t pit p it r t rit r p , m t— s had at eas seen an d o owe o i a o ha . . mus ha e , l t , b rr d fr , l t t W M t v wn u on f or his n o ma on e a n th e s c at a e wh ch dra p it i f r ti r g rdi g di tri t l rg , i , as wou seem he a e to oca e sa e somewh a n e a e . it ld , f il d l t , v t g tiv ly 1 ’ The m arsh -fords illustrate the on e en tr an ce to the li ttl e l an a (pen in ‘ su a n c ose w h n a sea ? wa the a es an ha e e h e l e l d it i ( ) ll, f ir t l d t t v r ’ h d h a s h h (a Gawai n ) beheld an d th e be st garn is ed an t e f ire t orc ards. T e apparen tly lan dward en d of that l i ttl e l an d recall s B ur ton an d P uddin gton h om wha sou h - coun oo of a as s een e o e en e n an d t e s e t t try l k Wirr l , (b f r t ri g

m a s o n ea awa en hu ch a the a e e om al es . it) fro p t r H rd C r y rd, by tr v ll r fr W ’ 1 1 in e as an E v an s s an s a on of th e H z lz H i sto o the Cf. i . 3, S b ti tr l ti g ry f m wh ch u o a on h as us een ma H ol Gr aal ed . G o an c r o e . y , ll z , f i q t ti j t b d a so wha h as een sa as to th e L os L an of n hu in e Cf. l t b id t d Ki g Art r v ry ’ recen t n umbers of the E ngl zslz I ll ustr ated M agaz i n e 2 ’ e f r h a on of B ir ken head s as n ames h s (Cf. Birk t ( o Birk e d) e p t ] T i ’ ‘ i as sh own i n the esse e s at the hea an s an wa s at l e t N t H y , dl d l d rd i s s w r h en c o u es ca e esse ommon d . on t ea a s e a e t e s en Al g rd id l r ll d N t C , ’ T h e s on h s u on o n s es a N esset B arn stan din g by . e fi ld t i B rt P i t (N s ’ a mar shwar d s e or a he he n ame of o an e e e H e d s) id , r t r t ir H ll d Sid , r f r - h o oun s— c t o the on ce tide washed groun ds lyin g by them . T se gr d re kon ed ’ to n sh e on accoun of the ee s e - b ed h a n chan e —mus Fli t ir , t D riv r vi g g d t h a e een n own me ae a as o an e ha s e en as far as to v b k , di v lly, H ll d p r p v t he ou s s of h es e c . u ous i s ha as on e ea es the ma shes t kirt C t r ity C ri it t t, l v r ’ es e u on o n on e n s ha h he whe e th e n on aa m ma shes b id B rt P i t, fi d t t ig r, r o r ha e for cen u es een cu a e a lin tshir e own sh e ween th e v t ri b ltiv t d , F t ip , b t chan n e an d the n ew oes the S ea an n ame h he s i s Old l , g by l d ; ig r till mu ch of S altn e own sh hese an s the e en e o an of old y t ip . All t l d , xt d d H ll d , w m to s n h a a L l n of e sh h on c ould see repre e t t e M orv K er eo a W l c r i ler . n h so- a O n either s ide of the marshes flowed a thread of D ee . O ly t e c lled ’ l amo h h n n ma n B ut ir a dus in his I t . r as co N ew a e e s . G C e e C l r i , l ft r rd how m en sa h a the cou se of the wa e s an d so the o s ch an e Of id t t r t r , f rd , g d e e mon h O f h s mo e a e . U on some o on of h s l ow oun v ry t . t i , r l t r p p rti t i gr d en fitz - m ess en cam e e o e hi s a m m et O wen G w n e H ry E pr p d, b f r r y y dd n ea the ace whe e F n n ow s an s. L a e when o a h e had r pl r li t t d t r, pr b bly ea n e cau on n en acco n t o ha s ame ch on c e was l r d ti , Ki g H ry , rdi g t t r i l , n ot far om hes e awa n sh s om e an . h s me h e fr C t r, iti g ip fr Ir l d T i ti certain ly kept on what in the twelfth cen tury was the i n con testably E n sh s e of the D ee con em o a w e a n n on gli id . A t p r ry rit , r g rdi g Abi gd ’ m on s is w n esse a u Wir hal e ou ess n ea ess or ho w c k , it d p d , d btl r N S t i k '

on . S lzottzeé an s whe e sh s om e an w ou ld b awa e (pr ) S d , r ip fr Ir l d e it d . ’ he s an s ea e cau on e him om es a o e he . hes e At l t gr t r ti k pt fr D e ide lt g t r At C t r, BRUNANBURH

' ' ’ h m n o nd esent ea z te bf es e s a a n e a s . e. t e a a p Ch t r P l ti E rl , i r pr ' d a o nsh ess con a n n c ose b the a e two y t w ip Of N , t i i g, l y vill g , ‘ ’ n m n s - s e an s P al aee e s amo its e s . ha a o s o e H y g fi ld T t r h r id l d ,

e ow ha ess a e ar e s ca e D en wall on ce at b l t t (N ) vill g , till ll d , (

eas for a ime D anewall . Tner e was the me ae a the l t t ) di v l , ‘ ’ ’ 1 ’ ea o the a s - ness of E il s a a —the sho s rly , p rt , E rl g S g bi p

— - N ess (Head) protectin g it un til the l ate m ediaeval decay of t he u on ma e - own ha wh c con a ne its B rt rk t t , rd by, i h t i d

as seem s he u n e awa om the ea e D ee oo e owa s it , t r d y fr dr d d , l k d t rd om o ou h on the M er se as the s wa an a en e oo e Br b r g y , fir t Ed rd Pl t g t l k d

e ea e when coa on was to b e ea e om n sh e . sh a ea r p t dly , liti f r d fr Fli t ir I ll tr t , ’ in an o he ace of am of a m es u s wo s ex con su o t r pl , Willi M l b ry rd , lt ’ ce en e w h e e en ce to h e s an an d sha show ess ea t o d t , it r f r At l t , ll N H d h ave b een the earlier n ame for B u rton P oin t by referen ce al so to th e u c Reco s ho w c an s ar e a u e to a t l east on ce in sho P bli rd . S t i k S d ll d d Bi p ’ a w h s a b ut h e e n co ec n e e in the ed . wh ch h as C rt rig t Di ry, t r i rr tly i d x d ( i ‘ ’ he e a w h m et come to my han ds) as Ch ester on th e S an ds . T r C rt rig t

a en on . H e m en on s hem as the an s m e e n ot n am n ho Cl r d ti t S d ( r ly) , i g S t ’ m w Th D zet N at . B l o . sh ow a en on to h a e an e o i ck. e . g s Cl r d v l d d (fr e an at es on on the e d a a w h ca e ess w o e ha he Ir l d) N t , v ry y C rt rig t r l ly r t t t m him fiv e m om h e on h e n s O m ss on a comma et iles fr C est r t S a d i i Of , ’ a e hes e wou seem to ha e l ed t o th e e r o in the n e . O f ft r C t r , ld v r r I d x course he mean t S hotwi ck S an ds by way of which the road (still exi sti n g

in aces asse om hes e to a a e e en h en . A s a w h pl ) p d fr C t r P rkg t , v t C rt rig t ‘ ’ om e th e h o w c n ame so a e n en cau ses om ss on itt d S t i k , lik dig ity Oft i i ‘ ’ - of he an s o on the n ame to d a i e . when e e n to h a ar t S d p rti Of y, . r f rri g t t p t icula r o on of the ho w c s c Yet the h ase Shottick an s p rti S t i k di tri t . p r S d

i s e ec am a s . The san so is s e h ou h th e as s p rf tly f ili r till dy il vi ibl t r g gr ,

whe e Cen u es ea e the D ee had een a e s e u . e e e r , t ri rli r, b l rg ly ilt d p I b li v ’ h a h a wa h e an on n oc cas on t at C rtwrig t s car ri ge s stuck in t es s ds o e i . 1 ’ The o s on of a a r l sn es or I ar l sn es a s ess as i n or c ose p iti j (E rl N ) , l by

e an a es i s m en on e in th e O n e a a . I ar l sn es wou Br tl d (W l ) , ti d rk y S g ld ’ seem t o ha e een con ac e to n es in some . I n com an w h v b tr t d I , MSS p y it E ir ikr the ce an e Sv einn an O n e n of the we h cen u I l d r, , rk y Viki g t lft t ry , omes om h e of M an I n cou se of an e e on h en ce t o c fr t I sl e . r xp diti t ‘ ’ n l n We n o e ha the omon o wh ch e a h e an cho s at ar s es . Br tl d, r J t t t pr t ry i was n amed the N ess h ead lie s imm ediately between (1 ) the b ay Of ’ th e a s ess an d 2 h ose n ow or on ce sem - a1 ma shes o m n E rl N ( ) t , , i tid r , f r i g the am an o an wh ch wou —as the who e s c m h —b e C bri H ll d , i ld l di tri t ig t ’

oo u on as in e an . a so Flin tshir e s B r et on n ea . The l ked p Br tl d Cf. l t , r by ’ ess ea m a well ha e con a n e a r e- o man a s h ea - ua e s in N H d y v t i d p N r E rl d q rt r , th e s n s an ce—th e es en ce e en u a mo e t o the n on - om on o a fir t i t r id , v t lly v d pr t ri l ’

ess ca n the n ame w h as . . . oh n s on s wo s s eem N , rryi g it it , Mr A W J t rd h n mo h h n a a a u es t t o suggest . I t i k it re likely t at t e O rk ey S g ll d o ’ ’ a s esses whe e an a s ess i s o e to h a e een c ose Wirr l N , r E rl N pr v d v b , l by ’ a es e an h an h a - - I ar ll a s L an d n ea wan sea B a W l (Br tl d) , t t t Tir y (E rl ) r S y, — ' could h ave been mean t n otwith stan din g O r kn ey znga s men ti on of L un dy ’ as o on he s o h an n e sh h o ha a later retreat . A Sp t t Bri t l C el s W l S re s een su es e a a en h ou h e a n e e a on of a ce a n b gg t d, pp r tly t r g lit r l i t rpr t ti rt i as sa e i n E il s a a The me ae a e ac o I n far - O ff ce an seem s p g g S g . di v l r d t r I l d ‘ ’ to ha e hou h of th e son ti cou n tr wh en h e sa h a Alf eir o e sou h v t g t z y , id t t g r d t , ’ en ou e for ess n a ur a the s o han n e s sh o e wou seem r t N , t lly Bri t l C l r ld “ ’ ’ to accoun for hi h n n w tw a ds n a - n ss h s is t s t e turn i g es r i to E rl s e . T i 8 BRUNANBURH

’ ma ne s c c of St . c o as the ess ea e n nc ri r hur h Ni h l , N H d b i g i luded ’ i n its mano . e or a he to the E ar l s ess n ea r Thith r, r t r N , r by,

A n laf an d his ma ne s fled ac om the B r u nefeld th ri r b k fr , e wo s u on w c he had occu e ac om h rk p hi h pi d, b k fr t e H um 1 b er sd on - ms a e e e s a on s e a B ru n efeld ea n Bri t g l v l l g id th t , l vi g

e a es n G ea an d o e n ese th ir lli fighti g by r t Littl e St r to . Th ’ t wo last - named villages were on ce the Viki ng s stor a - tun ' z and l ztl a - tan on Tne H eat/z as the o n ac h c up , r lli g tr t , w i h

on s the Weon d un e or Wend une e h con nue oca fr t ( ) h ig t, ti d l lly b e ca to e e en so a e as the e A e . esen ll d , v l t Middl g Pr tly it will ' ’ b e seen how somew a a e The ea oeszae Wend une , h t l t r, H th , r ather than Wendu n e (merely) came to b e men tioned in I celan d

' ' as Vznnezar (sign ifyi n g also a Wen/teat/z a a e th e o n a B owmon an d the e e s e ow the P r ll l with rigi l t, l v l b l

so h en d of tna t s e an d i e. the un e ut h ort r lower ridge ( . ro d d bow -s a e e on w c s an t he two o e on a es h p d , ridg , hi h t d St r t vill g ) ,

‘ ’ ru n s Tlze M oun t (the lon g and greater ridge) the hae B mikil K ’ il f he a . he e es e Of K ( et s MS . o t S ga) W r (to w tward) l v el s on the so e n o on of the on h a o on ea s fr t uth r p rti l g ill , th t p rti b r t he H umb r sd n o h m s on m B ut t h e o ( t erwise Hu ber t ) na e. e ‘ ’ l oftier an d n or tner n half of the great ridge- shaped M oun t l o e . h Of d (i . t e part opposite to the B ow mont) is the N or r zgg of V n a s the Weondune of the con em o a n sh iki g d y , t p r ry E gli man The n n t h . ame O f the a e o e o e on s e i e . th e v ll y St r t id , .

' where Alfgeir havin g been placed on the E ngl zs/z side (of the B r un efeld o on of h s ou e a e-field is as ho m a e the p rti t i d bl b ttl ) , I ld, d , by au ho to om H m r sdon s sou h o the h a h t r , ride (fr u b e ) fir t t ver e t to a poi n t ‘ ’ n ea th e own whe e sa e the n . e . a on the oa to a e e r t r t ki g , i l g Old r d Bl k l y

ow. he e he auses wh e e a oa an ch es to ha own om Br T r p , r r d br t t t (Br b o ou h H e con n ues sou h al on the h en hes e oa b ut e o e r g ) . ti t ( g t C t r r d) , b f r it eache as on a e he u n s a on the an c en own sh - un n r d Will t vill g , t r l g i t t ip bo di g ’ oa w estw a Ea w a o r l n n e r ds o s ss. e s t a s es in the r k r d , t rl N e My vi , j O y a a aff o a eas n us a on of the c ose e a on s w n M a an S g , rds t l t a ill tr ti l r l ti bet ee n d WI rr al wh ch e s e in the we h cen u when ce an c a on ma , i xi t d t lft t ry, I l di tr diti y h a e een e eshe in so far as ouche u on a m a e s . B ut v b r fr d , it t d p Wirr l tt r

a as i s we n own has al w a s een in ou ch w h M an . Wirr l , ll k , y b t it 1 am of a mes u was car e u n ee when co ec he m n Willi M l b ry f l i d d, rr tly e ‘ ’ tion ed as B run efeld the delta coun wh ch esen o e to , , try i pr tly I pr v h a e o n e ha n ame for cen u es . . na u a em has e the a v b r t t t ri . W M t r lly p iz d p rt of th n l ( e fi eld) where Athelstan h ad con fro ted An af. 2 ‘ ’ Storeton folk still speak of th e little town ; i n the case Of Gr eat o e on stor o n a se mean n r eat i s u h e em has z e St r t , , rigi lly it lf i g g , f rt r p i d by ' ’ an — i in n sh e u a en cf . . au ou r a lzu z . G ea o e on too s E gli q iv l t Fr j r t St r t , , , - the o s eech as accu a e n ame as of ol d . For w l in e h e f lk p , r t ly d d el ers it r ‘ village have continued to i n dicate i t as the big town BRUNANBURH 9

' ndune and owmon is now mo e to dal e b etween Weo B t, difi d ‘ Wanton (Weondune) D ale B ut fi eld s on the H zglzer B ebi ngton sid e of this n orthern (Weon d une) portion of the ‘ ridge still bear the sign ificant n ame N or ridge H eys There ma oss a e een a oca as we as a n a on a a us on in y p ibly h v b l l , ll ti l , ll i ’ ‘ ’ m o s h c ad rsu i . . m a mes u s ase o . e a . Willi Of M l b ry p r N ri u ; , W M or his n o man one of hem mean n ma the o seman i f r t , t i g pri rily N r , may have hinted at the Norridge as the Obj ect of King Athel ’ — ‘ ’ stan s attack hin ted at that (Wen d un e) half of The M oun t ‘ ’ W n un e h ch ha d w . s na e e the eo . a e h (ridg ) , i S D lt r t d wit

E tb r unn an wer c Ai t B r unanwer c in one of his n s. ( ) , writi g F r a u n to h the anes on the B r unefel —i o e d . e . , ft r p tti g flig t D

1 horn on i n the ou h an d 2 the a of ms ( ) T t H g , ( ) p rt Bri tage ‘ ’ (dialect B r unnstun ) whi ch al so lies withi n that f eld (the ‘ ’ i n v er ted del ta e een two u n s br u ns h ch un n b tw b r , , w i , iti g

e own name B r un an u h a so - e s an low r d , d b r , l ) Ath l t tu rn ed n o h a om the e e s on n H umb er sdon t o The rt w rd , fr l v l fr ti g ,

h on n o e o e se Weon d une and Wen ne H eat fr ti g N rridg ( th rwi du ) . 2 H e u n e n o h a om s eam- s e t o oo - s e o e t r d rt w rd , fr tr id w d id , v r t he e e s es e B r u nefeld an d awa o e the S tor et on s l v l b id , y v r , ’ h he su oun n an s n own as The ea h i n wit t ir rr di g l d k H t , ’ m ed ae a mes . e . the o n oun h c o ms h s or s i v l ti , i r lli g gr d w i h f r i t y ’ ’ h h a I ts w s e n s c Wen eat or Wi nhe th . e t r tret h is still l ocally called the Lower Y eths or Lower H eath . This is but one of the evid ences as to the gradual en cl osu re O f lan ds on eithe r sid e of the t wo cl osely nestling villages on

ha e owmon e as an w f h e ow . d es o t e a h t t l r (B t) ridg E t t it , H t ’ n ame was a ua us e owa ds the own sh s m s gr d lly p h d t r t ip li it . The fact that these two Stor etons form a single town ship goes — yet farther to Show each as part of a greater whol e T/ze

1 ’ e e ar en e meon of u ham s Weond un e an d Wen d u n e H r e id tifi d Si D r ,

es ec el wh ch a ea in his two accoun s of the confli ct H i st . r p tiv y, i pp r t m D unelm an 2 H st . R e u d ( ) i g . 2 ’ We n ote the S aga s tellin g description of groun d associated with th e two h s oun o e e on tlze on e si de b a str eam on the otlzer b a fig t , gr d b rd r d y , y

r eat w ood . e . th e oun oo an d its hen e en s on t o th e wes g , i M t W d (t ) xt i t, - - down over th e Wood H eys of Pren ton in Wood church . A s on e peruses hose se e a ce an c eco s the n um e ous o n s i n the o o a h t v r l I l di r rd , r p i t t p gr p y ’ ’ ’ ecome c ea e an d c ea e . O sb er n s L i e o Od o M . s accoun s b l r r l r r f f , W . t , — — an d th e early poem foun d an d quoted by him all these stren gthen the a o h n a a u ch i S ga rec rd as to t e atur l fe t res . E a detail will b e dealt with n th e work n ow in course of preparati on . 1 0 BRUNAN BURH

T he se ce f a owe ea on th es H eath . pre n o L r H th e w tern limit (the Barnston b order) implies former exist en ce of an upper h he h s f W n un . ea h each n a on t e o e d e i e . a e th H t , r i g l g ig t , ft r e t wo a es on the m e the a a e e had cease t o b e vill g , iddl ( p r ll l) ridg , d ’ n c u e w n Tb e ea had ecome a a e e ween two i l d d ithi H th , b b rri r b t ‘ ’ e n ea hs an d su e enou suc a ea h n ame n e r cedi g H t ; , r gh , h H t li g red

he Wen d un e n ee a on the w/i ole e the oun a on t . l g I d d, l g ridg ( M t), ’ ’ ea w hou U er ema ns in field - n ames he e and e e H th ( it t pp ) r i r th r , whe e enc os es an d n ot e een - cen an a on s r l ur , ight th tury fir pl t ti ,

o c own the he s as the oun o e s on h ave come t r ight , gr d b rd r

he n on he e the m n sh n an s u nen c ose Hig r B ebi gt . T r , di i i i g l d l d m us a e con n ue n a cen u or two a o t o ea the t h v ti d , u til t ry g , b r ’

s n Tb e ea h . n its t o e on ownsh old ame . e. e o wo (St r t ) t ip , i H t B y d a es the se e e o on of The ea of ol d con n ues vill g , v r d p rti H th ( ) ti

- t o d a s e enc osu e to b e ca e the L ower ea h . o e y , d e pit l r , ll d H t St r W t on a on es or u on . s in the same wa the en St ti li by p it J u t y,

une- H umb ersd n he h s as shown ha e een Tb e ou n d o ig t , , v b M t

h we e s e e n fe en a e as the B ow m n t e o a we s e o . l r ridg , , b i g dif r ti t d t

The oa ea n to the t wo St or etons to Til e H eatli om th r d l di g , fr e

ool fior d of em a a on and sem a a on or a he om p ( ) b rk ti di b rk ti , r t r fr the a e es e the a e once ca e oo - tun n ow vill g b id it, vill g ll d P l ( owe e n on h as for cen u es as een s o e sho L r B bi gt ) , , t ri p t , b t pp d rt ’ en c osu e of he e n on s Gor se H e e on the by l r Hig r B bi gt y y, b y d

es e n en of ch it s n en c n n ua on ema ns Th w t r d whi a ci t o ti ti r i . e wa w b e shown on m ma n its e en ua cou se v i a ac en y ill y p , i v t l r Br k

w oo and own the R ed . The oa om o e e n on d d Hill r d (fr L w r B bi gt ) , t o whe e has hus een s o e sh o is s ca e Tbe H ea t/t r it t b t pp d rt , till ll d

oa co n e e h a e a en ha n m om t e sm R d . It uld v r v t k t t a e fr h all h ea hs of owe e n on ov er c asse and be ond t L r B bi gt , whi h it p d , y h h ca ed its nam i c e h h w c e . s a a t e oa hus ass n i it rri It l r t t r d , t p i g

ec om the tun es e the oo of sem a a on le dir tly fr b id P l di b rk ti , d some assen e s om the e se a e s n ot e o he s owa s p g r fr M r y w t r ( , lik t r , t rd

ms a e and o h a es b ut to see The ea h en c h Bri t g N rt W l , ) k H t . H e t e ’ ‘ - oa s name . The ea h at its l i tl a tu n a oa o e r d At H t , , r d f rk d a way passin g on eithe r side of the n ow dried - up Pool or fior d of —‘ ’ N or tb Wirral forked t o one an d other of the N orth Wirral l en insulets . The one wa asses om e o e on wa p y p fr Littl St r t , by y 1 Th s or d an n e om the sea or om the e se wa of i fi , i l t fr ( fr M r y, by y a ase oo s e che n an om n ea L easowe each n sou h W ll y P l) tr t d i l d, fr r , r i g t , as f ar as L an d I can .

- ' a n ] l fl fi I t h BRUNANBURH 1 1 o en on the ot/zer om the o me a e t o an can and f Pr t , fr f r r vill g L di

e n h s a e oa us ou s e e o e on a e b yo d . T i l tt r r d, j t t id Littl St r t vill g , ‘ ’ w s s on ua e th e mound or oan of wh ch m en on a tr gly g rd d by M , i ti

m B e ac n ha l i l a - tu n a e e s om b e a e . ut e o e t will d , b f r r hi g t t , tr v ll r fr the Pool (from the fior d where n ow i s Port un h w h n owe e n on wou ass h ou h The S lig t, it i L r B bi gt ) ld p t r g ’ - - h s an c en e m Th e ea h s stor a tun a so a oa unc on . H t , l r d j ti T i i t t r H eath Road (or Heath Way) con firms that n arrower use of

‘ i s em o e I zei ar The ea h as use in th e a a i . e . he e , H t , d S g , w r it pl y d

o n ca the o n hea hs oun a ou the an d e u n s t i di te r lli g t r d b t big littl t , t he h ea hs of the two es of I the oun or at eas t ridg , ( ) M t ( l t n I n h s its Wen du n e portion) an d (2) the B ow mo t . t i pl ace I merely in stan ce on e of the passages showing that n arrower use

lzeibr whe e at the e nn n of ca . he s an a ea s Of , r , b gi i g p 5 4 , At l t pp r as at om o ou h an d is eco e t o h a e hea ha he e Br b r g , r rd d v rd t t t r had een h n on the hea h i e on The ea h a o the b fig ti g t . . H t , b ut two Stor et on s of tod ay . I n the a a o h ons an ne an d A n laf a a s attr i S g , b t C t ti pl y p rt ‘ ’ u e t o O a and the a m es of an an d um a b t d l f , r i Alb y C bri

a oache om the o h as E l a has m e . he ppr d fr N rt , g i pli d T y ma che wa of the ea woo s m en on e a so i n r d by y gr t d , ti d l ’ m r d n an d omes a un e P restune en on . H u b e s o D d y, d r (Pr t ) Wend une as ha e sh own o e h e o m the o n om , I v , t g t r f r M u t , fr ’ h s s —a s which t e oppo ite B ow mon t w as disti n gu i h ed . T o d y ‘ ’ sh un en oun oo w th its oun d n e of an c en r k M t W d , i b i g b lt i t ’ oa s the woo on th e ou n s Wen du n e en d e esen s k , d M t , r pr t

he We - nd n e oo the Vi n n a portion Of t n wood (or We u W d) , ’ s/eo r t he a a m os of its c ea e or ua e oun g Of S g , t l r d q rri d gr d

ha n een e an e w h n e o e a cen u a o . vi g b r pl t d ( it pi ) , v r t ry g The name Wood i s n ot t o b e expl ain ed by the compara tiv el ecen an n of ees o he han a ce ai n e of oa s y r t pl ti g tr , t r t rt b lt k , &c i s a m a n f he ou n as h . e a e o o It ri itiv ll ti t gr d , wit p pp — those wood - n ames of field s withi n Pren ton an d Wood — chu ch wh h e s he m en on . oca s eec a one r ic l ew re I ti L l p h , l ,

wou a so u e o e as e a s h s oun oo the ld b l t ly. pr v it r g rd t i M t W d , ‘ on oo co o u a in h s a cu a d s c wh ch ly W d ( ll q i lly), t i p rti l r i tri t, i n ow c n a n s o e i s the w o un e sa used as o t i trees . C v r(t) rd iv r lly ‘ the common n n o at eas us he e i s u sua ou . A Wo d l t j t r , lly

the o e n ame for a n ow ee ess enc os e commemo a n pr p r ( ) tr l l ur , r ti g 1 2 BRUNANBURH

Th e e name of the o n oo is oo what once it was. v ry M —u t W d pr f Of its antiquity of trees having gr own there an cest ors of the — esen oa s and man o he s on e o e it s nes e e pr t k , y t r l g b f r pi w r The name oun oo con a n s a so an a ona plan ted . M t W d t i l dditi l o a s was the on w oo u on the o na oun e pr ofth t thi ly d p ( rigi l) M t ridg , 1 e lon du n m e ae a en on s eech the ba d mikil eco e th g Of di v l Pr t p , r rd d 2 ma n of a e ae a e an . o eo e he e is con o by m di v l I c l d M r v r , r fir ti wh t

the a a m es i . e. a all the wa om the oun oo t o S g i pli , th t, y fr M t W d ’ n ea the n s en at the ch—w e e ms a e o e on and r bur b d Si h r Bri t g , St r t ,

u wa s n P oolton L ancel n mee — h a on P o lton (al y pro . y t rig t l g ’ ha oun s summ the summ of the Weond une- H umb er s t t M t it , it don e—e en e as n a e i n the e h een cen u a ridg xt d d , u til l t ig t th t ry, h h - n s e c of o en ea - an a on ch the a ho ig lyi g tr t h p h th l d , l g whi ut r ’ thought of Athelstan s tents as havi ng reached from the wood ’ n n n h s o s en cl o s ide t o the bu rnside . Pre to tow s ip Wo d Hey ( ’ su res) show the woo d s former exten si on t o westward . Right ’ ’ upon P r enton s Wood Heys abuts Stor eton s Welsh G raves This last - named fi eld marks but on e Of many such b oun d ar ies e ween the n an and the s or e sh b t A gli Briti h , W l a of an mes The m r an o h the Wirr l Arthuri ti . li it thr ug

oo e e now S o e on and en on mee e e s an or w d , wh r t r t Pr t t , wh r t d ,

ecen st oo se e a an c en mea e- s on es r an for m es r tly d , v r l i t r t . It il , ’ e e and he e i n - z a ash on om T r an mere s o ch h r t r zig g f i , fr N rth Dit , ’ v ia the e s G a es v ia Thin wall s a e ea s o m n W l h r v , g D l H p , f r i g ’ th e co o n on s C o L e o s d e the B r unanw er c en p by Th r t p y, ut i , th ’ on to on s Co r av es f on n as we e the H ad o Burt pg , r ti g, it r , l w, the H ad on as e of ea n s se e s and on t o d C tl , rly E gli h ttl r , ’ P addi ton s C o r av s ng pg e . I d oubt n ot that the Storeton term Wel sh G raves came t o su es the s o e e the oo the a a ma e two gg t p t wh r , by w d , S g d

1 2 v . n 0 a . n . v e . 0 n f a i fr , p 3 . t xt Of p 3 , i r . 3 — Gr av es (primarily) in the sen se of ditches or tren ch es as to both e sh G a es an d Co r av e W l r v pg s. ’ ’ Flin tshir e s E n l efield s c somewha cr w w g di tri t , t o ded ith early En gli sh - ace names et as to s eech r e- C eltici sed for a housan ea s as as pl (y , p , t d y r p t) , m uch I ’ po n ts to the plai n t of the Briton s as Wirral s Wel s/z Graves an d o s an d o h ch n ca e n sh ecau on so h D i lake C p N rt Dit i di t E gli pr ti . Cf. al t e g ’ D o L a e ? of ms a e n ea the o e a m an d L an di n s ( u k ) Bri t g ( r B rd r F r ), ca D i ea or M ed g M d d s . The former fi eld (the D iglake) must have formed a e en ce b esI d e the G a ton war d en d the B r un an wer hus h two d f y Of c. T , t e h en en I n sulets wh ch w h a e n ow (t ) p i , it W ll y ( Wallasey pari sh) forme d o h a a t h e o t e n a ow s a on D s . all al N rt Wirr l , dd d rr trip l g ee ide, i e. Wirr BRUNANBURH 1 3

1 ma b ha a e -cen a h sh a s t o a . e o Wel e rl f ll It y t t tw lfth tury ut r,

n n an was es ons e for some am ca on he e visiti g E gl d , r ibl lifi ti , t r — p p a writer hailing from M an (ever in close touch with Wirral) or n n e es from some more d istant S can dinavia la d . Cl arn s emerges — — even from errors paradox as it may seem when the graphic h f narrative is inte rpreted by t e light o l ocal knowledge . O ne of h e men on n ow : the au ho ou seem com n t ese rrors I ti t r w ld , i g t o the oun t o ha e m s a en an can for the bor gr d , v i t k L di g ’ h ea h The bor of such an au ho s ece n orth Of T e H t . g t r r ived tradition must r eally have been cl ose by the spot wher e

en on hu ch has een u e ha s a he h he n e Pr t C r b b ilt , p r p r t r ig r , ar

s an The n the groun d where t he Reservoir t ds. M ou t H ouse n o d oubt represen ts the homestead which sprang Up i n proximity

i s h ha me o ess a own ou e to ts e . a e n a e se m it R t r t r f rtr , t w ld to have been looked for (and eventually treated as the Vi n ' - b i e . he t un s e eibar bor of the o en u e . t a wh ch g W lf b tt l t d , i to - da as h een cen es a o kee s its two o ms an can y, t irt turi g , p f r , L di ‘ ’ and the ancan of a ec . was . anna who as th L Di l t It St C , e

oun d ess of its ea ch c mus ha e en ha n am f r rly ur h, t v giv t t e . ‘ . an ae o an d ande ae o and o e such a s f Cf Ll f l g Ll f l g , th r p ir o names show n a e a e i n the s h cen u t o n ames i g pr fix ppli d , ixt t ry,

h h —i - o f e c sa n s . uc of r a e. t o se w o C lti i t M No t Wirr l . a ard f 2 — the old N orth Ditch or Wel sh G raves retain s British n ames

e on the co s con nue a uas - sh a e an ce un or sified b y d p , ti d q i Briti ll gi , til N by n s m a h es an d e en ua awn n o the n o- o se com Viki g y p t i , v t lly dr i t A gl N r m un . B el ow hes e wou seem h a e en the Roman s had n e e ity C t r, it ld t t v v r u th a red ced e D eeside portion Of C ilgwr i (Wirr l) . T h e B a e is c ut n o the o n of a an u a of ho n on igl k i t by p i t tri g l r bit T r t , ou sl the si e of a m oun oo n e he wa u an d own th e c os s Obvi y t d , l ki g it r y, p d r oa a mo un whi ch w h the a e on ce on n has o o us ua e r d , d , it l k fr ti g it , bvi ly g rd d ‘ t he o Th e D i e l n wn m r ad . g M ad ies just outside a li e dra fro th e Wel sh G a s o h r ve t t e D ale H eaps . 1 If a twelfth -c en tu ry au thor did n ot view the groun d an d su pply n o ma on t o the far o h hen we ar e o ce to a ac u on i f r ti N rt , t f r d f ll b k p ’ a m a on of the e ous a on s accu ac in ce an d ir ti pr vi tr diti r y, I l d . 2 A s on the n sh e s e of D ee to seaw a r d an n sh co on , Fli t ir id , , E gli l y ’ ecam r - l i i s on W r r a l wa e e C e t c sed o ee s i si e to sea e . to n o h b , D d , rd , i . rt wa e on h a o h ch a e sh or sh emn an con n ue rd, b y d t t N rt Dit , W l Briti r t ti d ’ t o b e m e e in cou se m in th n n u n o- o s m e e e s a s e co mun . rg d , r Of ti , p i l A gl N r ity T o th is N orth Wirral remn an t we might add yet m ore survivi n g Wel sh all ’ a on a s ees e . en ua the who e of sh or e sh a l g Wirr l D id Ev t lly, l Briti W l Wirr l , of Wi r r a l be on d th e co s ecam e or sified h ou h se emen y p , b N t r g ttl t ’ of the on s VI kin a es—the can n a an e emen e en ass n Brit g lli S di vi l t v p i g, m ‘ ’ to s o e en v i . h n e o er th e co s e . t e ch or a n o xt t, p ( dividi g dit gr ves i t n an a whe e the n am s not e n n sh ar a mos en A gli Wirr l, r e ( b i g E gli ) e l t tirely 1 4 BRUNA NB URH

o se h s w b e seen om the ma i n m o hcom n wo whe e N r . T i ill fr p y f rt i g rk , r w b e h wn t he irreg ular lin e between An glian an d Briti sh Wirral ill s e . i n a - am s B ut in N or t/ a w h some n sh , an d man , p ce n e , z Wirr l , it E gli — y V ki g l we seem to fin d n ot a few of Brit - Roman origi n in addition to the Briti sh — D omv lle he d edi cati on s n ames rather military than hagi ological . i (t ’ n ow h a n ame ? wou a ea to ha e een on e . O on O xto t n s ip s e rlier ) ld pp r v b xt , h as su es th e a r m on fire oke m ean n as . o n woo e i g , Mr C lli g d gg t d , f y , w ou as sa e sewhe e a h e seem to b e a an s a on D omv ille ld , I y l r , r t r tr l ti Of n The ea of d un as b i l l seem s to ha e n e e i n th e (D u ville) . id ( ) v li g r d o a m n in o es a a n s o se n o uc on of ob h a un e l c l i d , pr t t g i t N r i tr d ti , rdly d r s oo . h s con n ue un O ur own me in th e un c ous se e t d T i ti d til ti , p tili ly Ob rv d ’ h ha wh the ace - n ame on of to O on . i s n o ewo e additi Hill xt It t rt y t t , il pl ’ was e O on or O on the e son a an d am n ame was oc ver xt ( x ) Hill, p r l f ily Y k ’ ’ o n h o - ech Th e sam e e s s en c as in a n to s n i t e f lk spe . p r i t y ( ddi g Hill ’ O xton ) was ob served in the placin g of H ole after the n ame of Cheshire s

w as . a as a a s h s on . M a e own es e t e a ch i . e . a a t b id M r , M lp (pr p ) M lp pp r t o h een an s a e the om esda sc e to D e en b ech . B ut ave b tr l t d by D y rib , p , u n e O on w h D omv ille D e en b ech h as a e to ec se a as lik xt ( it ) , p f il d lip M lp ow n o a to the su a un a ecen cen u of e sh as a i g , pr b bly, rviv l, til r t t ry, W l u h h i s n o wo h lan guage of th at [ gli er D eeside district Of C es ire . It te rt y h a the a as n ame h as een ese e in two o he coun es n ot e sh t t M lp b pr rv d t r ti W l , ach c- s ea n n o e n m s or a e mean o n wa yet e Celti p ki g till H a v ria ti e l t r . I C r ll n on mou h h a d M t s ire . ’ T h h h Thur sd on hu s on ea h or ommon o n s on e ig T r t H t C , y ki g Bid t ’ ’ Hill with wh at (beside Wat s H eath) may have been the Wa t s D un ‘ ’ he s on e i seems to h a e een the dun wh ch in n mes (W t t ) , v b i , Viki g ti , ‘ ’ ecame the ok —O on at a a e a e com n en e to su an b xt , l t r d t , i g tir ly ppl t

D omv ill e. o n on i k m h n h - Roman n ame n O s Kn oc toru e a s a o e . Adj i i g xt , p r p t r Brit i s h w m h ot n oc n oc a a en t e e sh en e a u . M a n K k, pp r tly, W l , l py ill y K k h a e ece e a L at . en . u . of the m c dw r or dw r wa e or v pr d d g pl r Cy ri f ( t r) , - he e u a en ? . the e n ames o e ou o o e o e . Cf . t ir q iv l t Cf riv r D r , D r , D v , D v y , ’ h r n d ow r l n a a so w e s fo D ee an d G e e e sh G r dw . l , Dyfrd y (W l ) l (W l y yf y) T h e positi on of the rocky (lumpy) h ill at Kn ocktor um (n ow often written N octor u m u n out to the low oun s of th e u ond am oo or n e ), j tti g gr d q p l i l t , wou m t con m h on su Th e a u w ld see o fir t e d erivati ggested . W ter F rro (n ear to th e C ar Bridge Fi eld s an d th e H olms) flan ks the outst an d ’ in n oc at some e s an ce u the e ool to sou hwa . g K k littl di t p dri d p , t rd o ac - n ame i s at som e u h s an e in h a - a d n e s c c t e se w r ec o i . e . F rd (pl ) di t dir ti , n ea e the sea. he he a causewa s o e th flow as t h n e r r W t r y t pp d e , e i l t a oach e the sea or n ot whe h e th e on l ou e was wa of a ase ppr d , , t r y tl t by y W ll y oo an d the e se or n ot we ha e the s n n n am o o n P l M r y, , v ig ifica t e D ve P i t ’ es e the ace whe e b ut for an such causewa the oo s m ou h b id pl r , y y, p l t

- — w ou ha e een . a a n seems e Kn ocktor um to con a n an ld v b It , g i , lik t i a us on t o the dw r or dw r wh ch o ou s un n mes e en e ll i f , i , bvi ly til Viki g ti , xt d d e w en wha h n w h h o n b t e t t e ere t e two N ort Wirral pen in sul ets . D ve Poi t a ea s to ha e mu ch he sam mean n a I n ha f n pp r v t — e i g s Aberdo—vey . t t e coun try where Cars aboun d at least as livi n g n ames the Fen der n ame s eems to h a e een a e to each of two or mo e s u sh s eams e en v b ppli d r l ggi tr , v to h a e ecome a comm on n oun s n n h ut h v b ig ifyi g ditc es c . It as al ready ’ een su es e ha th e e m en e s su is a o m f dw r b gg t d t t t r F d r ffix f r o D ore ( ) . T he su i s sh m n e e o i n h ose s c s . T o e the e m n a n d or u z ffix v r rt t di tri t , t r i tio or od u r u nz wou a ea to con m h a su es on h Kn ocktor u m ld pp r fir t t gg ti . Wit cf . L act odor u m owces e or en n Kn o k or um the (T t r F y c t , if e a on su es e h e e b e en a e wou seem to h a e een ff e en d riv ti gg t d r t bl , ld v b di r t iated (as the kn ock Of the waters) from an other Kn ock stan din g farther ’ ac w h n the same en in sulet ea e me G ud ack s n oc or b k, it i p Of rli r ti . d K k BRUNANBUR H 1 5

- 1 or e ca ons . en in a . n seems t o d di ti Ev Mid Wirr l , St Sili

ha e ma e ou on L ancel n as a o me ans i n as v rk d P lt y f r r ( Ll li , ’ - 2 the site o f Low er B ebington s o rigin al mother church .

oo was o ou s a e in the s n s an ce to the se to eas wa N k bvi ly ppli d, fir t i t , ri t rd , ’ ‘ ’ a se wh ch w h Kn ocktor um s n oc o ms t he a e in th e e h ri i , it k k, f r v ll y d pt f h I n th i wh h n s th e owe o t e o ch a s cu a n of . Of i c sta d l r r rd e oc p t o Mr . W T . h ac son . c us e of we n s on tb a t he a of h s se wh ch J k A l t r d lli g , ( ig r) p rt t i ri i ’ comes w h n O on own sh e a n e ha h -n ame G uddack s n oc it i xt t ip , r t i d t t ill ( K k or oo un a ou o ea s a o or es h s h a o on of or N k) til b t f rty y r g , l s. T i ill , p rti , co n c n w h th e o n a Thur sdon or o o e a ea s to ha e een i idi g it , rigi l b (y k ) , pp r v b om wh h Kn o o m the Kn ock fr i ch t e ckd r u or Kn ocktor u m was di stingu i sh ed . h a e men on e ha h he o on of hesh e o m n m uch I v ti d t t ig r p rti D eeside C ir , f r i g o h n - d a n as an am d on f t e prese t y H u dred Of Broxt on . It con tain s M alp d F e sh R edi n v r e h s s c as h n e h ch an ( , e seems t e a s W l — T i di tri t i t d , , lik— M r l d farther south b ut so u n like the li ttl e l a n d of Wirral t o h ave remai n ed in a e sh - s ea n un a ecen me h ou h on the n sh s e p rt W l p ki g til r t ti , t g E gli id h of the M arc . M ay n ot stron g British survivals h ave caused th e T eyr n llwg n ame to h n to or ema n w h n u n ea e n sh mes ? S ri k , r i it i , it , d ri g rli r E gli ti We a a n ouch u on n ames i n —L s a cf o n g i t p N orth Wirral i c rd ( . C r ’ wa s L s ea an d an me e un h een h cen u Tr an mor e ll i k rd) Tr r , til t e n in et t t ry

med . Tr an mol l or Tr anmoel cf . a o n sh r emor l e i n the a sh of ( ) ; C r i T , p ri

u o cf . a so as e R ch a d e L n mor e o he w se L on n or l e St . J li t ; l , M t r i rd o g l ( t r i g a son of the chu ch of esse wh om h oca an ua of a o m e p r r N t e l l tiq ry, f r r ’ d a has con use w h a s ess a own sh wh ch n ev er b a d a y, f d it Wirr l N , t ip i a sh hu ch as e R ch h u n h - n c . a was in ea t e o ee ce u p ri r M t r i rd , r lity, f rt t t ry

ec o of u e an o he ace I . e . G ea ess o he w se ess an e or r t r q it t r pl , r t N , t r i N Str g ’ n s ess in the coun of a Ki g N ty S lop. The origin al T r an moll or Tr an moel village stan ds upon such a hill as o m m the n ame w uld see to i ply . I n exten din g suggesti on s as to Arthurian l ocalities of whi ch the Gr een a lzt oman ce a m s a at eas to b e on e m ec 1 5 to aw g r d it Wirr l l t , y Obj t dr ‘ ’ a n on o such of m o os o m er l su esti n s tte ti t y pr p iti n s as may b e e y gg o . 1 . S u l i an in B r i ttan . hou h e en s e ha s m o e e a e St , y T g l g d , p r p r r li bl , ha e ma e him a son of a o h e sh n B r ocmael an d e en u a an v d N rt W l ki g ( ) , v t lly em an to an et a on li as m n n e h i m as of m o can igr t Britt y, y tr diti e tio d Ar ri ’

am a son of owe ab E m r L l d aw on e of hu s n h s . N or f ily, H l y y , Art r k ig t can we won e at h s assoc a on we fin d the a on - ou n e s of d r t i i ti , if p tr f d r hu ch s in a o n n a a h — n l n ow e i n ton d c r e dj i i g Wirr l—p ri s es L a ce yn ( B b g ) an L an can n ow oo ch u ch t o h a e een n an d an n a a on a di ( W d r ) v b Sili C , tr diti lly e u e s cous n s— e ha s err on eousl thou h w hou ou f or some r p t d fir t i p r p y, g ( it t d bt) ’ eason . For as i s we n own the a e s n ame has at eas een han e r , ll k , l tt r l t b d d own as h a of a an ch to the same E m r L l daw h a of a n cess d t t gr d ild y y , t t pri n of the Arth uri a H ou se . he e ar e e ca on s to n in the con uous coun en hsh e T r d di ti Sili tig ty (D big ir ) , while Ca n n a appears to have been the foun dress Of more L langa n s than — ’ on e oss too of Gl oucester shir e s L an can t a n ame wh ch in a p ibly, , , i , Wirr l ’ a Wi t eas m h ha e own om L an can . M a n ot the oun de O f rr al s l t , ig t v gr fr y f r ’ in a e a ase of D en b i h shi r e s s oc h a e een Kirby W ll y (W ll y) , g Erbi t k , v b a m of con e o a I l ar or E ler iu s ess n own han . a es ? Y et t p r ry , l k t St Hil ry Arl the e e ca on s at es an d hes e o n to some Bridg t d di ti , W t Kirby C t r, p i t interrupti on of the C eltic rul e to commemorate an act ual foun der ; so does ’ . a n ame n m L an a c s e n at o o ou h . the c e at U on St P tri k , li g ri g Br b r g If r , pt ’ in a e e sen s a ch u ch wh ch ece e the O e U on s Wirr l , r pr t r i pr d d v r Kirk , pt sh e ca on wou seem to ha e een os Briti d di ti ld v b l t . 2 ou on L an cel n n ow ch u ch ess w h its au h e - own sh of P lt y ( r l ) , it d g t r t ip L owe e n on ma o me a n e man T he n a comm s r B bi gt , pri rily f r d si gl or. Origi l i 1 6 BRUNANBURH

B the n o e e of The ea a o e the s o her e y rth dg H th , b v p t w e f ll ’ C on s an n e s son we s an an d o s u t ti , t d l ok o thward t o the

’ ’ ‘ sion er s omes a eco as to P on ton e w on c D d y r rd ( , r gly tran s ribed Pon t on e ’ m h s m r a so u e con s . . O r e od s esk r e L owe n b l t ly fir t i Cf Ck i . r B ebi gton ‘ ’ village was th en P ool tun the fl ouri shin g tu n whi ch had spru n g up ’ beside the Pool orfi or d stretchin g n orthward from j ust within the mouth of ’ t he un e u n s un s h s o n a oo the u n s a fior d who it d b r br T i rigi l P l ( b r tid l ) , lly ’ w h n o un h s esen ec n c s ecen eache t o n it i P rt S lig t pr t pr i t , r tly r d Bebi gton

a on b ut is n ow n ea . cou n ot om the s h a e en St ti , rly dry It ld , fr fir t, v giv n am e to the r esen t sh un en ou on ou on L an cel n ha own h p r k P lt (P lt y ) . T t t s ip li es right away from it (from the or igi n al P ool far up the side of the burn ad ectiv ed the n ame of om o ou h wh ch own a so the s eam i j by Br b r g , i t , l by tr , s os e to tr an sr i ari an ou on s ca d o R opp it p P lt ( o lled to ay) . N either c uld aby ‘ m dam R ab e e h a con e th u ha ill ( M r ve f rred e Po lton n ame. It s ’ n e e ouche ou on . e e he ess i s oss e ha the am v r t d P lt N v rt l , it p ibl t t d s ‘ ’ ’ — i . a e e s eau if i ( . e R by M r ) b ty it d d exi st i n th e twelfth cen tury ’ ma h a e cause th e e e or d am as w el l as tlze tid al P ool of y v d it ( M r ) , em ar a on m uch n ea e the mou tk of the u n s to b ca e b k ti , r r b r , e rri d over by oman ce s n ow n h s ou on L an cel n —ca e o e as the L ake r r k i g t i (P lt ) y rri d v r, ’ to assoc a on w h L an ce o s n ame. A s has us een ema e ha i ti it l t j t b r rk d, t t r ea u n had en n ame to un an bu h om o ou h th e own on g t b r giv Br r (Br b r g ), t h n a a o en in ulet n h h t e tur lly f rtified p s l o g wat c ed by E n gli sh kin gs . W il e ’ the bu r n s a o on con n ue to b e ca e the u n the or d in accor tid l p rti ti d ll d b r , fi , ’ an ce w h oca cus om ema n e th e oo . hen the oo came d it l l t , r i d P l T , P l a ua to n c u e the mou h of th e u n an d o a the same oo gr d lly i l d t b r , pr b bly P l an d u n we e o e he ca e the L ake in acco an ce w h a s on b r r t g t r ll d , rd it tr g

oca cus om as to such wa e s. These a wa e s a en o e he l l t t r tid l t r , t k t g t r, ‘ ’ ‘ ’ h a e come t o b e om o ou h oo hou h for a me Tke oo v Br b r g P l , t g ti p l , ‘ (or l ake Thi s n o doubt in di cated both di suse an d compari son with ‘ an me e oo e the a e of wh ch in o man mes Tr r P l ( Birk t tr d i , N r ti , a ua c s h a o th m u h - n on an cho gr d lly e lip ed t t f e Bro b oro g B ebi gt rage. For a e l e s cam e to u se the sho e c oss n om en hea to tr v l r rt r r i g, fr Birk d L e oo me ae a L ther ole e sh L er wl an d in ecen a ec iv rp l, di v lly y p (W l p , r t di l t ‘ ’ ’ ‘ - L er le or L et a i . e . the L owe P 001 2 . hus en hea oo p p r ) T , Birk d t k the affi c on ce m on o o e th e fior d an d the mou h of the om tr , p liz d by t Br - m o ou h e n on wa e s. en ce n s an d e en en hea on s b r g B bi gt t r H , Viki g , v Birk d k ’ somewha a e ma h a e nown all h s om o ou h oo on e t l t r, y v k t i Br b r g P l by ’ r h m n l r m r od o ot er of n a es sig ifying th e o d (or di su sed) Pool [cf . O e s

keski r e . n t o n sh om an me e oo . C II 4 5 8 . ] di sti gui it fr Tr r P l ’ e a n i s ha for such a eason h s om o ou h - e n on wa e s C rt i it t t, r , t i Br b r g B bi gt t r or d o on es e L owe e n on was e en ua n own as the O ld fi p rti , b id r B bi gt , v t lly k ’ oc . n won For en h a o was ow n u e en in the D k An d o der. Birk e d Pri ry gr i g p v wel h cen u a e on cen ce om wa cau se o n - houses t ft t ry ; l t r , li fr Ed rd I I dl dgi g ’ t o b e u . B i r kenhead s P i l ri m ee eca s h s whe e i t i s s en e e b ilt g Str t r ll t i , r till t r d ’ h om a s G a e. on s an d n n ee e s he e su e se e os s n fr Fri r t M k i k p r , t r , p r d d t livi g n ea the old c oss- oa wh e e the ate un n n om G a on a oache r r r d , r g (r i g fr yt ) ppr d om Tker e th a n ame an d the hou ses n own I n our Br borough P ool . e Spit l k o wn d ay as Win dy H arbour an d Needl ess I n n go to record the pr e ‘ ’ o man h s o of L owe e n on the oo - tun of ol d to eco N r i t ry r B bi gt , P l , r rd ‘ t he ec n e in e a ost- o m an a s of af c at the B r ombor ou k d li , rly p N r d y , tr fi g ’ oo . A s the oo un L owe eb n on had seen a oo cha e s i n P l P l t , r B i gt P l p l pr g u a he awa om its a e s n u in eu of the sh i s ea p, r t r y fr vill g , pri g p li Briti k rk t d ’ i n ha man o s L an l n n o a e to cu en e en the t t r ce y porti o . Appr pri t ly rr t l g d, ’ ha t a c e was ca e . n w s so was the a a ess eco e t p l ll d St A dre ; Spit l N , r rd d , L ichfield as the os a D en wall or D an ewall ow n t o its os on at , H pit l Of , i g p iti ’ ’ ess s ch h s n accoun of in O r mer od s N bea an d port ; v . t e intere ti g t it

1 8 BRUNA NBURH

’ Wh en th at e d or d elta was manor ially ' div ided between n on and mo e n ms a e two esh comm n es the T hor t d r Bri t g ( fr u iti ) , — c ose Castel l L leon e ha s a was e castl e of Roman ce. e ae al l by, p r p t M di v E n glishmen (mi stakin g l l eon for lion s ?) called H olt (Castell L l eon ’ of L on s & Rom an ce s ma n ee ha e hou h of wh en the Vil y r y i d d v t g t it, ’ they n amed a L i on s Field an d other person al an d place-n ames com i h Fam o s p oun ded of l i on . It s wit don (as R edin v r e just acr s the D ee r om o ha to some the o Kilhwch an d O wen wou seem to (f H lt) t t, , St ry Of l ld ’ n om hu s cou n u is s ma e of th e ouse of C il wr i poi t . Fr Art r rt , i q iry fir t d l g

Kil ur r wh ch is at eas the sh n ame for a . The em ass ( g y) , i l t Briti Wirr l b y h s a of v r l h h h w b of l wr i hen oes to t e R ed in e ed e s se C i . t g t g , t it r by t i i ird g M ay n ot that b e the cran e whi ch Roman ce makes to have kept gu ard over the l i ttl e l an d men ti on ed in the text ? M ay n ot Wen dun e or B ow — — ’ mont both associated with the Storeton m an or h ave been a h igh rock in mid - coun u on wh ch has een su ose to s an an d e a a m ? try, p i it b pp d t d giv l r ’ We emem e ha om r e- an a en e mes at eas mid - a s o e r b r t t , fr p Pl t g t ti l t, Wirr l St r ton an d di stan t P uddin gton (the latter on the Wel sh fron tier) were togeth er he of the a the o es e of a —he cor n a e a se ce ld E rl by F r t r Wirr l ld by g , rvi ‘ ’ ’ eca l n chaun ticl eer s u e- ho n eca n th e w se of ea e r l i g b gl r , r lli g i bird rli r i o e o m h n n Wirral . Thes e ex ofi c l ords of Stor t n ust ever ave bee i close

ouch w h the Ea s of hes e . exan e a s e who o a n e t it rl C t r Al d r M gi t r, bt i d ’ o e on an d the of ce ma a e w h an a s wa is sa thus to St r t , fi , by rri g it E rl rd , id ‘ ’ a sen h u h ha n b n u o to ha o en a e s son the r ea h ve ri t ro g vi g ee t t r t t p t t t , g t

Ran e c usa e in a e ea s. Ran e m a e on s an ce an dl , r d r l t r y r dl rri d C t Of Britt y , ’ n ce G eoff e s e c who mu s h a e een a cen a u e in the e a Pri r y r li t, t v b tr l fig r r viv l m n G ir aldus ma ec one as amon h ailed by M archer Ro a cers. y b e r k d g

hese i e . when oun ess on s an ce en e a n e him at hes e . H e has t , . C t C t t rt i d C t r h own n o e h u on the wa s a on s e an d o e D ee as we as t r littl lig t p y l g id v r , ll u on the c oss - oa s—on e to B asin wer k o we an o he fr om p r r d g (H ly ll) , t r ’ a n — w n Ken ti er n s two G to o e a oa s e en n e ee . y , v r Wirr l r d xt di g b t St g c es a an a ow Wh h on s an b ou h h r son s h d s . e e ce e iti Of St . A p Gl g t r C t r g t to hes e or n o am unaw e H is e n ame o n s to the e al C t r, , I ar . v ry p i t r viv men on e an d ma b e ha oun hu h un e o e o e on w h ti d , it y t t y g Art r t d v r St r t , it ’ his s e - a he an d the a s u on d am u o e an e a s e t p f t r l tter q t t r, Al x d r M gi t r , ’ Storeton s o h him whe h e h ou h his h o n - ow n f ce or l rd . Wit , t r t r g r bl i g O fi om o he sou ces the e en of the sh ouse of C il wr i m us ha e fr t r r , l g d rill l g t v een resh in memo h a ol d C il wr i n ame L at H il cur ia seems to b f ry . T t g ( . ) ’ n e on n a u a en ou h in H ilb r e e o n the en n su a s n o h li g r , t r lly g , ( ) P i t, p i l rt w s Y h mon r o h ma w h asso e t extremity. et C ester ks o t ers y ell ave cia ted ’ the hea an as the s an c ose wi h a sa n to whom hu n a s dl d, i l d l by, t i t T ri gi u h n am s ch a l on Hildb rg ause n e would eem t o con tain an allusion . A pe ’ the H ilb r e e s an off H ilb r e e o n ma ha e een e ca e to ( ) I l d , ( ) P i t , y v b d di t d ’ . H ildeb ur h n con se u T he wr i o on of a s ea n ame St g i q en ce. g p rti Wirr l rly ’ ’ e i s or G wri s retreat ?) would alm ost seem to have adjectiv ed the ka li w r m n en in our own (tail) ith whi ch N o se e associated Wirral. Ev ’ ’ - - - ea d a ma n e s we e won to n ame the oc s tai l of hesh e . rly y, ri r r t it C k C ir ’ Wir heal Wirkal e seem ha to h a e ea n e an n sh n ame ( ) s rdly v r d E gli , except i n so f ar as C ilgwr i may h ave been con tracted to Kil in early

n sh mes. Yet an o he H al e he e i s smal e b ut of e sha e w h E gli ti t r t r , l r, lik p , it Wi h r h ale . e . on the L an cash e s e e se c ose n es wh c , i ir id Of M r y, l by Wid , i as n am e m h a to h a e een fe en a e acco n to th e ea l t ig t ppear v b dif r ti t d, rdi g id ’ some om R un k/zor n e Run co n o os e hesh e. oo fo wa Of , fr ( r ) Of pp it C ir I l k r rd to show n mo sen a to can n a an ch a ac e s cs of the i g re, pre tly, s S di vi r t ri ti ’ e se s e coun a w as occas on a ca e the M r y id try . If Wirr l i lly ll d Kil (by ea n sh eta n n the e h s e om [ ( i l urr Ci l wr i rly E gli , r i i g pr fix), t i pr fix, fr g y ( g ), would seem to have remained in that peculiarly Anglian countr y between BRUNANBURH 1 9 s r n o - name the r or ca on or co ec on of de t o gh ld Of g eat f tifi ti , ll ti ’ B u n u e s s as i n E thelwer d s i . e d n on n h en ces . r na f , , E gli lip ,

e and th e om o ou h en in sulet. on s e the u n each n Chest r Br b r g p Al g id b r , r i g om the u on s to o o ou h I t wou a mos a ea e en ua to fr S tt Br mb r g , ld l t pp r v t lly i a — ifi d o h a wa of h s h ave been cal led the K l d le mod e t C ild . By y t i a n o a s c c ow e w h En sh ace- n ames he s an app re tly l y l di tri t, r d d it gli pl , At l t m o u h in h n s h a n ow h e w m a ch o o t e s an ce. ould r t Bro b r g , fir t i t C ild ( C ild r) ff e a om ho n on - ih -th - ou h whe e we Th orn ton would b e di ren ti ted fr T r t e H g , r m h l a e s e cut h ou h th r ed san s on e i n a he reme b er t e o d vill g tre t t r g e d t , , r t r

h an on the hau r on wh ch the a e i s n ow seen to s an . So tha t , g i vill g t d t - a th h a wou a u a n am he o he ho n on the wh ole Kil d l e ( e C ild ) ld n t r lly e t t r T r t , tun s an d hams roun d about that central village b ei n g distin gui sh ed by o Kilh orn a on s as h o n s of the com ass & c. he i s a s a s i n di c ti to t e p i t p , T re l n ea the N esses wh ch s c ma ha e o me an o n a Kilhor n r , i di tri t y v f r d rigi l hu a a n cf . R un com h ose e en ua ess an s in ocess of e g i , ; t ( v t lly N ) l d , pr rri d n sh n am n hus s n u sh e om the - dal e ? T he a e E gli i g, t di ti g i d fr Kil l tt r, a mos a a n wou in i ts n ame as seem n of n a on a a he l t pl i , ld, , i g ti l, r t r han oca o n a ea to con m wha ohn Rh s h as sa as to t l l , rigi , pp r fir t Sir J y id ‘ ’ ’ the a ns of Te r nllw v . ca . on The m i n Celti c B r i tazfln oes pl i y g ; p Ky ry , D n ot thi s (Kil-dale or Childa seem to b e on e of the pl ai n s of T eyrn llwg ? ou C il r i ha mean th e ea of th bel ov ed ki n Qy. C ld gw ve t e r tr t e g ‘ ’ ‘ ’ As a ea men on e n ea the wh o e of th e o n a oo or oc lr dy ti d , rly l rigi l P l D k (the in let from the stream n ow almost m on opolizin g the n ame Brom or ou h oo h as of a e ea s een i e u The n ames of the O ld b g P l) , l t y r , b dr d p . oc ea ows o e w n ess or a he th e an c en oa wh ch wa of D k M d b r it , r t r i t r d i , by y hem l ed o e H i her r an mer e an d to h s oo hose wh o had a o e t , , v r g T t i P l, t v id d n h m o at ran r o cr ossi g t e S um er F rd ( T me e P ol) . The architectural hi story of L ower Bebin gton Church would seem to o n to the n sh ch a e h e e s n es e the a e es e the p i t E gli p l t r ri i g b id vill g , b id ’ L an cel n man o s or i i n al oo -tun on e o e the o m an e o of y r g P l , l g b f r N r p ri d wh h w a I n t m had n s m ic e tre t . ye early ti e it e tirely eclip ed the al ost fo o n m h -chu h h an cel n un - s ea A s th e cha e rg tte ot er rc at t e L y t t d . p l ecame a ch a e n t on n ow H i her e n t on an d all the own b p ro i l, B bi g ( g B bi g ) t sh s su oun n the a e ac n ow e e h s ow n chu ch as he ip rr di g l tt r, k l dg d t i gr i g r t ir mo h e an d the on ce oo -tun a e es e as he chu ch - own t r , ( P l ) vill g , b id it , t ir r t of L ow er n on A s h s as had ma een un e he an i en Bebi gt . t i l t pri rily b d r t c t L an cel n chu ch so the sou s of an m e e en on an d much or all of t he y r , l Tr r , Pr t , Birken head pen in sul et must have been I n charge of t he pri est of the D un ’ an o he on e chu ch o a on Wend un e s ea es h e h n ea Kirk, t r l ly r , pr b bly gr t t ig t , r ’ wh e e n ow is the oun ouse n ea wh e e on ce was on s an n e s r M t H , r r C t ti ’ - - ‘ Vi n hei dar bor . ha es or en we as s ms at the woo g T t pri t pr d lt, it ee , d lan a m of P r e on on ce w P r e t n h nt en s a e . he e t e oo or n e d f r ( ritt ) T r , P l , i l t e en n e ween Kn ocktor um an d oo chu ch e u an d e o e xt di g b t W d r , dri d p, , b f r o man mes had asse en on own sh i n e the n ow c hu N r ti p d, Pr t t was u d r ( rch ’ ess L an can or a he un e L an can 5 on c au h ch u ch I n h l ) di , r t r d r di e d g ter) r t e e en e woo an e on the o m an d C a h a cha e wh e n ow i s xt d d dl d b y d H l r , t t p l er o h h Wo dc urc . T he eo e of en on and O on o he w se D omv ill e came e ha s p pl Pr t xt ( t r i , p r p as en an s of on e man o to c oss the e oo to oo chu ch t t r, r dri d p l W d r , y wh l e the other D unkir kwar d t own sh on ce the D un r i ip , Kirk F eld (o D un e L e l a e wa s Sumrefor d or an me e came un h k r y ) , ft r rd Tr r , der t e gr ow in h ch L w n on oc h s o n ha g c ur of o er Bebi gt . If l al i t ria s d n ev er told u s ’ ’ th at tradition said L ower Bebi n gt on s Pool Ch apel of Old h ad a so een ca e th e h e hu ch or h e ha l b ll d W it C r W it C pel , it would y h a e een ce a n ha such a e m had n use b fo e e th v b rt i t t t r bee d, e r it becam e ’ ca el l a de B ebi n ton w ce on r ha p . If e ex pt Bidst (pe ps an origi nal B ettws B 2 2 0 BRUNANBUR H

‘ ’ ’

s an to the e a s ims a e or on as th . hr k d lt Br t g p ti , e ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’ orseman s B r u nnsdun or B r un ns tun c n ame i n the N , whi h ,

’ t un un der the Birken head p en in sulet s D un Kirk we may say that L ower B ebi n gton al on e (am on g Wirral church es) was n ot built of th e ch a ac e s c r ed san s on e I n a on to its L e en of . n r ew r t ri ti d t dditi g d St A d , other E n glish stories of For eI gn Mi ssion must h ave greeted th e traveller ‘ om am a to um a wh o he e l a wa n the e sur e of the fr C bri C bri , t r y iti g l i ’ w n s Th e - o os e om o ou h en in sul et had its chu ch of i d . pp it (Br b r g ) p r

. a n a as . a ea s b ut to ha e succee e Celti c e ca on to S t B r b It pp r v d d d di ti , t an o h e m ss on a for we ma u e om th e name of ain ye t r i i ry , if y j dg fr a cert we P a c seems o n a to ha e e en the a on sa n of un an ll, tri k , rigi lly, v b p tr i t Br u h wh ch ace o a was C ar lett or C aer let in hose r b r , i pl , pr b bly, , t p e ’ E n sh a s. Th e eau of the a u n s al e e en n u wa gli d y b ty tid l b r d , xt di g p rd, ’ a o e th e o n a oo s mou h mus h a e a ac e a e s awa n b v rigi l P l t , t v ttr t d tr v ller iti g e m a a on . m h ha e con n ue to b e a P atter a e b ut for a sem b rk ti It ig t v ti d d l , i h ea hen wa e o ow n e en he the s ush of a a e sh t v f ll i g, v re, fir t fl l t Briti - - con e s on . As s e ches u to esen d a ou on L an cel n v r i it tr t p pr t y P lt y , whe e the om an c a ea an ce 1 3 ea es bea s in the se e a r r ti pp r gr t t , it r ( v r l ocal es the n ames G een a e Sho er sd ale an d D ibb in sdale a ec l iti ) r d l , gg , (di l t ’ ’ D iv v in sdal e o a e s D a e cf . o a o e ou h ) , pr b bly D vil l ; B gg rt H l Cl g . ‘ a e e s em a e om the G een D a e ca e the G n e wh en we Tr v ll r b rk d fr r l , ll d ri dl ’ we e oun e an d sti ll e a n n its n ame in P o un h e n a r y g r, r t i i g rt S lig t s Gr e d le ’ R oa . h ese mus o en ha e wan e e s u to ou on L an ce o te d T t ft v d r d fir t p P lt l t ,

u n n to th e woo ess G een a e us e ow the wh e cha e i . . L owe t r i g dl r d l , j t b l it p l, e r ’ ’ e n on s oo - un s a on cha e wh ch ece e the o man chu ch B bi gt (P l t ) S x p l , i pr d d N r r whe e n ow is the a s e of L owe e n on chu ch e e r S pit l Ai l ( r B bi gt r ) . H r i s ha the a e e om on e e c n om owa s an othe has it t t tr v ll r, fr C lti ki gd t rd r, een men a ace the wa m n s of the L an el n D ale as b t lly br d by r ti t c y , by ’ a s com a a e e e an d o cha - e coun an d r d an Wirr l p r tiv ly l v l r rd lik try, the e s d ‘ s on e in th e chu ch es or th e cu n s on o h s es of e se the n s t r tti g b t id M r y, ti t ’ of th e a n s of Te r nllw . H e ma too ha e sa Yet was the a s e pl i y g y, , v id t W t ’ n om hese wo s in the an s a on of S i r Gaw ai n at the Ki gd (cf . t rd Tr l ti

Gr ai l Castl e . L . es on . 2 8 H e wou a ea to see a by W t , pp , ld pp r J ’ an such as the G a s o ma e G awa n see a e han an in the l d r il t ry d i , f ir r t y ’

as . he e esi e th e oo a e o sons i n . n ew s ha e p t T r , b d P l, ft r ri St A dr (C p l) , ’ man a G awa n mus ha e e a e om the l i ttl e l an d n a es y i t v d p rt d fr ear W l , ‘ ’ ‘ h a n a n b ut a s n e n h he ew h n oss o n owa the vi g l i i gl ig t t r it i , p ibly g i g t rd

an of n G ur alain t o con ue the s wo whe ew h . ohn was l d Ki g g , q r rd r it S J ’ ’ E v b eh eaded (v . an s s tran slation of the H igh H i story of the H oly

r aal ed . G o an cz G , ll , I , It may b e that the family name of the L an celyn s also con tain s confirma - a L an cel ha n n . h ti on s to yn vi g bee the origi n al place n ame C f. t e ’ on es of hesh e s Utki n ton (sa to b e D on e in omes a an d the D C ir — id D d y) , D omv ill es of O on D omv ille as n c n e to h n ha n een a xt , I i li t i k, vi g b

an s a on of an d s n on mous w h O on . tr l ti , y y it , xt ’ D e L an cel n sometimes de ou on L an cel n as O rmer od s Cheshi r e y , P lt y u o s to h ow wou seem to ha e ecome the su n ame in the we h p rp rt S , ld v b r t lft

cen u a ter the ami l had been settl ed ther e or a r ol on ed er i od . t ry , f f y f p g p It wou ld appear th at the parti cular an cestor (apparen tly in patern al lin e) ‘ ’ wh o a e to hes e e the ca e a d e B eb in ton I n 1 0 bo e g v ( C t r Abb y) p ll , 93, r on l a hr i sti an n ame wa H e s eems to h a e een an n o y C , Si rd . v b A gl o m man - en h h h a e se an hen ho n un e a N o c o . M a e n ot N r , t ldi g d r r Fr l rd y v , ‘ ’ been a s on of the G ame] who had held in Kin g Edward s days The N or m an o o a l es e at hi s man o of o es on h u on the l rd pr b b y r id d r D dl t , rig t p ’ a ch . Si w a r d s am m a a e the on ues h a e een e a ne M r —f ily y, ft r C q t, v b r t i d, r ather than ousted ret ai ned on account of their local knowledge or BRUNANBUR H 2 1

i . e he . i n t e h ms a e ea s e en ow. a er dialect , Bri t g b r , v n L t , tw lft a s an ch on c e ran s a n the oca dun e cen tur y, di t t r i l r, t l ti g l l

e o h o the se ce of e ai n h a ch e hou h n ew i n fluen c , t ld by rvi r p ri g t t i f (t g ) ’ o on Th L an cel n s ev en tu al l a secon lord s earthworks at D dlest . e y , y ( d e chi e o s ha n mean wh e as it seem s a o e time ?) became th f l rd , vi g il , , d pt d h su n am h e a ea to ha e een in the l ocal designation as t eir r e. T y pp r v b ’ w h a s am at hes e e o e the we h cen u c ose touch ith t e E rl f ily C t r, b f r t lft t ry l d , w nesse the owa e oun ess B ertr ada as appears from a charter it d by D g r C t . l h w b e shown I n the wo a ou (n ée de M on tf ort) an d a L an ce yn . T is ill rk b t t a a ma h a e a ea n u on wha has een h n e at as o ppe r . It y v b ri g p t b i t d , to P oulton L an celyn havin g been kn own to the Romancers . i s o n o e ha the hea of ha same h ouse of G een I n terestin g it t t t t d t t ( r , i - a o of the two man o s of 1 th e n ow m e e form erly L an celyn ) s to d y l rd r , ( ) r wn sh a he han chu ch- own of ou on L an cel n a so ca e to ip, r t r t r t , P lt y ( l ll d on - cum- a an d 2 L owe e n on the esen chu ch - own Poult Spit l) , ( ) r B bi gt , pr t r t

h e h ca e e n on a sh . for the whol e group of (fiv e) town s ips tog t—er ll d B bi gt p ri T he G reen family i s still seated at L an celyn not at the pr esen t church ‘ w L owe e n on wh ch a e has con nue to b e he n e o to n ( — r B bi gt ) , i l tt r ti d t ir i f ri r man or its gr own -up pool chapel [or white church of the origin al ‘ l n om wh a a e ca e the ca e l a of B eb in to i n the sen se P oo tu , s e t l t r ll d p l n ch to s an e n on n ow he ha n h cen u es of approa di t t B bi gt ( Hig r vi g, eig t t ri a o ecome the a sh chu ch and a ac e th e L owe e n on n ame g , b p ri r , ttr t d ( r) B bi gt - n f wh ch i s t o the n ewly formed ma ori al di stri ct o i t village was th e cen tre. in n w h all the c cum s an ces H i her B n h e l ess Quite keepi g it ir t , g ebi ngt o (t m o an a he han L owe e n t on the chu ch - own h as i en the i p rt t) , r t r t r B bi g ( r t ), g v n on to th e man o al am wh ch or e surn ame B ebi gt ri f ily i b it . To return to the L an celyn family : regardi n g the hin t already thrown out as to the L an celyn place-name h avin g been ca rri ed over to ’ ‘ ’ oc a on w h a L an ce o of R oman ce I wou aw a n on to as s i ti it l t , ld dr tte ti h an n am in n an n n L an celin as a C ri sti e E gl d . O e described o ly as ‘ ’ L an cel in us was men one a e in the we h cen u as o m e ti d , l t t lft t ry, a f r r

f n nea un e o s. v n e to r o own er o i terests r H g rf rd (Wilt ) . i d x the Car tu l a y f

m . St . Fr ideswi de ed . a , Wigr ’ e cu ous in L a ha o e Gues s an s a o of th M obi V ry ri ly, dy C rl tt t tr l ti n e Owen wa s on e i s a m n a i an ed . . a n e n e of oca g , Mr Ed rd , g i r i d d that l l r w fin P Siward at L ancelyn in Wirral . Fo e d ered ur the son of an E arl ’ v w wh own e the ar om of the o E v r awc E r a c o d E ld N rth . recalls Caer E fr o mod e sh f or o wh e w can n o u m g ( . W l Y rk) , il e t b t re ember that a ’ ’ r eater wa was o s ea in or us e o e the an el n w s g Si rd Y rk rl, , j t b f r , L c y Si ard ‘ me. en I cel an di c s o h as in E l a m n on e f o ti Ev t ry , g , e ti d ear ls o Y rk perhaps mean ing N orthumb r ian kin gs Wh ether its accoun t of G udr ek an d A lfgeir of the fall of the on e an d the flight of th e other ’ ‘ ’ ’ b or e th e a e s h assoc a e w h the Win heath oes or oes ( ef l tt r flig t i t d it ) d , d n ot con a n an all us on to A n laf or his a he Sihtr ic an d G uthfr i h the , t i i f t r ( ) t , othe e a e is n ot f or me to sa . h as een hou h ha h e o h r r l tiv , it y It b t g t t t t se N rt ‘ umbri an ki ngs were ea rls of York an d th at their previou s exclusi on from N orthumbria may have caused a reduplication of th e story regardin g ‘ ’ ’ ’ Alf eir s su se uen h to a s ess as of an e so e of a g b q t flig t E rl N , pi d e rlier time . is cu ou s ha the h to ess as esen e in the a a— om H m It ri t t flig t N , pr t d S—g fr u b er sd on rath er than from the con fron ti n g B r u n an wer c i s thu s mad e t o

ass ou on L an cel n . ha man o or the ch a e hen w h n p byP lt y T t r, p l t it i it, becam e the o e of a oca wa in th e cen u a e n pr p rty l l Si rd , t ry ft r Bru an burh I s it possible that both Celti c an d N orthern Roman ce may h ave com e t o assoc a e h im w h a wa an E v r a w c of ae E r o w h an h s o c i t it Si rd, C r f g, it i t ri an d con em o a ? wa ea of o as w h a e en ( t p r ry ) Si rd rl Y rk, it l g dary E v r awc, ’ earl of the N orth ? 2 2 BRUNA NBURH t o the mo e mo ern wear e wo eco B r unanvi erc r d , uld r rd ‘ ’ ’ ‘ ’ h B . so t e f. a or r uneswerce f . D . s Etb r unn nwer c c . C S a ; l

n h f Geoff e aim r . h as a conse ence Fre ch c ron . o r y G a T is w qu 1 of some soc a en enc in all a es to sca the am a . i l t d y, g , di rd f ili r

oca es n a ons c ea n ca e se wo s two moa L l d ig ti l rly i di t tho rk , by t n ames the on e at the far ms a e end the o he i n o n on , Bri t g , t r Th r t , ‘ ’ ee H e t he name of an en s e es e the oa by P l y , clo ur b id M t ‘ ’ - ea o B a e and o e field names . The on M d w, by igl k , by th r l g s r n s re of the B ru nanwer c s sce ne as on e s s u vivi g h d , till di r d ight , at ms a e the me ae e and s ns a i ona for Bri t g , di val tow r ig Of ddit l ti fication m s n h en ce the , u t have been kn own as the B ru stac e. H , s non mous ms a e an d B r unnstun a a e names s . y y Bri t g , p r ll l till ms a d s en on t e on . B r imsti e f. as a on With Bri g (pr g C , it but Pr t , . ’ ’ 2 e Storeton s e ca e t e o ti a e c e Littl fi ld ll d h C ps g whi h , lik A markworthy feature is that the M erseyside Siwards of D omesday ’ a e n c u n L an cel n s wa we e con em o a w h the N or d t , i l di g y Si rd , r t p r ry it we ian n u . h s n ame a a n eca s the h en and much g Ki g Sig rd T i , g i , —r ll (t a e assoc a on of orwa M an an d a of o wa M an and o . l t r) i ti N y, , Wirr l N r y, , Y rk ’ i s o ous we e a on th e con us on of L an cel n w h L an ce o It bvi , if r g rd ly f i y it l t , wh ch in oca w n s con n ue un th e e h een h cen u ha the i l l riti g ti d til ig t t t ry, t t

L an cel n am came ear in me to b e n ot a e n uen ce n ames. y f ily , ly ti , littl i fl d by wa was ca e on to a ema e escen an Siwer id a sev e a ener a Si rd rri d f l d d t, , r l g n s a e v t he L an cel n e ee in n o he s st e ti o l t r ( . y p digr A t r i r illustrates the cosmopolitan spirit of a family permitted to retain their m h o u on a man o a e the on ues . er n ame was mma co ld p r, ft r C q t H E , memor atin the o m an n ess c n o ss to h el e an d g N r pri c , o s rt succe ively Et r d n u an d mo he of the on esso n hes e un e the a m os C t, t r C f r Ki g . C t r, d r l t so e e n owe of i ts o man ea s mus h a e a e a a in the v r ig p r N r rl , t v pl y d p rt N a on a s o m o an n ee wh e ea a he han n con nue ti l Hi t ry, i p rt t i d d il rl, r t r t ki g, ti d c ose assoc a e w h o f a h n s l ly i t d it the rec rd o past E n glis dy a ty . I n the wo abou to be ut o h w b e shown how h es e w h its rk t p f rt , it ill C t r, it n e h ou hoo —as a s c of o al es en ces of o al an d e ous ig b r d di tri t r y r id , r y r ligi foun a on s—w ould b e assoc a e n ot a e w h n ames of ea n sh d ti i t d , littl , it rly E gli n s e ha s m o e a cu a a an d wa the e —n ot ki g , p r p r p rti l rly Edg r Ed rd Eld r ’ om n to men on n e s au h e an d her hus an hel e itti g ti Ki g Alfr d d g t r b d, Et r d, s o en of in e an as a n ce a n a men s of sh n n a s p k Ir l d ki g Cf. rt i Fr g t Iri A l , ’ ed ohn O D on ov an ha wo has an m o an ea n u on an es . J . T t rk i p rt t b ri g p D of e an u on the r e un an u h co e ousn ess wh ch con uce Ir l d, p p Br b r v t i d d e n ua n ve t lly to bri g them on ce more towards Chester an d to Wirral . ‘ ’ ’ Re a n he s an the L ad e of M er cia s n e hew on e can n o g rdi g At l t , y p , t doubt that his local kn owl edge resulted from lon g acquain tan ce with that f n p art o E glan d between the Ribbl e an d the M arch . i s n en e to a u e mo a cu a to su es on m a e in the It i t d d ll d , re p rti l rly, gg ti d as as to th e n sh a a Gu o War w i ck as to th e e e n cha ac e s p t , E gli S g y f , r b i g r t r common to an d t E l a The w e w shes to ouch a cu a u on it o g . rit r i t p rti l rly p aces u on ce a n oca es each of wh ch ma b e assoc a e WI th the pl , p rt i l liti , i y i t d h s o ca e e i t ri l l men t i n both of th ese Roman ces. 1 N otwithtan di n h s e e when a u n to the se e a ea h g t i , I pr f r, ll di g v r l rt ’ wo s to n ca e hem the h s o an s ess e e m B r un an wer c. rk , i di t t by i t ri expr iv t r , 2 Though I be li eve that the n ame of thi s fi eld has been written C ob ’ ’ ch on the h -ma — n n e a s wh ch Sti tit e p eve the B owmo t ridg s l rge t field, i BRUNANBURH 2 3

’ e e h G a es c ose the ecen s e o a th W ls r v l by, r tly vi ibl c p nd mea e- s ones n the oun oo and the or i c r t withi M t W d, N th D t h , s a e M erse ward eco s the ca or a es enc es till f rth r y , r rd p gr v (tr h )

en n n e h . we an a d s i . or a bet A gli W l h ( e. N t ) Wirr l Whatev er the common suffix of the B runst ache and the

C o stid e ma a e en o e is c ear a the p g y h v d t d , it l th t former co nc e or at eas con a ne a or fica on es e the i id d with , l t t i d , f ti ti b id

- n s . The as named o n fr om it s os on n an bur l tly gr u d , p iti by A gli ’ a s oun n co es e the oa ea n n o or Wirr l b di g p, b id r d l di g i t N th — East Wirral where that road the curious Storeton - Prenton ‘ an e c oss n co or a es asse in amon the oo s —L , r i g p gr v p d g w d m s b e the s e of some ea e ence. ew se some u t it rly d f Lik i , ’ f h a the o i e . St or eton s en d o e near C st d . e at e t wh t p g , i Littl ea oa ea n on to an can of the oa n o e sh gr t r d l di g L di , r d i t (W l ) ’ a s n o -wester n eni nsulet s oo n h n ecen Wirr l rth p , t d , u til wit i r t ‘ ’ ea s the s a e mound or moan h c has name the y r , qu r , , w i h d

M oan H e . O f his e ence at the o n e e the anc en y t d f , p i t wh r i t

a s om an can and h n wa mee mo e w b e sa w y fr L di T i g ll t , r ill id ’ t he m an a rson s H e e l a ano me. The s a so e a t r ti ll d i l t d P y, w l ‘ ’ r emo e om all o he s wou s m t o a e een an v d fr t r hey , ld ee h v b en c su e i s ac c ce a n ha lo re from th C opstidge . It pr ti ally rt i t t hese e ences n ea the ea oo we e amon the os on s t d f , r gr t w d , r g p iti se e ons an n o a s c os on s nc u e an iz d by C t ti e. Pr b bly u h p iti i l d d ’ ea o on the B owmont s o n e e i n o e on rthw rk high p i t, wh r , St r t 1 a a en man ones ha e een oun of ha a e H ll g rd , y b v b f d , w t d t I n o f n om me k w not . N or do I kn ow the age o those fou d fr ti e a n s the e-n ame has na u a en ou h een en e e as the r t i ridg , , t r lly g , b t r d ’ owman et Co stid e a ea s cor r ectl n e w th the an s of B y p g pp r , y pri t d, i pl ’ the oo on a s a e e r essmarked hesh e . 1 1 H t H ll E t t (D rby, p C ir , b i n th e o e an L a . he e n e e en ce ma b e ma e to o e on B dl i ibr ry T r i , r f r y d St r t fi d- m f u el n a es the os on s &c. when is an ce m h cause a c , ir p iti , , d t ig t di fi lty as to havin g recourse to tith e-maps at th e Chester Diocesan Regi stry or e sewhe e n ha s c l r i t t di tri t . 1 e e to the an c en an d o uc e a en to wh ch the es en I r f r i t pr d tiv g rd , i pr t house m m a n B ut the ( uch of whi ch i s odern ) h as come to b e adj ce t . - ou een h cen u a u th e an e s et s an s c ose . f rt t t ry H ll (b ilt by St l y ) y t d , l by Probably it has been un in habited sin ce the earlier half of the sixteen th cen u sa e for the se en een h - cen u ua e n of oo e s when t ry, v v t t t ry q rt ri g tr p r , ’ ’ r t I n m Sto e on s several Soldi ers L an es were n amed i n con sequence. y forthcomin g work I shall men tion a mu ch - forgotten bran ch (of the Stanl eys) whi ch remain ed at St oreton for lon g after the h ead of the family ’ h ad one t o es e at oo on on a e ohn an e s an ch had g r id H t , l g ft r J St l y br m eco e assoc a e w h L a ham n ows e or M an . The me ae a b i t d it t , K l y, di v l the un nha e a shows a u asi - c es as ca s le wh ch has o en ( i bit d) H ll q e cl i ti l ty , i ft cause to b e m s a n f r a ou h s of o m mes d it i t ke o religi s ou e f r er ti . 2 4 BRUNANBUR H

e nea ms a e a an d moa or of the ones and to tim r Bri t g H ll t , b

- e s nea e in o e - e in on rc some arrow h ad u rth d L w r B b gt Chu h ,

- s o thirty fiv e year ag . We see how that un disman tled fragment of the B runandune where B r imstage H all and tower stand (until o ur own me a a moa e in mid - a e the ti p rti lly t d, vill g , by h s o c n mus a e een e a ne to ar the ate or i t ri bur ), t h v b r t i d gu d g

- cross road which passed between N . Wales and Strathclyde. m o ou on the e se c ace the n e Bro b r gh M r y, by whi h pl u it d e s e r un n me th e e o e o n n bu rns togeth r we p o d a d et e tid , b f r j i i g se a e was the a sena as the on c e s o s and M er y W t r, r l , Chr i l h w ,

h a n ms s. o s was the o n so of the t e S ga co fir thi O bvi u ly, it t w uth hea —so h of the extended ea s hen cc n the o er th ut h th , t O upyi g l w

a s of B r unefeld nea the mee n of her n s the o n p rt , r ti g bur , t w ’ ’ near the Alports (old gates) of which A lfgeir s r oute passed C hesterwar ds e o e he was s ose —et ar e so —to , b f r upp d y f th r uth d the an en u n n westwar ds and own to ess r o e . take ci t t r i g, N d h ‘ T u . a ca es e o n . he o en e t i r e. W lf b tt l MS gr phi lly giv w rd a , i down n o ess a e and a a n o n the roc s to the , i t N vill g , g i d w k

an s e e - eco e D en wall sea or e o a so n v i h d but w ll r rd d p t b l w, l withi ’ e s m t he Earl s same Ness Manor . Thith r (t o thi Bro borough) ’ he s an l ed his tr oo s as the C on c e s ose e s on s e At l t p , hr i l pr v r i t ll ’ us ere s h n A n laf s hos at the B r unefeld ch . . names , ig ti g t whi W M .

The a e w A n laf who came om the so - es om b ttl ith ( fr uth w t, fr N ess) was fought at an d besid e Bromborough 2 i . e. ms a e o ns . s i s s in om o o a sh Bri t g t w hip Thi till Br b r ugh p ri , as was at eas its B runefeld o on om the s O f co se l t p rti , fr fir t . ur ‘ ms a e i s e ac e om its mo er c c - o n om Bri t g d t h d fr th hur h t w , fr

1 S uch is the (parochial) name by whi ch Ordn an ce M aps have described ’ ms a e. I n our ea es a s B r un sta h w h m uch sho en e Bri t g rli t d y , g ( it rt —d suffi al so n e e in use . e. amon a few of the o es nha an s a x) li g r d , i g ld t i bit t

hen a ec a en e n of the ms a e o m . N or was t e e as (t di l t l) r d ri g Bri t g f r lid d, ’ in th a of h h n u u u n -s n m e c se t e (t e ) more sual B r n n st n (Brun ) for . 11 I n hese a es ar i sh m ean th e c a sh th e an c en t p g , by p I ivil p ri , i t - a sh . The se e a a commun i ou e o e he w h n an p ri v r l vill ge it es, gr p d t g t r it i y - - s uch o h of en a sh n ca e as tow n shi s . an n ot (N rt Tr t) p ri , I i di t p M y, if

n ea all of hem ar e of cou se ch u ch ess. own sh n ot a sh i s rly , t , r , r l T ip ( p ri ) s the wo common u se in hose s c s of n lan when s ea n till rd ly d t di tri t E g d, p ki g ’ the a e commun or its e o . I n a a commun s Of vill g ity, t rrit ry Wirr l , ity secu a us n ess n ot man o a was as the w e emem e s s a che l r b i ( ri l) , rit r r b r , di p t d ‘ ’ ’ in wha men s s ea of h e n The own sh is s t till p k as t e town s m eti g . t ip till ‘ o en of man as th e tow f a own Sp k by y n (n ot in the sense o vill ge) , t b em use for a a so g d vill ge, l .

2 6 BR UNANBURH

though the conflict was n ot fought in . Br unanburh township

om o ou on the e se . o eo e eac ese (Br b r gh M r y) M r v r, h Of th writers may have thought of Brunanburh i n the ext en d ed

the a oc a sense as the so e n er or o he s an e of ( p r hi l) , uth r t r tr g r to-day would Often imagine the territ or y of a n or ther n

“ parish as coinciding with that of a sin gle village com The ar ish of nan r en nc u h e mun ity. p ( Bru bu h) th i l ded t B n efeld on c the s e a e s s whole ru , up whi h ev r l arthwork tood ms a e o nsh en as n ow n a a sh was Bri t g t w ip (th , , withi th t p ri ) d stan t om its mo e - c u c en as n ow o n ot i fr th r h r h, th , th ugh , ‘ ’ as now e ac e . A s for the oem the e os on , d t h d p , pr p iti , w i c o erns r nan has a o e mean n ha h h g v B u burh , d ubl i g, with t t ’

ace case. en e t o e a mme s a t for ( ) I v tur tak it th t Mr . Plu r 1 ymbe (B runanb ur h) must have b een intended by him t o allude — t o a Brunanburh i n this extend ed sen se the sense i n which the

- prose versions of the Chron icle have used that place name.

o en . a am enn son e a co ec n ess L rd (th Mr H ll ) T y , with qu l rr t , he R e ans a e mbe as b . T Con tem or ar v iew N ov . tr l t d y y (v p y , , I d oubt n ot that he thought of a B runan bur h in the n arrower — the er ea es sense s ch as om o o h on the e se ( v y rli t) u Br b r ug M r y, m o ou own N or i n the ace of a has een men o . Br b r gh t , f wh t b t ioned in the no e on a e 1 su r a co l eem the n o e w c t p g , p , u d I d t ( hi h ’ e e n n son s an sl a on appeared at th h adin g of M r . Te y Tr ti ) t o b e ‘ ’ in the eas nco ec e e oca e nan i n th l t i rr t, wh r it l t d Bru burh e

N orthumberlan d (N orthumbria) of Old time . The B r un efeld o se a a e o on L ancel n or , th ugh p r t d (by P ult y a a e om om o o on the e se is et b om H rgr v ) fr Br b r ugh M r y, y y Br o o —b n ot n ecessar e ess n a so e a os on b r ugh y ily xpr i g b lut juxt p iti , a so a n h c is s me mes e emo e but l co tiguity w i h o ti rath r r t . We shall see how the t wo battles (B run efeld an d Wi nheath h a e een se n o on e all e en in he a ra ons v b fu d i t by , v t l oc l t diti , h c n Th e m w i h li ger . e arly priest or pren of Prenton (D o es ’ a s P r estun e once we n t he oo or The d y d lli g a t w d , by ’ ea h s oo s e is s ass a e a e a e H t w d id , till oci t d with w ird vill g

1 1 1 . his G ossa w h Tw o the S axon Chr on i cl es P ar al l el whe e at l ry, it of , r , ’ 1 0 he has a ea sh own ha o en ce s n ow o ous na ur a II , 4 , lr dy t t Fl r ( bvi ly t l) ‘ ’ s a emen as t o a um e r i v er ou e mus b e an e o . t t t , H b r r t , t rr r 2 I n m n e wo w b shown how a su es on of sho hen y xt rk, it ill e gg ti Bi p (t ’ ’ P o esso u s as to the o n of n E adb e r ht s en s su n ame r f r) St bb , rigi Ki g (Pr ) r , woul seem a ea to ha e een an swe e a son in d lr dy v b r d by Mr. H enry H rri , his wo P l ace-N ames o t v e oo st i t rk, f he L i rp l D i r c ,.u

BRUNA NBURH . a 7 s r et remem ere in ose two o e on am e s ic la to y y b d th St r t h l t , wh h y, ’ as wer e b etween the a e e s e ween I ons an ne s it , b ttl fi ld , b t ( ) C t ti

m a he f a i . ca t t oo o en on and 2 the B r un nwer c e . p w d Pr t ( ) , — the B r un andune occupied by A n laf a story of m er n s h on urd a d blood hed as havin g occu rred t ere. C sistentl the r o n n o on e of two a les i n the o he y with lli g i t , b tt , t r ‘ ’ accoun s the B r i ms ta e s e of the o e e-he the t , g id d ubl battl ld , ar c a B runefeld- H umb ersd n es i n the oca p ti ul r o fight , figur l l ’ e en o o s on a n n an a s n t o A nlaf s ac l g d , bvi u ly c t i i g llu io flight b k s towar d Ness .

For as a con se ence of the oo s e men one s ec al , qu bl d h d ti d, p tr hor ses br idled n ow a ho se an d ca ea o e ar ( r rt r dy y k d e said , in the old ore on s o e er to s an waiti n to o to he St t t ry, v t d g g t ’ ’ coah i t i . e. to the D en wall sea or i n the a s ar c ar p , p t , E rl p ti ul ess e ow h ch a coa came t o b e The it is he e s N , b l w i lpit — . p t r till - it extend ed beneath the shore though in recent time shafts ‘ ’ a e een sun at e es on and n s ea of ess h v b k Littl N t , i t d N one n ow sa es on o e e n at the Colliery, often ys N t C lli ry. B i g

each has een m ch m en one a so as D en wall or as we b , it b u ti d l ( ,

onoun ce enna o e . us w h n ess o n sh pr it , D C lli ry J t it i N t w ip, one ma s scern the suse sha s as a so a s se y till di di d ft , l di u d

- an n ace c ose hem on the sho e . is i n the l di g pl , l by t , r It immediate vicinity of the present (Neston) C olliery kn own also under the name of Wirral C olliery or Collieries . This draws ‘ ’ a en on t o the ac ha men on in a of the coa - it tt ti f t t t ti , Wirr l , l p ,

- ea in the n ne een h cen and e o e m e N ess coa it . rly i t t tury b f r , i pli d l p ’ I n the a a a so he e is a us on to t o a s S g , l , t r ll i flight E rl ‘ ’ ess arl sn es an d en ce sh t o Vallan d he er N (J ) , th by ip , w th ‘ ’ A n laf or A lfgei r b e the particular fugitive of whom the au h o h r w e he as has een su es e the two ar e t or th ug t, o h t r, b gg t d ,

The h i s he e ma e t o a e ace om he one. flig t t r d t k pl fr At l ’ h H mb er sdon . m a o n at or n ea t e u s an s s an e . o t t d , i fr p i t r , 1 south and west [rather than west an d south from the Brunan

1 The om n en ce en in the a a to h to ess oes to show ha pr i giv , S g , flig t N , g t t, ’ in can dI n av ian h ou h a s ess was the o n on ees e at wh ch S t g t, E rl N p i t D id i

a oach t o an d e u e om n an on the wes was ma e . ppr , d part r fr , E gl d, t, d N ot on ly does the D en wall n am e speak to cosmopolitan in fluen ces Tw or h ee m es within the rodes an d v i ks of D ee at an early date. o t r il above the Ness H ead i s Shotwi ck Shottick Shotton bein g the oppo ‘ s h D o n ot h ese con m each o he in r ecor dI n ite (Flin t shire) town s ip . t fir t r g ‘ ’ the settl emen t of men from Irelan d (n ot S cots in the modern an d 2 8 BRUNANBUR H

’ ’ warc (A nl af s confronting position) and v ia N eston s so-called s a ea of a oss e e e sa of os ons Bloody Hill] . I h ll tr t p ibl r v r l p iti

a o e e Ab ils b e A bels tan or n ot . by th e uth r , wh th r Much relating t o the groun d is seen from additional ’ i e o enh en . nd n e at p assages i n K(K til s C p ag MS ) a W (th MS . i s es ec a a h c i n esc on of the Wolfen buttel) . K p i lly gr p i d ripti ’ n h e h s co o o a n meon of u am s men on Wend u e ig t , rr b r ti g Si D rh ti e e or a n the s ace e een oo an d of the fight th r , p tr yi g p b tw w d

the St or etons and the e e s on n H umb ersd on . n . e. on bur , i l v l fr ti g ’ ’ That Saga s lev el heath still con tains a S our Flats &c.

h somewhat slo i n r ound of the a a s e c n hence T e p g g S g , tr t hi g t ’ n a is seen i n Storeton s N ew H e an en c os e t o orthw rd , y, l ur ’ on the origi nal B owmont s southern end The view down

ha s o n o n i s om The ee e 5 o se om the t t l pi g gr u d fr K p r (h u ), fr e ose dow n the N ew H e as far as the O x as u e stil cl by it , y, P t r was in some suc ec on a the an c en wa Stile . I t h dir ti th t i t y ’ m an can was om The ee e s con n e owa s fro L di , fr K p r ti u d t rd

m o o i . e. con n ue ac oss the o a s and v ia Bro b r ugh , ti d r S ur Fl t , ’ 1 n s o an d The ch H umb ersdo fo t Si .

am of a mes u in hi s a o ance of o ence of Willi M l b ry , v id Fl r ’ ’

e s um e e o is e o ce e s is . M s Worc ster H b r rr r v ry n ti abl o W . ? cautious omission even of the H umb er sd on n ame Insertions ’ of B r u ne or d in ce a n ansc s om am s o and f , rt i tr ript fr Willi w rk , ’ the oo of e s B r un or t ar e a ec a a a ons of n e B k Hyd f , di l t l v ri ti Bru — eld l ev e ea ene or om e a su i x a a s s o . a f , r w k d itt d, lw y h rt R by

’ ‘ - — twelfth cen tury sen se) al on g D ee s ban k s possibly an other relay of Iri sh ’ s such as co on e or e uen e D en wall or D an ewall n a D an e , l iz d fr q t d Fi lly, ’ oach n hes e c i s B r et on u on the n c se a m en of s appr i g C t r ity, t , p A gli i d fr g t D ee — ‘ ’ e ca n e l an d an h n o n e n a Flin tshire sid re lli g Br t d t e J ar l s es f Or k yi g . 1 - e n own . a ea s t o a u e mos o n e t o h s oa in A littl k MS pp r ll d , t p i t dly, t i r d , additi on t o m en ti on in g th at sl opi ng gr ou n d (down whi ch it passed) ; - v . n o e on . 2 of the ce . L at . ed . of the a a o en ha en t g, p 77 I l S g (C p g , 2 sha ea at an o he me w h hi s e o i n con us n the en e a on s I ll d l t r ti it rr r f i g g r ti , i n m s a n son for a he a e usua on e whe e he ma es on s an n e i t ki g f t r ( v ry l ) , r k C t ti ’ f on an n o to a n s ea o s e s s n . en W . M . was n ot n a e . H e f ll , i t d C t ti Ev i f llibl , m a u a t oo cou o cc c n o ca e ss n a a e . H is on us on of , ld drift fr r y i t r le rr tiv c f i - i - o - - - an o c an d an o s c e an o un e woo . e . an o on B r ity B g r d (B g r d r d) , i B g r g’ mm D ee to wh ch . u e has ca e a en on w h his ed . of e e ( i Mr Pl r ll d tt ti it B d ) , W ’ goes to show illi am s n eed of care i n geographi cal description b eari ng h e u on s D e coun or an a of . O n the o her han p t i try y p rt it t d, it ‘ ’ em h as z es the ecu a ca e wh sho u s an eeman p i p li r r i ch Bi p St bb d Prof. Fr ‘ ’ h a e asc e to . as to his m n o h on mea e v rib d W M , treat e t f t e (for l g) gr ’ ‘ ’ ’ eco s e a n he s an 5 m o h o m e s e . r rd r g rdi g At l t i p rtan t reign . Cf. t e f r r pr f ’ o his ed . of the Gest m n t a B e u . a so F eeman N or man Co g , II, p lx, l r s

u est . 2 and n q , pp 6 63, . BRUNANBURH 2 9

nsh s has its B ramfield e s . e . e s a n on tow ip till H y , i fi ld butti g B r unefeld the B runefeld na u a nam n h em i n acco ance , t r lly i g t , rd h B l is n ee e e with local custom . T e hist o ric runefe d i d d id ntifi d ’ e us wa in wh ch a s B r amfield e s r un in by th punctilio y i R by H y , ‘ ’ ’ an a ash on oun n ha B r unefeld d e a s o n on gul r f i , b di g t t lt Th r t ’ ld o B r unef r or B r u nfort so a ha . A s sc es o w e o d lf rib Of r t , R by ’ people have con tinued t o call them the B r amfu d or Bram ’ - f r d e s o h B r amfield a ea s on the he ma . o H y , th ug pp r tit p

n a e the two battles een ea e as one the N ot o ly h v b tr t d , but

has ha ene h ons an ne or his son an d one or like pp d wit C t ti , , , A nl f O n th o he han e e has a u a o h of th a s . e n b t , e t r d , th r t r lly

I he a he e- da e uch e ca on . n t a t a be n m r dupli ti S g , b ttl y h s een ma e n o two o n V n s ea or su a b d i t , gl rifyi g iki g , r l p

h n o e ene a sh of h e s an h mse posed . T e u d ubt d g r l ip At l t i lf, besid e the H umb ersdon H eights (by the hist oric bu rn which uns om ms a e en n sou hwa s at the ch and his r fr Bri t g , b di g t rd Si ), ’ brother Edmun d s probable comman d (n ot on that B r unefeld ‘ s e b ut es e the woo on the Winheath or e o e on id , ) b id d , Littl St r t

a of the ou e a e- field ou b e us a e the p rt d bl b ttl , w ld ill tr t d by ’ ‘ ’ s e n a he sec writer varied rep titio s to t on d d ay of battle . — ’ The whole tren d of the S aga account as on eith er day we see a n foe the n a a o n u s flyi g by bur , w rri r givi g p pur uit , hen c oss n o e The ea h to e a o he the oo —t r i g v r H t , h lp br t r by w d oes t o sho a he s an ha n ut the B r un efeld foe g w th t At l t , vi g p ‘ ’ to n e n o h t o the Win heath on e o e flight , tur d rt , , l g b f r

ac e n c o t t en e hi vi g vi t ry a he d of th d ay. I hold that ’ am of a mes u s o s the o e h e a o e an d his Willi M l b ry w rd , rd r d pt d , ca on h ou ho all o t o con m m s a emen as to h s uti t r g ut , g fir y t t t t i . ‘ ’ S o oes O sb er n s L e o Odo wh ch as . un e s us d if f , i , Dr H t t ll ,

m s at eas r e esen the an e u ad on as was i n u t l t pr t C t rb ry tr iti , it ’ E admer s d a art on er D N . . O sb n iet . a . y (v , t What O sb er n con ms s o s a t me o on &c . sha o n out fir , ti , p iti , , I ll p i t

i n a su a e ace A n l af a ac e he s an s e it bl pl . tt k d At l t (j u t b fore ’ awn a u u W ‘ noc e as M . w es o esha h d , ill l g bri t , . rit } f r dowing t e

d im h a u e t o in the L e o Odo c ose he s lig t ll d d if f ) l by t l evel , ’ an d n ea t o H u mb r s s o m r e d on f ot . It ay well b e that a

e achmen of an es fled thence sou h an d wes t o ess d t t D ( t t) N , rath er than west and south (from the B r unanwer c which

1 G s e ta P on ti cum ed . am on . fl , H ilt , p 30 BRUNANBURH

h z e and ence t e had sa e ov er rn th ey ad sei d , wh h y lli d bu ,

as mo o a s H umb ersdon . to h s e anon . t w rd ) But t i , r Even the local tradition of buried treasure men ti on s that ‘ ’ c s n scen f e a a c O ne n . I n the o e o th a c oun an ight l i g S g t , ‘ ’ ‘ ’ a i s s o n to ha e een in eac os n s n th O l f h w v b h Opp i g divi io , e ’ a en a on o e on amon the co c ear s f ll O l f St r t , g S t h l being ’ e H is m cer tain ly C onstantin s son . fall is entioned as having occ e on the secon da the ea da and a e dis er urr d d y ( r l y) , ft r p ‘ ’ ’ ’ sion of the other O laf s (A n laf s) force from the B runefeld ‘ ’ m ha t a oes n a a e a e t ot e . sid e. Wh t b c Of O l f d th re ppear B ut h is men on e and the res m on ou b e a he flig t ti d , p u pti w ld th t fled is e a the a a not ther e m en on ess . It tru th t S g did ti N . But it has been named as the poin t t o which flight was c e on the e o s da th e e ca e da he e dire t d pr vi u y ( r dupli t d y) . T r i s even allusion t o the fugitive taking ship at Ness for d m n n e e oll an i . e . so e o e n an an a s o ot n V ( f r ig l d), llu i v tur d by m h the ca e . M . sa e he e uo n r o w a e had seen r ful W , v w r , q ti g f h t ‘ in quodam sane v olumine vetusto he gives the lines H ic strepitus mov it pr aedat orum legiones ‘ ’ Ut os a raeda r o r ias eter ent e ones , p it p , p p p r gi , and concludes with n A n alafus d e tot mo o milib us n s F git , d u u , e os m mor s fort un ae no e m n us D p itu ti , bil u , ’ os E thels an um e s momen a d at urus P t t r bu t . R e e s 1 Gest d . ( . g , Stubb , I , 4 4 , It was where the high road from Lan dican (his town ‘ ’ ‘ n orth of the heath ) t owards Bromb orou gh (his town south 1 ’ I n the a a the co ch ea s e in we h - cen u a an ce ea s S g S t rl , i . . t lft t ry p rl , rl n ot om e an b ut om N o h of the Fo h ar e co ec ace on the ( fr Ir l d , ) fr rt rt , rr tly pl d Win heath o on of the e es e he woo p rti fi ld , b id t d .

B ut th e sa me m n u of L e e on an d en on . e . of the ixi g p ittl Stor t Pr t , i woo s e c ose or a he of a o ce com n om the N o h w h a d id l by, r t r f r i g fr rt , it h om the ms a e s e owa s ess has o ou s c e n o the flig t fr Bri t g id , t rd N , bvi ly r pt i t oca a on s an d n o the ce an c a ach accoun we s a he on l l tr diti i t I l di S ga. E t d ll r t r ‘ th Win heath s e to the e c us o of men on of h a B r un an wer c he e id , x l i n ti t t ld b a o ce of sh men com n h sou h -wes Yet each y f r ip i g overlan d from t e t t . men on s h to ess ti flig t N . n ee the a a oes so far as to u the hi atus owin to oss of the I d d, S g g fill p ( g l story Of An l af an d his marin ers from D ublin ) as t o the B run efeld ‘ ’ s e when ce the h oo ma n a s on of th e o ce id ( flig t t k place) , by ki g divi i , f r om the o h o o h h h Win heath Yet aces an fr N rt , g ver t it er from t e it pl ‘ ’ ‘ O laf in either divi sion It attempts to accoun t for the l evel battle ’ oun at th e B r un efel d s e as a e wh ch he s an had m a e out gr d, id , fi ld i At l t rk d for the fight yet it alludes to fightin g also from or on the h igh er groun d ’ es e t h woo K eem h e th a u of b id e d . s s to poi n t to much avi ng be n e f lt

e ac o s a he han of h u ho . r d t r , r t r t t e a t r BRUNANBURH 31

’ ’ of the heath ) passes by the H umb ersdon s foot that a twelfth - centu ry author might seem often t o have paused and

m n a e om h s n c se he e the n h a ac ru i t d . Fr t i poi t ( lo by w r ig t tt k on Athelstan must h ave taken place) he appears to have e s s n ot ar r om the describ d the long ridge . K how that f f 1 ts is a s on str eam w as a r eat hill ha m . he e g ( ikil) T r llu i , ’ he e t o the se of the e s H umb ersd on e n d its se t r , ri ridg , ri

om the ch o e oun the once wa e na u e of c fr Si (l w r gr d), t ry t r whi h

h - no the ch the t at well k wn n ame commemorates. T o Si

n eaches ere en s an d ma es sou wa for om bur r , it b d k th rd Br ’ h h n e en or ou h . G a ca n ee oes the au o s o b g r p i lly, i d d , d t r t , giv

i n K sho ha not far om s en was a ea . , w t t fr thi b d gr t hill ’ The Saga seems to exaggerate the n umber of Athelstan s

en s as s e ch n n ot n a on the H u mb er sdon om t t , tr t i g o ly l g , fr — u n b n Wen d un e a so i . e all the wa so to or ut a o . th th, l g l y

m eam h u n atu r al b e su ose fro str t o wood . T is wo ld ly pp d , where an oppos in g force was thought to come from Lan dican

ns ea of h ou h the oo om the Vi n heidar bor . Y et (i t d t r g w d , fr g) h u h he o he e a there i s all usi on to that passage t ro g t w od , w r ’ e sh A hil s on one of the a s is ma e t o ea om (W l ) , d y d l p fr it an d su se he n sh h s i s ma e to o o u the rpri t E gli . T i d f ll w p amplifyin g statement as to hi s havin g first fled i n to it on the

1 ’ o es n n L an D un L l n hton on the he-ma is the C rr po di gly, g a g tit p) n ame wh ch o ous h s on e or r eat hil l was e i en by i , bvi ly, t i l g ridg g v d tly m it o h n eo of o en m s Th ca e as o s e en d . e . en o e o e . e ll d, fr t r , i by Pr t p pl f rg tt ti ’ L an D un a o me n c osu e on a s u of th e e s n o h e o on g , f r r e l r p r ridg rt rly p rti , n ow nc u e w h the C ow e c ea n ca e an ea n a e om i l d d it Fi ld , l rly i di t d rly i t k fr the ea woo as the a e had s o e or o e own th e wes s e of gr t d , l tt r l p d r ll d d t id ’ — ’ Wen dun e s end on ce the P ren ton commun ity s on ly en closure on th e n - rolli g ridge side . ’ T he Tumul us upon H umb er sd on height may have been associated w h an ear e ence wh ch has en n ame to ha en d of th e e it ly d f , i giv t t ridg .

. n o ce . . C ox of h s H umb er sdon ea hwo w h n Cf ti by Mr E W . t i ( ) rt rk, it i ‘ ‘ th e higher H umberston It is given in hi s An tiqu ities of o e on v . Tr an s I I i st S oc. L an cash a n d Chesh . for h ou h St r t ( . . . T g

. C ox ma h a e een somewha n i n the ma e of oca n ames Mr y v b t deficie t tt r l l , is c ea ha h s s o was n ca e H e a u e to um e an d it l r t t t i p t i di t d . ll d d H b r H umb lu s as mythi cal n ames possibly associ ated with wh at he called ‘ ’ ’ ’ H u mli son s or Umli son s e H e mu s h a e m ean one of the Fi ld . t v t ‘ ’ H umb er ston s a e each n to the co e on its o e on s e , fi ld r i g v r(t) , St r t id , a e a om m r o H e was n a e o o h um e an d c e H u b e sd n. e t fi ld rv d fr r r, b t H b r ‘ ’ umb l us han H he hou h . h e o e on e s are H umb er ston s , t t g t W il St r t fi ld , u on the H umb er sd on h e h an d its s o e the c on its he p ig t l p , lip Hig r e n on s e h as h a commun een n am e th e H un stab le a e B bi gt id , by t t ity, b d D l , ‘ “ ” ’ he tithe-map - the Amstab le (or Amstab b a ) D aw of p ast I a1ect t .ir 32 BR UNANBURH — previous day presumably at the now open portion of the ’ n er e one of P r ent on s oo e s is o n e grou d , wh W d H y b u d d by ’ Th s on he i m t n s e sh G a es . e e s ean s Stor e o W l r v divi i , t r , by

n n n a n e of s n oa s h e e s co a e . ese of a h dg , till t i i g li tu t d k T exten d i n almost u nbroken contin uation of t he spreading oaks

a on the same o nsh - ou n a ch a ou a a m e ( l g t w ip b d ry) , whi , b t h lf il ’ m s e s G a es oun a s e c a on or more fro thi W l h r v b d ry, tr t h l g ou tsid e the line where lately were the visible cop and meare

es The once on ne of a Win heath s e of the ston . ( l g) li th t id

m - a e n wood is indeed arked to d y by mor r ecords than o e. Professor J onsson must have b een right i n suggesting that

nh i s a ans a on of Wen d une hei r mean n o h Vi eidr tr l ti , d i g b t

nd d un . Some can na an n en ce has h eath a (hill) S di vi i flu , a e me a e the name Vi n heidr Wen dun e t o the in l t r ti , ppli d ( ) ili h f on ti n Wend une w c hea h was cer a n o ng heat r g , hi h t t i ly kn o n oca as The ea h n on a e its s tor a - tun had w (l lly) H t , u til l g ft r n n am H eit r is use i n the a a t o n ca e b egu to e it . d S g i di t ’ The H eath (of the two tuns) ; it is al so used occas ionally i n he e en e sense mean n as we a e n o ce a ea t xt d d , i g, h v ti d lr dy, the w o e ea an s e c sou a s t o a a e and the h l h thl d tr t h thw rd , H rgr v

o s O ld o s the ea o - mea o s o s e om Alp rt ( P rt ), gr t p rt d w ut id Br

o o h . o eo e i a o e as sa es the e of t he a a b r ug M r v r , th r p g t xt S g es n ca ons ha the e m Vi n heidr as en o n The giv i di ti t t t r , d ti g

ea has een ece e h no e es anc au o or H th , b r iv d wit littl h it y by th r c hes n n reda t ors. T e will b e poi ted out i the work which i s s hortly to appear . C e a n a ona assa es not o c e on e e b e rt i dditi l p g , t u h d up h r , will m n h i n e ea m o h om n S u . f ce t o i ut ly d lt wit y f rt c i g work . it sa for the esen ha the n a u a ea es of a coun y, pr t, t t t r l f tur th t try

s e con m all accoun s and all acco n s con m each o h . id fir t , u t fir t er There are not a few strikin g in stan ces of a proof gaining in

ce a n h o an n n en ona o scu . rt i ty, t r ugh u i t ti l b rity ’ Regardi ng the idea which grew as t o Athelstan s tents

a n s e c e all the wa a on the e h s i s n ot h vi g tr t h d y l g ridg , t i e a e i n e e O scu has n o o een b tr y d v ry MS . b rity , d ubt, b occas one b e o s on the a of e ac o s a he han i d y rr r p rt r d t r , r t r t

- au ho s . h e Wen dune H umb ersd on the e i s c ea t r W il ( ridg ) , l rly esc e in and o o s was n en e t o b e men one d rib d K, , bvi u ly, i t d d ti d

i n W its esence is m e i n the M S . ene a ece e . , pr i pli d g r lly r iv d

33, aRUN A NEUR H

ik e-names in r a n e in the Sa a B ook o the ki n p Wi r l , pri t d g f Vi g

Club fOr 1 8 M r . . G . o n woo s es ed wh , 99, W C lli g d ugg t , at here

‘ ‘ a e en as t o B r un ns -ti ln a n e I h v writt , h vi g b en a N orse name

for ms a e om n h owe er to s a e B Bri t g ; itti g, v , t t that r unnst un or ‘

nn had con ti n e ev en un . he o e Bru u d , til wr t , to b e the e n m di al ct a e.

o On n hel s an &c con a n men My w rk Ki g At t , . , will t i a d ed plans of the Ch ester and Brunanbu rh districts I h0pe to fo low u t he ma te us a on s an d o er n o ma n l p t r by ill tr ti , th i f r tio , dealing th em particul arly with th ose districts and with the

- — A n o o se a ch the arch of a es and En an u on gl N r M r M W l gl d , p

which Wirral lies .

The o nt oo e sa is e n ma e out for M u W d , th y y, b i g rk d

‘ b u d n s es on acco un of the ma n en s ec ov er il i g it , t g ific t pr o p t Wa e an E n an and t h h l s d gl d t he Irish sea. N early e w ol e

of the an c en ce c n e ecen m e the i t p, whi h, u til uit r tly, ark d q — town ship- b oun dary within t he wood as it were on r ou te fr om

— ‘ the N orth Ditch to the Wel sh Graves near b y seems n ow t o s s s m u T a e a ea wa not o n te an ed e. he h v di pp red . It ur d by y h g mea e-s on es e e e an d he e a on the co or some of r t , fix d h r t r l g p, t hem mi ht a mos seem to ha e one or een sun whe e w r es , g l t v g } b k , r i

mar ha has een oo e on as bu t a own s - oun a k w t b l k d up t hip b d ry . ‘ ’ - W. ca h u o M r . E . C ox u sed pr ints of t ese curio sly gr oved ’ stones to b e published with his Leaves from an A ntiquary s ’ 2 o e oo . I n s e of some i ndefiniteness we see ha he N t b k pit , t t meant the very early intra- sylvan b ou nd ary b etween Brit ons 1 O ne of he m h owe e is sa to ha e been n o ce n on the oun t , v r, id v ti d lyi g gr d n in c o b he w es n ot man a s a o he a n lo e xe se t . ( o g r fi d it) , l ir , y d y g I rd of some s on es ma n in e n e hbour hoo of ea oc a boun a t rki g , t ig d B tt k, d ry b w a l an or thu b ia et een Str thc yde d N m r . 2 v . Tr ans . H i st . S oc L an cash . an d Chesh for 1 8 6 L e oo . . 9 ( iv rp l , o h ch a e wou seem be o e en c osu e to ha e e en e The N rt Dit ( fi ld) ld , f r l r , v xt d d is a a en om th over the breadth of the L on g Gorse Fi eld . I t pp r t fr e ’ town ship-boun dary by the latter s far side (separati ng Tran mere from

h eb n on . Th s oun a i s con n ued a mos i n a ec lin e H ig er B i gt ) i b d ry ti , l t dir t , to t e P en o - o e on boun a whe e at eas un u e ecen h r t n St r t d ry, r , l t til q it r tly, was the v i s e co in the woo the ou or fiv e mea e- s on es be n ibl p, d , f r r t i g b s e h We we emembe the laced her an d he e in or e i s co . p , e t r , d t i p ll r r ~ stone a eastwa I t o me the boun a of P en on mear e f rthest to rd. f r d d ry r t ,

S o eton and Tran me e t t e eas s e of the h oa . hethe the t r r , a h t id igh r d W r

Stones had e ace more an cie t ones or had n ot am un a e to sa . r pl d n . , , I bl y ’ We aISO have n egati v e evidence tha t Tr an mer e sN or th D itch was appli ed & fa nati onal not me e co mun oun s for ha old N or th D I tch ( r ly. m ity b d t t has lain by the sou ther n limit of the village-commun ity conti n uing th us to name I t . B RUNA N B URH 35

— - and English contin ued o n either han d by t he l ike mean in g

’ N or t/z Ditch a nd Wd o}: Graves of the Tran mere and Sto reto n

co mm n es es ec e . h ou h the w oo an d o er hese u iti r p tiv ly T r g d , v t oun s in on s an n assed om the b d , K g C t ti e p fr ’ t o the Wi nheath n ten d n to o n han s w h his s n - i n - law , i i g j i d it o

hen h o d n ms a e and n eed the who e B r unanwer c t l i g Bri t g , i d l against the E nglish force whi ch marched from Bromb orough

on the e se . e e we ma n o e two a em s i n rece n M r y H r y t tt pt , t ea s to oca e unan u h y r , l liz Br b r

e a n his s an u on omes a —w e ein as Mr . Sull y, t ki g t d p D d y h r , re a s ra en on a ea s as the on o nsh con a n g rd Wir l , Pr t pp r ly t w ip t i ‘ - - t c ing any appre ciable e xtent ' of wood la n d fixe d upon a wood ’ cov e n a -and i n ene a e ms s e e a t he ri g ridge , g r l t r , ugg st d th t ‘ ’ nan u h h en B ut he seems t o a e Bru b r fig t ext ded t o it . h v

een e c en i n ec se en ca on whe e a o e all ' it is b d fi i t pr i id tifi ti , r , b v , e u e H he oo n ea h ch he oca e the . e esc e t w r q ir d d rib d d , r w i l t d ‘ ’ a e s m a t o s on h s is a on the e o . b ttl , ridg fr S pit l Bid t T i ' ass e a ue A s o the a t e - s e s en e a oca he ur dly v g . t b t l it g r l l lity,

m es er e a one e G een the e se s e i pli (h t with Mr . Dy r r ) M r y id of t he d e in o i m t o om o ou h an d the es ua ri g , pr x ity Br b r g t ry ‘ ’ now ca e the e an d o en t oo the a e as of old ( ll d Riv r , ft , , W t r, ), — ’ indeed in cludin g the Bromborough pen insulet quite difie rent townships from th ose in which t he battle is p roved to have ee m n ou u e an o he ne h ou hoo . H e he e en b f ght, q it t r ig b r d t r tioned n o o e n ames i n the s c as eco e b ea pr p r di tri t, r rd d y rly

“ e s ‘ e ce ms i of cou se om o ou . ot n see t o writ r , x pt ( r ) Br b r gh N hi g

“ a e een sa him—n or so far as w e ar e a are h v b id by , w , by — W B ‘ W . e G een e he o f en dune or of r unefe ld in M r Dy r r it r , r B un u ea o r an d ne or e en o f B r unanwe rc . u le h th , v M r S l y s es e ha the anes a e in e se a e or ugg t d t t D rriv d M r y W t r , on the a as ach fa a om he D e He e e r a t e . W ll y b , w y fr a u e to o en ce of o ce s e b ut - hou sco e n the ll d d Fl r W r t r , wit t di v ri g ‘ so u on eas t o one n in a ‘ of the um er l ti , y livi g Wirr l , H b ’ proble m : this the presen t writer ventures t o think has n ow

us on i s h e m e o h Sulle s r r al All i er ad t Mr . P ilip yf Wi ’ ' oo -n otes to t he r om o o u h eco i n O r mer od s Cizo fzzr e, ed . f t Br b r g r rd , ( l H el sb om n o mat on su e d the a e . e G ee n y , fr i f r i ppli by l t Mr . E Dy r r , n ow n h ou hou C hesh re an d e e s de for n ea ha a c n u as k t r g t i M rs y i , — rly lf e t ry p t u i - e . n ti l h s d ecease in the presen t yeah as the well regarded in cumben an Re to o o t d c r f Brombor ugh. 36 BRUNANBURH

een one n n H umb er sdon n o om n en ce for t he b d , by bri gi g i t pr i s me en emen ose ecen e s a e s fir t ti . B oth g tl , wh r t vi w h v ju t

een men on e a ea t o a e ma e m c o f the n ame b ti d , pp r h v d u h ’ — — Wargrav es fields at Bromb orough on the M ersey as

a n e in the con c . s at eas cann o a e een . h vi g figur d fli t Thi , l t , t h v b

is a e the me- on o e e m o n oo Pity it th t, whil ti h ur d t r M u t W d is s - o n n me o a use e h e he e e n a c . in t till t b tt r k w , ffi i lly d , . g nan ce ur e et ere is an n c na on to n ca e as O rd S v y, y th i li ti i di t it ‘ en on oo —o n n o o to the e o e-men one Pr t W d wi g , d ubt , b f r ti d

en enc to sca the fam a t o aim at the s an a e . t d y di rd ili r, di t t t rg t

e er e ess the name oun oo has ema n e hou N v th l , —M t W d r i d t gh Wenwood Vi n uskogr ) consistently synonymous with it was attempted by the S can dinavian stranger in t he t en th ‘ ’ an d e t cen es en on oo occas ona in the tw lf h turi , Pr t W d i lly n e inet enth .

e se the ea o ca on c the e f -cen u Lik wi , gr t f rtifi ti , whi h tw l th t ry mon k of an other shire preferred t o call the B r unanwer c has yet left its ancient n ame of B runan dune in th e N orse form

- B r un nstun c s s rv es in the o s eec at eas . , whi h till u iv , f lk p h l t was e a s a con cess on t o oca fee n h c It , p rh p , i l l li g w i h ‘ use us he somew a a e e m en on ca d Mr . C ox to e t h t v gu t r Pr t

oo in his esc on of th e mea e -s ones to c e e W d d ripti r t , whi h r f r th ence has j ust been made . It an d the valuable prints of e s ones—co es of c o a as n ot of the co he so t pi —whi h (th ugh , l , p) h appily preserved are consequ en tly i ndexed unde r Prent on n ot n e M ozm t c as t ha s c o f n an has een u d r . Ri h t di tri t E gl d b s o n t o b e in o - o e an d a e of ea u e et has its h w f lk l r v ri ty f t r , it y

e c e s s a to la s ess on ace - names and d fi i nt ide . It ha f iled y tr pl s o c hi t ri association s. The commencement of this obscuri ng must date from a very ea me E en the oem i n the on c e as the a e rly ti . v P Chr i l , l t ‘ e nha t en n has sa sc e n n c v on e nem anne B r rd Bri k id , h i t i ht i M

h er z ur uhr en we c e der ch ac e e o n a e . E s , l h r S l ht b ig w h t h tt fehlt dem Liede an d er epischen A nschaulichkei t und der u n m e a en e des Vo s e es u n d e en so seh an itt lb r G walt lk li d , b r ’ poetischer E r find ung his Gor e/tickl e oer E nglisc/zen L i er t 6 1 0 tt a ur e n 1 1 1 an d a e ed . . 1 . (B rli , I . , 7, l t r I 9 seems c ea a for a o s of t he oem ecou se was It l r th t, uth r hip P , r r had t o one o n i an c b r n other distri t . BRUNANBURH 37

To return to the Wendu ne (the N or ridge) portion of the

on u of o e all t he i ne an a ons u on e an t o l g Mo n t y r p pl t ti , p it , b g h oo ace o h in a grow more than a centu ry ago . T is t k pl b t p rt

est o a on of t he hen sa ear n oun oo and a so r r ti (t ) di pp i g M t W d , l — — a he sou h a on t he same e he e quite afresh f rt r t l g ridg , w r

o me o en hea h had e e een whe e no c u m s of o ld f r rly p t v r b , r l p

The a ea ance cause s n e - an n oak ar e found . r d by thi pi pl ti g p—p — leaves the wh ol e ridge Wend u ne an d H umb ersd on riche r

he esen c the than ever in S candin avi an association . T pr e of

ne- oo s seem a mos as much as ha of the su n oa s pi w d , l t t t rvivi g k at the anc en oun oo t o b e et ano he r n w the i t M t W d , y t li k ith

- e s n n he r e e . so e scen e e s as a e p M edia val A ft r ry gr t ( , t di g t r , ’ on e u ns on e s e es a a om a es i n the oo own t r y w y fr W l ), l k d , ’ an d in the e o er the e se ac oss t o ancash e s vi w v M r y, r L ir

Ga s on coun r wh ch ses us e on . I ts a ea ance r t t y, i ri j t b y d pp r , ’ its e a v e s ance ma t o the an e i n un s d a h a e r l ti di t , y, D C t y, v

eca e a oo om the he h s a o e s no e ac oss the r ll d l k , fr ig t b v El i r , r

ou n n he assa e o e the two es ua es t o we e . T S d , S d p g v r t ri , an d a as es e een h em—the assa e oa Wirr l it li b tw t p g , by r d ,

om o a es owa s um a ca e u a o n fr N rth W l , t rd C bri ( r f lly v idi g

hes e — n s t o m n the ou e a en a e a C t r) bri g i d r t t k , l rg ly by r il , h om on n en a en ma o e P un en . T e D ee a h c fr C ti t l D rk , v r r ft w i h ’ — we remember at the old Queen s Ferry in su ccession t o a ‘ ’ ’ mar sh - o of Gawa n s d a —seeme as i n the G a s o f rd i y d , r il t ry , t he one wa n o a li ttl e lan d of en e eau s seen om y i t g tl r b ty , fir t fr t he once o es e h s as om o e or om o on e had ( f r t) h ig t , , fr H p fr M ld , ’

escen e sa Flint shi re s uc e oun a n . em n e of d d d , y, B kl y M t i R i d r some O densee hos e in mid -coun is n ot wan n when the t l try ti g , ’ h o seman an hou a e ass n the e n ow u at ueen s r , r ft r p i g bridg b ilt Q ’ - e a s at a s e o ms e . is he e F rry , h lt Mid Wirr l villag f Bri tag It t r

ha s wa so ea n one om the o e onc e we e the t t thi y , l di g fr Sp t wh re r ‘ ’ mar sh- o s mee s the shor er c oss- oa the ea c oss f rd , t t r r d ( gr t r oa c l ed om the owe o ds Ga on—the o s r d), whi h fr l r f r , by yt f rd

- om the o e e of the Gr een z u. om ms a e fr H ly H d n Fr Bri t g , th is short b ut impor tant cross- road con tin ued towards Brom ’

o ou h oo . A t ms a e the m o e n a e e om b r g P l Bri t g , d r tr v ll r, fr ’ ueen s e oes e mo han e se he oss - oad an d Q F rry, d littl re t trav r t cr r ’ t he h s o c u n . H e asses on n ot t o om o ou h oo i t ri b r p , Br b r g P l , as i n re- o man mes b ut o e o e n t the owe e se p N r ti , v r St r to , o l r M r y 38 B RUNAN B UR H

er es. arent i n t he t we fth en r r oman er o F ri A pp ly, l c tu y , c s w uld a ead n ( o f tt rav elle rs as t n n a t ms a e owa s lr y thi k ur i g Bri t g , t rd

he e o e e es . o eo e the e e the cr oss n s t o w c t s l w r f rri M r v r . y w r i g hi h, as shown an ni tor i: n of l an wou na u a choo e t o , ki g A b y ld t r lly s ‘ ’ ‘ ’ 1 f c h r h n W c v a t h o s om an as e eac i nh at e w o d . pas r L i , r i g h i

The owe e es con s t u e the s ho e e se r o s in ‘ whi h l r f rri it t rt r M r y c s g, c ‘ ’ ‘

e a e . . ha r s o m m G awa n a e i e . om fo t ry ight w ll k i .t k , fr t t

’ ' en and on ce B r i tts/t o h a h e e con ue ors bidd (N rt ) Wirr l , w r q r ‘ ‘ u seem t o sa t wo ld . y ( o G awai n Th ou ar t passi ng through

‘ - m co n en o e for a of him . a w s the o y u try r ut , th t th t a l rd of Alban ie

W mus n f i e t call atte tion to the excellen t d escrip—t ion o r ema ns of the old B s a e or run a he f r ifi on w I rim t g B st c o t cati hich , hold t o b the v n a me of t he B un n w r c—as en i n e s urvi i g fr g nt r a e z giv “ ’ ’ . o me s zmdr e o W The oa e . H a i r r al m t W W M rti r , f d and s a e c a ea an ce f wha hen sur v iv ed is w e k nown tr t gi pp r , o t t , . ll

h n e o e t o ave co tinued un til man y years after M r . M ortim r wr t ‘ & o f t he great stren gth an d importan ce whi ch h e d iscern ed on ce m o s o a e : een . Th e w e en u es to ee ha its i t , h v b rit r v t r f l t t i p rt

n ow ma e c a . I n the wo ab o t o a a e ence f om d le r rk u t ppe r , vid r the Public R ecords will b e brought t o b ear as to the fourteenth

- s cen e u a on of ms a e an d the c oss oa . ,wa tury r p t ti Bri t g r r , d It

’ then a way by whi ch tko Ki ng s people passed fr om t/ze ban ks ‘ ’ o D ee to 111 3 banks o JVI er see was a e e ha s h f 1 f . It ll g d t t uc

a e s asse o ms a e H a en i . e. h n tr v ller p d thr ugh Bri t g all g rd , , wit i t he s on ua e moa on consen o f the o or tr gly g rd d t , but ly by t l rd ’ l f t e man i Ki n R c ar d s a s an d i the da s o ady o h or, n g i h d y n y f

lz r zzd is a o t/l er . The a ch a w ea s g f p rt whi , fe y r e the en o of ms a e some a i n L an cas lat r, th l rd Bri t g , wh t high ,

u ha t a in a em n t o check ' t he G n an a o d o . e tri f v r , , pl y , tt pti g l

e on w a so b e sh n . e B r un stache and dower r belli , ill l ow Th ,

n e he n e B r u anwe c m s e con n ue to b e i d e d t w ol n r u t hav ti d ,a s on a e s on t he c oss- oa a e a a ns tr gly gu rd d po t up r r d , gu rd d g i t ‘ o e - a assen e s om a es in V n as in hu an v r W—irr l p g r fr W l , iki g, Art ri times this office re main ing (t o the B r un stache p ortion) even 1 ' . a u e to on s a n e H e an d A nlaf v en e e W a at o n s far I ll d C t nti . t r d irr l p i t s an f om ea h o h Yet each of hem h us a w h n a o on di t t r c t er. t t rrive d it i p rti of the en n su a wh ch for all ac ca u o ses mu s ha e con n ue to p i l i , pr ti l p rp , t v ti d ’ r r i i lt on en b e e a e as in a es . e . as w h n i a s B t s o r g d d W l , i it i W rr l p rti , fri dly o to t he n . he s an most natu r al l led his ce b w of the lo al Viki g At l t y f r , ( y ay y ‘ ’ C h a to E n sh ombo ou h on e se s an . ild gli Br r g , M r y b k 39

i t il l the cl ose of th e M iddle Ages. Brimstage H all and i ts association s will b e somewhat mi nutely treated of in the work ab out to appear: ’ We e n t o ose he s of Wend une s end to ic the r tur th ight , wh h

ou n oo has shr un oo n not on t o the e se an d M t W d k , l ki g ( M r y ac oss t o ancas i e es a o e id - a and the r L h r , but) w tw rd v r M Wirr l space b elow which the D ee, estuary lies concealed by the Gay

‘ ton - Heswa e—oo n ac oss h s t o the nea in sh e ll ridg l ki g r t i , r Fl t ir

/ ran e be an d D ee an d o a d s Sn ow o n a in the ac oun . g g , t w r d i b kgr d

m me a e e o us s e ch the o n an s of o e on I di t ly b l w tr t r lli g l d St r t , once the manor o f the o es e s ex o ei o the manor of the F r t r , fi ,

S an e s of t o e on om amon hom n a u a enou h t l y S r t , fr g w , t r lly g , B oli ngbroke sought out a l ord for the (then ) recently acquired ‘ ‘ Land . of M an a l ord born on the Wi nheath as it over l ooked the Manx (the Irish) Sea. This was er e breath had ce ased i n some who remembered a ti me whe n bishops of od or and M a e e s consecr e in a S n w r till at d N orw y . ’

e e . . s e e es on f e n o e . o ce n c o th H r , I t Mr E W C x x ll t d ripti a ea ance o f the id es an d he r n e me a e a es i n his pp r r g t i i t r di t d l , A n ti u i ties o S tor eton n otwithstand in his om ss ons to sce n q f , g i i di r , ’ r e St or et on s h s or or r e the mea e- s on es his u n o una e s ate i t y r t , f rt t t ‘ men t that Wirral had been the scene of n o great events

I n s ea n of o e on and its o es e o s M r . C ox p ki g St r t F r t r l rd ,

s es ec a e o uen as t o the eel n s c he e cei e wa p i lly l q t , f i g whi h p r v d

s a e o m e mi a o an e s of ea mes H e mu t h v pr pt d lit ry rg iz r rly ti . e n e os spoke of their wis ch oice of it as at least a defe siv p ition . ’ n t he h land s o eton s an s e a wa c - tower he O igh , St r t d lik t h , ' h n ion remarked . T is recalls th e Gr ail story s me t of the ’ cr an e on a h h r ock as ca s h of Gawa n n ig , it ught ig t i ridi g ’ G n a et w e re e ma ha e een th e oc o f wh c the ri g l , h v r y v b r k i h

h I s it i een th roman c er t ought . p os sible tha t t may have b e (now removed ) rock which i s r emember ed as havi ng stood hin the oun H o se ? ha of co se o l he ust be d M t u T t , ur , w u d j t e on W S or t . ’ - The bird s shri ll crya f so l oud that the Ki ng of Wales heard ’ ’ ’ - k n us a es Storet on s and n ee ll r ra s it stri i gly ill tr t , i d d a Wi l ,

m e W n k of e so un d eo a h ca os on t o sa n o o . e th g gr p i l p iti , y r thi ’ ‘ ’ f he or ester s ho n wh ch, h s Winheath cam e t o b e o t F r , by i t i

” e we oo ac t o a fart e as to a se r d of al h ld l k b k h r p t, wi bi Wirr , 4 o BRUNANBURH

’ ‘ ’ t o the Welshman s story of the ousel of C ilgwr i receiving the embassy from Arthu r .

The Gr a il oma n ce as a e h n e a ea s t o s a e r , I h v i t d , pp r illu tr t

Wirral from the ti me wh en it had forme d p art of G wynedd . We s eem to ha e as w e e a m o n c e show n I a v , it r , vi g pi tur , i g ( ) e sh n e on the D ee u n a and 2 a n W l ki g b y d , r li g Wirr l , ( ) lludi g t o the a e d a en the a e e om a es a n l t r y, wh tr v ll r fr W l , rrivi g

e e was a esse some n s or n o-V n th r , ddr d by E gli h A gl iki g

o who o sa o art ass n h ou m l rd , w uld y Th u p i g t r gh y country

O n e oo s om s oo on Weon dune a ea l k fr thi w d h d ,

et somew a t o the h ac oss the ea e an on a e in y h t rig t, r gr t r W t D l , — which l ie Pren ton and Landican villages across t o th e hill

G eas . e a n hose e h s a en on has een by r by R g rdi g t h ig t , tt ti b ca ed in the oca o the a a en co n c ence of the ll , l lity, t pp r t i id ’ Foreste rs St oreton and G reasby (on ce G rev esb er r ie) havin g

een un er a s n e o o a er an d s e o e the o man b d i gl l rd , b th ft ju t b f r N r

C on ues . a ma t oo ha e een hus for on e o e q t Th t it y, , v b t l g b f r , ‘ is su e eca e the R ev a c e H e c ose to Gr ev esb err ie r ly r ll d by A r y, l

- . i m e e en . e n rankb o ns the ee na e s n i F y t w hip , by P l d fi ld xt di g

’ n o hese mano s an d a L zmber n ame of t wo withi b th t r , by Irby ’ e s s h s e e eca the n c o e t o r e sb s e . fi ld , lyi g l G a y ot r id Th y r ll M ercian govern or wh ose n ame mu st eventually h ave come

to b e ac now e e e n i n ar /z a in a - e on k l dg d ve N i Wirr l , Wirr l b y d

h - o s t e C p .

oo n es om the oun oo oo n a on Still l ki g w t fr M t W d , l ki g l g ’ S tor e/on s an on a e s till so n ame the B r unefe ld es t o W t D l , d , li ’ the e o n on s ou on cea n the ou e h c m s l ft , Th r t h gh c li g r t w i h u t h ave been taken at Brunan bu rh by fugitives making for the ’ E ar s ess a n ame s es s no on a oca r er of l N . Th t ugg t ( t ly l l ul man es b e s a e Y t i o m ut a V n in the o . e s N r ti , ) iki g pr vi u g it the o e n o e - D ee an e i n r on of us to c the e e f r ig v r r g , f t , whi h y

r eac es a n ea n s scene as h , high backgr ou d to this n r E gli h , it ‘ ’ e e sc an s of a w r enery p ai n ted b ehi n d these broad l d Wirr l . om the o n oo m an w ou co me t o ee mo e and Fr M u t W d , y ld f l , r

‘ m o e a e z o e n an o on of the os r , th t th y ga e v r n o insig ifi c t p rti L t La nd of Ki n g Arthu r

B ut he e we ar e ea n o e ma e s w cer a n ac s r d li g with th r tt r , ith t i f t ’ as to E n an s a ona as now o e om o n a so ces. gl d N ti l p t, pr v d fr rigi l ur

4 2 B RUNAN BUR H mark the b igner estuary- ford) would bring passengers over the

s anal/zer wa c oss n some two m es he . e trip (by y), r i g it il hig r Th y would b e stopped by the southerly (the Thornton) en d of the ‘ ’ B ru anwer c and mus n ee s ass o s e and o n the n , t d p ut id it , j i ‘ e h l ea t a e e . e e n G a on and t e D i ake . o gr g t i . b tw yt g It w uld ’ ’ seem om the for tificat i on s ue B r unanann e name an d m , fr tr , fro o he a ea an ces ha h s m s a e con n ue om the a s t r pp r , t t t i u t h v ti d fr d y h ss f man on u s . t e e es an a on s e a na o Ro C q e t At N , d l g id th t rrow s s r n D ee the on con nue his o he a e trip ki ti g , Brit ti d h ld , till h il d 1 T s the Viking as a deliverer . he ame might b e said as t o the

- B ut he t wo N orth Wirral pen insu lets . t pl ai ns of T eyr nllwg he e e o e a e a as e se e e the n shman w r th y v rl pp d Wirr l , l wh r , E gli m con ue e at the s . The o n a ns as on e a ache q r d fir t u t i , ppro d

um a ema ne sh or ano - s e s an s e e C bri , r i d Briti D Briti h , lik i l d v ry

- - whe e . So man o es an s an d fen an s i n e man ne r did y f r t l d l d , lik r as ha woo an n d moo an s a on ees e wh c the t t dl d a rl d trip l g D id , i h ’ Gr een Kn ig/zt s author had n o d oubt looked upon from H oly ‘ we . e . u on the w ldr en esse of W r ale The ees e ll , i p y y D id s or a e its an e - s e s o e e n the N estons was the trip , r th r r g id l p b hi d ,

oo on h we e the o as u s . M a n t Bl dy Hill . Up t at r D ugl H rst y o this n ame have been applied t o the whol e A shfield distr ict on the - e h h an e s e . e u ees e an t e es a r g id , i . hig r p D id th H w ll h eather ?

O n ha on o e ween the es a and the an c en t t l g br w, b t tu ry i t

B r un andu n e o he se r e e in re- n s mes some ( t rwi p fix d p E gli h ti ),

ea s e h as een o h out o a befor e unan gr t truggl b f ug t , pr b bly Br

- u a e . For esen ace nam s e s e l n e o e A s b rh d t pr t pl e xi t d o g b f r .

t o whe he ce a n a on s h c h e een mm a z e t r rt i tr diti w i h av b i ort li d , ’ e a n a ea a e ancash e s e e o as r g rdi g gr t b ttl by L ir littl riv r D ugl , or some o h e ou as e ma or ma n ot a e een t r D gl riv r , y y h v b

assoc a e a so h h s D ee is not for me t o sa . i t d l wit t i , it y

B ut the ou as u s s an d man c cums ances o n to D gl H r t , y ir t , p i t

D ou l as as not m o a an a n am for the D ee es uar g i pr b bly e rly e t y .

ha sh a e wa s V n s e ow the ess ea If t t Briti ( ft r rd iki g) trip, b l N H d , oo e ea the on was et e es e the u on l k d dr ry, Brit y r fr h d by B rt

1 ’ ’ shou b e n o e ha wh e L e an s D en waule o e ce a n It ld t d t t, il l d r d rt i ly ’ ‘ ’ m es the eca e o of a s ess the o e in D ee wh c was i pli d y d p rt E rl N , r d i h ’ caull id S alt - h ouse must h ave been approached from the road between u on and u n on v ia the an e n ea h n d of wh h a ece of B rt P ddi gt , l r t e e i c pi ’ ’ oun i s s c l th S a r gr d till a led e lte s Croft . BRUNANBURH 4 3

‘ ’ b v e the hea an as one of the a ns of Te r nllw . l an ds a o dl d , by pl i y g

- a e Ch a of h s same a or o ancash e A Kil d l ( ild ) t i Wirr l , S uth L ir , m ay have cheered him even more .

We ha e a mos the same ea om the G a Cas tle s o v l t id , fr r il t ry , as ha wh ch a e at the e nn n i n us a on of the t t i I g v , b gi i g, ill tr ti ‘ ’ oo on a om awa en . G a a n m h seem l k up Wirr l , fr H rd w i ig t , ha n ou en a n t o en e the o es n ea hes e an d vi g tridd Brit i t r f r t , r C t r

n sh en hs e sa at o es on b ut t o eme e om E gli D big hir , D dl t , rg fr y — it b y the same hill - sides of the Haward en district t o see the same o en coun hen to ma e for the sea i n the s an ce p try, t k , di t , to each the eo s sho e and w a n ow we ca th e u me ed r M l r , h t ll S b rg ’ o es on h e H e a a s t o see some h n e h F r t t at shor . ppe r t i g lik lig t sh s and t o ass a on the once woo e cause a the ip , p l g d d w y by 1 —t s s a on w aves o pas along it towards Wallasey ; v . the Tran l ti

a r ea o e . . es on . 1 I 6. ( l dy qu t d) by J L W t , pp 5 , h t h e a e f c s c a en n o e o e an s a . O o e a o I p xp d t i id , l t r ur I ll tt ti t o the Grail story an d the Gr ail Castle Romance mer ely as r ecalli n a to the Gr een a nt as e n e ouch n g Wirr l , but g d fi it ly t i g upon it . ’ I s it possibl e that the Grail story s author may have asso ’ 2 ’ ciated Fair Maidens H all (n ow coming to b e called Tho r s ’ one at a s hu s as on w the as e of the een St Wirr l T r t t , ith C tl Qu ’ of the M aid ens P The islan d un d er or at l east within sight of ha cas e c ohn h s has assoc a e w th n e , t t tl ), whi h Sir J R y i t d i A gl se i i e hi f s en m h u n s an v . his S tu d ies i n y , id t fi d by wit P fi I l d

e A r tlzn r an L e d f s a M i gen . I would add that P u fin I l n d is a so s e om th h s s i o f cou se n o l vi ibl fr e T ursta ton Di tri ct . It s r t ’ m o a e ha H ilb r e e s an us un e a a ens i pr b bl t t ( ) I l d , j t d r F ir M id

a has o en een con u e w uf n s an . H ll , ft b f s d ith P fi I l d

1 do n ot mean to u e the e w ha the o es had n ot een co e e I rg vi t t f r t b v r d ,

sea or san s on e o e the we h cen u . R oman ce s m a i e by d , l g b f r t lft t ry r y, l k o h e s n ow ha e h ou h of an e a e m e wh en n es ew he e ha e t r , v t g t rli r ti pi gr t r , v ‘ ’ hou h of a d a when ees s seen t o li e all on e wa we e as et t g t y tr , till y , r , y , u n se e e om he un s . en on co ec en ou h of n es w h v r d fr t ir tr k M ti , rr tly g , pi ( it ‘ ’ amplifying statem en t as to cypress an d laurel) would poin t to such

th ought s . ’ ‘ ’ a ma m i O h e am h own H ll y ean H ll . t er x ples (of H all avi ng gr om H i ll or it e u n m h b c fr s q ivale t) ig t e ited . O& FORD & H ORACE H A RT P R I N TER TO TH E UN I VERSI TY