Greater Anglia name

[w0033944]

The term 'Midlands' was not a shortening of 'Middle-lands' but was 'Mead-lands', mead an older word for meadow. Meadow lands were those alongside slow running rivers like the Nene, which only falls 180' from Northampton to the Wash.

Midlands originally referred to the area centred on Northampton.

Obviously with the passage of time the meaning has changed, but unfortunately it has left the three Shire counties without a generic description.

Interesting - thanks!