Settlement Association

[Fermiboson]

And in yet another low-hanging fruit, we have St Peter's Church in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

[Calthrop]

Maidenhead's name is nothing to do with ladies, etc.; but is derived from the "antique English" Maiden Hythe = New Wharf: one such, having been inaugurated on the River Thames bank here, in the 13th century. Prior to this being done, the town had been called South Ellington. There is a village named Ellington in Northumberland, north-east of Morpeth and near the coast.

 

[Fermiboson]

The A1068, which goes through Ellington, terminates at Seaton Burn on one end, and Alnwick past the A1 on the other. Another A road which terminates at a town starting with an A in one end, and S in the other, is the A6079 (kind of), starting near Acomb near Hexham and ending near Swinburn(e) near A68. A significant conurbation along this road is Low Brunton, also in Northumberland.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Another settlement with "Low" in its title is that of Low Cocklaw which was also once under jurisdiction of the extensive land area covered by the Hexham Poor Law Union.

 

[Calthrop]

Low Cocklaw is close to the site of the Battle of Halidon Hill, 19/7/1333: very early in the Second War of Scottish Independence, which went on for some 25 years subsequently. Even earlier in that war was the Battle of Annan, now in Dumfries and Galloway -- 16/12/1332. (At Halidon Hill, the English defeated the Scots; Annan was between two Scottish factions.)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway was also created a Royal Burgh in the 16th century.

 

[Calthrop]

Teignmouth, Devon -- a long way from Sanquhar ! -- also has a pub called the Queensberry Arms.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Chagford in Devon also lies on the line of the River Teign.

 

[Calthrop]

A recounted dramatic 17th-century event (some uncertainty as to whether "for real", or fictitious folklore) concerns Mary Whiddon, allegedly shot dead as she came out of Chagford church on her wedding day. This tale was borrowed by R.D. Blackmore for the culminating chapters of his novel Lorna Doone, set in the 17th century; which has a similar thing befalling the heroine Lorna at her wedding, at the parish church of Oare, Somerset -- between Minehead and Lynton. In the novel, however, the lady's wounding is not fatal; in time she is restored to full health and a happy marriage.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Rodhuish in Somerset was also once administered by the Hundred of Carhampton.

 

[Calthrop]

The name or suffix "huish" (meaning, I learn, "lands or household... [of]...", from Old English hiwisc): seems quite popular for small settlements in Somerset. A couple of miles east of Rodhuish, lies Beggearn Huish -- both a little way inland from Minehead and Watchet.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

East Quantoxhead in Somerset was also once administered by the Hundred of Williton and Fremanners.

 

[Springs Branch]

Alderley Edge in Cheshire was also a historic centre of copper mining.

 

[Calthrop]

The sandstone ridge Alderley Edge, close by the settlement and from which settlement takes name; is one of the seemingly numerous places in Britain, according to legend harbouring underground: a sleeping army (often, but not always, King Arthur & Co.) who will at some time in the future, arise and save our country from deadly peril. There is a similarly-themed legend attached to Dunstanburgh Castle, near Embleton in Northumberland -- between Alnwick and Seahouses (sorry if I seem to have Northumberland on the brain at present).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whittingham in Northumberland is another settlement where a pele tower was erected.

 

[Calthrop]

Orford, Suffolk, also has a church dedicated to St. Bartholomew.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Stratford St Andrew in Suffolk was also once administered by the Hundred of Plomesgate.

 

[Calthrop]

A thing I've used quite recently (though not these specific pubs). Stratford St. Andrew used at one time to have -- and Pease Pottage, West Sussex (near Crawley) still has -- a pub called the Black Swan.

 

[Fermiboson]

Swans were, famously, thought to be entirely white until the discovery of black swans in Australia by the Englishman John Latham, who was born in Eltham, Greater London (then Kent).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Mottingham in south-east London was also once administered by the ancient Hundred of Blackheath.

 

[Calthrop]

Eric Liddell, who in 1924 famously refused to violate the Fourth Commandment: attended school at Eltham College in Mottingham. He later studied at the University of Edinburgh.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Dumfries also has a camera obscura.

 

[Fermiboson]

Dumfries has an ice rink, Tesco Superstore, and a large car park close to the rail station. Another town with all three of these features is Doncaster, South Yorkshire. (There are surprisingly few towns with this combination of anemities.)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Newmarket in Suffolk also has a Grade 1 rated racecourse.

 

[Springs Branch]

Unsurprisingly, the town of Newmarket's coat of arms includes a galloping racehorse.

Horse images appear to be remarkably rare on other coats of arms for towns and cities around the UK and Ireland - especially measured against the frequent appearances of less common creatures, for example lions and salmon.

However one settlement in the Republic of Ireland whose coat of arms does feature a horse is Ballinasloe in County Galway.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria also holds a horse fair.

 

[Calthrop]

Boxworth in Cambridgeshire -- between Cambridge and Huntingdon -- also has a pub called the Golden Ball.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Knapwell in Cambridgeshire was also once administered by the Hundred of Papworth.

 

[Calthrop]

Knapwell's name is reckoned possibly connected with the chalybeate Red Well in the adjacent wood. Similarly endowed, with a chalybeate spring, is Gilsland astride the Northumberland / Cumbria border. between Hexham and Carlisle.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Corbridge in Northumberland is another settlement near to Hadrian's Wall.