First mention of Waledich | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Avebury 222

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Wale-dich, the Saxon name for Avebury

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Pete G Jul 23, 2004 11:42:18

Replying to Cursuswalker

Medieval Assize Rolls of 1289 describe the henge itself as Waledich, which has been interpreted as meaning 'ditch of the Britians'. <snip>
It is equally likely however , that the name simply means 'Wall-Ditch, as a literal interpretaion of the bank and ditch of the henge; an instance of the place name Walditch in Dorset, for example, is thus explained (Ekwall 1960, 492)

From Avebury a biography of a landscape by Pollard & Reynolds p203-4.

PeteG

Pete G Jul 23, 2004 13:11:12

Replying to Pete G

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20978&item=2258231393&rd=1
This 1907 postcard shows that Avebury may have been Walled much more than it is today.
PeteG

Earthstepper Jul 23, 2004 13:35:21

Replying to Pete G

Thanks Pete. Thing is that with such a late date as 1289, that will not necessarily be an uncorrupted Saxon spelling. Who knows now what the first Saxons to come to Avebury really meant? We are still left with the afore mentioned spelling variations and certainly cannot be certain of any of them. I really like the Welsh-ditch, but still opt for the walled ditch and doubt if there was any real distinction between an earthen wall and an earthen ridge anyway. (Perhaps the blood and thunder brigade would prefer the slaughter ditch; Wael-dich)

juamei Jul 26, 2004 01:47:07

Replying to Pete G

> It is equally likely however , that the name simply means 'Wall-Ditch, as a literal interpretaion of the bank
> and ditch of the henge; an instance of the place name Walditch in Dorset, for example, is thus explained
> (Ekwall 1960, 492)

Is there a henge there? I've not heard of it...