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scubi63 S
scubi63 Nov 30, 2007 18:28:58
Replying to StoneGloves

StoneGloves wrote:
The name barrow really just relates to the implement that helped make them, although perhaps the barrows were tiny (and actually baskets).
A bit off topic but Tim Darvill states in one of his books that the late and great Leslie Grinsell suggested the word barrow is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'beorh' refering to ancient burial places of that time, and also of the word 'hlaew' which was used for contemporary burial mounds of the same period.
Is this considered the correct point of view or are there any other opinions on where this word comes from?

:o)

C.

P Paulus
Paulus Nov 30, 2007 18:51:55
Replying to scubi63

Ey up Scubi!

scubi63 wrote:
A bit off topic but Tim Darvill states in one of his books that the late and great Leslie Grinsell suggested the word barrow is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'beorh' refering to ancient burial places of that time, and also of the word 'hlaew' which was used for contemporary burial mounds of the same period. Is this considered the correct point of view or are there any other opinions on where this word comes from?
The great A.H. Smith (English Place-Names, I, 1956:248-50) tells of the "artificial mound, a burial mound, a mound in which treasure is hidden" as one of the prime meanings; but there are several others and they've gotta be seen context (i.e., gerrout and check 'em!) - each one relates to mounds or hillocks. The more recent place-name writer, Margaret Gelling, also explores the word in Place-Names in the Landscape, telling similar things. Get owt y' can by these doods!