Ancient Roads: a Stræt, Two Herepaðs and a Hricgweg

#wiltshire #romanroads #stratfordtony #bishopstone
There are a couple of Saxon charters of Bishopstone and Stratford Tony that coincide. They both layer information about the Dark Age landscape of lowland Britain.
But first I start with naming a ring ditch found near to the church at Stratford Tony and explain why it is what it is called. Then I walk the ridgeway above Stratford, the watershed for the Ebble and Nadder rivers and then discuss the Dark Age landmarks arrayed along it.
These history walk videos are about the English landscape in and around the south west of England (though I make the odd foray into Wales). I often use ancient charters (such as Saxon charters) to give me insight into the way the landscape was viewed in the past.
But it is not the Saxons that interest me the most (though they do) but the prehistoric world and its ancient monuments, trackways and ditches.
#Archaeology #oldenglishcharters #antiquarians #historywalks #britishhistory

[@francisbarlow9904]

Beautiful parting shot of a spindle trees blossom, a man who can admit his failings is a honest man!

[@AllotmentFox]

I’m taking you 9n my journey of absolute certainty then down a side alley or two of uncertainty pretty much live. The really stupid things I edit out

[@callanist]

What you are doing is help decipher the world bequeathed to us by our forebears. I enjoy rummaging about in maps and also physically exploring the countryside as it exists today - and you broaden my understanding of both. Just one small example : near Winchester where I live are two hamlets, East Stratton & West Stratton - one either side of and each less than half a mile from the north/south Roman Road between Silchester & Winchester (Margary's route 42A). As settlements today they're unremarkable and I've never given them much thought until watching this video of yours made me realise how their names are likely related to the Saxon's term for the old Roman Road separating them. Only a small lightbulb moment that doesn't change the world - but the enlightenment made me smile and makes me want to learn more. And I'm certain the same effect occurs in many or most of your viewers. And seeing you working things out as you go along only makes it all the more fascinating. Thankyou!

[@AllotmentFox]

Wait until you start looking at river names. My mind was blown when I realised Cirencester should be pronounced Chirencester because the river Churn runs through it. Same with the villages of Cerney. Frightening how oblivious I can be

[@anenigmawrapped]

Another beaut. You are a generous and skilled practitioner, Sir, and I wish you a productive 2025 - your work is important. Hoping that you and yours have a restful Christmas. Thank you. Russ

[@AllotmentFox]

Thank you, Russ. You too

[@jointgib]

music at 18:48 is perfect

[@AllotmentFox]

I’m glad he is continuing to compose, I am using more and more of it

[@ddecker902]

Fantastic. Wonderful discovery, and a great video, once again full of new information. You’re really good at both researching and presenting, sir, kudos to you. Wishing you and Kitra a peaceful holiday season.

[@AllotmentFox]

Thank you and a happy Christmas to you too

[@btapp59]

Thank you for another great video.

[@AllotmentFox]

Thank you for watching

[@walthamwayfarers]

Thank you, you have helped me understand that the names of rivers and roads could have been around for hundreds or thousands of years and are not a modern concept. I am now exploring my home town of Bishop's Waltham using a new set of eyes, and looking for Saxon charters. Have a great Christmas 🎄🎄

[@AllotmentFox]

Thanks for watching. There are quite a few charters in Hampshire and quite a few Old British names (Welsh). There is a charter at Kilmeston (I don’t know if there is one nearer)

[@leslieaustin151]

Nice work, thank you for encouraging my interest in such things. Do the charters ever mention mills, or are they only concerned with boundaries? I guess the latter as they are “boundary charters”! Whatever Christmas time is to you I hope it’s a time of rest and pleasantness for you both. Les

[@AllotmentFox]

You get a lot of millways and millbrooks. Even in the 800s and 900s they are industrial to some degree

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Nice one, thank you :)

[@AllotmentFox]

No, thank you for watching

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

@@AllotmentFox I have suggested that members of a local history group follow you as they are researching the Viking/Saxon history of the area. They are chasing the land use and families back from the Tudors back. They have got pollen samples for cerials dating back to 875!

[@AllotmentFox]

One thing I am interested in is how much of downland was used for cereal growing before modern times. There must have been some because we have lynches on hillsides. Pollen analysis can answer those sorts of questions

[@ddecker902]

Here’s a question - when you’re reading/interpreting charters, can you tell if multiple charters are written by the same person? I research land in Michigan in the states, and I can often tell when the writer of a deed has written others by the style and (because these are handwritten) by the handwriting. So can you tell if a charter author has done more than one charter?

[@AllotmentFox]

Not me but others have been able to recognise the handwriting of individual scribes. As soon as I got interested in handwriting in the charters the British Library was hacked and is still largely down so I work from typewritten transcriptions

[@mart7812]

Compelling as always but the opening music did my brain in. Maybe Im just getting old

[@AllotmentFox]

It is meant to be unsettling music. Pretentious art school background coming through, I’m afraid