THE ANCIENT BRITISH, Roman, and Saxon ANTIQUITIES AND FOLK-LORE OF WORCESTERSHIRE. By JABEZ ALLIES, Esq.. F.S.A. Second Edition. LONDON: ' J. H. PARKER, 377, STRAND; AND J. GRAINGER, 18, FOREGATE, WORCESTER. 1852. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. In the Preface to the First Edition of this work, published in 1840, I stated that, in collecting the facts there detailed, my principal object was to show the unsubstantial nature of the doubts of Dr. Nash, and some other writers, as to whether the Romans had stations to any extent in the interior of the County of Worcester; but that, in the pursuit of this subject, I was led to discoveries relating to periods both prior and subsequent to the Roman occupation of these islands. Since the publication of that edition, many additional facts have been added relative to the Antiquities of the County, while various errors and doubtful etymologies have been expunged. In a few instances, the Border Antiquities of the neighbouring counties have been noticed, principally in connection with those of the County of Worcester. Relics, of a date later than that indicated by the title page, have in some cases been described; these, however, were generally found on the sites of earlier antiquities. In conclusion, I beg to return my best thanks to all those who have kindly rendered me their assistance during the progress of these collections, particularly to John Clifton, Esq., and the other gentlemen at the Consistory Court of Worcester, for favouring me with the inspection iv PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. of the Apportionments of Rent Charge for the county under the Tithe Commutation Act, amongst which documents I made an extensive and laborious search for all names of fields and places savouring of antiquity or peculiarity; To H. C. Hamilton, Esq., of Her Majesty's State Paper Office, for much valuable assistance relative more particularly to our Anglo-Saxon Antiquities; To the Worcestershire Natural History Society, and to Dr. James Nash, Walter Jones, Esq., John Amphlett, Esq., and Mr. Eaton, for the loan of several ancient relics; To the Archæological Institute of London, and to J. H. Parker, Esq., of Oxford, for the use of some of their woodcuts; and to the Society of Antiquaries of London, for the use of their copper-plate engraving of the Perdeswell Torc. The remaining Illustrations were prepared for the sole purpose of elucidating some of the descriptions contained in this volume. 31, HALLIFORD STREET, ISLINGTON, September 1852. JABEZ ALLIES. CONTENTS. AFTER describing Worcester, from p. 1 to 54, the other places From Worcester, southward, to Kempsey, Upton, Rip- ple, and Twyning*; then westward to Eldersfield, Pendock, The Berrow, and Bromsberrow; then north-westward to Castle Morton; and by the Midsummer Hill Camp and the Herefordshire From Worcester, south-eastward, to Eckington, Ad Antonam, Strensham, Norton in Bredon, Bredon Hill (Kemerton), Bredon Hill (Conderton), Sedge- barrow and Iccomb, or Icombe §; then north-west- ward to the Four Shire Stone, Dorn, Badsey, Church Honeybourne, Quinton ||, Offenham, * Twyning is in Gloucestershire, but nearly surrounded by Worcestershire. + This is in Gloucestershire, upon the borders of Worcestershire. Also in Gloucestershire, upon the border of Worcestershire. § This was a detached part of Worcestershire, but is annexed to Gloucester- |