Buckland (“æt Boclande”): its Ancient Highway and the Roman Road (“stræte”) Near It

This is the story, pieced together from Saxon charters, of two roads both of which are described as “stræte” which means Roman roads. They both go to Oxford (“Oxnaforda”) and go in parallel at one point. One is a classic straight Roman road, the other is a ridgeway that, if we are to believe the Saxons, has been Romanised (ie, paved). I also discuss the charter of Pusey (“æt Cern”)
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 #ridgeway #romanroads #pusey

[@pwhitewick]

Wow. Ok, so I would definitely dismiss the Herepath as being formally Roman at the point of the Appleton Charter you mention. BUT.... from Buckland and then South West West, we have a really intriguing line down to Blunsdon. Maybe. Ok... I'll head over to Lidar! Fascinating.

[@AllotmentFox]

The problem is this is an historical document from the perspective of people who lived there and were 1,000 years closer to the Romans than us. Also-though he is spectacularly wrong on occasion, hopelessly so sometimes-Grundy is an authority on the subject. One thing to remark on from my observation is that the Wasan (today the Appleton Brook) goes within bowling distance of the A420. The charter says go along the Wasan and the up a ditch to the Roman road, but then up to the headland which is an awkward occurence if I want to say they are talking about the A420. A (perhaps wishful thinking solution) is to take your straight stretch from Swindon through to the southern boundary of Appleton to join the Roman road from Wantage to Oxford. To make the charter fit that is tempting because you could lob a cricket ball from the Appleton brook to the A420 but the wording would smack of shoehorning to fit the situation. Nonetheless the obvious ridgeway is ancient and would probably have co-existed even if the English settlements weren’t there because you walk above the springs and streams unimpeded. Thanks for watching and giving me your thoughts!

[@pwhitewick]

@@AllotmentFox I like this solution a lot. I was never one for hitting a cricket ball... lobbing was definitely also my thing, so that works too!.

[@JimBagby74]

Haha well, if it helps, I've been referred to as Jimbo Baggins, so perhaps Tennessee can be both Narnian and Shire-esque? I'm a bit tall for a hobbit but I do live in a tiny house. Anyway, say hello to my cousins and I'll say hello to Aslan if I see him.

[@slave2damachine]

In shires green and pleasant land . Who doesn't like second breakfast?

[@iainmc9859]

Bag End actually named after JRR Tolkien's aunt's farm in Worcestershire. I'm a Brummie like Tolkien 😁

[@AllotmentFox]

Never! Joking aside, there are loads of Bacgas, Bæggas and Baggas in place names west of Oxford. I think they are all the same man or family.

[@iainmc9859]

@@AllotmentFox Plenty of places named after a Bagot in Brum as well. I think it may have Norman connections though.