Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 104, October 25, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 104, October 25, 1851: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
From the words of the original grant this hamlet, by which Thomas
Tuschet, in 10 Hen. III. 1226, grants to Hugo de Grimsditch "totam
terram de Grimsdich pertinentem ad villam de Witeleigh" (Ormerod's
_Chesh._ i. 488.), it may be inferred that the place went by the name of
Grimsditch prior to the Norman Conquest. There can therefore be but
little doubt that the name is of Anglo-Saxon origin.
The present possessor of the property is Thomas Grimsditch, Esq., late
M.P. for the borough of Macclesfield.
The second Query of NAUTICUS applies to the _etymology_ of the word
Grimsditch.
This is a very difficult question to solve. Take the first syllable:
_Grim_, _grime_, dirt, sullying blackness.
"She sweats; a man may go over shoes in the _grime_ of
it."--Shakspeare.
Then the word _ditch_: this is derived from dic (Saxon), dük (Erse); but
whatever may be the true etymology of the word, it can scarcely be
doubted that it is of Anglo-Saxon origin.
I may however add that there is a tradition in the Grimsditch family of
Cheshire, said to have been handed down for many ages, as to the origin
of the name, to the following effect:
That in remote ages their first parents were warriors; that one of these
warriors was attacked by a griffin; that a fierce contest ensued; and
that the man was the conqueror of that fabulous bird or beast, the
battle-ground being a _dyke_ or _ditch_.
Hence, says the tradition, emanated the family coat of arms, which are
certainly very singular, viz. Azure, a griffin or, about to tear, and
ramping upon, a warrior, completely armed in plate armour, in bend
dexter, across the lower part of the shield. Crest, a _Talbot_.
WILLIAM BEAUMONT.
In reply to your correspondent NAUTICUS, who inquires whether there are
any ancient entrenchments in England known by the name of _Grimsdyke_,
besides the one he mentions in Hants, I beg to remind him that the Roman
wall (or ditch and rampart) executed between the Firths of Forth and
Clyde during the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, is popularly
called by the above name. To account for the name, it has been said that
it originated in the circumstance of a chieftain of the name of _Graham_
having been the first to force his way through it; but those who gave
such a derivation of the word could scarcely have been aware that it
bears this name in common with at least two others, viz., that mentioned
by NAUTICUS as existing at Great Berkhampstead, Hants; and the other
pointed out by W. S. G. as near Salisbury.
L. D. L.
_Cagots_ (Vol. iv., p. 190.).--In reply to the inquiry of RUSTICUS, I
rather imagine the _Cagots_ are the remains of the Paulician "Churches"
of Thoulouse Albi and _Cahors_ (_Charhagensis_) of Maitland's _Albigenes
and Waldenses_, p. 428.; and that the Cretins are no other than
_credentes_ (cf. Maitland passim), probably remnants of the same body of
heretics.
AJAX.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account