There has been much discussion among antiquaries respecting the etymology of an ancient Roman road, called the Watling Street Way, which commencing from Dover, traces its course to London, St. Alban's, Weedon, over _Bensford Bridge_,[1] High Cross, Atherstone, Wall, Wroxeter, and Chester, from which last place a branch appears to point in nearly a straight direction through St. Asaph to Segontium, or Caer Seiont, Carnarvonshire. Another branch directs its course from Wroxeter to Manchester, York, Lancaster, Kendal, and Cockermouth. Hoveden thinks it was called the Watling Street from Wathe, or Wathla, a British king. Spelman fancies it was called Werlam Street, from its passing through Verulam. Somner derives the name from the Belgic Wentelen, _volvere, versare se, a sinuosis flexibus_. Baxter contends that it was made by the original Britons, Weteling, or Oedeling signifying in their language, _originarius civis vel ingenuus_. Stukeley's opinion, in which he is joined by Whitaker, the Manchester historian, is, that it was the Guetheling road--Sarn Guethelin, or the road of the Irish, the G being pronounced as a W. Dr. Wilkes says, that it is more indented and crooked than other Roman Roads usually are, and supposes that it was formed of _Wattles_, which was the idea also of Pointer. Mr. Duff is not pleased with the opinion of Camden, that it derives its name from an unknown _Vitellianus_, but conjectures that its etymology is from the Saxon _Wadla_, a poor man, a beggar, because such people resorted to this road for the charity of travellers.