128 E. P. GREG AND E. B. CEOFT NOTES ON 



probably of considerable importance from its position close to, if 

 not absolutely on, the intersection of two of the great military 

 highways, viz. that now called the Herman or Ermine Street, 

 leading from Newhaven, in Sussex, to the north ; and that which 

 is marked on the ordnance maps as the Via Militaris, which may 

 be traced from Colchester through Stortford to Braughing, thence 

 north-westward to near Baldock, where it joins the Ickneild Way, 

 Opinions differ as to the name of this ancient station, Salmon has 

 no doubt that it is Csesarmagodum, whilst other authorities, amongst 

 whom is Mr. Cussans, our latest historian, consider that it is Ad 

 Fines, which name is given to the site of the camp in the last 

 ordnance survey. 



To those to whom such studies afford pleasure, the name Braughing 

 (Brachinges in ' Domesday ') afPords a fruitful field for speculation. 

 Some writers consider it was originally Bourough, i.e. a fortified 

 place, with the Anglo-Saxon termination ing ; others are of 

 opinion that it derives its name from the fact of its being situated 

 on a brook — Brooking ; whilst a third trace by substitution and 

 transposition of letters, Adfines to Dafines ; hence to Brafines and 

 Braughing. 



The proper source of the River Quin is at Rushing Well, near 

 Nuthampstead ; but below this, and near Biggen Farm, it is joined 

 by a watercourse which can be traced close to the Essex border, 

 near Little Chishall, not far from which place is the source of one 

 of the tributaries of the River Cam. At Biggen Moor are several 

 springs. At Stapleford Bridge the Quin is joined by another 

 branch, which rises in Scales Park Wood, in or close to which wood 

 also rises the River Stort, the most important of the afi9.uents of 

 the Lea. 



Until the Quin arrives at Braughing, the scenery through which 

 it passes is not very attractive, and the stream is but little more 

 than an open watercourse, often dry in summer. In a field above 

 Braughin Vicarage there is a considerable spring, and the river is 

 further augmented by the overflow of a spring which forms a pond 

 in the Vicarage garden, which has never been known to freeze ; 

 below this the river is never dry. 



After flowing through the village of Braughing, which is plea- 

 santly situated in a hollow on either bank, the Quin joins the Rib, 

 and the stream, now known by the latter name, after passing 

 Gatesbury Mill, near the village of Puckeridge, reaches Standon, 

 where its history will be taken up by another pen. 



The trout in the waters we have been considering are numerous 

 and remarkably fine. The Rev. J. A. Ewing has seen one weighing 

 4lbs. 3oz. taken out of the stream at Coles Park, and knows of 

 trout of 3lbs. being not infrequently caught. No fish now go 

 above the old mill at Buntingford, and pike are not known above 

 Gatesbury. Roach occur in the Hamels water near the mill. 



In two or three woods in Westmill and Braughin pai'ishes the 

 badger is still comparatively numerous. One was recently killed 

 on the railway by being run over by one of the evening trains. 



