XXXIII. 



XOTES OX THE RIVER LEA BELOW HERTFORD. 



By Richard B. Croft, E.N"., F.L.S., Hon. Sec. 



Head at Ware, Idth April, 1883. 



Thk River Lea is one of the northern tributaries of the Lower 

 Thames, rising- out of springs in Leagrave Marsh situate in the 

 county of Bedford and about three miles above the town of Luton. 

 After falling thence through Wlieathampstcad and Hatfield, it 

 receives in Woolmers Park a considerable addition from a spring 

 rising from the chalk, on its left bank. From Hatfield downwards 

 the Lea receives numerous torrents on its right bank, which render 

 its stream turbid after heavy rains, but in di'ier weather they lose 

 their water in the chalk before reaching the river. A little above 

 Hertford the Lea receives the waters of the Mimram, or Maran, a 

 stream rising in Lilley Bottom, and collecting the Avaters of many 

 springs at Whitwell, Welwyu, Tewin, etc., and those of Kimpton 

 Bottom. This river passes through many beautiful parks, amongst 

 others through the Hoo, Kimpton, where it forms a small lake, and 

 through Lockleys, Tewin Water, and Panshanger. Immediately 

 below Hertford the Lea is again augmented by the waters of the 

 Beane. This river originates in the surface-drainage of Cottered, 

 Rushden, Ardeley, "Weston, etc., which at Walkern is augmented 

 by some springs from the chalk, and from thence running south is 

 enlarged at Frogmore by a brook which drains Stevenage, Kneb- 

 worth, etc. At W^atton it is considerably augmented by springs on 

 its left bank, and in Woodhall Park receives the Munden Brook, a 

 winter torrent of some magnitude, though utterly evanescent in. 

 summer ; and from hence its course is due south to Hertford. 

 After receiving the Beane the Lea proceeds to Ware Park, where 

 it is entered by the Rib, a very interesting stream, which has already 

 been described. Below Hertford the valley widens considerably, the 

 alluvial meadows on its right bank contrasting pleasantly with 

 the wooded heights of Ware Park on the left. 



We now come to a spot connected by tradition with the final 

 overthrow of the Danes by King Alfred, for we learn from the old 

 chronicles that after the consolidation of Saxon England into a 

 Monarchy under Egbert (828), our country was subject to frequent 

 ravages on the part of the Danes, and many parts of England 

 suffered from their incursions. Crossing the Northern Sea in their 

 light barques, they made their way up the streams and rivers, and 

 ■we are told that one horde sailed up the Lea from Blackwall 

 and effected a settlement at W^are, where they are supposed to 

 have constructed a weir, to form a harbour of this portion of the 

 valley ; hence the name of the town. Here also according to some 

 authorities they built a fort, and certain earthworks near Chadwell 

 are pointed out as being the remains of the Danish fortifications. 

 Right through these earth -works formerly ran the Ermine 



