316 



SOMERSETSHIRE. 



THE NAMES OF PLACES IN AND AROUND BATH. 



Avon — G. Abhuinn (pronounced av'enn), a river. Abh, water, 

 Inne, a channel. 



* Bath — Few places have received so many changes in the form 

 of its name as Bath. The most ancient is Gaelic Bath (pro- 

 nounced Ba), and suil (pronounced sul), genitive sulis, the opening 

 or fountain of warm waters. The altars are erected to the god 

 Sul, and the goddess Sulis minerva. Kymric, Badd, a place of 

 bathing. Latin, Bath-an-easter. A.S. Acke manceaster, invalid's 

 city. Aqua Solis is not found on any of the altars or ancient 

 monuments in Bath, but Sul and Sulis. The legend of Bladud and 

 his pigs is very ancient. K. Blleddian, a wolf; also a proper 

 name. Lud, K. Lludw, ashes, ciuders, the remains of anything 

 burnt. The saxeos globos, globules of sand, present in the 

 waters of Bath, are observed in springs of cold water from sand 

 formations, as the millstone grit, thus the origin of King Lud. 

 The shield in the museum may represent the victory of the Roman 

 gods and goddesses over the Druids. For the Roman Senate 

 about that date passed several decrees against the Druids, in 

 consequence of their offering in sacrifice human victims. 



* Burnett — G. Biirnach, watery, marshy — a wet spot. 

 Baggeridge— G. Braigh, a top. K. Bugail, a shepherd — a 



shepherd's, or high, ridge. 



* Barrow hill — A.S. a raised mound or hill. 



Bailbrook — G. Bail, town. K. Bala, where a brook discharges 

 itself, as into the Avon — town brook, or discharge brook. 



Chew River — G. Car, ciu-ved, Cuilc, a reed, or Soilleir, clear — 

 curved reed or clear brook. Char in Dorset, Chor in Lancashire, 

 Ker Middlesex. 



* Chelwood— D.D.B. Celewood and Celewort. G. SgaU, shelter 

 — shelter wood. 



Cocker Hill— K. Coch, red— red hill. 



