By the Rev. W. H. Jones. 9 
or 50 years his successors gradually extended, the limits of their 
dominions; and in the year a.p. 577, Ceawlin gained an important 
victory over three British kings at Deor-ham (Derham) in Glou- 
cester, which was followed by the surrender of the three important 
cities of Glevum (Gloucester), Corinium (Cirencester), and Aquze 
Solis (Bath). Now it is from this period (about the end of the 
sixth century) that we should*be inclined to date the name, and 
perhaps the permanent establishment, of our town; though still 
but a small and thinly populated place for many years afterwards. 
Within 50 or 60 years of this time, it is spoken of as the scene of 
a sort of civil war, between Cenwalch, then King of Wessex, and 
some of his disaffected subjects. The name is pure Anglo-Saxon ; 
it means simply the Broad Ford over the river Avon, an appellation 
perfectly intelligible to those who visit our town during the sum- 
mer months, especially after a long drought. Indeed, to a com- 
paratively modern date, the Ford was used for all carriages, the 
bridge having originally been much narrower than now, and pro- 
bably only intended for foot passengers. By looking at the two 
sides of the bridge you will perceive that they are of very different 
date, and it is said that after the road is somewhat worn, you may 
distinctly trace the point at which the newer is joined to the 
older work. 
Cenwalch, of whom we have just spoken, became King of Wessex 
in the year a.p. 642. He at first, we are told, refused to embrace 
Christianity. He had been married to a sister of Penda, King of 
Mercia, but no sooner did he succeed to the throne than he igno- 
miniously dismissed her. Penda, to avenge himself for the insult 
offered to his sister, entered Wessex, and after defeating Cenwalch, 
chased him out of his dominions. The exile found an asylum in 
the territory of Anna, the virtuous king of the East Angles, and 
during his three years’ residence there, was induced to abjure hea- 
_thenism. At the end of that time he recovered his throne by the 
assistance of his nephew Cuthred. It was, however, by no means 
held as yet on a secure tenure, for he had to contend with the dis- 
affection of the native population, always seeking an opportunity 
for revolt. This disaffection broke out at last into an open flame, 
