By Geo. Matchmn, Esq. 181 



The figure of a white horse, the ensign of Saxony, and the re- 

 cognized monument of Saxon victory, on the western encampment of 

 Bratton Castle, is a feature so corroborative of the battle of Ethan- 

 dun, that we must not be surprized at the attempt to convert it 

 into a modern work, and that Dr. Thurnam should hint "equo ne 

 credite Teucri," — ^more especially as Mr. Wise has mentioned a 

 report, that it was made during the last century. But it appears 

 that this author himself gave little credit to that version, for he 

 adds, " Yet still, I think it may deserve the enquiry of others, who 

 have more leisure than myself, how the common people came to be 

 80 fortunate in the choice of their ground, and whether the authors 

 of it had not preserved the tradition of some older horse, and of 

 some more ancient tradition, now forgot." The reasonable infer- 

 ence, therefore, to be drawn from this report, seems to be, that it 

 referred to a renewal of the figure, and not to its original formation, 

 more especially as another renewal was made in 1778, subsequently 

 to Mr. Wise's publication. Sir Richard Hoare, who had better 

 means of collecting oral information, observes, that "although some 

 authors have doubted the originality of the figure, yet, early and 

 long tradition seems to confirm it." It is a fact recognized by Mr. 

 Wise, and I believe all other antiquaries, that the white horse of 

 Berkshire is the undoubted memorial of the victory of the Saxons, 

 obtained over the Danes at -3^scesdun, in that county. Would such 

 a mark of renown then, be wanting to the site of the crowning vic- 

 tory of Ethandun ? But at Bratton, in the nearest vicinity of Ed- 

 ington, adapted to the purpose, I may say, " Hie bellator equus 

 campo sese arduus infert," and without further remark, I leave its 

 absence at Yatton to the inference of your readers. 



The order of Dr. Thurnam's paper now brings us to the ortho- 

 graphy of the site in dispute, and the writer states, that " the name 

 of Yatton will give us little difficulty." Difficulty is a comparative 

 term, dependent on the amount of capacity possessed by the person 

 who encounters it; and I may observe with sincerity, from the 



hope of emancipation, &c." — Tumor's Ang, Sax. 2-91, quoting Asser 34, Flor, 

 Wig. 317, Sax. Chron. 85. This fortress the author, rejecting the dictum of 

 Whitaker, idcutiiicB with Bratton Castle, 2. 86. 



