By O. Poulett Serene, Esq., M.P. 305 



Another of Mr. Matcham's arguments is the foUowing, "If the 

 Saxons attacked their enemy from the south, since Bury Wood lies 

 south west of Tatton, the Danes in their retreat, must have passed 

 through the lines of the victorious army, crossing Slaughterford 

 with the stream in their rear, and their conquerors in their front, 

 &c. I cannot conceive with Dr, Thurnam that this is a very pro- 

 bable position." (p. 183.) But all this again is grounded on a 

 complete misconception of the topography of the country roimd 

 Etton-down. Bury Wood is not to the S.W., but due west of this 

 position. And the Saxons attacking their enemy from the south 

 would do so from the high ridge of hill above and to the east of the 

 deep valley of the Slaughterford river, which the Danes would 

 necessarily have to cross in their retreat to Bury Wood camp on 

 the west, with the victorious army of Alfred in their rear, as Dr. 

 Thurnam justly represents. 



I have said enough, perhaps, to shew that Sir Richard Hoare 

 was not justified in accusing Whitaker of having disputed 

 Camden's loose assumption of Edington for the representative of 

 Ethandun on no other ground than for difference sake and upon the 

 dictatorial principle of " Sic volo." If dogmatism is justly to be 

 charged on any one, what does Mr. Matcham think of the language 

 of Sir Richard himself, who thus lays down the law on this much 

 disputed point. " No room is left either for etymology or conjec- 

 ture as to the line of march which Alfred followed in pursuit of his 

 enemies. By any person acquainted with the locality of the county, 

 no doubt can be entertained !" And this is said of a matter upon 

 which at least a dozen varying opinions have been, and still are, en- 

 tertaiaed by as many different authorities; and on which even Mr. 

 Matcham himself differs from Sir Richard, since he prefers West- 

 bury Leigh to Clay-hill for the modern Iglea. Indeed Sir Richard 

 himself held at different times two opinions on this point.^ 



And while on the subject of authorities, which Mr. Matcham 

 seems to consider to preponderate on his side, let mo observe that 



' Soo his ' Ancient ' and ' Modern Wiltbhire.' 



