80 On the Barrow at Lanhill near Chippenham; 
Whitaker suggests, with much probability, that the Danes had 
formed here a camp for the summer. For such a purpose the site of 
Bury Wood camp would appear well chosen, situated, as it probably 
was, within the kingdom of Mercia, and in immediate proximity to 
the Fosse road, by means of which they could readily keep up com- 
munications with their confederate Danes, who at that time had pos- 
session of this Anglo-Saxon kingdom. Assuming then, that part of 
the Danish force was at Chippenham, and part at Bury Wood camp, 
a simple reference to the map will shew, that the neighbourhood 
of West Yatton, almost equidistant from the two places, was the 
probable spot for them to unite, on hearing of the advance of 
Alfred’s army. The orthography of Yatton will not give us much 
difficulty; as to the present day it is known by the name of Eaton 
as well as Yatton, and there is scarcely a doubt as to its identity 
with the Ettone of Domesday. On the west side of the parish there 
is sufficient hilly or down land, (not enclosed till the begining of the 
present century,) to explain the final syllable of the name of 
Ethandun.! Such being the probable position of the Danes, it 
would only be natural for Alfred in advancing from the south, 
to leave Chippenham itself on the east, and to take the road by 
Corsham and Biddeston, which would bring him directly in 
front of the Danish force. The situation of Bury Wood camp 
is readily reconciled with the narrative of the historians, approached 
as it is from the south by a gradual ascent, and presenting a 
level surface on that side. Horses and cattle would here have 
found pasture, and Alfred could advantageously have besieged 
the Danes, who would not here, as at Bratton, command a ready 
egress in the opposite direction. 
In a question of this kind, demonstrative proof is not to be 
expected; but, granting what has been advanced, all the rest 
follows clearly enough ;—the desperate battle at Ettone-dun,—the 
flight and slaughter at the ford of the Avon, in the valley below,— 
1 The only other mention of Ethandun is, we believe, in the will of the great 
Alfred. We may conjecture that he had purchased an estate on this spot, as a 
memorial of his signal victory; for he bequeaths one of this name, along with 
other estates and manors, to his wife, the Queen Ealhswith. 
