INTRODUCTORY. 



Anybody visiting Longridge for the first time readily discerns the ijhilological 

 reason of its name.' The long ridge which stretches in an unbroken line for three 

 miles to Jeffrey Hill plainly has given birth to the na-ne of the town whose history 

 I am about to describe. Indeed, rumour hath a very pretty and plausible tale 

 anent this long ridge. It is said that Longridge owes its name to Oliver Cromwell, 

 who, when on his way across the fells from Stonyhurst to Preston, said, " What a 

 long ridge this is." But, pretty as tliis tale is, history compels us to relegate it to 

 the lumber-room, to which are consigned so many similar romantic stories. For, 

 as is shown in chapter II., mention is made in 1554 — some hundred years before 

 Cromwell's time— of " Sir Robert Cotorae, priest of Longryche in Ribblechester. " 



Although giving its name to this book, it must be confessed that Longridge is 

 noted not so much for its own history, or fur what it contains in itself, but rather for 

 the beautiful scenery, antiquarian liistory, and olijects of interest which abound in 

 its immediate vicinity. Nevertheless, in spite of the somewhat meagre history 

 which attaches to it, I am sure that the gentle reader who accompanies nie through 

 the pages of this little work will be amply repaid for his trouble, and will thereby 

 have added somewhat to his storo of knowledge of this part of Lancashire. The 

 writer claims no special qualifications for undertaking this task ; indeed, he has 

 keenly felt his many shortcomings, but, at any rate, he can say that he has care- 

 fully and faithfully read everytliing relating to the subject he could possibly find ; 

 and that he has moreover brought to this labour— wliiuh has been truly a labour of 

 love — an impartial, but an enthusiastic mind withal. 



'The various ways of spelling Limg- 

 ridge may be given here : Lougeriidvhe — 

 1554 ; Lottprncke — 1554 ; Latuirif/g — 

 1560 ; Lotuj-rldge -16*22 ; Lanqridqe — 

 1648 ; Laviirytch—Vm. 



Such authorities on the subject as J. 

 C. Atkinson, and W. H. Stevenson 

 state that there is no scientific treatise 

 on the etymology of place names in the 

 English langu.ige, and strongly condemn 

 the reckless practice of local historians 

 when dealing with the origin of place 

 names. 



Mr. Stevenson says : - " Mr. Taylor's 

 Words and Places abounds in the 



grossest philological errors, and in 

 blunders that a little care would have 

 obviated." And certainly he pro\e-^ his 

 sweeping assertion up to the very hilt. 



I must, therefore (having no preten- 

 sions whatever to philological learning), 

 decline to commit myself as to the true 

 origin of the iilace names in this district, 

 contenting myself with collecting all the 

 early forms of the n.ames of the town- 

 ships and p.arishes ; and also giving the 

 "dicta" fif the two rival schools of 

 philological thought, leaving the reader 

 to draw his own conclusions. 



