By J. Piclnn, Esq., F.S.A. 



23 



mere earthworks. Old Sarum, which was no doubt occupied and 

 strengthened by the Romans, was originally a British stronghold, 

 as its formation indicates. 



To the Romans in their influence on the nomenclature succeeded 

 the Saxons. They arrived in Wiltshire about fifty years after the 

 first landing in Kent, and founded the kingdom of the West Saxons 

 by the victory of Cerdic, A.D. 508. Under his successors, Cynriq 

 and Ceawlin, this kingdom was greatly extended. Wiltshire is 

 honoured by having been the scene of the struggles of the great 

 Alfred and of his final victory over the Danish invaders at Edington. 

 The Danes never obtained a settlement in Wiltshire. There is an 

 almost utter absence of Danish names. The termination^, so very 

 numerous in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and wherever 

 the Danes obtained a permanent footing, is here altogether 

 wanting. 



There are no tofts, t/iorpes, nesses, thwaites, hoes. The basis of the 

 names is almost entirely Saxon. There is also another difference 

 from the nomenclature of the eastern counties. When the Saxons 

 first invaded England they came in tribes and families, headed by 

 their patriarchal leaders. Each tribe was called by their leader's 

 name with the termination ing, signifying family ; and where they 

 settled they gave their patriarchal name to the mark or central point 

 round which they clustered, frequently adding the suffix ton, or 

 town. Hence the prevalence of such names as Billinge, Billington, 

 Wellington, Darlington, Allington, &c. Now this class of names 

 is not entirely wanting in Wiltshire, but it prevails only to a limited 

 extent ; the reason I apprehend is this, that during the time which 

 had elapsed before they crossed the country and reached Wiltshire, 

 the tribal organisation had been to a great extent lost. 



One feature which would strike the invaders is the numerous 

 earthworks which are scattered in such profusion over the surface of 

 the county. These were very freely made use of and occupied for 

 purposes of defence. The Saxon term burh was applied generally 

 to any earthen entrenchments. Many of these had been thrown 

 up previously, either by the Britons or their predecessors. Some 

 had been constructed or adopted and improved by the Romans. 



