{30}

    A botontinus: Lawford, Essex

A PERAMBULATION THOUGH MIDDLESEX,

and a

SUMMARY OF PARTICULARS REFERRED TO ABOVE AND CONTAINED ON THE MAP.

I.—Area comprising Ossulton and Londinium.

Ossulton. Pagus (30.1).  Here were probably situated some of the earliest settlements, as the district lay in the fertile valley of the Thames, through which two British chariotways led from the great ford of the lower Thames (Brentford) to Verulamium, and to Camulodunum.

Natural Boundaries of the Extra Clausus.  On the N. and W. the river Brent: on the E. the high ground around Hampstead and the Twybourne brook: and along the S. the Thames. The sacred groves of {31} the Ambarvalia are probably indicated by the sites of the outlying parish churches of Hanwell, Twyford, Chelsea, Fulham, Chiswick, and by ‘Gospel Oak’ above Brentford. A thick forest stretched from Willesden to Hampstead and onwards.

Lines of the Survey.  NN.W. to SS.E. were marked by Oswulf’s Stone (Marble Arch): Bordestone (Boston Manor, Brentford) (31.1): The Steyne (Acton): Old Oak: (31.2) and probably by Lillestone (Lisson Grove, W.): Herulvestane (Harlesden): Stonefarm (Ealing): and query, by the Shepherd’s Bush.

Ways running in alignment with the Survey lines are shown by thick and dotted lines, the latter having been subsequently utilized as parochial boundaries: also by rural ways, known as Green street, and Causeway (Twyford). An important highway, now the Uxbridge road, was deflected after leaving the pagus at Hanwell, to conform with the survey lines of the adjoining pagus (Smallbury).

Main or Military Roads.  A section of Watling Street, and of Tamesis Street.

Sites of Village Compita upon the survey lines are indicated by the situation of the parish churches at Hampstead, Paddington, Acton and Ealing.

Habitations.  Remains have been found at Hampstead, Ealing: Hanwell: Chiswick, including a bath: and at Brentford, where was doubtless stationed a government Posting house, and an Inn or Rest house for travellers.

Battlefields.  Around the great ford of the Thames at Brentford where B.C. 54 Julius Cæsar forced the passage and defeated Cassivellaunus. (31.3) This with other notable events is now commemorated by a granite monument on the N. bank of the river by the ferry. Probably at the same spot {32} in A.D. 43 Claudius Cæsar with his General Aulus Plautius, dispersed the British under Caractacus and crossed the river. On the plain at Hampstead in A.D. 61, when Boadicea sustained a crushing defeat by Suetonius. About a mile to the N. of Brentford there was a rectangular camp enclosing 50 acres. (32.1)

Generally.  This pagus when united with the Londinium pagus appears to have constituted a jugatio with 40 saltus lying intra clausus, for the purpose of taxation and also for local government. The united district mainly corresponds with the subsequent Hundred of Ossulton, which also contained a sub-division known as Wenlaxbarne.

Londinium Pagus.  The settlement of this district probably commenced about A.D. 50 after the establishment of a military depot at Londinium to protect the rising town and port, and also the line of communication with the legionary camp recently established at Camulodunum. Few traces of the ancient settlement remain, owing to the former face of the land having been obliterated by the growth of modern London and its suburbs.

Natural Boundaries.  On the N. the ridge of high ground stretching from Hampstead to Hornsey and the forest land beyond, elsewhere the waters of the Lea, Thames and Twybourne. A sacred grove to some deity probably existed on Thorney Island where now stands the Abbey Church of Westminster.

Lines of the Survey.  NN.W. to SS.E. are marked by the Botontinus on Hampstead Heath, and the former Tothill at Westminster which was removed tempo Hy. VIII. (32.2) Also by London Stone: Stonecross formerly in the Strand: Markfield (near Tottenham): and probably by Whittington’s Stone (Highgate): Hochestone (Hoxton): Hergotestane (Haggerston): and Dalston, etc., though the sites of the last three named are now unknown.

Ways running in alignment with the Survey are shown by thick and dotted lines.

Main Roads are seen in a section of Tamesis Street from the Marble Arch to Old Ford: also of Ermine Street from Londinium to Ad Fines on {33} the N.E. border of the Civitas, and thence it led on to Lincoln, etc. A short length of Watling Street ran through the extra clausus and the tidal lagoon by the mouths of the Twybourne to Thornea Island, and thence to a minor ford of the Thames, where Plautius in vain tried to cross. (33.1)

Sites of Compita are marked by the situations of the parish churches of Hackney, Stepney, St. Pancras: and possibly by Gospel Oak (33.2) near Highgate, once a grove to some local deity.

Habitations.  Beyond the walls of Londinium evidences have been found at Highgate, Hackney, Stepney, Westminster, etc.

Camps.  In St. Pancras formerly existed the remains of a camp 40 × 60 yds., to which the name of “Brill ” has been given, Another 45 × 45 yds., was in evidence in 1825 at Barnesbury. They possibly constituted some of the entrenchments thrown up to protect Londinium and the district from the ravages of the Picts and Scots.

Generally.  The northern parts of the pagus were covered by a forest which extended into Herts: and marshland bordered the courses of the Lea and Thames.

II.—Area comprising Smallbury and Spelethorne.

Smallbury Pagus.  This was a level and fertile district.

Natural Boundaries.— On the N. the woodland district from Wood End to Norwood: on the E. and S. the Brent and Thames: and to the W. the upper waters of the Crane and Hounslow heath, which latter afforded common pasture for the cattle from the settlements in this and the adjoining pagus. Groves used during the Ambarvalia are possibly indicated by parish Churches on the border of the intra clausus.

Lines of the Survey.  N. by E. to S. by W. are marked by the botontinus in Syon Park: by another just north of Cranford bridge (33.3) in the park of {34} Cranford House: and by Barrow hill (Teddington), a botontinus which until 1800 stood near the entrance to Bushey Park. (34.1) A mound formerly existed at Spring Grove near the main road, hence the name of Hounslow (formerly Hones-lawe, from lawe or lowe, a mound), and from which the Hundred took its name. A fossa or cutting on the slope near Hanwell church, marks the run of the 3rd cardinal line. In private grounds north of the Staines road and close to Hounslow bridge over the Crane is a large stone marking perhaps the first minor parallel west of the 4th cardinal quintarial line, or the boundary of a farm. The stone is similar to those at Wealdstone and Greenford.

Ways in alignment with the Survey are shown by thick and dotted lines. As above mentioned the via, now the Uxbridge road, affords a good illustration of the change made in the direction of a way after leaving a pagus in order to conform to the orientation of the adjoining one. The parish boundary of Hayes follows for some distance the northern finitima linea of the ancient pagus.

Main roads.  A section of Tamesis Street crosses Hounslow heath.

Sites of Compita are probably indicated by the position of the Churches of Heston, Norwood, and perhaps by some of those situated upon the boundary line, such as Isleworth and Hampton, for in early days the Thames valley would be extensively settled.

Habitations—Camps.  None are known.

Generally.  This pagus when united with that of Spelethorne seems to have formed a jugatio with 40 saltus intra clausus. In the subsequent changes made by the Saxons, Norwood (in Hayes), Feltham and Hanworth, passed to other Hundreds.

Spelethorne Pagus.  Natural boundaries.  On the N. the headwaters of the Crane: and on the W. the Colne with its many channels which then ran through a dreary moorland waste stretching below Uxbridge to Staines. Elsewhere lay the adjoining districts of Smallbury and Pontes. (34.2) {35} Some of the groves of the Ambarvalia are doubtless indicated by the sites of parish churches situated on the border line of the intra clausus.

Lines of the Survey.  N. by E. to S. by W. were possibly indicated by mounds of which only the names survive in Chattern and Feltham ‘hills,’ otherwise not naturally existing in this level district: by a mound which until recently was standing on Hillingdon heath near the Church and possibly by ancient trees, the position of which is now known as “Perry Oaks.”

Ways in alignment with the Survey are shown by thick and dotted lines. Around Uxbridge changes in their course will be noticed when they enter the adjoining pagus.

Main road.  A section of Tamesis Street crosses the pagus, and which must have been paved with stones when it crossed the marshlands which then bordered the Thames and Colne: hence Stanes (Staines) and Stanwell were so named by the Saxons.

Sites of Compita by the sides of early ways laid out upon the limites are shown by the situation of the parish Churches at Hillingdon, Hayes, Harlington, Stanwell, Ashford, and Staines. The Cross at Hayes may have taken the place of a terminal stone (35.1) or the sacra of a local deity having been astutely substituted in the next age by a Christian priest.

Habitations.  Various remains have been found at Pontes where we must assume there was stationed a Posting house and an Inn. The name of the place evidently arose from the Roman bridges carrying Tamesis Street across the Thames and the two arms of the Colne. ‘Coldharbour’ in Hayes undoubtedly indicates a Roman dwelling place: but the precise signification of this name, though constantly to be met with in England, is unknown.

Camp.  A small rectangular entrenchment 100 yds. × 100 yds. is to be seen at Harlington, a quarter mile south of the Bath road. (35.2) {36}

III.—Helethorne Pagus and several small Detached Settlement Areas.

Helethorne Pagus.  Like the other northern pagi it contained much forest land, in which original clearings are shown by the local names of Hatch End, East End, West End and Wood End.,

Natural boundaries.  On the N. along the ridge of the uplands which stretch eastwards across Middlesex, and on the W. by the Colne. The halting places outside the boundary line and possibly visited during the Ambarvalia, are perhaps now indicated by the Churches at Harrow and Perivale.

Lines of the Survey  NN.W. to SS.E. seem to have been marked by Headstone: Barrow point (Pinner): a mound at Harefield: several large stones at Greenford, (though they probably defined farm holdings) and by a boundary tree, hence Eastcote bush.

Ways running in alignment with the Survey are indicated by thick and dotted lines. Joel Street and Bury Street from their subsequent designation seem to have had a paved surface.

Main roads.  Nil.

Sites of Compita may be found in the situations of the Churches at Ruislip, Pinner, Greenford, and perhaps those on the border line, viz. Northolt, Ickenham and Harefield.

Habitations. In Roman times Middlesex seems to have been essentially an agricultural district wherever the land had been cleared, but at Breakspears probably stood a villa or country residence of a person of position. Roman sepulchres were found here in 1818. A hunting establishment may have existed, for near by was the ‘parc’ or enclosure for wild beasts (now Ruislip park with 295 acres) and which is mentioned in Domesday (36.1)

Generally. The extra clausus may have originally extended over the N. side of the ridge and down to the Colne, but the watershed contour line seems to have been followed when the County boundary was established in A.D. 886. {37}

This pagus with the detached settlements at Pontes, Finchley and Hadley together contained 40 saltus and may have constituted a jugatio, as well as an administrative area. On the division of the Civitas in A.D. 886 several saltus below Hadley passed to Herts, and a readjustment of the bounds of the pagi to make the Hundreds in Domesday must in consequence have taken place, though Helethorne and Spelethorne were principally affected.

Three Detached Districts  making 20 saltus.

Pontes District.  Here the orientation of the six saltus is a little more to the east than that of the two adjoining pagi on the N.  Upon Greenfield common between Laleham and Staines the lines of a camp were formerly to be seen. At Sheperton a century back the remains of a few stakes by the Cow-way were found placed across the present channel of the Thames, but which was dry land in Roman times, as the river then flowed in the old channel. (37.1)

Finchley District.  The orientation is here also distinct from that of the adjoining pagi. These 5 saltus seem to have been carved out of the surrounding forest, for East End, West End, and Church End show the limits of the early clearings. Two rural ways have borne the name of ‘Street’ viz. Brent, and Nether Street. There is also a Cross Farm and a Fallow Corner.

Hadley District. These 9 saltus have the same orientation as that of the adjoining 16 saltus lying now in Herts. The position of a quintarial line is still marked by the stone now known as White or Whetstone. Kit’s End, Gannick Corner, Greenhill Cross, and Three Elms appear to represent the ancient landmarks of Roman times.

IV.—Area comprising Gara and Delmetone.

Gara Pagus consisted mostly of heavy clay soil.

Natural boundaries.  On the E. and S. by the river Brent and along the N, by the ridge of the uplands. Kingsbury church alone seems to mark the site of a borderland grove visited during the Ambarvalia. {38}

Lines of the Survey.  NN.W. to SS.E. appear to have been marked by Wealdstone (still to be seen): Sudbury Stone, this is shown on Rocques’Rocque’s map of 1775: and a mound near Uxendun. Also probably by other marks formerly existing from which have arisen the names of Greenhill, Stone grove: Stonefield: and by boundary trees, hence Forty farm (four trees).

Ways in alignment with the Survey are shown by thick and dotted lines. Several of these rural ways must have been paved, and so the name of ‘Street’ has been preserved in Dale Street: Lawrence Street Page Street: and Parson’s Street.

Main road. A section of Watling Street passes through the pagus: and it has been subsequently adopted as a parish boundary.

Sites of Compita are now marked by the parish Churches at Hendon: Edgware: and the site on which the first Church at Great Stanmore stood (38.1)

Habitations.  On Brockley hill stood the Roman Station of Sulloniacæ (38.2) which was probably destroyed by the E. Saxons. Numerous Roman antiquities have been found there, including gold rings, coins, urns, two antique bronzes, the one representing a small lion, the other the head of an Apollo. More will doubtless be discovered if and when this beautiful spot falls into the builder’s hands.

“No heart can think, nor tongue can tell
 What lies between Brockley hill and Pennywell.”

A Posting house and an Inn were doubtless stationed here.

At Harrow Weald in “Money dell,” close to Bentley Priory, a number of Roman coins have been found including one in gold of Vespasian (A.D. 70–79), and near by, in a brickfield, cinerary urns and a lamp.

Camps.  Kingsbury Church is said by Dr. Stukeley to lie within a Roman camp, but this statement seems open to doubt.

Generally.  A regular feature of Roman agrarian roads is very apparent S. of Edgware, viz. in the rectangular turns they take round the sides of and not across the small square centurial divisions of the land. The saltus of this pagus together with those of Delmetone appear to have constituted a jugatio for the purposes of taxation, and perhaps, though separated, also for local government. {39}

Delmetone Pagus contained much forest land.

Natural boundaries.  On the N. by Grimes’ brook and along the E. by the river Lea. The Church at Hornsey alone appears to mark in the woodlands of the extra clausus, the site of a grove visited during the Ambarvalia.

Lines of the Survey—N. and S. They were apparently defined by Chitt’s Hill: Rowntree: Fourtree hill: and by Tottenham cross, possibly once a boundary or march mark. (39.1)

Ways in alignment with the original Survey are shown by thick and dotted lines: while Bury Street, Green Street, Turkey Street and the Causeway, would seem to have been paved in early times.

Main road.  A section of Ermine Street runs through the pagus on its way to Ad Fines on the boundary of the Civitas.

Sites of Compita are probably to be found in the situations of the parish Churches at Enfield, Edmonton, and Tottenham.

Habitations.  Traces of Roman occupation have been found at Hornsey and at Enfield, where a small cemetery is in existence, and which has been shown to the writer. An Inn and an Imperial posting house for travellers along Ermine Street were probably stationed at Enfield, which place also seems to have formed a centre for hunting in the adjoining forest which extended across the Lea into Essex, and in which there was the ‘parc’ or enclosure for wild beasts (39.2) referred to in Domesday. At Bushill park the lines of an ancient British entrenchment now encircle the mansion house and which point to a pre-Roman settlement at Enfield.

Generally.  The two isolated saltus at S. Mimms appear to have formed part of this pagus. In Saxon times that district formed a berewick or manor attached to the vill of Edmonton.

To the S. of the upper waters of the Lea and Colne, but now in Herts, lay the Cheshunt and Hertford settlements, together making 40 {40} saltus. Those at Elstree and N. Mimms with 20 saltus may have formed one half of a jugatio. It is at present impossible to say with certainty how these pagi and districts were combined, for the Londinium Civitas extended into at least four of our present Counties.

I desire to acknowledge my obligations to Col. Ottley Perry, F.S.A., for kindly reading the proof sheets: to Mr. Wakelam, County Surveyor for Middlesex, for obtaining the illustrations of the botontini: to his deputy, Mr. Osmund Pownall, for the diagrams, the revision of the map, etc., to the owners of the botontini for permitting photographs to be taken: and also to Mr. E. Hart and others for valuable assistance.

TABLES OF ROMAN MEASURES REFERRED TO ABOVE.

I.—LENGTH.

(a) Including width of ways.

II.—SURFACE.

III.—DIVISIONS OF A SALTUS.

* Less overlaps.

Where any way was not required, its area was added to the land. It is suggested that Table III approximately shows the standard adopted in the Civitas for allocating 14,544 R. Sq. P. in ways, lanes, paths, or plough balks for every 25 Centuriæ of assigned lands.

THE END.