Hertfordshire place-names
By Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2013-06-19. Revised by Henrik Thiil Nielsen, 2017-06-16.
County description
The Historic Counties Trust describes Hertfordshire as follows:
Hertfordshire, particularly southern Hertfordshire, is much affected by its closeness to the Metroplitan conurbation, sprouting ubiquitous red brick housing developments and hostile trunk roads. Despite that though much of the county has remained rural and unspoilt. The west of Hertfordshire rises into the edge of the Chilterns, with its typical small villages and beechwoods. From the Colne Valley's birch and blackthorn woodlands to the mixed farmlands of the bulk of the county are networks of footpaths for all to enjoy. The county's most charming town is the city of St Albans. It stands on a hill overseen by St Albans Abbey, a very large and distinctive church, and a cathedral since 1877. St Albans has the important Roman remains of the city of Verulamium. Hertford, the county town, combines the old market town with a busy modern outer town.
Main Towns: Abbots Langley, Barnet, Berkhamstead, Bishop's Stortford, Borehamwood, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hitchin, Hertford, St Albans, Tring, Watford, Welwyn Garden City.
Main Rivers: Lea, Colne, Stort, Ivel, Rib, Mimram.
Highlights: St Albans Cathderal; Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence; Hatfield House; Verulamium roman remains.
Highest Point: Pavis Wood (nr Hastoe), 244.75 m.
Area: 1882.92 km.[1]
Chronology
19th century
Robin Hood-related place-names first documented in the 19th century.
20th century
Robin Hood-related place-names first documented in the 20th century.
Unknown century
0 Robin Hood-related place-names whose century of first occurrence is unknown.
All localities
19 place-names and localities.
- Friars Way (Bushey)
- Little John's Wood (Caddington)
- Marian Lodge (Little Gaddesden)
- Marion Close (Bushey)
- Robin Hood (Bishop's Stortford)
- Robin Hood (Bushey)
- Robin Hood (Hatfield)
- Robin Hood (Hitchin)
- Robin Hood (Potters Bar)
- Robin Hood (St Albans)
- Robin Hood (Tring)
- Robin Hood (Walkern)
- Robin Hood and Little John (Rabley Heath)
- Robin Hood and Little John (Tonwell)
- Robin Hood Cottages (Little Gaddesden)
- Robin Hood Drive (Bushey)
- Robin Hood House (Little Gaddesden)
- Robin Hood Lane (Hatfield)
- Robin Hood Meadow (Hemel Hempstead)
Lists and gazetteers
- Dobson, R. B., ed.; Taylor, J., ed. Rymes of Robyn Hood: an Introduction to the English Outlaw (London, 1976), p. 298
- Gover, J.E.B.; Mawer, Allen; Stenton, F.M. The Place-Names of Hertfordshire (English Place-Name Society, vol. XV) (Cambridge, 1938)
Background
- British History Online: Victoria County History – Hertfordshire
- The Historic Counties Trust: Historic Counties Descriptions
- Wikipedia: Hertfordshire.
Notes
- ↑ The Historic Counties Trust has kindly allowed me to quote its county descriptions in toto. I have converted square miles to km2 and feet to m.