SOME NATURAL HISTORY OF DOMESDAY ESSEX 239
In the next list, of post-Domesday names, a reversed pattern
emerges. With only two exceptions, none of the 'ford' names is
the name of a present-day parish—using that term somewhat
loosely. The exceptions are Romford and Widford.
The post-Domesday records refer to: Ackingford (Bobbing-
worth), 1248; Appleford (Rivenhall), 1272; Ashford (Halstead),
12th century; Bumford (Ulting), 1285; Clanverford (Wendens
Ambo), circa 1253; Copford (Hall) (Little Bardfield), 1234;
Crockleford (Ardleigh), 1206; Easterford (Kelvedon), 1213;
Empford (Stanway), 1272; Hamford (Walton), 1254; Hartford
(Felstead), 12th century; Kingsford (Stanway), 1272: Lawford
(Writtle), 1263; Passingford (Stapleford Tawney), 1224; Romford,
1177; Shallow Ford (Beauchamp Roding), 1262; Stratford (Dun-
mow), 13th century; Widford, 1202; Winckford (Little Waltham),
1194.
Of the thirty-one bridges named in the date-range, only two
are named in Domesday and two before this. The majority,
twenty-seven, are post-Domesday. If one compares these figures
with those relating to fords, one can see, of course, that, in general,
fords pre-dated bridges, but this is only what one would expect.
The two pre-Domesday bridges are Ealing Bridge (Harlow),
first mentioned in 1045, and Fambridge, in the 11th century
(earlier than 1086).
The two Domesday bridges are Howbridge (Witham) and
Stambridge.
The remaining twenty-seven are Abridge, 1203; Blackwater
Bridge (Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall), 1284; Bound's Bridge
(Elmdon), 13th century; Brickford Bridge (High Easter), 1276;
Canons Bridge (Great Parndon), 1285; Colneford Bridge (Earls
Colne), 12th century; Deresbridge (Great Leighs), 1200; East-
bridge (Colchester), 13th century; Fambridge (Farm) (White
Notley), 1186: Farmbridge (Good Easter), 1216-1225; Fullbridge
(Maldon), 1185; Heybridge, circa 1200; Houbridge (Great Oakley),
1248; Kingsford Bridge (Layer-de-la-Haye), 1272: Lang Bridge
(Hatfield Broad Oak), 1260; Loxford Bridge (Barking), 1285;
North Bridge (Colchester), 1285; Papermill Bridge (Hatfield
Peveril), 1272; Passingford Bridge (Stapleford Tawney), 1299;
Putwell Bridge (South Weald), 1276; Risebridge (Romford), 1230-
1321; St. Botolph's Bridge (Colchester), 13th century; Saltwater
Bridge (Great Oakley), 1285; Sparebridge (Sandon), 13th century;
Stratford Bridge (Dunmow), 1285; Two Bridge (Writtle), 1274;
Wyebridge (Hornchurch), 1237.
In these lists of thirty-one bridges, only four (Fambridge,
Stambridge, Abridge and Heybridge) are the names of present-
day parishes.
Some of the names of fords and bridges will be mentioned again,
as they have meanings alluding to flora and fauna. The majority
of these crossings were in the middle reaches of our rivers and
streams and within the area one might call central Essex. There
is a notable lack of crossings recorded on the Lea and the Stour—