|
Bawdeswell has grown up at a point where six long established
routes met, including a section of Roman
Road running
westward to Castle acre.
The original settlers found water and sank a well here.
It has been an important stopping off point
for the changing of horses and coaches and for
refreshment. There were once four inns.
The Parish is spelled in a variety of ways in
ancient records - Balderswella,
Baldeswell, Badswell, Bawsewella. The
prefix may be the old Norse 'Baldr' a personal name. Bawd and Baldr
are the same, meaning 'bold', and Baldr is the name of a god in Northern
mythology.
The Anglo-Saxon Balder means a Prince and so
the name may just mean 'Prince's spring', as 'well' can mean 'spring'.
|
