Leintwardine
Leintwardine is a large village and civil parish in north Herefordshire, England, close to the border with Shropshire.
Roman Leintwardine
A popular misconception is that the Romans called the village Branogenium. Branogenium in fact refers to a Roman fort roughly ¼ of a mile south of the village. The Roman name for Leintwardine was Bravonium. The high street in Leintwardine is on the same line as the Roman road known as Watling Street.
The name Bravonium, as it appears in the Antonine Itinerary (Iter XII), is derived from the Celtic word for quern. This suggests that there was either a hill or rock formation here that looked like a quern, or that there were quern quarries nearby. In the Upper Silurian series, the Leintwardine beds outcrop in the area and these consist of a calcareous sandstone which would have been suitable for making querns of a finer grade than could be obtained from Millstone grit, which was commonly used. Querns of this calcareous sandstone have been found at Viroconium.
It is theorised, by Herefordshire historian Duncan Brown, that Leintwardine performed the role of a trading post and outpost early in the Roman conquest of Britain. It is commonly accepted that a mansio was constructed in Leintwardine. The archaeological excavations at the W. & C.A. Griffiths site prior to the construction of a modern warehouse in the early 1990s discovered Roman baths, which further points to Leintwardine being a "travel lodge" of Roman Britain.
The construction of a rampart in around 170 AD (ranging up to two metres tall), and still visible in places around Leintwardine, is thought by local historians to be the result of one of two events. The argument currently in retreat is that following a local uprising the Romans evicted all locals and constructed a rampart and palisade. The preferred line is that the ramparts were built following widespread local unrest to protect the mansio and the baths, which serviced Roman cavalry forts to the north, south and north-west. There exists a Roman praetorium/principia[1] 1.6 KM South West of Leintwardine stop Brandon Hill, believed to have contained a storage depot, regimental HQ, latrines and cookhouse. Aerial photographs as early at the middle 1950s showed circular crop marks within the confines of the hill fort. Much of the site's earthworks still exist and Brandon Hill remains an impressive sight[2].
Graves dug in Leintwardine's church, St Mary Magdalene, to a depth of 8 ft show a clear strata level of broken pottery sherds and charcoal, evidence of burning. This is in line with the historical thought that Roman Leintwardine burnt down much like the nearby Roman towns of Magnis, (Kenchester) and Ariconium (Weston-under-Penyard).
Medieval History
Leintwardine is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Lenteurde, and is apparently derived from the Celtic name for the River Teme - formerly known as the Lent which means simply 'torrent, stream' - coupled with the Old English worth 'enclosure', later replaced by worthing 'enclosed settlement'. The modern name therefore means 'the enclosed settlement on the River Lent'.
Modern Leintwardine
Modern Leintwardine has a vibrant community feel so often lost in some modern day villages. Its parish council is active and many interest groups such as the Leintwardine Historical Society exist with active and numerous members. Leintwardine is home to the Conservative MP Philip Dunne, who represents the Ludlow constituency and Leintwardine itself is represented by Bill Wiggin, MP for Leominster.
Businesses in the village
W. & C.A. Griffiths: historically born and bred within Leintwardine this business provides Leintwardine with services rare in today's rural England; a fuel station, mini-market or video rental, post office, car repairs, and newspaper delivery. The business has expanded twice in recent years.
A.H. Griffiths: the family butchers, originally based within Leintwardine, has expanded to the local market town of Ludlow and is famed for its sausages and high-quality meat produce. It is one of the last remaining abattoirs left in this country with its own butchers shop out front making it unique.
The Lion Hotel is owned by Enterprise Inns and recently began to take on the role of restaurant.
The Sun Inn is one of the country's last remaining 'parlour inns' - the traditional mode of British recreational drinking.
The Frog: right on the boundaries of Leintwardine and nationally known as a specialised fish restaurant.
Walford is the next parish about 2 km southwest of Leintwardine.
The River Clun joins the River Teme to the southwest of the town.