Kingsterndale
Major Settlement in the Parish of Kingsterndale
Historical Forms
- Stauredal(e), Stauredala 1101–8 RegLich a.1108 Dugd 1209,1210 P
- Steverdale, Steuerdale 1301 IpmR 1302 Misc 1376 DbCh 1431 FA
- Steuresdale 1328 Pat
- Stenirdale, Stenerdale late12th,Hy3 AddCh 1285 For 1288 Cl 1472 WollCh
- Stenredile (sic) 1244 FF
- Stenredale 1263 Ch 1285 For
- Stenrydale 1301 SR
- Steynredale 1285 For
- Steynerdale c.1460 WWorc
- Stern(e)dale Ed4 DuLa 1483 DbCh
- Stearndale Hy8 DuLa
- Kyngus Stenerdale 1419 Fine 1437 IpmR
- Kyngestern(e)dale, Kyngstern(e)dale, Kingestern(e)dale, Kingstern(e)dale 1498,1556 DbAnsii 1578 Lanc
Etymology
Probably 'valley with rocky ground', v. stǣner , dæl 1 , as suggested by Ekwall (DEPN), the spellings in -u -, -v - therefore being errors of transcription of -n -. It is King because it was part of the royal manor and forest of the Peak. Cf. Earl Sterndale infra 366, which must be taken with the present example. The two are not in the same valley, but the connection between them is fairly clear. Settlers following the course of the R. Dove and turning up the tributary valley in which Earl Sterndale stands would presumably have reached the head of the valley near Hindlow Station. A very narrow stretch of country separates this valley from that in which Kingsterndale is situated. The latter is a tributary valley of the R. Wye. These would provide an admirable route connecting the two rivers. The modern road from Crowdecote to Brierlow Bar in all probability follows the line of this old track, thence through Back Dale and Deep Dale to the R. Wye. If this is so it is easy to see that both valleys could have been given the same name.