Dunworth Copse and Dunworth Cottage
Early-attested site in the Parish of Wardour
Historical Forms
- Donewurth 1289 Ass
- Spelsbury 1773 AandD
Etymology
Dunworth Copse and Dunworth Cottage (6″) is Dunwrth 1249, Doneworth 1279Ass , 1293 Ipm, Donewurth 1289Ass . 'Dunne 's farm,' v. worþ . For further forms v. Dunworth Hundred supra 183.Hard by is Spelsbury Fm (local), recorded as Spelsbury in 1773 (A and D). The name must commemorate the meeting-place of the Hundred, for it is clearly a compound containing the element spell , 'speech.' For a parallel to such a name cf. the history of Spelhoe Hundred (PN Nth 131–2) and possibly also Spellesberwe , a lost place in Worcestershire (PN Wo 61 n.). Spelsbury may well be for earlier spelles-beorg , for confusion between beorg and burh is common. For a further example of this name see Spilsbury infra 249, the meeting-place of Cannings Hundred.