Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Bowstoneyate 17 Earw

• Bowstonegate 1831 Bry

• (The) Bow Stones 1819 Orm1

Etymology

( 101–973813 ) , Bowstoneyate 17 Earw, Bowstonegate 1831 Bry, (The ) Bow Stones 1819 Orm1 , cf. two ancient pillars 1809Dow 534, v. boga ' a bow ' , stān ' stone ' , geat ' a gate ' . The name Bow Stones may have arisen from the convenience of this monument as a fulcrum for bending a bow . The stones are the cylindrical shafts of a twin cross of the pre - Conquest ' Mercian ' type like Cleulow Cross 165supra , standing beside a ridgeway , cf. Antiquity xi 296 . Near Bowstonegate are the graves of a number of victims of the plague , buried here 1646 ( v. Earw ii314 ) , hence Plague Corner 1646 1831 Bry , Grave 6 ″ OS .