Stafford Bridge
Early-attested site in the Parish of Pavenham
Historical Forms
- aqua de Stafford 1227 Ass
Etymology
The 'water of Stafford' would seem to have been the name of the stretch of the Ouse by the present bridge. The origin of Stafford is presumably the same as that of the well-known town, viz . stæþford (v. stæþ ). 'Bank-ford' or 'landing-place ford' seems at first sight a curious compound. Its justification is probably that the southern bank of the Ouse slopes fairly sharply at this point. This early form incidentally disposes of the tradition that the bridge took its name from the Staffords, lords of the Honour of Gloucester, to which Pavenham was attached.