The Lyde
Early-attested site in the Parish of Bledlow
Historical Forms
- la Lithe c.1250 Rec.xi.344
- atte Lithe 1287 Misc
- la Lithe 1290 ADiii
- ate Lythe 1346 FA
Etymology
The Lyde is the name of a steep wooded combe with which is associated the rhyme
They that live and do abide
Shall see the church fall in the Lyde.
This is clearly OE hliþ,'slope.' The word long survived in the form lithe and NED quotes from White's Selborne the use of lithe to denote 'steep pastures.' The vowel has been length- ened in the open syllable of the oblique case form hliþe .