Sedge
Early-attested site in the Parish of Topsham
Historical Forms
- la Segge 13th Torre
- La Sege 1276 Ipm
- Sege juxta Toppesham 1378 IpmR
- Sege in Topsham 1423 IpmR
- Seige c.1630 Risdon
- Sedge 1631 Recov
Etymology
Mrs Rose-Troup calls attention to the phrase pro duobus lignis ducendis usque la Sege in the Cathedral Fabric Rolls (1324) and suggests that this is the OFr sege , 'seat,' used here of the highest point on the river at which a load could be landed. This word appears in early ModEng as sedge . The nearest parallel for this sense given in the NED is 'ground on which a ship lies.'