Chapel
Major Settlement in the Parish of Chapel
Historical Forms
- Britesbrig 1272 Ass
- in capellam de Ponte Brichrich (Brychrych) de magna Teye 1285 Ass
- Pontbritrich 1437 Pat
- Pontesbright, Pontisbright 1486–93 ECP 1535 VE 1548 Pat 1591–6 ChancP
- Pontysbryght 1544 FF
- Pondebriche t.Eliz Survey
- Brithlynggesbregge 1360 Ipm
- Brightlingesbrigge 1371 IpmR
- Bryhtlyngesbrygge 1373 Cl
- Brytlingisbregge, Bryghtlyngbregge 1470–1 Dickin
- Bryklyng Bridge 1554 Deed
- Chap(p)ell, Chap(p)ell Paris(s)he 1528 FF 1548 Pat 1594 N
- Chap(p)ell Alba Capella 1536 LP
- Chappell alias Pontesbright, Pontis Brighte t.Jas1 ChancP 1610 EAxi
Etymology
Originally 'Beorhtric 's bridge' (v. brycg ), now represented by Chapel Bridge (6″). It seems later to have been influenced by the forms of Brightlingsea supra 330–1. Later still the name was half Latinised. Chapel from a chapel certainly in existence in 1285. Alba occurs only once, and Morant (ii, 209) suggests that the chapel had recently been newly whitened.