Blythhedges Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of West Hanningfield
Etymology
Blythhedges Wood (6″). Cf. Blithhegges 1540MinAcct , Blythehedges , Blythehedges farm 1558–79 ChancP. This looks as if it might be a manorial name, but no surname has been discovered from which it could be derived. Blythe is a common river-name (RN 38–9) and may have been the name of the tributary of the Chelmer which flows past the woods, and from which William de Blie who is mentioned in connection with land in West Hanningfield in 1203 (FF) may have taken his name. Cf. also Blythelond (1391Rental ), which was somewhere in the neighbourhood. The second element is the common word hedge (v. Hedge Hall infra 271) and the place was probably the home of William atte Hegge in 1332 (SR ).