English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Romans' Fee

Early-attested site in the Parish of Writtle

Historical Forms

  • Roman's Fee 1616 Bodl
  • Romaynes Redene 1333,1339 Takeley

Etymology

Romans' Fee is Roman 's Fee 1616Bodl . This may correspond to terram Romanorum 1280, campum Romanorum qui vocatur Alfledefeld 1285Takeley . The church of Writtle was granted to the alien Hospital of the Holy Ghost of Rome (M ii, 69). Not far from Edney Wood was Romaynes Redene (1333, 1339Takeley ) which was le Redene granted in 1254 (ib.) to the church of Writtle by Peter le Romeyn and formerly held by his brother Mathew le Romayne . Cf. Woodridden supra 31. It is impossible to decide whether this should be Romans' or Roman's Fee.