Belas Knap
Early-attested site in the Parish of Charlton Abbots
Historical Forms
- Belknap 1361,1398 Cl
- Beleknappe 1363–5 1472 Pat
- Bealknap 1429 WinchLB
- Belknapps Orchard 1482 MinAcct
- Bellas Knap 1830 M
Etymology
Belas Knap [ˈbeləz ˈnæp], Belknap 1361, 1398 Cl (p), Beleknappe 1363–5 ib (p), 1472 Pat, Bealknap 1429 WinchLB (p), Belknapps Orchard 1482MinAcct , Bellas Knap 1830 M. The earlier spellings are surnames, which appear to be derived from the name of this fine long barrow at the top of the lofty hill to the south of Winchcomb (1″ O.S. 144–021255); cf. BG li, 261–304, lii, 123–50, 295–300 for an account of the barrow. The name means 'beacon hill', v. bēl , cnæpp ; OE bēl also denoted a funeral pyre, but this meaning is unlikely in an OE name for a barrow so much older than the OE period; topographically the site is an admirable one for a beacon fire.