Lechlade
Major Settlement in the Parish of Lechlade
Historical Forms
- Lecelade 1086 DB
- Lec(c)helad(e) 12 Glouc 1111 Tewk81d 1204 P 1205 ClR 1211–13 Fees 1246 Ch 1248 Ass 1252,1255 Ch 1255 Cl 1508 Pat
- Lic(c)helad(e), Lyc(c)helad(e) 1211 ClR 1221 Ass 1234 Cl 1238 FF 1270 Ch 1294 Episc 1320 Ass 1494 MinAcct
- Lechlad(e) 1213 Abbr 1220 Fees 1268 Episc 1275 Ipm 1314 Pat 1822 M
- Lachelad(e) 1259 Abbr 1549 Pat 1576 FF
- Leggelade 1274 RH
- Legchelode 1296 Episc
- Letch(e)lade 1405,1461 Pat 1535 VE c.1560 Surv 1721 PR
- Leychelade 1429 Pat
- Leachlade 1564 FF
Etymology
The name has been equated with OE Hlincgelade 966 BCS 1189 (Licchelade in the heading), but that is Linslade (Bk 79). Lechlade is usually interpreted as 'passage across the Thames near its confluence with the R. Leach', v. Leach (10supra ), (ge)lād; the crossing would possibly be one at St John's Bridge (infra ), which is adjacent to the outflow of the Leach but nearly a mile to the east of the present village, and which carried the old road to Faringdon. It seems more likely, however, to mean 'a water-course of the R. Leach'; if that is so it would presumably refer to some alternative water- channel of the Leach like a mill-stream; there was in fact a mill here called Lademull (possibly Lechlade Mill) and 'a pightle of ground called Lade ' at the bridge-head at Lechlade in 1246 Ch. The present course of the R. Leach from north of Lechlade Mill to St John's Bridge may be the channel in question, for a second and now minor water-course runs from the former point to join the Thames 1½ miles further east of St John's Bridge and is in fact the county boundary.On these variant meanings of OE (ge )lād and on the current p.n. form -lade for the more usual -lode (as in Framilode ii, 179infra ) v. EPN ii, 8–9.