Friars Wood and Friars Grange
Early-attested site in the Parish of Rushden
Etymology
Friars Wood and Friars Grange. Cf. grangia de Bradefeld cum Fildenewoda p. 1150 Dugd v, 372, Bradfeild grange 1543 LP, Friers 1676 S, representing the 30 acres of land in Broadfield granted to Warden Abbey in 1150. The present wood and grange are just in Rushden. Fildenewoda (cf. Thomas de Fildenwod 1323SR ), which is clearly the old name for the wood, is a compound of filden , an adjectival derivative of feld , and wudu .Cf. Field Burcote (PN Nth 42), Fieldon Bridge (PN Wa 15).The name must have referred to a wood in the middle of open country.