Swasedale Fm
Early-attested site in the Parish of Ely Trinity Detached
Historical Forms
- Swerdesdelf(fe) 1427–53 Ct
- Sward(e)sdelfe, Sward(e)sdelphe 1564–6 ib
- Swarsedelfe 1565 Ct
- Swarsdelph 1604 Atkyns
- Swasdale 1629 SewersD
- Swavesdell 1636 BedL
Etymology
Swasedale Fm is on a projecting piece of land near Crooked Drain, once known as Abbotesdelf or Biscopesdelf (supra 209). The drain was apparently also known as Swerdesdelf (fe )1427–53Ct , Sward (e )sdelfe , Sward (e )sdelphe 1564–6 ib., Swarsedelfe 1565Ct , Swarsdelph 1604Atkyns , Swasdale 1629SewersD , Swavesdell 1636 BedL. This would seem to be identical with the old name for Cnut's or King's Dyke supra 207–8.In view of the origin of the latter name, deriving from a point of land in the old Whittlesey Mere, one can only suggest that the name of one famous dike was transferred to another.