Glasshampton
Early-attested site in the Parish of Astley
Historical Forms
- Glese 1086 DB
- Glyshampton 1255 Ass
- Glassehampton 1260 Pat
- Cleshampton, Clashampton 1275 Ass
- Glasne 1275 Ass
- Glashamton 1327 SR
- Glasshampton 1342 FF 1538 LP 1595 BM
Etymology
Glasshampton stands just above Dick Brook which, a little below, in Shrawley, is crossed by Glazen Bridge (Old 1″), now known as Glasshampton Bridge, and there can be no doubt that we have here a hamtun taking its name from an old stream- name. From the DB reference and one of the 1275 ones it is clear that the place was at times simply named after the river alone without any suffix. Ekwall (PN La 94) shows that in Glazebrook and in Glaisdale (Y) we have a river-name of this type which has its parallel in the Glasenbach of the Salzburg district (10th Glasa ), which Förstemann (ON i. 1065) derives from an adj. stem glasa - 'bright.' The forms with e and a suggest a derivative glasjo -stem for this stream. The form Glasne is interesting and it must be associated with the on Glæsne of KCD 699, which lies behind Glazenwood (Ess) in Bradwell next Coggeshall. Ekwall (PN La 171) calls attention to these names and their topography. If the Glæsne is a stream, it must be the small unnamed one which runs east from the wood and joins the Blackwater at Bradwell.