Longdon Marsh, Marshend
Early-attested site in the Parish of Longdon
Historical Forms
- Wildres Mareys Joh Abbr
- de Marisco, in le Mersshe 1275 SR 1340 NI
- Wildres Mershe 1350 Pat
Etymology
Self-explanatory. The first and last forms may be from OE wildor , 'wild animal,' hence 'marsh of the wild animals,' cf. also Wildesmor in this parish (Hy 3 BM). It was a likely haunt for such, for originally the marsh was some 10,000 acres in extent, the last remains of the great tidal estuary of the Severn above Gloucester (VCH iv. 111). Cf. Wildersmoor and Wilderswood (PN La 44).