Brightford Hundred
Hundred in the County of Sussex
Historical Forms
- Bradfota 1086 DB
- Bredford 1086 DB 1248 Ass
- Bretford 1191 P 1255 FF 1279 QW 1428 FA
- Brutford 1262 Ass 1407 IpmR
Etymology
'Bright ford,' probably from the clearness of the water or in contrast to some tree-shaded ford nearby, v. beorht , ford . For the forms cf. those of Bradford's Bridge infra 348. For the meaning cf. Lyford supra 23 and contrast Blackford infra 482. In 1651 (SAC 23, 239) the court-leet was held at Broadwater, so perhaps it is there that one should look for the unknown ford.