Medieval settlement, Rickling placename (EHER 3920)

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Summary

The name means "the people of Ricola" and is known from 1086 on.

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Location

Grid reference	TL 4978 3144 (point)
Civil Parish	QUENDON AND RICKLING, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX

Type and Period

SETTLEMENT (Early Mesolithic to Medieval - 10000 BC? to 1539 AD)

Description

The name means "the people of Ricola" and is known from 1086 on. Ricola was the name of the wife of Sledda, a 6th century king of Essex. <1> Rickling is removed from its medieval centre as represented by the church. The village name may derive from the name Ricola, sister of King Ethelbert of Kent, mother of Saebehrt king of the East Saxons who was converted by Mellitus in 604. "Is this the relic of a mid-Saxon and even pagan settlement?" A couple of miles away in Wicken Bonhunt is an extensive mid Saxon village. Perhaps other deserted or semi-deserted Saxon settlements can be identified in the area. <2>

Sources

<1> SEX688 Monograph: Schofield, J.. 1981. The parishes of Berden and Clavering, Essex: A topographical study.
<2> SEX10131 Bibliographic reference: Reaney, P.H.. 1935. The Place-Names of Essex. p.532.

Other References

Old SMR Number: TL43

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