NOTE
I have to acknowledge the very great kindness of Mr. Hilaire Belloc, Mr. Harold T. E. Peake, and Mr. R. Hippisley Cox while I was writing this book, though I do so with some hesitation, because I may seem to make them responsible for some of my possible mistakes and certain shortcomings. A man could hardly have three better guides than Mr. Belloc for his grasp and sympathy with roads, Mr. Peake for his caution and curiosity, and “documents, documents!” and Mr. Cox for his ardour and familiarity with trodden turf; and I must add my testimony to that of my betters to the merits of Mr. Belloc’s Old Road, Mr. Peake’s chapter on prehistoric roads in Memorials of Old Leicestershire, and Mr. Cox’s Avebury. To Mr. Peake I am indebted not only for suggestions that were invaluable to me, notably in the matter of the Ridgeway and the Bishop of Cloyne’s pernicious theory, but for the use of his copies of the greater part of the materials of my second chapter. I have also had great kindness from the Rev. E. H. Goddard and Mr. W. Gough.
EDWARD THOMAS.
Llaugharne,
Caermarthenshire.
[CONTENTS]
| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| I. | On Roads and Footpaths | [1] |
| II. | History, Myth, Tradition, Conjecture, and Invention | [32] |
| III. | First Day—Thetford to Newmarket, by Lackford and Kentford | [85] |
| IV. | Second Day—Newmarket to Odsey, by Ickleton and Royston | [104] |
| V. | Third Day—Odsey to Edlesborough, by Baldock, Letchworth, Ickleford, Leagrave, and Dunstable | [122] |
| VI. | Fourth Day—Edlesborough to Streatley, on the Upper Icknield Way, by Wendover, Kimble, Whiteleaf, Gypsies’ Corner, Ipsden, and Cleeve | [145] |
| VII. | Fifth Day—Ivinghoe to Watlington, on the Lower Icknield Way, by Aston Clinton, Weston Turville, Chinnor, and Lewknor | [176] |
| VIII. | Sixth Day—Watlington to Upton, by Ewelme, Wallingford, Little Stoke, the Papist Way, Lollingdon, Aston, and Blewbury | [199] |
| IX. | Seventh Day—Streatley to Sparsholt, on the Ridgeway, by Scutchamer Knob and Letcombe Castle | [229] |
| X. | Eighth Day—Sparsholt to Totterdown, “between the Destinies” on the Ridgeway, by White Horse Hill and Wayland’s Smithy | [255] |
| XI. | Ninth Day—Streatley to East Hendred, by Upton and Hagbourne Hill Farm | [270] |
| XII. | Tenth Day—East Hendred To Wanborough, by Lockinge Park, Wantage, Ashbury, and Bishopstone | [284] |