Braughing is a village in East Hertfordshire, England, between the rivers Quin and Rib. East Hertfordshire is a local government district in Hertfordshire, England. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... A river that runs through much of the east hertforshire area. ...

Early history

There is some evidence of human activity in the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age, but settled habitaton began in the Iron Age, around the 3rd century BC. It was probably a trading post, situated on the navigable extreme of the Rib, providing a route to the larger river Lee. In the late pre-Roman period it was probably the capital of the Trinovantes and the seat of such kings as Addedomarus and Tasciovanus. The Mesolithic (Greek mesos=middle and lithos=stone or the Middle Stone Age) was a period in the development of human technology between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods of the Stone Age. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools Excavated dwellings at Skara Brae Scotland, Europes most complete Neolithic village. ... The Bronze Age is a period in a civilizations development when the most advanced metalworking has developed the techniques of smelting copper from natural outcroppings and alloys it to cast bronze. ... In the British Isles, the Iron Age lasted from about the 7th century BC until the Roman conquest and until the 5th century in non-Romanised parts. ... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 3rd century BC started on January 1, 300 BC and ended on December 31, 201 BC. // Events The Pyramid of the Moon, one of several monuments built in Teotihuacán Teotihuacán, Mexico begun The first two Punic Wars between Carthage... Bow Creek (tidal) meets the Limehouse Cut (canal) with a view of Londons Docklands The River Lee or River Lea (both spellings are in general use) is a river in England. ... The Trinovantes or Trinobantes were one of the Celtic tribes that dwelt in pre-Roman Britain. ... Addedomarus (sometimes written Aθθedomarus on coins) was a king of the Trinovantes of south-eastern Britain in the late 1st century BC. His name is known only from coin legends. ... Tasciovanus was a historical king of the Catuvellauni tribe before the Roman conquest of Britain. ...

Braughing was a significant town in Roman times, situated close to several major Roman roads, including Ermine Street (now the A10), Stane Street (now the A120) and the Icknield Way, and covering at least 36 hectares. Principal sites in Roman Britain Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between 43 and 410. ... Ermine Street should not be confused with Ermin Street, the road from Silchester to Gloucester. ... The A10 is a major road in England. ... There are several Stane Streets in Britain - see also Stane Street (Chichester) and Roman roads in Britain Stane Street is a Roman road that connects St Albans in Hertfordshire to Colchester in Essex. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Icknield Way is one of the oldest roads in Britain, being one of the few long-distance trackways to have existed before the Romans occupied the country. ...

After the Roman period it was settled by the Anglo-Saxons: the earliest form of the name Braughing is Breahinga, Old English for the people of Breahha, who was probably a local leader. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) at Brachinges. The famous parade helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to King Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625. ... Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) is an early form of the English language that was spoken in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland between the mid-fifth century and the mid-twelfth century. ... A line drawing entitled Domesday Book from Andrew Williamss Historic Byways and Highways of Old England. ...

Local customs

In 1595, the coffin of a local resident, Matthew Wall, was being carried along Fleece Lane to church. The coffin-bearers slipped on leaves and dropped the coffin - waking Matthew, who was not dead at all. He lived several more years, and even married. When he eventually died, his will left provision for Fleece Lane to be swept on 2nd October every year, after which the funeral bell, and then a wedding peal, was to be rung. Every 2nd October, known as "Old Man's Day", schoolchildren still sweep the leaves from Fleece Lane, the bells are rung, and a service is held at Matthew's grave.

External links

• Braughing community website
• Braughing at Roman-Britain.org
• Braughing at Google maps
• Photos of Braughing at Geograph.org.uk