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Wickhamford’s names since Saxon times

Over the centuries the place names for Wickhamford have changed many times.  The list below, from The Place-Names of Worcestershire by Mawer and Stenton (1993), shows where and when these have appeared in various documents.  The sources for each version are given.

Wicwona (AD 709) in Cartularium Saxonicum

Wigorne (AD 714) in Cartularium Saxonicum

Wycweoniga gemaere (ca AD 860) in Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici

Wiquene (AD 1086) in Domesday Book

Wichwana (ca AD 1086) in Early Worcestershire Surveys

Wikkewan (AD 1251) in Calendar of Charter Rolls

Wike Waneford (AD1275) in Lay Subsidy Rolls

Wikewone, Wikewane, Wykewane (AD 1327 & 1332) in Subsidy Roll; (AD 1397) in Calendar of Patent Rolls

Wykeword (AD 1346) in Feudal Aids

Wyk(e)wansford (AD 1389) in Patent Rolls; (AD 1545) in Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic

Wikewanford (AD 1471) in Inquisitions post mortem 1806-1828

Wycanford (AD 1550) in Calendar of Patent Rolls

Wikenford (AD 1577) in 1577 County map

Wic(k)hamford (AD 1593) in Calendar of Worcestershire Diocesan Wills and 17th Worcestershire Fines

Wicconford (AD 1634) in Calendar of Quarter Sessions papers

Wickwanford (AD 1657) in Worcestershire Fines

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Knowledge of these earlier names can sometimes pinpoint individuals from the village who are mentioned in early sources.  For example, during a 13th century ecclesiastical dispute concerning a Benedictine house, Great Malvern Priory, a certain William de Wykewane, was elevated to the role of Prior from the second most important position in the Priory, that of Cellarer.   Unfortunately, when he went to visit the Abbot of Westminster, in 1283, to get his position confirmed, he was imprisoned.  He is buried at Malvern Priory Church.  

Tom Locke – March 2018