The Cats of Charnwood Forest
LOCATIONS
By Constantine
CHARACTERS
Mount Saint Bernard Abbey was founded in 1832, The land which is now the Abbey and its surrounding farmland was for many years known as the "Tin Meadow" and this name can be found on many old maps. However the oldest of the maps record the name as "Tynt Meadow." The word "Tynt" has been mis-translated to "Tin" by well meaning scholars of the last few hundred years. The reason for this error is that in the middle ages, the modern English word “Tin” was often written "Tyn". For example in 1475 a petition to parliament reads (RParl.6.134b:) "Thomas Nevill had a Tyn werk within the Counte of Cornewaill."
However the map makers of recent centuries were unaware or uninterested in the fact that prior to the Norman invasion of 1066, The Charnwood and surrounding areas had been part of the Danelaw. Here Norse was spoken and places were named in the Norse dialect. One such is the local village of Osgathorpe, which translates as Osgood’s Farm. In Norse the word ‘Tynt,’ is a singular adjective ‘thin.’ So in fact this area was the "Thin Meadow," Which explains why previous scholars have wondered at the name as there is no evidence of tin or tin mining anywhere in the vicinity.
Thus the area was so named for the thinness of the soil which made it unsuitable for heavy agriculture. The Monks of the Abbey have taken the name to heart with their wonderful ale.
However the map makers of recent centuries were unaware or uninterested in the fact that prior to the Norman invasion of 1066, The Charnwood and surrounding areas had been part of the Danelaw. Here Norse was spoken and places were named in the Norse dialect. One such is the local village of Osgathorpe, which translates as Osgood’s Farm. In Norse the word ‘Tynt,’ is a singular adjective ‘thin.’ So in fact this area was the "Thin Meadow," Which explains why previous scholars have wondered at the name as there is no evidence of tin or tin mining anywhere in the vicinity.
Thus the area was so named for the thinness of the soil which made it unsuitable for heavy agriculture. The Monks of the Abbey have taken the name to heart with their wonderful ale.
Another interesting geographical point of note, is that the Calvery Hill at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, would appear in ages past to have been "Kite Hill." The name, much like Wild Cat Hill to the south, harkens back to a very different time, when the beautiful Red Kite was a common sight on the Charnwood, where it has now all but vanished.
I have not spoken here in detail of the many works of the Abbey and The Monks who serve there; as their own website is more than adaquate. I would thoroughly recomend visiting it, or even better, visiting the Abbey.
I have not spoken here in detail of the many works of the Abbey and The Monks who serve there; as their own website is more than adaquate. I would thoroughly recomend visiting it, or even better, visiting the Abbey.
