Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Eric Pickles wants to bring back the county of Middlesex, Harringay's 'historic county'
Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, has pledged to resurrect historic county names that stopped being used nearly 40 years ago as part of an effort to champion the “tapestry” of England says The Telegraph
This would include Middlesex, the county to which Harringay once belonged.
Mr Pickles also has something to say about local identity, “our local history makes us who we are and do what we do" he says going on to say that "administrative restructuring by previous governments has sought to suppress and undermine such local identities"
Do you think he's right? Is being part of Middlesex important to our local identity? Or is it all too long ago and far away to be important, something only those interested in local history could get excited about?
Links: For an interesting quick read on what became of Middlesex, see this blog post
Click Map to view large
Tags for Forum Posts: Middlesex
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by brian granville on
-
go for it, eric from an ex harringayite decamped in sunny california
-
Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on
-
I think that Middlesex and its hundreds pre-date the Conqueror by a fair margin but we probably shouldn't look any further back for an appropriate system of government. It seems that Middlesex was never a kingdom and, even after Alfred the Great secured control of London in 886, ours must have been something of a border area as the river Lea (just 3km from Green Lanes) was the boundary between Saxon England and territory ruled by the Danes. Moreover, my history book says that, at the time, Alfred gave the job of defending our area to Ethelred of Mercia who died in 911. Things may have improved somewhat since then but I suppose Mr Pickles' real point relates to whether Middlesex has any kind of abiding significance, or could add any value or unity across its diverse parts. Personally, I don't feel its absence but I don't feel much in the way of "local identity" produced by the borough of Haringey either. Now Harringay, that's another matter altogether!
-
Permalink Reply by Colinloves on
-
Hundreds were a saxon system of dividing up the land. 100 hides was a hundred. Based also upon 100 people. That each person would have a hide of land for growing or grazing.
Alot of our political administration comes from Saxons, as well as our common law. The Saxons basically invented our political and civil landscapeSo to say you dont feel its absence, is wrong. Its still here. :)
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
You mean Guillaume Le Batard. We haven't forgotten the Harrying of the North
-
-
I think its a great idea.
Also many websites still use that name for addresses. Which is annoying, as London aint listed.But yay, lets bring back the Saxon names. We hardly know nothing of our history before them scummy Normans. So I love the idea to hole onto something thats older and a reminder of better times.
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
-
What sort of Saxon name is Colin? No loyalty to the Clan McClover?
-
-
I didnt say I was Saxon, did I?
Yes, Harringay also has Saxon orgins. As do alot of the place names within it.
-
-
I don't know about the Batard but the tapestry in Bayeux (as shown by Alan S) is named after Queen Mathilde in french.
Tottenham, Middlesex, is divided into four districts, distinguished by the names of the Middle, Lower, High-cross, and Wood-green Wards. There is an overseer and a constable for each ward, and two churchwardens for the whole parish. interesting, no?
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
