More information : The Burghal Hidage lists Brydian (or Bredy) to which belonged 760
hides (ie a wall length of 3,315 feet). The hillfort of Old Warren
in Little Bredy parish (SY 58 NE 20) has been identified as the site
of Brydian, in which Bridport was the `port belonging to Bredy'.
Alternatively, Bridport was Brydian Burh. Field work and documentary
evidence indicate the existence of a town ditch enclosing the Saxon
town by cutting off the peninsula. (1)
Discussion of the Medieval town defences with reference to documents
of the C13th (2). An excavation on the suggested line of the wall
found no occupation traces at all and no ditch. (At SY 4651 9256) (3)
(See SY 49 SE 33 for Saxon mint)
Penn believes that the evidence for Bridport being the burh is strong, since it is the lowest bridging point on the River Brit, and the topography of the town lends itself to such an origin. he suggests that at least the East side was defended where the ground slopes to the Asker. (4) |