On Friday, May 11, 2007 11:19 AM [GMT+1=CET], BARRY HOLLAND <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Adrian Stott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The simplified explanation is that "Lea" refers to the river, while > "Lee" refers to the navigation. > > Too bad the person who named Lee Valley Park didn't know that, though. > > Adrian > > Fascinating stuff Adrian, I've never heard of that before-where is > the source of that info? Barry Before the idea of standardised spelling, the river we're talking about was variously spelled "Lee", "Lea", "Ley" (as in Leyton & Leytonstone) or "Luy" (it rises in Luton). By the mid-18th century spelling was becoming standardised and most local sources used "Lea" as the spelling for the river. But the various enabling Acts for the improvement of the navigation all used the spelling "Lee", so that became the standard usage for the navigation. Mike Stevens narrowboat Felis Catus III web-site www.mike-stevens.co.uk Defend the waterways. Visit the web site www.saveourwaterways.org.uk
