roads. by kt. 25 January 2003how come brightons roads and places are called ‘dyke’ anyone know or offer places could find out info. thank you.4 replies Re: roads. by Andy Grant 26 January 2003The word Dyke probably derives from Middle English / Norse Dik, meaning a ditch or a dam. The term is generally used to describe a long wall or embankment to prevent flooding, especially from the sea. It can also be used to describe ditches and watercourses, both natural and artificial.Whilst I can offer no tangible evidence to support the notion, I would assume that there would have been a general preoccupation with both flood prevention and irrigation in bygone days. This would in all likelihood have given rise to the commonplace usage of the word Dyke in the area.Dyke Road occupies the western ridge of one of the three spurs of lowland which reach right into the modern town.Regards Andy(This response was posted to the My Brighton and Hove mailing-list, after the query was circulated on the list. To find out how to join the list, click on the ‘join in’ pebble at the top of the page.) Re: roads. by Pat Benham 26 January 2003Surely “Dyke” as in Dyke Road means the road that leads to the Devil’s Dyke – the ditch built by the Devil, according to the legend.Pat(This response was posted to the My Brighton and Hove mailing-list, after the query was circulated on the list. To find out how to join the list, click on the ‘join in’ pebble at the top of the page.) Re: roads by John Blackwell 26 January 2003I would have thought that in the context of street names, the names are derived from the Devil’s Dyke north of Brighton. Dyke Road leads to it and it was also a coach/carriers route into Brighton at the end of the eighteenth century. Most of the other roads with Dyke in are close to or lead off from it. Dyke if I recall comes from Olde Englishe dic meaning a ditch. The legend of the Devil’s Dyke was issued as a reprint of a Victorian original by Ernest Ryman about 20 years ago. A copy must be in the local history library in Church St.(This response was posted to the My Brighton and Hove mailing-list, after the query was circulated on the list. To find out how to join the list, click on the ‘join in’ pebble at the top of the page.) Re: roads by Andy Grant 30 January 2003This legend has numerous other iterations. One of the most commonly related is that an old woman, on hearing the digging , held up a candle at the window of her cottage to see what was going on. The Devil was stupid enough to be frightened y the candle (unaccompanied by the Bell and Book) and promtly decamped, leaving the job unfinished. Another variation follows a similar line but says the devl thought the candle was the first glint of the sun rising. There is no shortage of places in Sussex with association to the Devil apart from the Dyke. Amongst the natural features are the Devil’s Punchbowl, the Devil’s Footprints, The Devil’s Jumps and the Devil’s Grave. (See page 82, “A Treasury of Sussex Folklore” by Tony Wales, S&B Publications).Regards Andy Add your replyHiddenAdd your title Add your wordsWould you like to add some images (optional)? If so, how many images would you like to add? 1 2 3 4 5 6Your image files will be uploaded when you submit this form. They should be .jpg or .png files. The maximum filesize is 5Mb.First imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleSecond imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleThird imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleFourth imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleFifth imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleSixth imageAccepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, gif.FileTitleAbout youFinally, please tell us a few details about you, so we can contact you about your contribution if we need to. We won't use your contact details for any other purpose.Your name First Last Your e-mail address* SubmitThat's all. Thanks very much. You now just need to agree to our Terms of Use and press the Submit button. After that, please wait until your contribution is uploaded. You'll then see a 'Thankyou' page.Terms of Use* I accept this website's Terms of Use (opens in new window) and confirm that the material I am uploading does not infringe the copyright of any third party.Privacy* I consent to my name and e-mail address being stored along with this contribution, and to the website editors communicating with me by e-mail about the contribution if necessary. My name may be published alongside the contribution on the website, but my e-mail address will not be published. My information will not be shared with any third party (see our Privacy Statement - opens in a new window). *Δ Share thisFacebookPinterestTwitterLinkedin
