Queries.

DR. ANTHONY MARSHALL.

In 1677 Anthony Marshall, D.D., Rector of Bottesford, was a subscriber of 10l. towards a fund then raised for yearly distribution; and there is only one name precedes his, or subscribes a larger amount, and that is Dr. Hitch before named.

Mr. Bagshaw, in his Spiritualibus Pecci, 1701, p. 61., referring to Thomas Stanley, one of the ejected ministers, says:

"Mr. Stanley was born at Dackmonton, three miles from Chesterfield, where he had part of his education, as he had another part of it at Staley, not far from it. His noted schoolmaster was one Mr. Marshall, whose brother made a speech to King James I."

Is there any means of corroborating this incident? In 1682 I observe the name of Dr. Marshall amongst the King's Chaplains in Ordinary, and a Dr. Marshall (perhaps the same individual) Dean of Gloucester; but whether identified in the Doctor about whom I inquire, remains a Query.

U. J. S.

Sheffield.

LINDIS, MEANING OF.

We are told by Bede that Lindisfarne, now Holy Island, derives the first part of its name from the small brook Lindis, which at high water is quite invisible, being covered by the tide, but at low water is seen running briskly into the sea. Now I should be glad to know the precise meaning of Lindis. We are informed by etymologists, that Lyn or Lin, in names of places, signifies water in any shape, as lake, marsh, or stream: but what does the adjunct dis mean? Some writers assert that Lindis signifies the linden-tree; thus making the sound an echo to the meaning: and hence they assume that Lindesey in Lincolnshire must signify an Isle of Linden-trees. But it is very doubtful that such a tree ever existed in Lincolnshire anterior to the Conquest. The linden is rather a rare tree in England; and the two principal species, the Tilia Europea and the Tilia grandifolia, are said by botanists not to be indigenous to this country, but to have been introduced into our island at an early period to adorn the parks of the nobles, and certainly not till after the Conquest.

Dr. Henry, in his History of Britain, vol. iv., gives the meaning of "Marsh Isle" to Lindsey, and of "Lake Colony" to Lincolnia. This I consider the most probable signification to a district that abounded in marshes at that early period, when the rude Briton or the Saxon applied names to places the most consonant to the aspects they afforded them: nor is it likely they would give the name of Lindentree to a small brook, where such a tree never could have grown.

As to the antiquity of the name of Lindes or Lindesey, I should say Lindentree must be of comparatively modern nomenclature. I should, however, be glad to have the opinion of some of your better-informed etymologists on the meaning of the word, as it may decide a point of some importance in genealogy.

J. L.

Berwick.