Forest of Lyme facts for kids
The Forest of Lyme (say "Lime") was once a huge forest. It was mostly filled with elm trees. This ancient forest covered parts of what are now the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire. Even though much of it is gone, some parts of the forest still exist. Its name also lives on in many local town and village names.
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Where Was the Forest of Lyme?
The Forest of Lyme was a very old and large area of woodland. It stretched from a town called Ashton-under-Lyne. Then it went roughly along the border of Cheshire all the way to Audlem. This town is on the border of Cheshire and Shropshire.
Today, Macclesfield Forest is a part of the original Forest of Lyme that still remains. However, many of its trees are now different types of conifers, not native elm trees. The old forest included many modern towns and villages. These include Ashton-under-Lyne, Macclesfield, Lyme, Congleton, Madeley, and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
How the Forest Got Its Name
The name "Lyme" comes from a very old British word. This word meant "elm tree." You can still see this word in the Welsh language today, where "llwyf" also means elm.
Old records from a place called the Honour of Lancaster mention the forest. They described areas outside Lancashire as "extra Limam." This Latin phrase means "beyond the Lyme." For example, the village of Lyme Handley was simply called "Lyme" in records from the year 1313.
History of the Forest of Lyme
Long ago, the Forest of Lyme was home to the British Celts. These people were likely part of the Cornovii or Brigantes tribes. The forest seemed to act like a natural wall. It made it harder for the Anglo-Saxons to take over Cheshire. When Cheshire was finally taken by the Anglo-Saxons, their army came from the north, from a kingdom called Northumbria.
Ancient Traditions and Festivals
Some ancient traditions from the forest's past still exist today. These include old pagan festivals. One such festival was Beltaine, which was celebrated around Leek. This festival marked the start of summer.
Another old pagan custom in the Forest of Lyme was well dressing. This tradition is also famous in Derbyshire. It involves decorating natural springs or wells with pictures made from flower petals and other natural materials. Well dressing was practiced in Rushton Spencer, near Biddulph. Many of these old pagan festivals have changed over time. They are now often celebrated in Christian ways.
There is also some proof that towns and land around Biddulph and Leek once belonged to Cheshire. This was during the early Middle Ages. Today, parts of the forest survive as large areas of ancient woodland. You can find these especially in the valley of the River Dane and in the western Peak District.
Lyme in Modern Place Names
The name "Lyme" is still used today in many local place names. It helps us remember the old forest. Here are some examples:
- Ashton-under-Lyne (This name changed a bit from "Lyme")
- Audlem (This might mean "Old Lyme" or "Alda's Lyme")
- Burslem (This means "Burgheard's Lyme")
- Lyme Park near Disley
- Lyme Handley, Sutton (This area is sometimes called Lyme Green)
- Newcastle-under-Lyme
