Traitor's Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Traitor's Ford |
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 Location in Warwickshire
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| Location | Warwickshire, England, UK |
| OS grid | SP335365 |
| Coordinates | 52°01′33″N 1°30′47″W / 52.02591°N 1.51316°W |
Traitor's Ford is a unique spot in England where a road goes right through the River Stour. This type of river crossing, without a bridge, is called a ford. It's found in the county of Warwickshire, very close to the border of Oxfordshire.
This interesting place is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the village of Brailes. It's also only about half a mile from Sibford Gower. If you enjoy walking, you might even cross Traitor's Ford, as it's part of the famous Macmillan Way long-distance walking path. You can even spot the ford in the movie Three Men and a Little Lady!
Why is it Called Traitor's Ford?
The name "Traitor's Ford" is quite mysterious, and there are two main ideas about how it got its name.
The "Trader's Ford" Idea
Just north of the ford, a modern road called Traitor's Ford Lane meets an old track known as Ditchedge Lane. Many people believe this old track was once a busy route for traders. These traders would have used the ford to cross the river. Because of this, some think the name was originally "Trader's Ford," meaning a crossing used by merchants. Over time, the name might have simply changed to "Traitor's Ford."
The "Traitor" Story
Another theory links the ford to a sad event after the English Civil War. This war happened a long time ago, in the 1600s, when people in England fought over who should have power: the King or Parliament.
After a big battle nearby called the Battle of Edgehill, some local people who supported Parliament (called Parliamentarians or Roundheads) were captured by the King's supporters (called Royalists or Cavaliers). It's believed that some of these Parliamentarian supporters were executed here. The name "Traitor's Ford" might come from this time, remembering those who were seen as "traitors" by the Royalists.
