A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
June 22, 2025
Wapsworthy (and mystery lintel inscribed ‘EB’)
Recorded by Gover, Mawer and Stenton in 1931, ‘Wapsworthy’ was mentioned as ‘Werbricheswurdh’ in 1230 document, then ‘Werbrightewrthy’ in 1238, ‘Werbriteswurth’ in 1244, ‘Warbritteswurth’ in 1244, Werbrightesworthy’ in 1394, ‘Warpisworthy’ and ‘Werpysworthy’ in 1514. The Tithe Map from circa 1840, shows the name ‘Waspbury’, but the apportionment lists it as ‘Wapsworthy’. Today, there are three distinct parts to Wapsworthy (Higher, Middle and Lower) – of which Higher and Middle are occupied dwellings and Lower is a ruined Longhouse.
As to the origins of the name Wapsworthy, (William) Crossing remarks, with the merest hint of sarcasm, it is altogether beyond us to conceive of wasps ever having formed a settlement there”! The suffix, _worthy, in this and other Dartmoor hamlets derives from the Anglo-Saxon ‘worthig’ meaning ‘settlement’.
The modern house (Higher Wapsworthy) appears to date from the mid-late 19th century, according the historic maps. Higher Wapsworthy (‘Waspbury’) is depicted on the Tithe Map; labelled as 87 (house and yard). and unusually has been included on the Tavistock apportionment (not Peter Tavy). The map shows three buildings around a yard, on the east, south and west sides. The building on the east side is a Shippon, which has a unusual feature, an inscribed lintel, whose location appears totally out of context. The lintel inscription is ‘EB’ and the author was delighted when he was invited by the current owners to view it and consider its historical origins.
Bibliography
J.E.B.Gover, A.Mawer & F.M.Stenton – (1931) – The Place-Names of Devon: Part One, 232 (Monograph). SDV1312.
C.D. Linehan – (1965) – Deserted Sites on Dartmoor, Devon, 174 (Article in Serial). SDV217992.
Amanda and Steve – Higher Wapsworthy – Pers. Conv
Annotate map of the three parts of Wapsworthy; Higher, Middle and Lower and some of the features and artefacts covered in this postHigher Wapsworthy sign at the lane between Cudliptown and BaggatorHigher Wapsworthy house is not the original dwelling built here. The current house dates to mid-late 19th centuryInscribed lintel inside the Shippon at Higher Wapsworthy, shown to the author by the current owners (with huge thanks). The stone is clearly not original to the location and looks like a re-used boundary stone, and is inscribed with ‘EB’. The stone is around 1.25m long. What could ‘EB’ signify ?The inscription ‘EB’ is deeply cut. Could the initials relates to Rev Edward Bray or Edward Atkyns Bray junior (who had land at Cudliptown)? There was also a Elias Bray (senior and junior) who lived in parish. Possibly the stone relates to the nearby Butterbury farms. The stone might even have mining connections of which the author is unaware. If the stone has come from further afield, might it be a Buller – (Arthur) Edgecombe – boundary stone used as part of a land division relocated from Mary Tavy / Gibbet Hill area – this would be unusual as the ‘E’ and the ‘B’ are on the same side. There were once four Buller / Edgecombe stones but only two now survive More information of the Buller / Edgecombe boundary markers can be found here:Brentor / Mary Tavy Parish Boundary (with Buller / Edgecombe Standing Stones and GWR Boundary Markers) – Dartmoor ExplorationsThis odd shaped gatepost next to the public footpath between Higher Wapsworthy and the open moor leading to White Tor (and the Great Western Reave) has the look of an unfinished Celtic Cross. One wonders how and why it was shaped like this. It is located at SX53784 80049Middle Wapsworthy. This was originally known as Lower Wapsworthy. On the site of the house was longhouse, which is thought to be 17th century or earlier in origins. The dwelling was altered in 20th century and significant work (especially the roof) has been undertaken over the last few years (circa 2021-2024). Lower Wapsworthy. This deserted longhouse lies on private land and permission was obtained (with sincere thanks) to visit. The building was measured in 1965 by C.D. Lineham as 66 feet (20m) by 14 feet (4.3m). The adjacent enclosures are still in use. There division between the dwelling side and the shippon side is well defined. The Longhouse lies between a Youldon Brook and the two occupied dwellings of Middle and Higher Wapsworthy.This triangular rock within the yard / enclosure area of Lower Wapsworthy has a faint benchmark on it and is thought to be B.M 866.6, which originally was in the lane at SX53741 80189. It is presumed to have was once been part of a gatepost. The gateway where the benchmark was located was moved a few metres (away from the lane) and a consequence of this was the gatepost and benchmark were moved. It is now located SX53758 80198, some 10-15 metres away but behind the hedge line on the opposite side of the lane
