Brewer's: Silchester

(Berks) is Silicis castrum (flint camp), a Saxon-Latin form of the Roman Calleva or Galleva. Galleva is the Roman form of the British Gwal Vawr (great wall), so called from its wall, the ruins of which are still striking. Leland says, “On that wall grow some oaks of ten cart-load the piece.” According to tradition King Arthur was crowned here; and Ninnius asserts that the city was built by Constantius, father of Constantine the Great.

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language