Further mention of Totnes and Brutus

Totnes - the castle - By Troxx (Picture was taken by myself) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Etymology of Totnes.—Can any of your readers suggest a probable etymology for Totnes, the "prime town of Great Britain," as it is called by Westcote*, who supposes it to have been built by Brutus, 1108 years before the Christian aera. Mr. Polwhele, who supposed the numerous Hams in Devon to have owed their names to the worship of Jupiter Hammon, would, I imagine, have derived Totnes from the Egyptian god Thoth or Taut ; or, perhaps, directly from King Thothmes. Westcote observes that some would have the name from, —

"The French word tout-a-l'aise, which is in English, all at ease; as if Brutus at his arrival in such a pleasant soil should here assure himself and his fellow travellers of ease, rest, and content ; and the /, in this long time, is changed into n, and so from tout-d-hsse we now call it tont-a-nesse, and briefly Totnesse. This would I willingly applaud, could I think or believe that Brutus spake so good French, or that the French tongue was then spoken at all. Therefore, I shall with the more ease join in opinion with those who would have it named Dodonesse, which signifieth [in what language?] the rocky-town, or town on stones, which is also agreeable with the opinion of Leland." 

Totnes is denominated Totenais and Totheneis in Domesday Book ; and in other old records variously spelt, Toteneis, Totteneys, Toteneys, Totton', Totteii, Totenesse, Tottenesse, Tottonnsse, Totonie, &c. Never, Donodesse. J. M. B. Totnes, April 23. 1850."

NOTES AND QUERIES. [No. 29. 18 may 1850]

Map - Totness

[I included this because of the complete surety given to the myth of Brutus, who was said to have founded Britain from Troy, having landed in Totnes]

Introduction to Mayday by Hewett

Lustliegh May Queen Rock -  By Owain.davies (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"From the time of the Roman evacuation of Britain, A.D. 410, May Day festivals have been observed throughout the country. The Saxons retained the worship of Maia, the mother of Jupiter, on the first of the month, and from this custom the month derived its name.

This popular festival was observed with the joyful ringing of bells, music, dancing, and mummings. Every building was covered with a profusion of floral decorations. Kings and queens did not object to join the members of their Court, civic dignitaries, and the populace, in the enjoyment of May Day gaieties. The makers of the fun adorned themselves with wreaths and festoons of flowers. Girls, wearing a profusion of flowers, danced around the Maypole to the wild strains of fifes and drums. Men visited the beer shops, where they imbibed more than was good for them.

As the custom grew old, abuses crept in, and what was once a picturesque and innocent recreation degenerated into frantic drunken revels, which were a scandal and a nuisance."

Hewett 1900

[At a time when the government are threatening to remove our mayday bank-holiday it is worth remembering that this is among  the oldest holidays in Britain. As the festival was celebrated in Pagan Ireland it is very likely that it pre-dates the Romans and is thus our oldest that is true to its roots as a celebration of the changing year.]