_West Chester_ (Vol. iii., p. 353.).--JOHN FRANCIS X. asks "why so
designated?" Camden will answer him. That antiquary gives the Roman,
British, and Saxon names, and adds:
"Nos contractius _West Chester_ ab occidentali
situ."--_Britannia_, edit. 1607, p. 458.
But X. adds:
"In _Maps of Cheshire_ 1670, and perhaps later, the city is thus
called."
The writer has the maps and plans of Braun, Hollar, Saxton, Speed, and
Blome, before him, but these have "Chester" simply; and does not at
present recollect any county map with the prefix mentioned. Perhaps X.
will oblige by a reference.