ruddle

1) A red variety of ochre found in several localities in Yorkshire.

In 1755 the vicar of Mirfield wrote of the ruddle or red chalk found in a quarry near New Hall in Hopton. It was used principally for marking sheep: 1669 the Lambes marked with Ruddle on the near Buttock like a crosse, Shelley but occurs occasionally as a verb in wood accounts: 1810 7 days ruddling wafers, Fixby . It gave rise to the minor place-names Ruddle Clough, Ruddle Dike, Ruddle Pits. See NH157-9.

dates 1669 1755 1810

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