ABSTRACT

Location can be stated quite tersely and precisely in terms of latitude and longitude, or distance and direction from other established points. The co-ordinates of a recognised grid reference system define it precisely. It is a specific, unique attribute of any town or place, and is the primary information given by a gazetteer. In geographical description locations correspond to dates in historical narrative. Towns grow in particular places to discharge necessary functions, among which it may be that one is of primary importance, so that it may justifiably be regarded as the raison d'être of the town. The need for protection, which induced towns established in times and areas of insecurity to seek such defensive sites, was not always easy to reconcile with facilities for discharging normal peaceful functions such as trade. Towns are nodes of route-systems, and their importance closely reflects the degree to which they possess the property which has been called nodality.