 The "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" records a battle in 825 in which Devon forces loyal to Egbert of Wessex defeated the Cornish at Gafulford; and this is thought to be Galford on the banks of this river, though some translations render it as Camelford, some 20 miles further west.At their nearest point the two rivers are not much more than 10 km apart.Domesday Book mentions a Lew Manor in this area, and it may be that both rivers take their name from it.