Ford

One ford is the place or one can pass one river with foot.

In last times (Ancien Régime, The Middle Ages, Antiquity...etc...), the fords had an economic role (and soldier) important.

Ancedote

In 1812, the army napoléonnienne was to cross the Bérézina river to turn over to France (see Passage of Bérézina), the site of a ford was selected to build a temporary bridge. The crossing of this river was a hecatomb for the soldiers of Napoleon.

Large Anglo-Saxon cities

Etymology of certain large English cities (Oxford, Stratford ...etc...) reveals that they were initially founded on the site of a ford (the word Ford wants to say ford in English).