nuns were removed to Witham, whence they dispersed at the commencement of the war between Offa, King of the Mercians, and Kinewulph, the Sovereign of the West Saxons. Previous to the construction of Burford and Culham Bridges, in the year 1416, this town was principally supported by the abbey; but the building of those fabrics having occasioned the high road from Gloucester to the Metropolis to be turned through Abingdon, it acquired so much additional traffic, as to rank with the most distinguished places in the county. The honor of erecting these bridges has been given to Henry the Fifth; but the chief contributor to both was Geoffrey Barbour, a merchant, who bestowed 1000 marks towards their completion, and the making a causeway between them. Some particulars concerning this benefaction, and a curious relation of the proceedings at the building of Culham Bridge, are inscribed on a tablet hanging in Christ's Hospital, which was founded on the site of the nunnery just mentioned, by G. Barbour, and St. John de St. Helena. This hospital was anciently called St. Helen's, but received its present appellation from Sir John Mason, who, in the year 1553, endowed it for thirteen poor men and women, Over the entrance are these words: HOSPITIA HÆC POSITA SUNT A. D. MDCCXVIII. IN Dr GLORIAM A QUO, ET AD QUEM OMNIA, EJUSDEM SUMPTIBUS EXTRUCTA. Deus dedit, ETIAM ET DET INCREMENTUM. The *The inscription is in Latin, and has been printed by Hearne in a note to Leland's Itinerary, and also by Ashmole, together with a quaint translation in rhyme. Leland says, "Ther wrought that somer 300 men on Culham Bridge." Hearne observes, that, "The best artists that could be found were employed; and every man had a penny a day, which was the best wages, and an extraordinary price in those times, when the best wheat was now and then sold for twelve-pence a quarter." The memory of Geoffrey Barbour is still held in great veneration by the inhabitants of Abingdon; and we are informed by Hearne, that his body, which had been buried in the abbey, was removed to St. Helen's Church, in the most solemn manner, at the time of the Suppression of the Monasteries. The respect which the services he had rendered to the town had generated, was even extended to the brass plate that recorded the place of his interment, which was preserved from obliteration amidst all the frenzy of fanaticism, and removed, with his remains, to St. Catherine's aisle in the above structure. The celebrated Cross, which stood in the centre of the marketplace, and is mentioned by Camden on account of its superior elegance, was destroyed the 31st of May, 1644, by the troops of General Waller, out of chagrin at the repulse they had received from the royal army at Newbridge. Richard Symmonds, who saw this beautiful structure but a few weeks previous to its demolition, has given a very particular description of it in a manuscript now in the British Museum. The cross was of stone, of an octangular shape, and adorned with three rows of statues. The lowest row consisted of six grave Kings; the next of the Virgin Mary, four female Saints, and a mitred Prelate; and the uppermost, of small figures either of Prophets or Apostles. It was also ornamented with numerous shields of arms, carved and painted. Mr. Gough supposes it to have been built by the Gild of Holy Cross, as the arms of Sir John Golafre, one of the commissioners by whom that fraternity was incorporated in the reign of Henry the Sixth, was, with many others, found on it in the year 1605, M 2 when * Hearne, in a note to Leland's Itinerary, observes, that at the annual feast of this fraternity," They spent six calfs, which cost 2s. 2d. a piece; sixteen lambs, at 12d. each; eighty capons, at 3d. each; twenty geese, at 24d. each; 800 eggs, at 5d. per 100; besides many marrow-bones, much fruit and spice, and a great quantity of milk, cream, and flour; all in proportion to the prices specified; and upon these days of rejoicing withal, they used to have twelve minstrels ; six from Coventry, and six from Maidenhead; for which, and for other uses of the fraternity, William Dyar, vicar of Bray, in Berks, gave them five tenements in East St. Helen's-Street, three tenements in West St. Helen's-Street, and other lands in Abingdon." when it was repaired, and the shields of the then benefactors added. The cross erected at Coventry, in the days of Henry the Eighth, is reported to have been built from this model. Abingdon consists of several streets, which centre in a spacious area, where the market is held. In the Agricultural Survey of this county, the inhabitants are computed at 2000; many of whom are employed in an extensive manufactory for floor and sail cloths, and other articles of that description. In Leland's time, the woollen business flourished here; but the chief article of trade of late years has been malt, great quantities being annually sent down the Thames to London. For the convenience of the barges, a commodious wharf has been completed at the extre mity of the town, beyond which the new cut, forming a small curve, joins the main river a short distance below Culham Bridge. The Market-House and Town-Hall is a very remarkable structure, being built with ashler or free-stone, rough as it comes from the quarry. It appears to have been erected about the commencement of the last century. The hall is supported by arches and lofty pillars. At the time of a county election, the space beneath is judiciously inclosed, and the names of the respective Hundreds inscribed over each arch. By this means the crowd and bustle so frequent at elections is avoided, as the freeholder can readily ascertain where the poll is taken for his district, and may give his vote without interruption. The Corporation consists of a Mayor, two Bailiffs, nine Aldermen, and sixteen Assistants. The charter was granted by Queen Mary in the year 1557, at the intercession of Sir John Mason; and the right of election vested in the twelve principal Burgesses and their successors. The exertions of the inhabitants have, however, superseded this unjust limitation, and every one paying scot and lot, and not receiving alms, or any charity, is intitled to vote. The number of electors is about 600. This borough sent members to Parliament once previous to its incorporation, upon receiving a peremptory summons in the tenth of Edward the Third. Abingdon |