In

eleventh century it began to assume that importance as a commercial port which it has gone on increasing ever since. Its advantages as an emporium for Irish produce were even then felt; and, besides this, it opened a commerce with Norway and all parts of Europe; and it was also a grand mart for slaves. The Empress Maud resided there a short time during her contest with King Stephen; and, in 1141, Stephen was conveyed as a prisoner to Gloucester, and thence to Bristol, where he was sometime kept a close prisoner. In the reign of Henry II., it had so greatly increased in its commerce, particularlywith Ireland, that the burgesses obtained a grant of free toll throughout England, Wales, and Normandy, and full power to inhabit and possess the city of Dublin, whither a colony was sent. 1216, the Pope's legate, Guelo, held a synod at Bristol, and there excommunicated the adherents of Lewis, the French king's son. In 1280, Edward I. held a parliament there, and then, for the first time, a writ was issued to the mayor and magistrates of Bristol to send two representatives to the parliament. In 1345, William de Colford, recorder, drew up a code of municipal laws, and the corporation adopted a part, and these were confirmed in a charter, granted to the town by Edward III., who, besides this, constituted it a town and county in itself. In the year 1490, the streets of Bristol were newly paved, and Henry VII. and his chancellor kept the royal court at St. Augustine's palace; and, the following year, the same king granted a new charter to the town, and presented his own sword to the mayor, to be borne on state occasions before him. Henry VIII. made Bristol a city and a bishop's see, by his own letters patent; and Queen Elizabeth granted it a new charter and visited it in the twenty-fourth year of her reign. Another charter was granted it by Charles I., in which the castle and precincts, which had hitherto been deemed to be within the county of Gloucester, were now made to belong to the town and county of Bristol. In 1642, Bristol being in the hands of the parliament, the walls were strengthened and the castle put in repair, and a fort was erected at Brandon, now called the

Royal Fort. In the year following, Prince Rupert laid siege to the city and took it, and the king joined the camp at Bristol. Two years afterwards, the

city again fell into the hands of the parliament, and the royalist party never rallied again. On Cromwell being made Protector, he ordered the castle to be demolished, and streets built on its site, and this was so completely done, that nothing now remains of what was that extensive structure but a few arches in Tower-street. In 1684, the king granted Bristol a charter, confirmatory of the foregoing ones; and, in 1702, Queen Anne visited it, in company with the Prince of Denmark, and was entertained by the citizens with great splendour, and, in 1710, on another visit to it, she confirmed and added to the charters. The cathedral of Bristol is a fine building, comprising specimens of Norman and Gothic architecture, and is situated on a part of the city, called College-green. It was originally the collegiate church to the monastery of St. Augustine, founded by Robert Fitz-Hardinge in 1460, as a priory of Black Canons. Besides the cathedral, there are now in this city 18 churches and chapels, and 20 chapels of Dissenters. There are also nearly 20 hospitals and schools in it; and it is one of the most important towns of commerce in England. It trades with almost every quarter of the world; and has almost a monopoly of the trade between England and Ireland. It has sugar-houses, vitriol and coalworks, brass and iron founderies, distilleries, glass-houses, &c. It is go verned by a mayor, recorder, 12 aldermen, 42 common-councilmen, and inferior officers. It sends two members to parliament, the right of election being in the freeholders of forty shillings a year, and in the free burgesses, who are all those who have gained their freedom by servitude, by purchase, or by marrying the daughters of freemen; the number of voters being altogether about 6000. Before the reformation, there were in Bristol the following religious and charitable establishments. A Benedictine Priory, built by Robert, son of Hen. I., in the north-east of the city; granted, 35 Hen. VIII., to Henry Brayne. Great St. Augustine's, now Holy Trinity and Cathedral, founded in the year 1148, by Robert Fitz Harding; yearly value 7671. 15s. 3d., now worth 15,3551. 58. St. Mary-Magdalen Nunnery, founded by Eva, wife to Robert Fitzharding, in the reign of Hen. Il., yearly value 21l. 11s. 3d., now worth 4311. 5s.; granted, 31 Hen. VIII., to Henry Brayne and John Marsh. St.

Bartholomew's Hospital, granted, by Hen. VIII., to the executors of Robert Thorn and Sir Thomas West; is now a grammar school. St. Catherine's Hospital, founded, 4 Hen. III., by Robert de Berkele; yearly value 21l. 15s. 8d., now worth 435l. 13s. 4d. Gaunts, or Billeswyke Hospital, built in the year 1229, by Maurice de Gaunt, for one hundred poor people; yearly value 140/., now worth 2,8001.; granted, 33 Hen. VIII., to the mayor and citizens; is now an Orphan Hospital. St. John's Hospital, built by John Earl of Moreton, afterwards King of England, for the sick; yearly value 51l. 10s. 4d., now worth 1,030l. 6s. 8d.; granted, 36 Hen. VIII., to G. Owen. St. Lawrence's Hospital, founded before Hen. III.; granted, 35 Hen. VIII., to Sir Ralph Sadleyr. Lyons, or Lewin's Medestreet Hospital, founded in the year 1460, by William Spenser. St. Michael's-hill Almshouse, founded in the year 1504, by John Foster, for one priest, eight poor men, and five poor women, is yet in being. Radcliff-hill Almshouse, built in the year 1442, by William Cannings, is still in being, though having no endowment. Temple. street Hospitals. Under Tucker's Hall is one founded by the Tucker's company; under the Weaver's Hall is another founded at a very early period. TempleGate Hospital, built by Roger Magdalen, of Nonney. Trinity Hospital, founded, 4 Hen. V., by John Barstable, merchant of the town; granted, 20 Eliz., to the mayor and corporation; is still in being. An Augustine Friary, built in the reign of Edw. II., by Sir Simon and Sir William Montacute; granted, 31 Hen. VIII., to Maurice Dennis. The Black Friary, founded by Sir Maurice Gaunt; granted, 31 Hen. VIII., to William Chester. The Grey Friars' House, founded in the year 1234; granted, 33 Hen. VIII., to the mayor and citizens. The population of the city is 52,889; but the whole population of all the parishes, parts of which extend beyond its limits, amounts to 68,318. The parishes are 18 in number; viz., All-Saints, St. Augustin, Christ-Church, St. Edwin, St. James, St. John-the-Baptist, St. Leonard, St. Mary-le-Port, St. Mary-Redcliff, St. Michael, St. Nicholas, St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Philip-and-Jacob, St. Stephen, Temple, St. Thomas, and St. Werburgh. The markets are on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; and the

fairs are on March 1 and Sept. 1, for most sorts of goods, and lasting ten days each. A market for cattle every Thursday.

BROADFIELD.-See Wrington. 14 mile distant N.

BROADWAY, 2 miles W.N.W. from II.

minster. Popula. 396. Fair, Sept. 14,
cattle and pedlary.

BROCKLEY, 7 miles N. by E. from
Axbridge. Popula. 173.
BROMPTON-RALPH, 3 miles N. from
Wiveliscombe. Popula. 449.
BROMPTON-REGIS, 3 miles N.E. from
Dulverton. Popula. 771. Fairs, Wed.
before Holy-Thurs., Thurs. se'nnight
after Oct. 10.

BROOK or GASPER, in Stourton parish,

Wilts, and popula. included therein. 1 mile distant W.

BROOMFIELD, 5 miles S.W. from

Bridgewater. Popula. 489. Fair, Nov. 13, cattle, hats, and pewter goods. BRUSHFORD, 14 mile S. from Dulverton. Popula. 311.

BRUTON, 110 miles W. by S. from London. Popula. 1,859. Market, Sat.; fairs, April 23, Sept. 19, cattle. Here was an Augustine Priory, founded in the year 1005, by Algar Earl of Cornwall; yearly value 480l. 17s. 2d., now worth 9,6171. 3s. 4d.; granted, 37 Hen. VIII., to Maurice Berkely. BUCKLAND-DENHAM, 2 miles N.W. from Frome. Popula. 440. BUCKLAND (St. Mary), 5 miles W. from Ilminster. Popula. 565. Fairs, Sept. 21 and 22, horses the first day, and bullocks the second.

BUCKLAND (West), 2 miles E. from
Wellington. Popula. 750. Fair, Oct.
10, cattle and cheese.
BURNHAM, 7 miles S.W. from Axbridge.

Popula. 920. Fair, Trinity-Monday,
cattle, horses, and sheep.
BURNETT, 3 miles N.E. from Pensford.
Popula. 75.

BURRINGTON, 34 miles N.N.E. from
Axbridge. Popula. 559.
BUTCOMBE, 6 miles W.S.W. from Pens-
ford. Popula. 213.

BUTLEIGH, 34 miles N.E. from Somer-
ton. Popula. 809.
CADBURY (North), 3 miles S. from
Castle-Carey, Popula, 1,003.

Castle-Carey. Popula. 257.

CAMEL (West), 3 miles N.E. from Ilchester. Popula. 304.

CAMERTON, 6 miles S.W. from Bath.

Popula. 1,004. CANNINGTON, 35 miles E. from NetherStowey. Popula. 1,228. Here there was a Benedictine Nunnery, founded in the reign of King Stephen, by Robert de Courcey; yearly value 391. 15s. 8d.,

now worth 795l. 13s. 4d.; granted, 30

Hen. VIII., to Edward Rogers. CAPLAND, partly in Beer-Crocombe and partly in Broadway parish. Popula. returned with the latter.

Popula. 1,797. Fairs, May 4, Oct. 29, cattle, sheep, and horses. CHEDDON-FITZPAINE, 2 miles N. from Taunton Popula. 272.

CHEDZOY, 2 miles E. from Bridgewater. Popula. 472.

CHELVEY, 84 miles S.W. from Bristol. Popula. 62.

CHELWOOD, 2 miles S.S.E. from Pensford. Popula. 222.

CHERITON (North), 3 miles S.W. from

Wincanton. Popula. 216. CHESTERBLADE, in Evercreech parish, and popula. included therein. 2 miles distant N.E.

CASTLE-CAREY, 116 miles W. from London. Popula. 1,627. Market, Tues.; fairs, first Tues. before Palm-Sun., May 1, Whit-Tues., bullocks and sheep. CATCOTT, in Moorlinch parish, and popula. included therein. 1 mile distant N.

Pensford. Popula. 681. CHEWTON-MENDHIP, 6 miles N.N.E. from Wells. Popula. 1,327. CHEW-MAGNA, 24 miles W. from Pensford. Popula. 1,884.

CHILCOMPTON, 6 miles N.N.E. from Shepton Mallet. Popula. 474.

minster. Popula. 270.

CHARD, 1394 miles W.S.W. from London. Popula. 3,106. Market, Monday; fairs, first Wednesday in May, Aug. and Nov., for cattle and all sorts of pedlary. CHARLCOMBE, 24 miles N. from Bath. Popula. 124.

CHARLINCH, 3 miles E. from NetherStowey. Popula. 251.

CHARLTON-ADAM, 34 miles N.N.E. from Ilchester. Popula. 377. CHARLTON-HORETHORNE, 44 miles S.W. from Wincanton. Popula. 489. CHARLTON-MACKREL, 1 mile E. from Somerton. Popula. 509. CHARLTON, in Kilmersdon parish, and popula. included therein. 4 miles distant E.

CHARLTON-MUSGRAVE, 1 mile N. from Wincanton. Popula. 366. CHARTERHOUSE, 4 miles N.E. from Axbridge. Popula. 115. Here there was a Cell, granted, 36 Hen. VIII., to Robert May.

Ilchester. Popula. 234.

CHILTON-CANTILO, 3 miles N. from
Yeovil. Popula. 140.
CHILTON-TRINITY, 1 mile N. from
Bridgewater. Popula. 49.
CHILTON-UPON-POLDON, in Moor-
linch parish, and popula. included
therein. 2 miles distant N.W,
CHINNOCK (East), 4 miles N.E. from
Crewkerne. Popula. 581.

CHINNOCK (Middle), 3 miles N.E. from
Crewkerne. Popula. 173.

CHINNOCK (West), 24 miles N.E. from Crewkerne. Popula. 477.

CHIPSTABLE, 24 miles S.W. from Wive liscombe. Popula. 537. CHISLEBOROUGH, 4 miles N.E. from Crewkerne. Popula. 434. Fair, Oct. 31, cattle of all sorts, cheese, hops, and pigs.

CHRISTON, 34 miles N.W. from Axbridge. Popula. 55.

CHURCHILL, 3 miles N. from Axbridge. Popula. 824.

Popula. 157.

popula. included therein. 2 miles distant E.

CLAPTON, in Midsummer-Norton parish, and popula. included therein. 1 mile

distant S.

CLAPTON-FORUMS.-See Cucklington. 24 miles W. from Wincanton. CLATWORTHY, 2 miles N.W. from Wiveliscombe. Popula. 280. CLAVERTON, 1 mile E.S.E. from Bath. Popula. 137.

CLEVEDON, 12 miles W. by S. from

Bristol. Popula. 581.

CLOSWORTH, 4 miles S. from Yeovil. Popula. 187.

CLOFORD, 4 miles S.W, from Frome. Popula. 312.

CLUTTON, 3 miles S. from Pensford. Popula. 1,206.

COKER (East), 2 miles S.S.W. from Yeovil. Popula. 1,103.

COKER (West), 2 miles S.W. from Yeovil. Popula. 928. COKER (North), in East-Coker parish, and popula. included therein. COLE, in Pitcomb parish, and popula. included therein. mile distant N.W. COLEFORD, in Kilmersdon parish, and popula. included therein. 2 miles distant S.

COMBE (St. Nicholas), 4 miles S.W. from Ilminster. Popula. 1,046. Fairs, June 18, Wednesday before Dec. 11, locks, horses, and sheep.

bul

parish, and popula. included therein. CORFE, 5 miles E. from Wellington. Popula. 232,

CORSTON, 3 miles W. from Bath. Po-
pula. 368.
CORTON-DENHAM, 6 miles N.E. from
Yeovil. Popula. 469.

COSSINGTON, 4 miles N.E. from Bridge. water. Popula. 268.

COTHELSTON, 5 miles N.W. from Taunton. Popula. 108.

CRANMORE (East), 4 miles E. from Shepton-Mallet. Popula. 68. CRANMORE (West), 4 miles E. from Shepton-Mallet. Popula. 270.

CREECH (St. Michael), 3 miles N.E. from Taunton. Popula. 812.

CREWKERNE, 132 miles W.S.W. from

London. Popula. 3,434. Market, Sat.; fairs, Sept. 4, horses, bullocks, linendrapery, cheese, and toys. CRICKET-MALHERBIE, 2 miles S. from Ilminster. Popula. 73. CRICKET (St. Thomas), 4 miles W.S.W. from Crewkerne. Popula. 75. CROSCOMBE, 2 miles W.N.W. from Shepton-Mallet. Popula. 742. CROWCOMBE, 5 miles S.E. from

Watchet. Popula. 600. Market, Tues. ; fairs, first Friday in May, Monday after Aug. 1, Oct. 31, cattle and drapery. CUCKLINGTON with CLAPTONFORMS, 24 miles S.E. from Wincanton. Popula. 320.

Popula. 144.

minster. Popula. 168.

minster. Popula. 461.

Somerton. Popula. 544.

COMPTON-MARTIN, 7 miles N. from Axbridge. Popula. 534.

Langport. Popula. 1,645. Market, Tues.; fairs, Sept. 3, bullocks, sheep, and toys.

Langport. Popula. 1,192. Fairs, Mon. after Lammas, Aug. 5, cattle and sheep. CUTCOMBE, 5 miles S.W. from Dun ster. Popula. 664.

DEUCUMAN (St.), mile S. from Watchet. Popula. 1,865. Fairs, Aug. 24, Sept. 16, cattle, and all sorts of goods.

DINDER, 1 mile S.E. from Wells. Popula. 175.

DINNINGTON, in Seavington-St.-Michael parish, and popula. included therein.

DISCOVE, in Bruton parish, and popula. included therein.

therein.

Popula. 187.

Popula. 250.

Bath. Popula. 311.

DOWNSIDE, in Midsummer-Norton parish, and popula. included therein. DRAYCOTT, in Limington parish, and popula. included therein.

water. Popula. 287.

Popula. 113.

DULVERTON, 168 miles W. by S. from London. Popula. 1,127. Market, Sat.; fairs, July 10, Nov. 8, cattle.

DUNDRY, 33 miles N.W. from Pensford. Popula. 454. Fair, Sept. 12, cattle, sheep, and hogs.

DUNKERTON, 4 miles S.W. from Bath. Popula. 365.

DUNSTER, 160 miles W. by S. from London. Popula. 895. Market, Fri.; fair, Whit-Monday, for pedlers. Here was a Benedictine Cell, founded in the time of William the Conqueror, by Sir William de Mahun; yearly value 371. 4s. 8d., now worth 7441. 13s. 4d.; granted, 34 Hen. VIII., to Humphrey Colles.

DURLEIGH, 1 mile W. from Bridgewater. Popula. 127.

DURSTON, 4 miles N.E. from Taunton. Popula. 211.

Popula. 301.

FAIRFIELD, in Stogursey parish,
popula. included therein.
1 mile à
tant N.W.

FARLEIGH-HUNGERFORD, 6 E
S.E. from Bath. Popula. 174.
FARMBOROUGH, 3 miles S.E. fr
Pensford. Popula. 752.
FARRINGTON-GURNEY, 5 miles S
from Pensford. Popula. 526.
FLAX-BOURTON, 6 miles S.W. t
Bristol. Popula. 192.
FIDDINGTON, 1 mile N.E. from X-
ther-Stowey. Popula. 185.

FITZHEAD, 2 miles N. from Milver::
Popula. 300.

FIVEHEAD, 34 miles S.W. from Le port. Popula. 326. FROME-SELWOOD, 105 miles W. from London. Popula. 12,411. ket, Wed. and Sat.; fairs, Feb..