long time in their possession. Leland, however, states, that Elfreda, STAMFORD. sister of Edward the Elder, rebuilt the castle, on the northern bank of the Welland, in 914. The Danes repossessed themselves of the castle, and held it till the death of their last king, in 1041, when it reverted to the English. At the Conquest, it fell into the hands of the Normans. At the Domesday survey, there were in Stamford 141 mansions or manors, and twelve lagemen, who had within their own houses sac and soc, over their own men, except the tax and heriots, and the forfeiture of their bodies, and felons' goods. In the reign of Stephen, the castle was Capture of besieged by Henry of Anjou, afterwards Henry II.; who took it, and the Castle bestowed both that and the town, excepting the barons' and knights' fees, by Henry II. on Richard Humetz, to hold them of the crown. After many grants, and as many reversions, the manor was given by Queen Elizabeth to William Cecil, first Lord Burleigh; and by marriage, it descended to Henry Grey, first Earl of Stamford, in which family it continued for several descents. In the reign of Richard III. the castle was demolished. The hill on which it stood, to the north-west of the town, appears to have been nearly artificial, the various layers of earth lying horizontally; by the side are the small remains of a stone wall.-In the time of the Conqueror, Stamford was governed by the lagemen or aldermen. In the time of Edward IV. it obtained the privilege of sending two members to Parliament; and in the first year of that reign a charter was granted, by virtue of which the aldermen and other officers were incorporated, under the name of the "aldermen and comburgesses of the first and second bench." The town, however, was not governed by a mayor till the reign of Charles II., who, when he recalled the royal charters throughout the kingdom, granted a new one to Stamford, which was confirmed in the reign of James II.-At one period, Stamford had fourteen parish churches, besides chapels. Several of these were burnt by the northern soldiers, in A.D. 1461, and never rebuilt. The number was further diminished at the Dissolution; and, by an act passed in 1547, they were reduced to five, according to the ancient division of the town into five wards, the present number exclusive of St. Martin's, in Stamford Baron. St. Michael's St.Michael's Church, near the centre of the town, is probably the oldest structure, part of it having been built previously to the year 1230. It consists of a nave, north and south aisles, choir, with north and south chancels, which extend beyond the aisles. The eastern end of the choir was rebuilt about the year 1705; when, in the wall, were found, thrown in as rubbish, sculptured stones, the fragments of some religious building, which had existed anterior to this. At the west end of the nave was a wooden tower, which was taken down, and replaced by another of stone, in 1761. St. Mary's Church appears to have been built at the latter end of the thirteenth century, and probably on the site of one as early as the Conquest, as the inhabitants consider this the mother-church. The spire is a handsome structure, without battlements, having, at that part where it begins to contract, the figures of the four Evangelists, under elegant canopies, one at each corner. At the upper end of the chancel, is an ancient and curious monument, without arms or inscription. The figure of a man, armed cap-a-pié, is recumbent by a female figure. This tomb is to the memory of Sir David Philips, who distinguished himself at the battle of Bosworth-field. He founded a chantry in this church. St. George's Church, a large plain building, consists of a chancel, nave, St. George's north and south aisles, with a square embattled tower at the west end. The windows of the aisles are large, with three lights, and pointed flat arches; those of the nave have square heads. It was rebuilt in 1450, at the expense of William Bruges, first Garter King at Arms. In the chancel windows were numerous figures in stained glass. Here are the remains of Davil Cecil, Esq., high-sheriff of Northamptonshire, in 1542, and grandfather of the first Lord Burleigh. All Saints Church, a Church. Church. Curious STAMFORD. large well-proportioned structure, consists of a nave, two aisles, and two chancels; one at the end of the south aisle, and the other corresponding to the nave. At the west end of the north aisle is the steeple, a lofty, handsome, embattled structure, with octangular turrets, and crowned by a neat octangular spire, crocketed at the angles from the base to the summit. This church, considered one of the principal ornaments of Stamford, was built at the expense of John Brown, merchant of the Staple at Calais, who, with his wife, lie buried at the upper end of the north aisle. In St. Mary's chapel, where formerly stood the altar, are figures in brass, of William Brown, who built and endowed the bead-house, and his wife; inscription. with scrolls over their heads-"X me spede," dere lady help at nede.' Against the east window of this chapel is a white marble monument, in memory of Mr. Thomas Truesdale, who also founded an alms-house here. St. John the Baptist's church, rebuilt about the year 1452, consists of a nave and two aisles, with a chancel at the east end of each, separated from the nave and aisles by elegant screen-work. The roof has been highly decorated with figures, carved both in wood and stone. The windows formerly exhibited some fine stained glass.--Stamford had formerly several foundations devoted to the tuition of youth. In 1109, Joffrid, Abbot of Croyland, deputed three monks from his monastery for this purpose. This was probably the foundation of the university, which has been the subject of much controversy. Camden places the date of the establishment in the reign of Edward III.; and Anthony Wood, in the year 1292; but the foundation was earlier than either of these periods. The Carmelites had a monastery here in the time of Henry III., gave lectures on divinity and the liberal arts, and had disputations against Judaism. Numbers of the clergy and gentry sent their sons hither for instruction. Other religious houses followed the example; and Stamford soon became celebrated as a place of liberal instruction. Public lectures were appointed, and colleges erected for the reception of students. On a violent altercation taking place in the reign of Edward III., between the northern and southern scholars in the University of Oxford, the former class removed to Stamford; but they were obliged, by royal proclamation, to return to Oxford; and it was afterwards made a statute, that no Oxford man should take a degree at Stamford. Here were four colleges :Brasen-nose Brasen-nose (whence a college at Oxford probably took its name), taken College. down in 1668, and a charity-school erected out of the materials. Sem pringham Hall, which stood on St. Peter's-hill, was intended principally as a seminary for youth destined to profess, agreeably to the order of the Gilbertines. It was founded by Robert Luttrel, rector of Irnham, in 1292. Peterborough Hall, opposite the south door of All Saints church, was pulled down about 1705. Black Hall, a school to prepare the youth for the monastery of Black Friars, to the north-west of All Saints church, was taken down soon after Peterborough Hall. The free-school, in St. Paul's-street, was founded in 1548, by Mr. William Radcliffe; and further endowed in 1612, by Thomas, Earl of Exeter, who gave the sum of £108 annually, to Clare Hall, in Cambridge, on condition that he and his heirs for ever should have the nomination of eight scholars, and out of them three fellows; and, when any of the scholarships should become vacant, that preference should be given, in electing, to the youth educated in the free grammar-school of Stamford. In the charity-school, in St. Paul's-street, thirty-six boys are clothed and educated, principally by Browne's public contributions. Browne's Hospital was founded in the reign of Richard III., for a warden, confrater, and twelve poor men, and endowed with ample lands for their support. It is a handsome old building, on the north side of the corn-market. The revenues are in a very flourishing state. In 1770, St. Peter's Gate being in a ruinous condition, was taken down; and near the site was erected St. Peter's Hospital, for the reception of eight poor men and their wives upwards of 60 years of age. Hospital. Stamford Baron Church. Stamford Baron, considered part of Stamford, but separated from it by STAMFORD. the Welland, over which is a stone bridge, is a distinct liberty and parish in the county of Northampton. It was formerly called Stamford beyond the bridge, or Stamford south of the Welland. In the reign of Athelstan, it enjoyed the privilege of a mint. King Edward the elder fortified the southern banks of the river against the Danes; and built a strong castle to prevent the incursions of that people from the north. The castle stood on the verge of the Roman road, where now is the Nuns' farm. In Domesday book this place is mentioned as the sixth ward belonging to Stamford, and as being situated in Hantunescire. Here was a nunnery of the Benedictine order, dedicated to the honour of God and St. Michael, by William Abbot, of Peterborough, in the reign of Henry II. Its revenues, at the suppression, were £72 18s. 10d. Here was also an hospital for lepers, dedicated to St. Ægidius, or St. Giles; a house of regular canons for Knights Hospitallers, but by whom founded is unknown; and an hospital dedicated to St. John the Baptist, erected by Brand de Fossato, for the reception of pilgrims and poor travellers. Upon the site of the last of these, William Lord Burleigh built an hospital, and endowed it for a warden and twelve poor men.-Stamford Baron church, dedicated to St. Martin, was erected by Bishop Russel, in the reign of Edward IV. It is a large handsome building, consisting of a nave, two chancels, north and south aisles, and a square pinnacled tower at the west end of the north aisle. At the upper end of the north chancel is a cenotaph to the memory of Richard Cecil and his wife, the parents of the first Lord Burleigh. The entablature is supported by columns of the Corinthian order, and under a circular canopy are the effigies of both represented before an altar; and on the front of the base, three female figures, in a supplicating posture. On the altar are two inscriptions. A curious monument of various marble, consisting of two circular arches, Monument supported by Corinthian pillars, and surmounted with an escutcheoned to the celetablet, and which has beneath, on a raised altar tomb, a figure in armour, with a dog lying at the feet, is commemorative of the virtues of William Cecil, Baron of Burleigh, and Lord High Treasurer of England. Against the north wall of the north chancel, is a stately tomb of white and grey marble, to the memory of John, Earl of Exeter; and of his lady, who died in 1709.-"The Earl is represented in a Roman habit, discoursing with his Countess, who has an open book resting on her knee, and a pen in her hand, as ready to take down the purport of his discourse. Below is the figure of Minerva with the gorgon's head; and opposite, the same deity is represented in a mournful attitude, as lamenting the loss of the patron of arts and sciences. A pyramid of grey marble, ascending almost to the roof, is crowned with the figure of Cupid, holding in his hand a snake with the tail in the mouth, emblematical of eternity."-Against one of the pillars, on the north side of the nave, is a mural monument with a Latin inscription, importing, that it was erected at the expense of John Earl of Exeter, to the memory of William Wissing, an ingenious painter, a native of Amsterdam, and a disciple of the celebrated Peter Lely. He is compared to an early bunch of grapes, because snatched away in the flower of his life, at the age of 39.-The borough of Stamford is distinguished by an almost singular point in the law of inheritance, called Borough English; by which the youngest son, if the father die intestate, inherits the lands and tenements, to the exclusion of the elder branches of the family. This, as well as the law of Gavel kind, which prevails in Kent, was of Saxon origin. Littleton supposes the youngest were preferred, as least able to provide for themselves; Dr. Plot conjectures that it arose from an old barbarous right (which, in point of fact, is now thought never to have existed), assumed by the lord of the manor during the feudal ages, of sleeping the first night after marriage with the vassal's bride; whence the first born was supposed to belong to the lord. This brated Lord Burleigh. Singular point in the inheritance. law of of Bull running here. " STAMFORD. might afford a reason for the exclusion of the eldest son; but in the case of there being more than two, it does not appear satisfactory. Peck says, that Stamford being a trading town, the elder sons were set up in business, or generally received their respective shares of the paternal property, during the father's life-time.-The custom of Bull-running annually takes place here; but we trust, ere long, to hear of its total annihilation. AccordOrigin of ing to tradition, William, the fifth Earl of Warren, in the reign of the practice King John, while standing one day on the walls of his castle, saw two bulls contending for a cow. A butcher, to whom one of the bulls belonged, coming up with a large dog, set him at his own bull. The dog driving the animal into the town, more dogs joined in the chase, with a vast concourse of people. The animal, enraged by the baiting of the dogs and the clamour of the multitude, knocked down and ran over many persons. This scene so delighted the Earl, who had been a spectator, that he gave the meadows where it commenced, after the first crop was off, as a common for the use of the butchers in Stamford; on condition that they should annually provide a bull, six weeks before Christmas-day, to perpetuate the sport.' This bull-running, which has been instituted nearly 600 years, is still held on the festival of St. Brice, though with less ostentation than formerly. In ancient times, the night before the important day, the fated bull was secured in the stable belonging to the chief magistrate; and the bullards, or men appointed to take the lead in the pursuit, were clad in antic dresses. At present the magistracy decline all interference, and the bullards are clothed in their usual attire. On the morning that the bull is to run, proclamation is made through the town by the bellman, that no person, on pain of imprisonment, shall offer any violence to strangers. As the town is a great thoroughfare, a guard is appointed to protect persons passing through it that day. No persons pursuing the bull are allowed to have clubs or sticks with iron in them. When the people have secured their doors and windows, the bull is turned out; when men, women, children, dogs, &c., run promiscuously after the animal with loud and obstreperous vociferations. After the "running" is over, the bull is killed, and the price for which he sells is divided amongst the Society of Butchers, who procured him. In some places, this barbarous custom of bull-running was anciently a matter of tenure.--Near this town is the elegant residence of the Marquis of Exeter. In the neighbourhood of Helpstone, a few miles from Stamford, a Roman antiquities. villa has been discovered, with a fine tesselated pavement; and near] Wansford an ironfoundry of the Romans, with the furnace, &c., entire. Stamford is not a place of manufactures; the principal trade here is malting, and the shops, which are many and respectable, supply the surrounding villages with various necessaries. The town is well lighted with gas, and benefited by a number of fine springs of water. It is surrounded by delightful woody hills, groves and land, producing the most luxuriant pasturage, whilst a variety of beautiful landscapes present themselves on many sides. Roman Battle between King Market, Monday and Friday.-Fairs, Tuesday before February 13, for horses and stock of all sorts; Monday before Mid-Lent for horses only; Mid-Lent Monday for stock and haberdashery of all sorts, lasts a fortnight; Monday before May 12, for horses and stock; Monday after Corpus Christi, ditto; August 5, ditto; November 8, ditto and cheese. * STAMFORD BRIDGE. This place, which is divided into two parts by the river Derwent, called east and west, is celebrated for the memorable Harold and battle fought in 1066, by King Harold, against his brothers, Tosti and Harfager, King of Norway, in which the two latter were left dead in the in 1066. field; this action took place only nine days before the battle of Hastings, his two brothers, 19 Standground. 31 Standhill 15 Standish 22 Standisht 31 Standlake 41 Standlinch 18 Standon I.. 35 Standon. 24 Stane.. 27 Stanfield 3 Stanford... 4 Stanford. 21 Stanford .to Oxford ..mt & pa ........... .pa Gloucester.. ..pa & to Lancaster .....pa Oxford .pa Wilts Herts.. pa Stafford pa Lincoln ...pa Norfolk.. .ham Bedford. .ham Berks pa Kent 27 Stanford .pa Norfolk..... 25 Stanford Brook....ham Middlesex 28 Stanford-upon-Avon pa Northamp 17 Stanford, Bishops...pa Hereford.. 4 Stanford, Dingley...pa Berks 14 Stanford-le-Hope ...pa Essex 17 Stanford, King's....tit Hereford. 14 Stanford, Rivers ..pa Essex 30 Stanford-upon-Soar .pa Notts... 42 Stanford-upon-Teame Worcester. pa 4 Stanford-in-the-Vale Berks. 9 Stanger 21 Stanham 27 Stanhoe 13 Stanhopes. pa .ham Cumberland ..ham Kent .........pa Norfolk.. .......pa Durham Number of Miles from ..14 ..11 Newc. on T.13 Hexham....12 Morpeth....13 Faringdon.. .4 Wantage....5 Oxford .6 .....15 in which Harold lost both his crown and life. The Wesleyan Metho- Fair, Dec. 1, for horses, horned cattle, sheep, brass, pewter, hardware, and woollen cloth. * STAMFORDHAM, or STAMFORD HIAM. Fairs, second Thursday in April; August 15, if a Thursday, if not, Thursday after, for horned cattle and swine; Thursday before Old May Day; November 14; and last Thursday in February, statute. BRIDGE. + STANDISH has a small manufacture of cottons and coarse linens. The principal grain raised here is oats; and coal is abundant. The church is a handsome edifice with a spire steeple, and was built in 1584. A free grammar-school was founded in 1603, by Mary Langton, which has an endowment producing £100 per annum. There is also a school for and Penwnclothing and instructing twenty girls; Mary Smalley left £100 for its support in 1794. Two of the twelve castles of Lancashire formerly stood here, namely, Standish and Penwortham. Fairs. June 29; November 22, for horses, horned cattle, toys, &c. The STANDON, or STANELOW, is situated on the river Rib. church contains many handsome monuments and sepulchral memorials; the chancel is ascended by several steps, and divided by the altar from the more eastern part, which is raised still higher. On an eminence called Haven End, are two large barrows, supposed to have been raised by the Danes. Here is an endowed free-school, and St. Edmund's College, founded when the English Roman Catholics were expelled from the college of Douay, at the commencement of the French Revolution. The ancient Ermin Street runs through this village. Market. Friday.-Fair, April 25. § STANHOPE is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Wear; it is |