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Baldock in Hertford County England History and GeographyBALDOCK, a market town and parish in the hundred of BROADWATER, county of HERTFORD, 18 miles (N. by W.) from Hertford, and 37 (N. by W.) from London, on the great north road, containing 1550 inhabitants. This place in the reign of Stephen, belonged to the Knights Templar, to whom Gilbert, Earl of Pembroke, gave the site, which, in a charter of confirmation granted by his descendant William, is called Baudoc, of which the present name is a variation. though some antiquaries derive it from Balbec, supposing the town to have been so called by the Templars, in memory of the city of that name in Syria, from which their order had been expelled by the Saracens. The town is situated near the intersection of the great north-road and the Roman Iknield street, between two hills, which command an extensive view of a fine open country: it consists principally of one street, in which there are many ancient, and several modern houses; the inhabitants are amply supplied with water. A horticultural society, patronised by the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood, was established here in 1825. The trade is principally in malt, the land in the vicinity being highly favourable to the growth of barley: the fens and marsh land near the town form an extensive grazing district, and a great quantity of cheese of a peculiar quality is made here; there is also a very large public brewery. The general market, which was on Saturday, has been discontinued, and a market, exclusively for the sale of straw plat, is now held on Friday. The fairs are on the festivals of St. James, St. Andrew, and St. Matthew, each continuing two days; at the last a great quantity of cheese is sold. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, who hold a petty session on the first Monday in every month: constables and other officers are appointed at the court leet of the lord of the manor. The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's books at £10. 8. 9., endowed with £1000 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the gift of the Crown. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was built by the Knights Templar, and nearly rebuilt in the early part of the 15th century: it is a spacious structure, partly in the Norman style, and partly in the later style of English architecture, with a tower surmounted by a spire, and contains a finely carved oak screen, part of the ancient rood loft, and a very curious font. There are places of worship for the Society of Friends, Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. Almshouses for twelve aged widows, were founded and endowed in 1621, by Mr. John Winne. In cutting through Baldock Hill, to form a new turnpike road, a great number of fossils, consisting of cornua ammonis, sharks teeth, &c., were discovered. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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