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Higham-Ferrers in Northampton County England History and GeographyHIGHAM-FERRERS, a borough and parish (formerly a market town) possessing separate jurisdiction, though locally in the hundred of Higham-Ferrers, county of NORTHAMPTON, 15½ miles (E.N.E.) from Northampton, and 65 (N.N.W.) from London, containing 877 inhabitants. The town derives its distinguishing appellation from the ancient family of Ferrers, who were its lords, and had a castle here. The name Higham is said to be a contraction of High-ham, denoting the elevated situation of the place, which stands on a rocky eminence abounding with springs, about half a mile from the north-eastern bank of the navigable river Nen, and consists chiefly of two streets, with a market-place, in which stands a cross; its elevated site rendering it clean and healthy. It is supposed to have been formerly much larger than it now is, having possessed, at one period, three weekly markets, not one of which, for the last thirty years, has been held. The chief business consists in making boots, shoes, and bobbin-lace. There are five annual fairs, viz., on March 7th, June 28th, the Thursday before August 5th, October 11th, and December 6th. The town was first incorporated in the 2d and 3rd of Philip and Mary, and its privileges were confirmed by a charter granted in the 36th of Charles II., under which the corporation consists of a mayor, recorder, deputy recorder, seven aldermen, and thirteen capital burgesses: the aldermen are chosen from among the burgesses, and the mayor is elected annually from among the aldermen. The mayor is lord of a manor called Borough-hold, extending from Stump-cross northward, to Spittle-cross southward: he holds a court leet annually before the expiration of the term of his office; and he and his predecessor are justices of the peace. There is a court of record, for the recovery of debts under £40, called the 'Three Weeks' court,' from the period of its recurrence; but it is now held, and that only for the sake of form, once a year, three weeks after the election of the mayor, when the constables are sworn in. The town-hall was erected by the corporation in 1812, near the site of a prior one, which had fallen into decay. This borough has sent a representative to parliament since the third year of Philip and Mary: the right of election is vested in the body corporate and the resident freemen of the borough, the freedom of which is inherited by birth, and acquired by servitude, or gift from the corporation. The number of voters is about forty, and the mayor is the returning officer: the patronage of the borough is possessed by Earl Fitzwilliam. The living is a vicarage not in charge, with the perpetual curacy of Chelveston, in the archdeaconry of Northampton, and diocese of Peterborough, and in the patronage of Earl Fitzwilliam. The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a handsome building, displaying the various styles of English architecture: it consists of two naves, with north and south aisles, and a chancel separated by a decorated screen; on each side of the chancel are stalls, with curious emblematical devices: at the west end is a porch, much ornamented with sculpture, also an embattled tower, from which rises a finelypro-portioned octagonal crocketed spire; the latter having fallen down, with part of the tower, was rebuilt in 1632, by subscription, to which Archbishop Laud was a liberal contributor: the church contains some ancient monuments and sepulchral brasses. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A free grammar school has long existed here: it was founded by Archbishop Chichele, in 1420, who left an endowment of about £10 a year, to which Earl Fitzwilliam adds £10 more, as a salary for the master, but the school has of late years fallen into decay: the appointment of the master is vested in the corporation. The school-house is a handsome stone building, situated at the north-west end of the church, and having an embattled parapet. An almshouse, or bead-house, on the south side of the church, was also founded and endowed by Archbishop Chichele, for twelve poor men and one woman: the tenements are now occupied by men and women, each of whom receives sevenpence a week, and an annual allowance of ten shillings, for what was originally termed 'shaving and lamp money.' Some remains of an ancient college are still discernible, but in a ruinous state: a portion of them was a few years ago converted into a dwelling-house. On the north side of the church is a spot called Castle-yard, the site of an ancient castle; some parts of the moat, and a few traces of the foundations, are remaining. Archbishop Chichele, a great patron of literature in the reign of Henry V., was born here in 1362. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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