ASHBURY, a parish in the hundred of SHRIVENHAM,
county of BERKS, 6 miles (N. W. by W.) from
Lambourn, containing, with the chapelry of Chapelwick;
and the tythings of Idstone and Odstone, 683 inhabitants.
The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of
Berks, and diocese of Salisbury, rated in the king's
books at £11. 8. if., and in the patronage of the Rector,
who presents one of three candidates nominated
by the President and Fellows of Magdalene College,
Oxford; the rectory is a sinecure, rated at £ 30. 12. 6.,
and in the patronage of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The Roman
road, called the Iknield-way, passes near the village:
and in the parish there is an intrenchment, called
Alfred's Camp, near which are two barrows. Here are
also a tumulus and cromlech, pop\ilarly called "Wayland
Smith," with which a tradition, introduced by Sir'
Walter Scott in his romance of Kenilworth, is connected.