BRAY, a parish in the hundred of BRAY, county of BERKS, comprising the divisions of Bray, Touchen, Water-Oakley, and a part of the town of Maidenhead, and containing 3159 inhabitants, of which number, 961 are in the division of Bray, If miles (S.E.) from Maidenhead. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Berks, and diocese of Salisbury, rated in the king's books at £25. 4. 4., and in the patronage of the Bishop of Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a spacious edifice, with a tower on the south side. Bray is, by some, considered to occupy the site of the Roman station Bibracte, A custom prevails in the principal manor in this parish, agreeably to which, in default of male heirs, lands are not divided among females of the same degree of kindred, but descend only to the eldest. Bray now forms part of the royal demesne, being included within the liberty of Windsor Forest, and .enjoys some privileges, among which is exemption from toll in the adjacent market-town. A court leet is held annually. Fuller, in his " Worthies," relates a story of a vicar of this parish, who unhesitatingly conformed to every change of religion that took place during the reigns of Henry VIII. and his three immediate successors, being steady in the exercise of one principle only, which was to Jive and die "Vicar of Bray." A school for the instruction of twenty boys was founded by William Cherry, Esq., who endowed it with £500, to which Townley Ward, Esq. gave £100 three per cents.: the annual income is £34.10., and the master has a rent-free residence. Jesus' Hospital was founded, in 1627, by William Goddard, Esq., for forty poor persons, six of whom must be free of the Fishmongers' Company, under whose governorship it is placed: ea.cb, of the inmates is allowed eight shillings per month. Attached to the hospital is a chapel, in which divine service is regularly performed. Sir John Norris also gave eighteen tenements, which are assigned rent-free to the poor.