GRAFTON-REGIS, a parish in the hundred of
CLELEY, county of NORTHAMPTON, 4 miles (E.S.E.)
from Towcester, containing 214 inhabitants. The living
is a discharged rectory, with that of Alderton, in the
archdeaconry of Northampton, and diocese of Peterborough,
rated in the king's books at £ 9. 9. 4., and in
the patronage of the Crown. The church is dedicated
to St. Mary. Grafton was erected into an honour in
the 33rd of Henry VIII., with jurisdiction, confirmed by
act of parliament, over an extensive tract partly in this
county and partly in Buckinghamshire. Edward IV.
was here privately married to Elizabeth, relict of Sir
John Gray, of Groby; this lady was the daughter of
Sir Richard Woodeville, of whose family mansion at
this place there are still some remains; Lady Crane resided
in it during the parliamentary war, when it was
garrisoned for the king. The making of lace has been
introduced of late years, and is carried on to some extent.
The Grand Junction canal passes through .the
parish. Grafton gives the title of duke to the Fitzroy
family.