SHEFFORD (WEST), a parish in the hundred of
KINTBURY-EAGLE, county of BERKS, 8 miles (N E, by N.)
from Hungerford, containing 490 inhabitants. The living
is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Berks, and diocese
of Salisbury, rated in the king's books at £14. 3. 4.,
and in the patronage of the Principal and Fellows of
Brasenose College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to
St. Mary, is principally in the Norman style, with a circular
tower at the west end. .Near the north door is a
niche enriched with pinnacles, &c.,and the font is richly
and curiously carved with foliage. There is a place of
worship for Wesleyan Methodists. This parish is en
titled to send one boy to the school founded by W.
Saunders at Chaddleworth. Charles I. took up his
quarters here on the 19th of November, 1644.