STILTON, a parish (formerly a market-town) in the
hundred of NORMAN-CROSS, county of HUNTINGDON,
12 miles (N. N. W.) from Huntingdon, containing 710
inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry
of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's
books at £11.5. 10., and in the patronage of the Bishop
of Lincoln. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. There
is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. Stilton
gives name to the famous cheese so called, great quantities
of which are sold here, though it is made in Leicestershire,
twenty miles off. There is a small charitable
endowment for poor widows. The place takes its name
from Stivecle, signifying stiff clay, according to Stukeley,
and is situated upon the Roman road, Ermin-street;
though formerly a market-town, it has dwindled into
comparative insignificance. There is a fine spring about
a quarter of a mile from the town, at one period celebrated
for the cure of ulcerated legs, which properties
are said to have ceased; and to the south-east are the
remains of an ancient circular encampment
STINCHCOMBE, a parish in the upper division of
the hundred of BERKELEY, county of GLOUCESTER, 2
miles (W. by N.) from Dursley, containing 432 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Gloucester, endowed with £200
private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the
patronage of the Bishop of Gloucester. The church is
dedicated to St. Cyr.