WHITCHURCH-CANONICORUM, a parish in
the hundred of WHITCHURCH-CANONICORUM, Bridport
division of the county of DORSET, 5 miles (W. N.W.)
from Bridport, containing, with Abbotswooten, Barn,
Vale, and Wild quarters, 131? inhabitants. The living
is a vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Stanton annexed,
in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese, of
Bristol, rated in the king's books at £32. 6. 3., and. in
the patronage of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The
church was originally dedicated to St. Whyte, or Candida,
and subsequently to the Holy Cross. This is
one of the most ancient and extensive parishes in the
county, and gave name to the hundred: it had anciently
a market and a fair, granted by Henry III.