YETMINSTER, a parish (formerly a market-town)
in the hundred of YETMINSTER, Sherborne division of
the county of DORSET, 5i miles (S. W.) from Sherborne,
containing, with the chapelries of Chetnole and Leigh,
1125 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage,
in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Prebendary
of Yetminster in the Cathedral Church of
Salisbury, rated in the king's books at £20. 14. 7-.
and endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200
royal bounty. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is
a large ancient structure with a lofty tower, crowned
with battlements and pinnacles. This extensive parish
lies on the western border of the county, and gives name
to the hundred. The village, which is situated near the
river Ivel, consists of a long well-built street, having
still the appearance of a town. In the year 1300, the
Bishop of Sarum obtained a grant from Edward I. for
a market and fair, which was confirmed by Richard II.,
butthe market has been long disused, and fairs are now
held on April 23rd and October 1st. The Hon. Rohert
Boyle, in 1699, bequeathed an estate, now producing
more than £70 per annum, for teaching twenty poor
boys.