HITCHIN, (Hertfordshire) 4 m. from Baldock, 30 cm. 35 mm. from London, is, says Mr. Norden, who wrote in Q. Elizabeth's
time, more properly called Hitchend, because of its former situation at the end of a wood called Hitch, which does not
reach so far now. It has, says he, a plentiful corn Mt. and a considerable mf. of malt, governed by a bailiff and 4
constables, 2 for the T. and 2 for the out-parts. There was then about the T. a stony marle, fitter for lime than manure,
which being mixed, however, with a softer marle, that also abounded there in his time, was a great help to the cornfields.
The manor was the ancient demesne of the Ks. of England, as it continues at this day, and it has been the dower of several
of their Qs. It is at present leased out by the crown, and Will. Bogdany, Esq; who has the grant of it, lets out the
profits to the collectors. The T. is reckoned the second in the Co. for number of streets, houses, and inhabitants. It was
formerly famous for the staple commodities of the Km. and divers merchants of the staple of Calais resided here, since
which that trade is lost; yet the inh. hold a Mt. here on Tu. by prescription, free from toll for any grain sold here, and
Fairs on Easter-Tu. Whitson-Tu. and Oct. 13, paying piccage and stallage to the Ld. of the manor. The charitable
benefactions to the Ch. the school, and the poor of this p. are very numerous, here being 8 almshs. besides the fr. sc.
Here were formerly two priories, the site of one of which was granted after the Diss. to Edw. Watson and Hen. Herdson, who
conveyed it to the Ratcliffs; the site of the other was given to John Coke, Esq; and his heirs, from whom it passed
through divers hands to Jos. Kemp, a school-master of this T. who turn'd it into a school in 1655, and demised the lands
to charity. Here are three wards; and the place is watered by a rivulet, called Hiz, which drives two mills here, and runs
to Ikleford.