NEWBURY, (Berkshire) 47 cm. 56 mm. from London, rose on the decay of Spinham-Land. It is famous for two great battles bet. K. Cha. I. and the Pt. army; the first Sept. 20, 1643, the second Oct. 27, 1644, both almost on the same spot of ground, and the K. present at both. Notwithstanding its name signifies New-Borough, it is as old almost as the conquest. It made so much broad cloth formerly, that in the R. of Hen. VIII. here flourished John Winscomb, commonly called Jack of Newbury, one of the greatest clothiers, that ever was in England, who kept 100 looms in his house; and in the expedition to Floddenfield against the Scots, marched with 100 of his own men, all armed and cloathed at his own expence; and he built all the W. part of the Ch. Also Mr. Kenric, the son of a clothier here, tho' afterwards a merchant in London, left 4000 l. to the T. as well as 7500 l. to Reading, to encourage the woollen mf. It makes a great quantity of shalloons and druggets, but not near so much broad cloths now, as formerly; yet it is a flourishing T. with spacious streets, and a large Mt.- place in which is the guild-hall. The r. Kennet, which abounds with excellent trout, eels, and cray-fish, runs through the T. and here is plenty of all other provisions. It was made a corp. by Q. Eliz. and is governed by a mayor, high-steward, ald. &c. It sends a great quantity of malt to London, has good inns, and gives title of baron to the D. of Cleveland and Southampton; and has a ch. sc. for 40 boys. Its Mt. which is well supplied with corn, is on Th. and Fairs on the first M. in Lent, Ascension-day, June 24, Aug. 24, and Nov. 30. Mr. Fox says, that at the neighbouring sand-pits several were burnt for their religion, in the bloody R. of Q. Mary.