*WOTTON-BASSET, (Wiltshire) 8 m. E. from Malmsbury, 25 N. of Salisbury, 66 cm. 78 mm. from London, is a Bor. both by charter and prescription, which had the name of Basset from its most ancient owners, the Bassets of Wycomb, descended from those of Drayton; but by marriage it went to the noble family of the D. of Norfolk, and in the Rs. of Edward I. and II. into that of the Spensers; but being forfeited by their attainder, K. Edward III. gave it to his son, the D. of York; and in the last century but one a D. of York that was his descendant had his seat, and made a very large park here. It has bel. since to the Earl of Rochester. Here are a mayor, 2 ald. and 12 capital-burgesses. It first sent members to Pt. the 25th of Hen. VI. They are chosen by the freeholders paying scot and lot, and returned by the mayor. The houses here are for most part thatched, the place being so poor that the meanest mechanick is often at the head of the body corporate; yet some cloth is made here, and it has a small ch. sc. The Mt. is on Th. the Fairs April 23, Nov. 2, and Dec. 8.