BARKWAY, a parish (formerly a market-town) in
the hundred of EDWINSTREE, county of HERTFORD, 13f
miles (N. N. E.) from Hertford, and 35 (N.) from London,
on the road to Cambridge, containing, with the
hamlet of Nuthampstead, 993 inhabitants. In the reign
of Henry III. a grant of a market, now disused, and of
a fair, which is still held on July 20th, was obtained for
this place. Nearly the whole town was destroyed by
fire in the reign of Elizabeth, and again in 1748.
It is pleasantly situated on rising ground, and consists
principally of one street, which is a great thoroughfare:
the houses in general are modern and neatly built, and
the inhabitants are well supplied with water. Constables
and other officers are appointed at the court leet of
the lord of the manor. The living is a vicarage, with
-the rectory of Reed, in the archdeaconry of Middlesex,
and diocese of London, rated in the king's books at
£14, and in the patronage of the Dowager Lady Sel-
sea. The church, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, is
a neat spacious structure with a tower. There is a
place of worship for Independents. A charity school
for twenty boys has an endowment of £10 per annum,
and is further supported by subscription.