CANNINGTON, a parish in the hundred of CANNINGTON,
county of SOMERSET, 3 miles (N. "W. by W.)
fromBridg-water, containing, with the hamlet of Edstock,
with Beer, 1228 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage,
in the archdeaconry of Taunton, and diocese of Bath
and Wells, rated in the king's books at £7. 10. 10.,
and in the patronage of W. Hodges, Esq. The church
is dedicated to St. Mary. This is a place of considerable
antiquity, having given name to the hundred, and it
was once of much greater importance. Camden derives
its name from having been occupied by a tribe of
Britons, called the Cangi. The navigable river Parret
flows on the north and east sides of this parish; and
from a small harbour, called Coombwich, it is in contemplation
to construct a canal to Bridg-water, to.
enable large vessels to sail directly up to that port.
Mr. Rogers Tjequeathed £300 perann., directing that £6
each should be annually given, to twenty poor men, and
the remainder to the poor of the parish generally.
This was formerly the residence of the Cliffords, and
is supposed to have been the birthplace of Fair Rosamond.
A Benedictine nunnery was founded, in the
reign of Stephen, by Robert de Courcy, and dedicated to
the Blessed Virgin; it consisted of a prioress and six or
seven nuns, whose revenue was estimated at £39.15. 8.
The buildings are now occupied by a society of nuns,
who observe the rules of St. Benedict.