CLOTHALL, a parish in the hundred of ODSEY,
county of HERTFORD, 2 miles (S. E.) from Baldock,
containing 358 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in
the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln,
rated in the king's books at £16. 0 7., and in the patronage
of the Marquis of Salisbury. The church, dedicated
to St. Mary, is built of flint and stone, and has a
square tower surmounted by a spire; it contains several
ancient eifigies and inscriptions in brass. Here was a
free chapel, or college, of ancient foundation, dedicated
to St. Mary Magdalene, for a master, brethren, and
sisters, which was valued at £ 4.2.S., and continued till
the dissolution. Thomas Stanley, son of Sir Thomas
Stanley, Knt., and author of The History of the Philosophers,
was born here, in 1625; he died in 1678, and
was buried in the parish church.