HURLEY, a parish in the hundred of BEYNHURST,
county of BERKS, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from Maidenhead,
containing 1065 inhabitants. The living is a discharged
vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Berks, and diocese of
Salisbury, rated in the king's books at £6. 13. 6., and
in the patronage of the Hon. Mr. Flower. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, has portions in the Norman
style of architecture, the supposed remains of a chapel
belonging to a priory of Black mdnks, dedicated to the
Virgin Mary, a cell to the abbey pf Westminster, which
was founded, in the reign of William the Conqueror,
by Godfrey de Mandevill, and the revenue of which, at the
dissolution, was valued at £ 134. 10. 8.: its site is now
occupied by a mansion called Lady Place, in a vault
beneath which were held tho meetings of the confederate
lords for promoting .the Revolution, in 1688, among
whom Lord Lovelace distinguished himself in bringing
about the abdication of James II., and the elevation of
William and Mary to the throne. On a tablet at one
end are recorded the visits of William III., George III.
and his.Royal Consort, and of the celebrated General
Paoli, to this dark recess. The adjoining stable was
once the refectory of the priory, the windows of which
are still remaining. The river Thames runs through the
parish.