OKEFORD-FITZPAINE, a parish in the hundred of
STURMINSTER-NEWTON-CASTLE, Sturminster division
of the county of DORSET, 7 miles (N. W. by W.) from
Blandford-Forum, containing 499 inhabitants. The
living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and
diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at
£21. 12. 8,, and in the patronage of Lord Rivers. The
church is dedicated to St. Andrew. The navigable river
Stour runs through the parish. Okeford was anciently
possessed by the family of Nichole, one of whom obtained
the privilege of a market to be held here; from them
it came to the Fitz? Paynes, and, by a corruption of that
name, is vulgarly called Fipenny-Okeford. Several
British silver coins were found here in 1753. In the
neighbourhood is Banbury Hill, a circular camp with a
single trench.