SODBURY (CHIPPING), a market-town and parish
in the lower division of the hundred of GRUMBALD'S-ASH,
county of GLOUCESTER, 28 miles (S. S. W.) from
Gloucester, and 113 (W. by S.) from London, containing
1059 inhabitants. This town, which existed in the
twelfth century, and was endowed by King Stephen
with the same privileges as Bristol, is a great thoroughfare
on the road from Bristol to Cirencester, at the foot
of a hill near the source of the Little Avon. It is said
to be one of the greatest marts for the sale of cheese
in England, and many of the inhabitants are engaged
in the malt trade, and the carriage of lime and coal.
The market is on Thursday; and fairs are held May
23rd and June 24th for cattle, cheese, and pedlary, on
the Friday before Lady-day and Michaelmas-day, both
statute fairs. The town was governed by a bailiff until
1681, when the inhabitants were incorporated by charter
of Charles II., which ordained that the municipal
body should consist of a mayor, six aldermen, and
twelve burgesses; but this grant was annulled by proclamation
of James II., in 1688, at the request of the
inhabitants; constables are now elected annually at
the court leet of the lord of the manor. The living
is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Old
Sodbury, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Gloucester,
endowed with £ 1000 royal bounty. The church,
a large edifice, is dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
There are places of worship for Baptists and the Society
of Friends. A free grammar school is endowed with
£ 20 per annum from the funds of the town and church
lands, for which the master, who has also a good residence
rent-free, instructs twenty boys.