TODDINGTON, a market-town and parish, in the
hundred of MANSHEAD, county of BEDFORD, 15 miles
<S.) from Bedford, and 39 (N. W. by N.) from London,
containing 1665 inhabitants. This small town
occupies an elevated site, and is irregularly built;
the houses are of ancient appearance. The manufacture
of straw-plat employs a great number of the
poor inhabitants. The market, granted by charter of
Henry III., in 1218, is held on Saturday, but has com
siderably declined: fairs are held on St. George's dayj
the first Monday in June, September 4th, November
2nd, and December 16th. The living is a rectory, in the
archdeaconry of Bedford, and diocese of Lincoln, rated
in the king's books at £29. 2.11., and in the patronage
of the Heirs of the late Lady Louisa Conolly. The
church, which is dedicated to St. George, has portions
in the later style of English architecture, and contains
some ancient monuments j the exterior is ornamented
"with a variety of grotesque figures of animals. There
is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. Some
remains of an old manor-house, erected on the summit
of Cinger mount, are still visible, havingbeen converted
into a farm-house. An hospital for a chaplain and
three poor men was founded here, in 1443, by Sir John
Broughton.