TWYFORD, a chapelry in the parish of HURST,
partly in the hundred of CHARLTON-and-SONNING,
county of BERKS, and partly in that of AMESBURY,
county of WILTS, 5 miles (E. N. E.) from Reading. The
population is returned with the parish. It is within the
peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean of Salisbury. The
chapel, dedicated to St. Swithin, was erected at the expense
of Mr. Edward Polehampton, who died in 1721.
There is a place of worship for Independents. Silkthrowingis
extensively carried on. Fairs for horses, toys,
&c., are held on July 24th and October llth. Edward
Polehampton, in 1721, bequeathed a rent-charge of
£40, with a dwelling-house for the master, to teach
ten boys, and another of £10 for clothing them. An
hospital was founded here, in 1640, by Lady Frances
Winchcombe, for the maintenance of six poor people.
A battle was fought near this place in 1688, between
the partizans of James II. and those of the Prince of
Orange, afterwards William III.