WHEATHAMPSTEAD, a parish in the hundred of DACORUM, county of HERTFORD, 4 miles (W. S. W.). fromWelwyn, containing 1584 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Harpenden annexed, in the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's books at £42.1.10., and in the patronage of the Bishop of Lincoln. The church, dedicated to St.Helen, is an ancient cruciform structure; the font is a curious specimen of the early decorated style. There is a place of worship for Independents. The river Lea runs through the parish. A National school, erected in 1814, is supported by voluntary contributions about fifty children of each sex are admit- ted. Sundry small bequests are annually applied for apprenticing two poor boys. The rebellious barons here assembled their forces against Edward II., in 1311, on which occasion two nuncios, sent by the pope, endeavoured to restore peace between the contending parties, when the papal authority was rejected by the former. John Bostock, abbot of St. Albans, a learned divine and poet in the time of Henry VI., was born here, and was commonly called John of Wheathampstead. The St. Albans races are held on ground, called Nomans land, which extends into this parish.