*CHIPPENHAM, (Wiltshire) has a bridge of 16 arches over the Avon, 77 cm. 94 mm. from London, is a large, populous, well-
built T. the seat of Alfred, and other W. Saxon Ks. After the Conquest, it was the manor of the Hungerfords, as it was in
the R. of Hen. VIII. tho' given by Rich. III. to the D. of Norfolk. 'Twas an ancient Bor. by prescription; but the popish
Q. Mary granted it a charter, constituting it a corp. with a bailiff and 12 burgesses. It has sent members to Pt. as long
as any Bor. and with as few intermissions. Its chief mf. is cloth, but its main support are its Mt. on S, and its
thoroughfare betw. London and Bristol, for carriers and horsemen. One of the Hungerfords, who is supposed to have created,
or at least beautified the Ch. built a chapel, in which he founded a chantry, by licence of Hen VI. which is, to this day,
called Hungerford's-Chapel. A ch. sc. was opened here in 1713, for 24 boys. At Westmead, in the neighbourhood, are
frequent horse races. The wardenship of Chippenham forest was formerly given to Lds. of the first rank. The Fairs here are
May 6, June 11, Oct. 18, and Nov. 30.