FAIRFORD, (Gloucestershire) 20 m. from Glocester, 62 cm. 78 mm. from London, has its name from its old ford over the Coln
(a little above its influx into the Thames) on which it has now 2 fair bridges. The p. is 10 m. in com. and distinguished
by the Bor. East-End and Mill-Town-End. Medals and urns are often dug up; and there are several burrows in it, supposed to
have been raised over men that were slain in battle. The manor was purchased of Henry VII. by John Tame, a merchant of
London; who, having made prize of a ship bound for Rome, wherein was a great quantity of fine painted glass, he brought
both the glass and workmen to England, and built the Ch. here for the sake of the glass, which he placed in it. The manor
was sold, by the co-heiresses of the last heir male of his family, to Sir Hen. Umton and John Crake, who conveyed it to
the Tracys; of whom it was purchased by And. Barker, Esq; in whose posterity it did lately, if it does not still, remain.
There are 28 large windows in its spacious and beautiful Ch. curiously painted with scripture history, designed by Albert
Durel, an Italian; and the colours are so lively, especially in the drapery, and some of the figures are so well drawn,
that Sir Anth. Vandyke affirmed the pencil could not exceed them. Here is a Mt. on Th. which Mr. And. Barker obtained a
grant of, in 1672, as well as of three Fairs, on May 3, July 28, and Nov. 1.