HEMPSTED, (Hertfordshire) or HEMEL-HEMPSTED, 23 cm. 29 mm. from London, has a Mt. on Th. and Fairs on Holy-Cross-day, the Th. after Trinity-M. and the 2d M. in Sept. It was granted to the abbey of St. Albans, in the time of the Saxons, by the name of Henamsted, or Hean-Hempsted, i.e. High-Hempsted. Will. the Conq. gave part of it to Earl Moreton, who held it by the name of Hemelamstede. After the Diss. both the manor and T. were granted by Hen. VIII. to John Waterhouse, Esq; his Auditor, who prevailed on him to incorporate this village by the name of a bailiff; and to empower the inh. to have a common seal, and a pye-powder court during its Mt. and Fairs. It has been reckoned one of the greatest Mts. for wheat in this Co. if not in England, 20,000 l. a week being often returned in it only for meal. Eleven pair of mills stand within 4 m. of the place, vhich bring a great trade to it; but the road is thereby so continually torn, that it is one of the worst turnpike ways to London.