*MALMESBURY, (Wiltshire) 74 cm. 89 mm. from London, stands on a hill, with 6 bridges over the r. Avon at the bottom; with
which, and a brook that runs into it, it is in a manner encompassed. It formerly had walls, and a castle which was pulled
down to enlarge the abbey, which was the biggest in Wiltshire; and its abbot sate in Pt. The Saxon K. Athelstan granted
the T. large immunities, and was buried under the high altar of the Church, and his monument still remains in the nave of
it. The memory of Aldhelm, its first abbot, who was that K's. great favourite, and whom he got to be canonized after his
death, is still kept up by a meadow near this P. called Aldhelm's-Mead. It was first incorporated by Edward K. of the
West-Saxons about anno 916, and again anno 939 by his son K. Athelstan. By charter of K. Will. III. the corp. consists of
an ald. who is chosen yearly, 12 capital burgesses, and 4 assistants, landholders and commoners. In the R. of Hen. VIII.
one Will. Stump bought the scite of the abbey, with all the demesnes thereto bel. for 1500 l. but a great part of it is
still remaining, and used as the p. Ch. for in the same R. we read, that Tho. Stump, one of the greatest clothiers in
England, saved it from being demolished by the payment of a good sum of money; and that he was so rich, and employed so
many people in his trade, that K. Hen. VIII. and his hungry retinue coming to his house, unexpected, after they had been
hunting in Bradon-Forest, he regaled them plentifully with what he had provided for his workmens dinner, whose meal was
therefore changed to a supper. Mr. Jenner, goldsmith in London, built and endowed an almsh. here for 4 men and 4 women;
and near the bridge is an hos. for lepers, where, it is supposed, there was formerly a nunnery. The late D. of Wharton had
a great part of this Lp. by inheritance from the Marquiss, his father; to whom, and the E. of Abingdon, the whole is said
to have passed by marriage from the St. John's family of Lediard-Tregoze. This T. drives a considerable trade in the
woollen mf. has a Mt. on S. and Fairs March 17 and 31, April 17, May 25, July 25, and Oct. 17. It has sent members to Pt.
ever since the 26th of Edw. I. The famous Tho. Hobbes, author of the Leviathan, was born at Westport, within the liberties
of this T. which also gave birth to the historian, therefore called William of Malmsbury, tho' his paternal name was
Somerset.