WHEATHAMSTED, (Hertfordshire) on the N. side of St. Albans, on the r. Lea, in a part of the Co. which produces excellent
wheat, was given by Edward the Confessor to Westminster-Abbey, and has since the Diss. been in the D. and C. who have
jurisdiction here of court-leet and baron. In the R. of Edward the Confessor it was valued at 30 l. a year, at the
Conquest at 16 l. and in that of Edward I. at 50 l. a year. The Ch. is of the cathedral fashion, and seems to be the
oldest in the Co. Here are the remains of the popish image called the rood, which is turn'd into the clerk's desk. This is
the place where, in 1311, the barons assembled their forces against Edw. II. and to which 2 nuncio's came from the pope,
to offer their mediation, which was rejected.