The memory of Geoffrey Barbour is still held in great veneration by the inhabitants of Abingdon; and we are informed by Hearne, that his body, which had been buried in the abbey, was translated to St. Helen's Church, in the most solemn manner, at the time of the suppression of the monasteries. The respect

which the services he had rendered to the town had generated, was even extended to the brass plate that recorded the place of his interment, which was preserved from obliteration amidst all the frenzy of fanaticism, and removed, with his remains, to St. Catherine's aisle in the above structure.

The celebrated Cross, which stood in the centre of the marketplace, and is mentioned by Camden on account of its superior elegance, was destroyed the 31st of May, 1644, by the troops of General Waller, out of chagrin at the repulse they had received. from the royal army at Newbridge. Richard Symmonds, who saw this beautiful structure but a few weeks previous to its demolition, has given a very particular description of it in a manuscript now in the British Museum. The cross was of stone, of. an octangular shape, and adorned with three rows of statues. The lowest row consisted of six grace kings; the next of the Virgin Mary, four female saints, and a mitred prelate; and the uppermost, of small figures either of prophets or apostles. It was also ornamented with numerous shields of arms, carved and painted. Mr. Gough supposes it to have been built by the Gild of Holy Cross, as the arms of Sir John Golafre, one of the commissioners by whom that fraternity was incorporated in the reign of Henry the Sixth, was, with many others, found on it in the year 1605, when

*

M 2

* Hearne, in a note to Leland's Itinerary, observes, that at the annual feast of this fraternity," They spent six calfs, which cost 2s. 2d. a piece; sixteen lambs, at 12d. each; eighty capons, at 3d. each; twenty geese, at 24d. each; 800 eggs, at 5d. per 100; besides many marrow-bones, much fruit and spice, and a great quantity of milk, cream, and flour; all in proportion to the prices specified; and upon these days of rejoicing withal, they used to have twelve minstrels; six from Coventry, and six from Maidenhead; for which, and for other uses of the fraternity, William Dyar, vicar of Bray, in Berks, gave them five tenements in East St. Helen's-Street, three tenements in West St. Helen's-Street, and other lands in Abingdon.

when it was repaired, and the shields of the then benefactors added. The cross erected at Coventry, in the days of Henry the Eighth, is reported to have been built from this model.

Abingdon consists of several streets, which centre in a spacious area, where the market is held. In the agricultural survey of this county, the inhabitants are computed at 2000; many of whom are employed in an extensive manufactory for floor and sail-cloths, and other articles of that description. In Leland's time, the woollen business flourished here; but the chief article of trade of late years has been malt, great quantities being annually sent down the Thames to London. For the convenience of the barges, a handsome wharf has been completed at the extremity of the town, beyond which the new cut, forming a small curve, joins the main river a short distance below Culham Bridge. The market-house and town-hall is a very remarkable structure, being built with ashler, or freestone rough as it comes from the quarry. It appears to have been erected about the commencement of the last century. The hall is supported by arches and lofty pillars. At the time of a county election, the space beneath is judiciously inclosed, and the names of the respective hundreds inscribed over each arch. By this means the crowd and bustle so frequent at elections is avoided, as the freeholder can readily ascertain where the poll is taken for his. district, and may give his vote without interruption. The houses are estimated at about 450.

The corporation consists of a mayor, two bailiffs, nine aldermen, and sixteen assistants. Their charter was granted by Queen Mary in the year 1557, at the intercession of Sir John Mason; and the right of election vested in the twelve principal burgesses and their successors. The exertions of the inhabitants have, however, superseded this unjust limitation, and every one paying scot and lot is entitled to vote. The number of electors is about 600. This borough sent to Parliament once previous to its incorporation, upon receiving a peremptory summons in the tenth of Edward the Third.

Abingdon

Abingdon contains the two churches of St. Helen and St. Nicho. las. The former is situated near the river, and appears to have been altered and enlarged at different periods. Over the south porch, on a shield supported by an angel to the waist, are the letters T. R. beneath, the date 1543: and over a smaller porch, at the west end, are the figures 1617. The spire is lofty, being raised on a tower decorated with pinnacles. The latter church was built by Abbot Nicholas, near the outside of the west gate of the abbey, some time between the years 1289 and 1307. The entrance on the west is adorned in the Saxon style, with zigzag ornaments. The gate-house, which adjoins this fabric, has been used as the common goal for nearly a century, but is now in a very ruinous state. In a niche in the centre is an image of the Virgin. Here are three meeting-houses for Dissenters of different denominations.

The sums collected for charitable purposes amount to about 9001. a year part of this is appropriated to support a free-school, founded in the year 1563, by Mr. John Royse, to which many eminent characters are indebted for their rudiments of learning. Among them, are Clement Barksdale, who wrote the life of Grotius; Job Roys, a Presbyterian writer; and Sir Edward Turnour, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1671.

Henry the Eighth visited this town several times; and here, in the year 1518, he received the homage of the university of Oxford. During the civil wars, it was garrisoned for the King, and afterwards underwent the common fate of fortified places, many of the buildings being defaced, and the inhabitants plundered by the opposing army. The ancient earth-works in the neighbourhood were strangely confused at that period, when both Royalists and Republicans applied them to military purposes.

Among the natives of Abingdon whose talents have rendered. their possessors eminent, is SIR JOHN MASON, a statesman of the sixteenth century. His memory is the more worthy to be revered, because, from a very obscure origin, his genius and perseverance advanced him to the rank of Privy-counsellor, Ambassador to France, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford.