By W. L. Barker, Esq. 155 



Hungerford Church. The Chantry Roll in Augmentation OflBce, 

 mentions the chapel of S. John the Baptist, at Hungerford, and 

 the chapels of N. and S. Standen. It is probable that the chapel 

 of S. John the Baptist belonged to a hospital of that name, which, 

 existed at Hungerford in 1281. It was endowed with lands, and 

 the oblations on the feast of S. John the Baptist. The prior or 

 warden was to celebrate Divine Service three times a week, and to 

 relieve the poor inhabitants in times of scarcity. The Duke of 

 Lancaster was patron. At Cosham in Wiltshire, an almshouse 

 was erected ; and at Heytesbury a hospital for thirteen inmates by 

 their liberality. 



Sir Edward Hungerford gave £10 to be distributed yearly 

 amongst the poor of Hungerford, from his estates at Eiford. The 

 money was paid for one year, when from some inexplicable cause, 

 it was discontinued. 



From numerous entries in the Parish Register, I find that in 

 the years 1603 and 1604, Hungerford was visited by the Plague 

 which carried off several of the inhabitants. 



In 1620, Hungerford became possessed of a clock made by a 

 blacksmith residing at Newbury, which for 246 years was known 

 as the Town Clock, until it was replaced last year by one of far 

 greater elegance and cost, the munificent gift of an old inhabitant. 

 In 1636, a free Grammar School, for four boys and four girls which 

 still exists, was founded by a Dr. Sheaf. It was subsequently 

 endowed, and provision was made for a master. 



In 1643, the Earl of Essex quartered his army at Hungerford, 

 prior to the first battle of Newbury. 



In 1644, after the second battle of Newbury, Charles I. visited 

 the town and slept one night at the Bear Hotel, where the rooms 

 occupied by himself and his suite are still exhibited to the public. 



In 1688, the Commissioners appointed by James II. to negotiate 

 with the Prince of Orange, met the latter at Hungerford. Every 

 event connected with the bloodless Revolution of 1688, is of such 

 extreme historical interest, that I cannot forbear quoting Lord 

 Macaulay's account of the memorable circumstance, though I fear 

 the tax upon your patience will be well-nigh insupportable. " Late 



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