By the Eev. E. P. KnuUey, M.A., Vicar. 183 



grant, dated A.D. 964. As we are not now dealing directly with the 

 history of the manor, we will not pursue the subject further. Our 

 object in mentioning King Edgar's grant has been served when we 

 have shown by what title the Abbess of Romsey applied for and 

 obtained her right to hold a market in 1349. It may here be said 

 that these rights were renewed by charter and grant in the reign 

 of King Richard II. 



Before the year 1341 there were no industries in the parish, 

 except those connected with the land. For we learn (Inq. Non., 

 15 Edw. III.) that in that year there were no merchants or others 

 in the parish to be taxed. The chief commodities offered for sale 

 appear to have been wheat, wool, lambs, pigs, apples, and cheese. 

 These commodities are still produced, and for the last-named article 

 the parish is justly noted, as witness the frequent prizes gained by 

 the dairymen of Steeple Ashton. 



With the introduction of the cloth-weaving industry, probably in 

 the fifteenth century, the town attained to a considerable degree 

 of prosperity, and the names of many wealthy clothiers are con- 

 nected with the parish. The merchants of the staple had their own 

 market-house in a timber-framed building on stone foundations, 

 which still stands in the High Street. It was in those days of 

 good trade that the present beautiful Church was built (A.D. 1480 

 —1500), Robert Long and Edith his wife making themselves 

 responsible for the north aisle, and Walter Leucas and Maud his 

 wife building the south aisle. Sir Walter Hungerford of Farley, 

 who in 1490 obtained from the Abbess of Romsey the presentation 

 to the living for one turn, probably gave material assistance. 



But in the midst of its prosperity a sad calamity befell the little 

 town. For a fire broke out which proved so disastrous that it not 

 only burnt a number of the houses, but ruined the market. When 

 Leland made his journey through Wiltshire in 1540 the process of 

 decay had set in. Leland travelled "from the Vies to Steple 

 Assheton, a 6 myles, by champaine but fruteful grounde and good 

 wood plenty in some places." Of Steeple Ashton he says : " It is 

 a praty little market towne and hath praty buildings. It standith 

 much by clothiars. There are still some ancient timber-houses ; 



