84 On the History of Chippenham. 
villa. The Forest was fenced round for deer, and within it also 
ranged, by special license, the living Wiltshire bacon belonging 
to the monks of Stanley and of Farley. The monks of Bradenstoke 
were still more favoured. King John who was frequently at their 
Abbey, allowed them grazing within the Forest for 40 cows, as 
well as a place, then called Aldebiri, for building a Dairy’ farm. 
In the year 1275, (1 Edw. I.) owing to the confusion that had 
arisen in course of years, from various grants of land by the Crown, 
and from encroachments made upon the king’s rights all over 
England, a royal commission was issued, to inquire into and correct 
these abuses. The return for the Manor of Chippenham (made 
by a jury at Malmesbury) is amongst the public records, and is a 
valuable illustration of the history of the town. In this document 
the Forest of Chippenham, then of course in the king’s own hands, 
is described as beginning at a place called “‘ Fermerie House,” and 
ending at “Hinlond.” ‘“Fermerie” is no doubt a corruption of 
“Infirmary,” and the place meant is, in all probability, the same 
that is now called “Spital” (i.e. Hospital) “Farm.” This stands 
exactly on the southern edge of Chippenham Forest. It is believed 
to haye been the infirmary belonging to Stanley Abbey, and it is 
now the property of the Marquis of Lansdowne. ‘“ Hinlond,” the 
other extremity, is a large piece of ground close to the town of 
Chippenham, and as it is now commonly known by the misnomer 
of “England’s,” the present opportunity may be taken of cor- 
recting this error in the parish nomenclature. Inland is a Saxon 
word, which meant exactly what we now call “home ground,” 
lying about a mansion, as distinguished from land outlying, and 
let to tenants. This “inland” lay close to the site, or the reputed 
site, of the king’s villa, which tradition assigns to the spot now 
occupied by the premises adjoining the new County Court, including 
perhaps the Angel Inn. 
Pewsham takes its name from a little stream, anciently called 
the Pewe, which rises at Lockswell, and runs at the back of the 
Swan public house into the Avon, opposite Lackham. In the record 
1 Ts not Derry Hill a corruption of Dairy Hill? 
