to the parish by two sisters Mrs. Cart and Mrs. Ashton, in the year 1720.

In the church of Dunstable there was formerly a fraternity of St. John the Baptist. Mr. Edward Steele, in the collection made for a history of Dunstable in 1714, describes a very richly embroidered altar cloth. "It is made of the richest crimson and gold brocade imaginable, and so exquisitely and curiously wrought, that it puzzles the greatest artists of weaving now living to so much as guess at the manner of its performance. It is six feet four inches long, by two feet two inches broad; from whence hangs down a border of purple velvet, thirteen inches deep, whereon is lively and most richly worked with a needle, Saint John the Baptist, between fourteen men and thirteen women, all kneeling. Under the foremost is written Henry Fayrey and Agnes Fayrey, between the arms of the Mercers. Thus are the sides: at the ends is only St. John between a gentleman and his wife. Under is written John and Mary Fayrey."

This is said to have been given by the above mentioned Henry Fayrey and Agnes his wife to the fraternity. It appears from a monumental stone in the iniddle aisle of the church that this Henry Fayrey, died the 28th December, 1516. Yet, notwithstanding its age, the pall is as fresh and beautiful as at its first making. It is now in the possession of John Miller, Esq. of Bedford. Some years ago, by permission of Mr. Miller's family, who then resided at Dunstable, it was used as a funeral pall. The house occupied by the fraternity belonged to the Wingate family in 1642.

Mr. Steele in his Collections also takes notice of some curious ornaments, about various parts of Dunstable Church. "The east part of the chancel," says this gentleman, “is raised by two steps, and was formerly the choir of the church, the ancient stalls still remaining, where under each seat (visible upon turning them up when kneeling to prayers) is

I

carved

carved some extravagant fancy, plainly discovering the humour of those times: but I must not omit, that, under the seat of the east stall on the south side is neatly cut a woman spinning, with a rock and spindle; and on the ground lies a sneering friar preacher, whilst his busy and inquisitive hand is searching under her petticoats; a very improper and scandalous decoration for so sacred a place."

Besides the priory there was a convent of friarspreachers or black friars, established at Dunstable, in the year 1259, sorely against the will of the prior and canons, and it was no doubt their hostility towards these intruders that occasioned the caracatures above mentioned. The friars, however, being patronised by the court it was in vain to oppose them. Upon the suppression of this house the yearly revenue of these friars amounted to no more than 41. 18s. 4d. The site was granted to Sir William Herbert. It is supposed to have been in a field of Mrs. Fossay's near her house, situated west of the pond in the south street of Dunstable.

There was also a house or hospital for lepers, belonging to the prior and canons of Dunstable, who appointed the warden. It existed as early as the 13th century.

The town of Dunstable is situated on the side of the Chiltern Hills, and consists of four principal streets, intersecting each other in the form of a cross. The houses are chiefly of brick, and some of them have a very ancient appearance. Dunstable was for a long time supplied with water for culinary purposes by large ponds, which received the rain water from the surrounding hills; but at present there are many wells, which afford plenty of excellent wa

ter.

According to the returns made under the popula tion act in 1801, the town of Dunstable then contained 243 houses, and 1296 inhabitants.

The principal business of the town arises from its

thoroughfare

thoroughfare situation. The lower classes of the inhabitants derive a considerable part of their support from the straw manufacture, in which it is said they excel all the world. A whiting manufactory afford's them some additional employment. In the strawwork a woman can earn from 6s. to 12s. a week, and children from 3s. to 4s. in the same time.

In former times Dunstable was famous for its breweries: we are informed by Hollinshed that William Murlie, an eminent brewer of this town, sallied out in the reign of Henry V. to join the insurrection of the Lollards near London; he took with him a pair of gilt spurs, and was followed by two led horses, with rich trappings. This probably gave rise to the report of his expecting to receive the honour of knighthood from Lord Cobham; but instead of this, he had the hard fortune to be taken and hung with his gilt spurs about his neck.

By the charter of King Henry I. there were two markets granted to the town, and a fair at the festival of St. Peter, to whom the priory was dedicated. The market was then held on Sundays and Wednes days. Another fair on the feast of St. Fremund was granted by King John.

The chronicle of the priory records a great loss sustained by the market in the year 1294, from the long stay of Prince Edward at Langley, his kitchen consuming more than 200 messes a day, and h's se:vants taking up all the butter, cheese, eggs, and other commodities brought to the market, and even from the tradesmen's houses, and paying for nothing.

There is at present only one market, which is held on Wednesday: and four fairs, Ash Wednesday, May 22, August 12, and November 12.

In the reign of Henry II. Dunstable had a summons to send representatives to parliament, but none

were ever sent.

The municipal government is at present vested in

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four

four constables, but was formerly, according to the Chronicles of Dunstable, directed by a mayor; as also appears from a passage in "the Customs of Dunstable," published by Mr. Hearne.

The principal of these customs are the following: Shopkeepers may not brew for fear of fire, nor drive stakes without leave of the mayor. The townsmen and strangers must carry away the booths the same day they set them up in the market. No traders of this and other towns may buy victuals before one o'clock, nor go to meet the sellers out of the town. Bread made for sale at the price of a farthing must be sold at the same price; and in like manner, also when four gallons are worth a penny. When a widow loses her free-bench she must deliver up to the heir the fixtures fastened to the land, also the principal table with stools; the best wine cask, tub, basons, hatchet, best cup, coulter, and share, and the bucket of the well with the rope. Other chattels she may dispose of by will or gift, and she is not to answer for waste, unless such waste be done after the king's prohibition."

A Charity School was built and endowed in this town, by Mrs. Frances Ashton, Mrs. Jane Cart, and Mr. Thomas Aynscombe, who died in the year 1712. By two indentures, bearing date 1724 and 1727, this school is endowed with lands in Caddington, Luton, Houghton Regis, Flamstidde, Totenhoe, and Whipsnade. A salary of 401. per annum is paid to the master for teaching 40 boys, and 371. per annum is allowed for their clothing. Seven trustees have the management of the charity. If a sufficient number of boys for the object of this charity should not be found in the parish of Dunstable, they may be taken from the parishes of Caddington, Kensworth, Ellesborough, Houghton Regis, or Luton. The rents of the charity estates have of late years so much encreased that the trustees are enabled to clothe, educate, and apprentice 40 boys, and 15 girls.

Mrs.

Mrs. Cart and Mrs. Ashton, each founded an Almshouse for six poor widows. The latter lady, by her will dated in 1727, bequeathed lands for the purpose of raising the annual sum of six pounds, to be paid to each of the poor women in her almshouse, to buy them a gown, firing, and other necessaries. The residue, after deducting the expence of repairs, and discharging some other charitable bequests, to be divided in equal portions between the six poor

women.

In the year 1713, Mrs. Blandina Marsh built some neat houses, for the residence of six decayed maiden gentlewomen, which by her benefaction, and that of another lady, are endowed with an annual income of nearly 1801. for their support.

The following singular appearance of the heavens is mentioned by several of our ancient chronicles, particularly Knyghton, Brompton, and Hemingford, to have been seen at Dunstable, in the year 1189. The account, as given by the latter writer, translated into English is as follows:

66

Of the appearance of the Cross in the sky at

Dunstable, 1189."

"A stupendous prodigy, which about this time was seen by many in England, must not be passed over in silence. Upon the high road which leads towards London, there is a street of no mean faine, named Dunestabell. There, while about noon they were looking up towards heaven, they saw in the height of a serene sky the form of our Lord's banner, conspicuous by its milky brightness, and the form of a man crucified joined thereto, such as is painted in the church in memory of the Lord's Passion, and for the devotion of the faithful. Then, when this dreadful figure had appeared a short time, and closely attracted the eyes and hearts of the beholders, the form of the cross was seen to recede from him who seemed affixed thereto, so that an intermediate space of the sky might be observed, and soon after