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Risborough, Prince's (St. Mary)

RISBOROUGH, PRINCE'S (St. Mary), a market-town and parish, in the union of Wycombe, hundred of Aylesbury, county of Buckingham, 6 miles (W. by N.) from Great Missenden, and 37 (W. N. W.) from London; containing 2206 inhabitants, of whom 926 are in the town. This place, which is situated at the foot of the Chiltern hills, and on the road from West Wycombe to Aylesbury, derives its distinguishing appellation from having been the residence of Edward the Black Prince, whose palace is supposed to have stood on a spacious area surrounded by a moat, now dry, in a field adjoining the churchyard. The manor was at an early period given by the crown to Richard, Earl of Cornwall and King of the Romans, who died in 1272: at a later date it was assigned to Katherine, queen of Henry V., for her dower; and in 1637 was sold by Charles I. to certain citizens of London. The parish comprises 4670a. 2r. 24p., of which about 425 acres are meadow and pasture, 413 woodland, and the rest arable. The town is abundantly supplied with water from wells. There is a small theatre. The market, which is on Thursday, was established by charter of Henry III., who also granted to the inhabitants exemption from attendance at assizes, sessions, &c.; it is a pitched market for corn, and pigs and sheep are also sold. There is a fair for cattle on May 6th. The market-house, a small brick edifice, was built in 1824. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £145; patron, the Duke of Rutland: the tithes, with the exception of those on certain woods, were commuted for land and a money payment in 1820. The church is an ancient structure with a neat spire, and contains some monuments of crusaders or Knights Templars, and other interesting relics. A church, dedicated to St. John, was completed at Lacey-Green in 1825. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyans.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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