Passenham (St. Guthlake)

PASSENHAM (St. Guthlake), a parish, in the union of Potters-Pury, hundred of Cleley, S. division of the county of Northampton, 1¼ mile (S. by W.) from Stoney-Stratford, on the road to Buckingham; containing, with the hamlet of Denshanger, 822 inhabitants. This is mentioned in the Saxon Chronicle as the place where the army of Edward the Elder lay whilst he was fortifying Towcester against the Danes. The parish comprises 3345a. 14p., of which two-thirds are pasture, and the remainder arable and wood: the surface is level. Good stone is obtained for building, and for burning into lime. Lace is made by the females. The river Ouse here separates the counties of Bucks and Northampton, and the Buckingham canal passes through the parish. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £20, and in the gift of Viscount Maynard: the tithes were commuted for land in 1772. Besides the church is a place of worship for Wesleyans. A school has a small endowment, and another school is supported by charity. Shrob Lodge, in the parish, was the seat of the industrious antiquary, Browne Willis.