Tempsford (St. Peter)

TEMPSFORD (St. Peter), a parish, in the union and hundred of Biggleswade, county of Bedford, 5 miles (S. by W.) from St. Neot's; containing 561 inhabitants. This place was occupied by the Danes before 921, when they were expelled by the Saxons; they returned in 1010, and reduced it to ashes. The parish comprises 1984 acres. The village is situated on the river Ivel, which falls into the Ouse as it passes along the western boundary of the parish. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £24, and has a net income of £227; it is in the patronage of the Crown. The tithes have been commuted for land under an inclosure act. The church was given to the convent of St. Neot's, by Robert de Carun, in 1129, upon his grandson Anselm taking the monastic habit there. Here is a place of worship for Wesleyans.