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perished: the river was soon completely filled with the dead, which served as a bridge for the survivors. So great was the slaughter at this place, that the water was deeply dyed with blood, neary 37,000 being slain in this memorable battle. The victorious Edward gave the greater part of the earl of Devon's possessions to Humphrey Stafford, kut. who shortly after experienced the fate of his predecessor. In the same year which was the ninth of Edward IV. the manor of Oakhampton was granted to sir John Dynham, who enjoyed it but two years: it was then given to George duke of Clarence, on whose attainture and death it reverted to the crown, and continued to be a royal fortress till the reign of Henry VII.: that monarch restored the barony of Oakhampton to the family of the Courtenays, and with it all their ancient honours and estates. Henry VIII. having discovered a correspondence between Henry de Courtenay and cardinal Pole, demolished this Castle, devastated the park, and deprived the unfortunate nobleman of his life. He likewise imprisoned Edward, his son and heir, who continued in confinement till released by queen Mary; he was then reinstated in the rank and fortune of his ancestors: having no male issue, the estate was carried by marriage into the family of the Mohuns, barons of Mohun and Oakhampton, whose male line likewise becoming extinct by the

death of lord Mohun (who was killed by the duke of Hamilton in a duel in 1712), the estate descended to Christopher Harris, esq. of Heynes, he having married the heiress of that family. This gentleman was the representative of the borough of Oakhampton in parliament in the twelfth year of queen Anne.

Oakhampton was a borough previous to the Conquest, though first incorporated in the reign of James I. Its government is vested in eight principal burgesses, from whom the mayor is chosen annually. The earliest return to parliament from this borough was made in the twenty-eighth year of Edward I.; another was made in the seventh of Edward II.: no member was afterwards sent till the year 1640, when the privilege was restored, since which the returns have been regular: the right of voting is in the freeholders and freemen, whose number is about 182.

The inhabitants derive their chief support from the manufacture of serges, and the expenditure of travellers, which is very considerable, the turnpikeroad from Exeter to Launceston and Falmouth pass. ing through the town. The population of this parish, according to the report made under the late act, amounted to 1430; the number of houses was 269.

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ST. GILES'S CHURCH stands at the east end of the town of Northampton: it consists of a body, north and south aisles, and a chancel, with an aisle or transept from north to south: the whole of the roof is leaded. In the middle is a handsome, square, embattled tower, lessening as it ascends; its corners are ornamented with a pinnacle and weathercock. Within the tower are six bells, on one of which is inscribed, in Gothic characters-" Sit Pater Flamen Protesque micans modulamen." At the west end of the Church is a large door with a round arch, filled with the zigzag ornament, and supported by small columns on each side. At the upper end of the cross aisle is the vestry, which was probably, in former times, a chantry chapel. Some years since the chancel was wainscotted at the expense of Dr. Grey, a physician. The length of the Church, including the chancel, is one hundred and sixteen feet,

and the length of the transept is sixty-four feet. The register bears date 1585.

This Church appears to have been given to the priory of St. Andrew, in Northampton, by Simon de St. Liz, the founder. It was confirmed to the convent by Richard archbishop of Canterbury and Hugh Wells bishop of London, in whose time the vicarage was ordained. No mention is made of this vicarage in the old taxations, but in the twentysixth of Henry VIII. it was valued at sl. out of which was deducted 12d. for synodals and procurations. Upon the dissolution of the monasteries, the right of presentation continued for some time in the crown, but about the year 1640 it was in the hands of sir John Lambe, and came afterwards, by purchase, to Peter Whalley, esq. from whom it descended to the present patron, Nathaniel Whalley.

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