HUNTINGDON, the county-town of Hunting-
donshire in England, seated upon an easy ascent, on
the north side of the river Ouse. It was made a free
borough by king John, consisting of a mayor, 12 al-
dermen, burgesses, &c. by whom the two members of
parliament are chosen. It had anciently 15 parishes,
and has now but two; in one of which, called St John's,
Oliver Cromwell was born, in 1599. Here was for-
merly a castle, built by William the Conqueror, which
afterwards belonged to David, a prince of Scotland,
with the title of earl; but Henry VIII. gave it to
George Hallings, with the earldom annexed, in whose
family it still continues. It stands in the great north
road; and has a bridge built of free-stone over the
Ouse, which is made navigable for small vessels as high
as Bedford. It is the place where the affizes are kept,
and where the county-jail stands. It has a good market-
place, and several convenient inns, besides a grammar-
school; and is very populous. W. Long. c. 15. N.
Lat. 52. 23.