the county town of Bedfordshire in England, seated on both sides of the river Ouse, over which there is a stone bridge; in W. Long. 0. 20. N. Lat. 52. 6. It is an ancient town, and pleasantly situated, but not very large nor well built; though the buildings are much improved of late, and the river made navigable. At this place the Britons were overthrown in a great battle in 572, by Cuthwulf the Saxon king; and here was a strong castle, built in the time of the Normans by Pagan de Beauchamp, the third baron of Bedford. It was reduced by king Stephen after a long siege; and afterwards taken by king John, after a siege of 60 days, from Fulco de Brent, who rebelled against his sovereign, notwithstanding he had taken this castle before from the barons, and had it bestowed upon him by the king. The town is a very ancient corporation, and has long sent members to parliament. It is governed at present by a mayor, recorder, two bailiffs, twelve aldermen, two chamberlains, a town-clerk, and three serjeants. The neighbouring country is very fruitful in wheat, great quantities of which are carried hence to Hitchin and Hertford markets, sold, ground, and conveyed to London. The town has five churches, a free-school, and several hospitals, and enjoys a good trade in corn by the way of Lynn. When the river is swelled by rains, especially in winter, it is usual in Cambridgeshire to say, the bailiff of Bedford is coming, meaning, that it is going to lay their fens under water. At this town the noted John Bunyan, author of the Pilgrim's Progress, was educated, if not born.