a city of Staffordshire, in England, situated in W. Long. 1° 40' N. Lat. 52° 43'. It stands low, about three miles from the Trent. Its ancient name is said to have been Lichfield, signifying a field of carcasses, from a great number of Christians having, as it is pretended, suffered martyrdom here in the persecution under Diocletian. Though the bishop has his see here, yet he is denominated of Litchfield and Coventry. It is divided into two parts by a rivulet and a kind of shallow lake, over which are two causeways, with stuccos. It is a long straggling place; but has some very handsome houses, and well-paved clean streets. That part on the south side of the rivulet is called the city, and the other the close, because it is inclosed with a wall and a deep dry ditch. The city is much the largest, and contains several public structures. The cathedral is a very magnificent structure. Its front, or portico, is hardly to be paralleled in England; and it has three spires exceeding lofty. The town is a great thoroughfare to the north-west counties; and is governed by two bailiffs, 24 burgesses, a recorder, a sheriff, a steward and other officers.