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. o. 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. It sends two members to parliament, and gives the title of duke to the noble family of Ruffel. 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. The number of houses in 1801, was 783, and of inhabitants 3948. 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 from hence to Hitchen and Hertford markets, fold, 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 with 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.