the county-town of Huntingdonshire 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 aldermen, 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 formerly 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 Hastings, with the earldom annexed, in whose family it still continues. It stands on 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 assizes are kept, and where the county-jail stands. It has a good marketplace, and several convenient inns, besides a grammar-school; and is very populous. W. Long. o. ii. N. Lat. 52. 17.