a town of the county of Gloucester, in the hundred of Blidescow, on the western side of the Severn, 123 miles from London. It was formerly a Roman station, and more extensive than at present. The market was held on Wednesday, but has of late years disappeared. In the neighbourhood are extensive iron and coal mines. The parish, including the chapelry of Aylburton, contained a population amounting in 1801 to 1032, in 1811 to 1160, in 1821 to 1393, and in 1831 to 1534.