a market-town in Berkshire, on a branch of the Thames, derives its name from an ancient abbey. The streets, which are well paved, terminate in a spacious area, in which the market is held. In the centre of this area stands the market-house, supported on lofty pillars, with a large hall of freestone above, appropriated to the summer assizes for the county, and the transaction of other public business; the Lent assizes being held at Reading. It has two churches, which are said to have been erected by the abots of Abingdon, one dedicated to St Nicholas, and the other to St Helena, the latter adorned with a spire: two hospitals, one for six, and the other for thirteen poor men, and as many poor women; a free grammar school, with ten scholarships at Pembroke College, Oxford; charity schools; a mechanics' institution, &c., and two banks. The town was incorporated by Queen Mary. It sends one member to parliament, and is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. During the war it manufactured much sail-cloth and sacking; but its chief trade now is in corn and malt, with a few carpets and coarse linen. It is seven miles south of Oxford, 47 east of Gloucester, and 55 W.N.W. of London. This town is supposed by Bishop Gibson to be the place called in the Saxon annals Cloveshoh. Population in 1841, 5585; in 1851, 5954.