a market-town in the parish of the same name, hundred of North Offlow, and Burscheid county of Stafford, is situated on the Trent, 11 miles S.W. of Derby. Pop. (1851) 7934. An abbey was founded here by one of the earls of Mercia as early as 1004, of which some remains are still to be seen. The river is here crossed by an ancient bridge erected before the Conquest, measuring 154 feet in length, and having 37 arches. There are two churches and numerous dissenting places of worship, a grammar-school, town-hall, assembly-rooms, savings-bank, subscription library, and several charities. Market-day Thursday. The river is navigable for barges up to the town. It was formerly noted for its alabaster works, but is now chiefly celebrated for the ale to which it gives name. The Grand Trunk canal uniting the Mersey with the Trent passes the town.