a market-town, cinque port, municipal and parliamentary borough of England, in the county of Kent, on the right bank of the Stour, about 3 miles from Sandwich, 12 E. of Canterbury, and 68 E. by S. of London. It stands in a sandy, marshy region, occupied chiefly with market-gardens, and has narrow, well-paved streets, lined with old irregular houses. Part of the ancient town walls, and one of the gates, still remain. There are several conspicuous public buildings in the town. Among these is the massive old church of St Clement, with a square Norman tower, the Elizabethan guild-hall, modern jail, almshouses, national schools, hospitals, and places of worship, besides three belonging to the Established church, for Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyans. A grammar-school was founded here in the time of Queen Elizabeth, with exhibitions to Oxford, but it has at present no scholars. Breweries, malt-houses, and tan-yards are the principal manufacturing establishments; and felt, coarse towelling, and sackcloth are also made. Sandwich was formerly an important seaport, but has decayed since the harbour began to be choked up with sand. There is still some trade with Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic in timber and iron; while wool, malt, leather, and agricultural produce are likewise exported. Only small vessels can now come up to the town. Sandwich is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors; and the borough, which includes Deal and Walmer, returns two members to Parliament. It was early a place of importance, and probably rose after the decline of the Roman Rhutupium, or Richborough. Several times Sandwich has been taken and plundered by the French. In the reign of Elizabeth a number of Flemish refugees settled here. Pop. (1851) of the town 2966; of the parliamentary borough 12,710.