AYLESBURY, municipal borough of Buckinghamshire, England, lying on a slight eminence in the fertile Vale of Ayles bury, which extends north of the Chilterns, and includes the upper Thame basin. Pop. (1931) 13,382. There is little doubt that the rich neighbourhood was occupied in prehistoric times. In 1239 Henry III. made a grant of an annual fair at the feast of St. Osith (June 3rd), which was confirmed by Henry VI. Queen Mary's charter of 1554 constituted Aylesbury a free borough and instituted a Wednesday market. Various privileges appear to have lapsed in the reign of Elizabeth, and it is only in the present century that Aylesbury has been made a municipal borough.
From the first, Aylesbury tended to become the chief ecclesias tical centre of the county. It is clear from Domesday that it possessed very valuable lands; and it is difficult to explain why it was not made the capital of the shire. (See BUCKINGHAM SHIRE.) The Franciscan Friars were established here in the 14th century. The Church of St. Mary is primarily Early English but has numerous later additions. The old streets of the town are mostly narrow and irregular, but growth is taking place on modern lines. There is a large agricultural trade, the locality being especially noted for the rearing of ducks. The borough forms part of the Aylesbury parliamentary county division. Railway connections are made by the L.M.S.R., Met. and G.C. Joint Rail way, G.W.R. and L.N.E.R. Area 3,288 acres.