BANBURY, municipal borough, Oxfordshire, England, on the river Cherwell, 86 miles N.W. of London by the northern line of the Great Western Railway. Population of municipal borough containing also GRIMSBURY and NEITHROP parishes There was an early settlement on the site; a battle being fought here in 556 between Cynric and Ceawlin and the British. It was assessed at 5o hides in the Domesday survey, when it was held by the bishop of Lincoln. There are slight traces of a castle built in 1125. From about the same time there are records of a market. The first charter of incorporation instituted a council, a court of record, one justice of the peace, a Thursday market, and two annual fairs. A new charter (1718) held until the Municipal Corporations act of 1835. During the 17th century the inhabitants of Banbury seem to 'have been zealous Puritans, and are fre quently satirized by contemporary dramatists. To them is due the destruction of the ancient Banbury Cross, celebrated in nursery rhyme. A magnificent Gothic church was destroyed in 1790 to make way for a new building. The town retains, however, some fine old timbered houses. It is the centre of a rich agricultural district, and there is a large manufacture of agricultural imple ments. Other industries include rope and leather works and brew ing. The cattle market is held in the main street. The name of the town is celebrated as that of a species of currant pastry said to have a reputation of three centuries' standing. Banbury is an important rail junction, with lines owned by the G.W.R., L.N.E.R. and L.M.S.R. It is governed by a mayor, six aldermen and 18 councillors and forms part of the Banbury parliamentary county division. Area 4,633 ac.