BARNSTAPLE, seaport and municipal borough, near the north coast of Devonshire, England. Pop. (1931) 14,693. It stands on the estuary of the Taw, here crossed by a stone bridge of 16 arches said to date from the 12th or 13th century. Barnstaple (Berdestaple, Barnstapol, Barstaple, also Barum) ranks among the most ancient of royal boroughs. As early as Domesday, where it is several times mentioned, there were 4o burgesses within the town and nine without, who rendered 4os. Tradition claims that King Athelstan threw up defensive earth-works here, but the ex isting castle is attributed to Joel of Totnes, who held the manor during the reign of William the Conqueror, and also founded a Cluniac priory, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. From this date the borough and priory grew up side by side, but each preserved its independent privileges and rights of government until the dis solution of the latter in 1535. The earliest authenticated charter is that of Henry I., which was confirmed in a charter of Henry II. stating that the burgesses should have customs similar to those granted to London. A charter of 1556 added some new privileges, one of 161 o increased the number of chief burgesses to 25, and this charter held force until the Municipal Corporation Act of 1835. Barnstaple was once famous for its woollen trade, now en tirely declined, and as early as the reign of Edward III. it was an important naval port. The Friday market and the annual four days' fair in September are held by immemorial prescription. The grammar school was founded in the 14th century. There are also some curious Jacobean almshouses. The harbour admits only small coasting vessels. The town manufactures lace and gloves, and has extensive potteries and foundries. Cabinet making and some boatbuilding are carried on. The town is served by the G.W.R. and the S.R.; Barnstaple junction is a considerable sta tion on the latter. The borough is under a mayor, six aldermen and 18 councillors. Area 2,235 acres. It is in the Barnstaple parlia mentary county division.