BATTERSEA, a south-western metropolitan and parlia mentary borough of London, England, bounded north by the Thames, north-east by Lambeth, and south-east, south and west by Wandsworth. Pop. The principal thorough fares are Wandsworth road and Battersea Park and York roads from east to west, connected north and south with the Victoria or Chelsea, Albert and Battersea bridges over the Thames. The first two of these three are suspension bridges; the third, an iron structure, replaced a wooden bridge. An early form of the name is Patricsey or Peter's Island. The manor in Domesday belonged to the abbey of St. Peter, Westminster, passing under Henry VIII. to the crown, and subsequently to the family of St. John and to the earls Spencer. York road recalls the existence of a palace of the archbishops of York, occasionally occupied by them between the reigns of Edward IV. and Mary. Battersea fields, bordering the river, were formerly a favourite resort. The art of enamelling was introduced, c. 175o, at works in Battersea, examples from which are highly valued. There are several large factories by the river. The parish church of St. Mary, Church road (1776), preserves from an earlier building stained glass and monuments. Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common (2 20 ac.) lie partly within the borough, but the public recreation ground is Battersea Park, bordering the Thames between Albert and Victoria bridges. It was constructed by reclaiming marshy ground in 1858. Battersea has returned two members to Parliament since 1918. The borough council consists of a mayor, nine alder men and S4 councillors. Area, 2,163 acres.