CHARD, a market town and municipal borough in the Yeovil parliamentary division of Somersetshire, England, 12 m. S.S.E. of Taunton. Pop. (1931) 4,053. It stands on high ground within I m. of the Devonshire border with railway stations S.R. (Chard Town) and G.W.R. (Chard Joint Station). Chard (Cerdre, Cherdre, Cherde) was originally a trade centre near the Roman road to the west. There are two Roman villas in the parish. The bishop of Bath held Chard in 1o86, and in his successor granted the first charter which made it a free borough. This charter was confirmed in 12S3, 128o and 1285. Chard is said to have been incorporated by Elizabeth, as the corporation seal dates from 157o. It was incorporated by grant of Charles I. in 1642, and Charles II. gave a charter in 1683. A market on Mondays and fair on July 25 were granted in 1253, and confirmed in 1642 and 1683, when two more fair days were added (Nov. 2 and May 3). The market day is now Monday, fairs being held on the first Wednesday in May, August and November, for corn and cattle only, their mediaeval importance as centres of the cloth trade having departed. The cruciform parish church of St. Mary the Virgin is Perpendicular of the i 5th cen tury. A fine east window is preserved. The manufactures include lace and other textiles.