CHRISTCHURCH, municipal borough, Hampshire, Eng Iand, at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Stour, II m. from the sea, and 251 m. S.W. of Southampton on the S.R. Pop. (1931) 9,183. The neighbourhood was of great importance in late pre-historic times. Much of the late bronze and early iron age intercourse of Britain with the continent seems to have focused on Hengistbury Head and Christchurch. The town is mentioned in Saxon documents under the name of Tweotneam or Tweonaeteam, which long survived in the form Christchurch Twineham. In 90I it was seized by Aethelwald, but was recap tured by Edward the Elder. In Domesday, under the name of Thuinam, it appears as a royal manor, comprising a mill and part of the king's forest. Henry I. granted Christchurch to Richard de Redvers, who erected the castle. Only fragments remain, but the ruined Norman House apparently dates from the later part of the I2th century. The famous Augustinian priory church of the Holy Trinity is cruciform in plan, lacking a central tower but having a Perpendicular tower at the west end. The nave and transepts are principally Norman, and very fine; the choir is Perpendicular. Early English additions appear in the nave, clerestory and elsewhere, and the rood-screen is of ornate Decorated workmanship. The priory attained to such fame that its name of Christchurch finally replaced the older name of Twineham. It was dissolved in 1539. The first charter was granted by Baldwin earl of Exeter in the 12th century; the 2nd Earl Baldwin granted to the burgesses the tolls of the fair at St. Faith and common of pasture in certain meads. These charters were confirmed by Edward II., Henry VII. and Eliza beth. The Holy Trinity fair is mentioned in 1226. Christchurch was not incorporated till 1670. The chief occupations are gar dening, wood and metal working; some salmon fishing is car ried on. There is a small harbour. From 1572 the borough was represented in the House of Commons by two members until the Reform Act of 1832 reduced the number to one. It is at present included in the New Forest and Christchurch Division of Hants. The area of the municipal borough is acres.