CLITHEROE, municipal borough, north-east Lancashire, England, 35 m. N. by W. from Manchester, on the L.M.S.R. Pop. (1931) 12,008. It is finely situated in the valley of the Ribble, at the foot of Pendle Hill, a steep plateau-like mass rising to 1,831 feet.
The Honour of Clitheroe (Clyderhow or Cletherwoode) was first held by Roger de Poictou, almost certainly the builder of the castle. He granted it to Robert de Lacy, and it passed by marriage to Thomas, earl of Lancaster, in 1310. It was part of the duchy of Lancaster till Charles II. bestowed it on General Monk, from whose family it descended through the house of Montague to that of Buccleuch. The first charter was granted about 1283 to the burgesses by Henry de Lacy, confirming the liberties granted by the first Henry de Lacy. The 1283 charter was confirmed by Ed ward III., Henry V., Henry VIII. and James I. Fairs, on Dec. 7 to 9 and March 24 to 26 are held under a charter of Henry IV. A weekly market has been held on Saturday since William I.'s days. The church of St. Mary Magdalene, though occupying an ancient site, is modern. The town has a grammar school, founded in 1554, and a technical school. On a height commanding the valley stands the keep and other fragments of the Norman castle but part of the site is occupied by a modern mansion. A large percentage of the population is engaged in the textile industry. In 1558 the borough was granted two members of parliament, and continued to return them till 1832, when the number was reduced to one. In 1885 the borough was disfranchised and is now repre sented in the Clitheroe Division of Lancashire. Area 2,386 acres.
Stonyhurst College, 5 m. S.W. of Clitheroe, is a college for Roman Catholic students. The nucleus of the buildings is a mansion (17th century) given by Thomas Weld in 1795 to refugee Jesuits from the continent. An observatory is attached to the college.