CONGLETON, municipal borough, east Cheshire, England, on the L.M.S.R. 8 m. S.S.W. of Macclesfield. Pop. (1931) 12,885. It is in a deep valley, on the banks of the Dane, a trib utary of the Weaver, with an important "gap" through the Pen nines behind.
Congleton (Congulton) was held in Domesday by Hugh, earl of Chester. In the 13th century, the manor passed to Henry, earl of Lincoln, who by a charter dated 1282 declared the town a free borough, with a gild merchant. This charter was con firmed by successive sovereigns, with additional privileges. The governing charter, which held force until the Municipal Corpora tion Act of 1835, was granted by James I. in 1624. Charters were also granted by Charles II. and George IV. In 1282 Henry, earl of Lincoln, obtained a Saturday market and an eight days' fair. In 131I a Tuesday market is mentioned, and a fair at the feast of St. Martin. Henry VI. granted a fair at the feast of SS. Philip and James. James I. confirmed these and granted one on the Thursday before Quinquagesima Sunday. Congleton suffered severely from the plagues of 1603 and I 641. The grammar school was in existence as early as 1553. In the i6th and 17th centuries the leather laces known as "Congleton points" were in high re pute. The town manufactures silk, which was introduced in 1752 by a Mr. Pattison of London. Coal is raised, and the other industries include weaving, finishing, stitching, etc., of textiles, agriculture and tobacco making. Congleton is served by the Macclesfield canal. It is in the Macclesfield Parliamentary Di vision of Cheshire. Area, 2,572 acres.