SHERBOURNE, Dorsetshire, a market-town, and the seat of a Poor-Law Unioo, in the parish of Shcrbourne, is situated on rising ground on the right bank of the river Yeo, in 50° 53' N. lat., 2° 30' W. long., distant 18 miles S. by E. from Dorchester, and 117 miles S.W. by W. from London. Tho population of the town of Sher bourne in 1851 was 3878. • The living is a vicarage in the archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. Sherbourne Poor-Law Union contains 30 parishes and townships, with an area of 39,478 acres, and a population in 1851 of 13,073.
Sherbourne was of considerable importance in the time of tho Saxons, who called it Seimburn,' or • Seireburn.' Ina, king of the West Saxons, on the division of the diocese of Winchester, then the sole bishopric of the West Saxons, made Sherbourne the seat of an episcopal see in 705. The seat of the bishopric was removed, about 1075 or 1076, to Old Sarum. A monastery for secular canons was established here after tho conversion of the West Saxons. The rule of St. Benedict was afterwards introduced, iu 993, and it became an abbey, which continued till the dissolution of monasteries. A castle was built at Sherbourne by Roger, bishop of Sarum, hi the reigu of Henry 1.; it changed hands once or twice in the civil war of Stephen and the Empress Maud. It was stormed in 1645 by Cromwell and Fairfax, after which it was demolished. In the reign of Edward III. the town sent representatives to parliament, and at a later period the assizes were often held here. In the time of Leland and Camden it was the seat of a considerable woollen manufacture. The clothing trade declined, was replaced by the mauufacture of buttons, bone lace, and haberdashery, which was succeeded, towards the middle of the last century, by the silk manufacture.
The town is pleasantly situated, partly on the slope of a hill, partly in the pleasant vale of Blackmore. The streets are partially paved, lighted with gas, and supplied with water. The church is a large
cruciform structure, of different dates, mostly perpendicular. Tho tower is 150 feet high. The church anciently belonged to the abbey.
Attached to the church are four ancient chapels. This church has reeeutly been restored at an expense of about 15,0004 of which about one-half has been contributed by the Earl of Digby. The Wesleyan Methodists, Quakers, and Independents have places of worship in the town. The King's school, founded by Edward IV. in 1550, has an income from endowment of more than 1000/. a year, and has several exhibitions of 401. a year, tenable for four years, either at Oxford or Cambridge. It is under a head-master and five other teachers, and had 109 scholars iu 1854. The school is free to residents in the town or immediate neighbourhood, on payment of 6/. a year.
The Earl of Digby presented to the school the remains of the abbey, which have been restored, providing a chapel, a dining-hall, a larger sehool-room, studies, itc. A school for girls is supported by the Earl of Digby. There are also a National school for boys, an Infant school, and a savings bank. There are several ancient houses in the town.
The town-hall and market-house are near the church. Thera are several silk-throwing mills, and some of the inhabitants are employed iu sewing gloves for manufacturers in Yeovil. Markets are held on Thursday and Saturday, of which the Saturday market is the most important; there are three yearly fairs.
The remains of the castle, which occupied au area of four acres, are on a rocky eminence at the east end of the town. In the fine pleasuretrounds which surround the ruins of the castle is Sher bourne Lodge, frequently called Sherbourno Castle, the residence of the Earl of Digby; it was built by Sir Walter Raleigh, and contains some interesting portraits.