TEIVKESBUILY, Gloucesterahire, an ancient market-town, muni cipal and parliamentary borough, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, in the parish and hundred of Tewkesbury, is situated on the loft bank of the Upper Avon, near its junction with the Severn, in 51' 59' N. hit., 2` 10' W. long., distant 10 miles N.N.E. from Gloucester, 103 miles W.N.W. from London by road, and 130 miles by the Great Western and Bristol and Birmingham railways. The population of the borough in 1851 was 5878. The borough I. governed by 4 alder men and 12 councillors, of whom one in mayor; and returns 2 members to the Imperial Parliament. The living is a vicarage in the arehdea conry of Gloucester and diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. Tewkes bury Poor-Law Union contains 23 parishes and townships, with an area of 38,913 acres, and a population in 1851 of 15,131.
The immediate neighbourhood of Tewkesbury is subject to floods. Within half a mile of the town is a handsome iron bridge of one arch, 172 feet in span, over the Severn ; and there is All ancient bridge of several arches over the Avon, with a causeway lending from it to the above-mentioned iron bridge. Tewkesbury has returned two members parliauserst aineo the 7th James I. The town appears to be of Satan engin. Early in the ath century two brothers, dukes of Merck, fesoded s usesseata7 here, which berme the chief seat of the monks of Ora&teems A great battle was fought on the 14th of May 1471 withle half • toile of Tewkesbury, when the Lancastrian. sustained a
disestrou defeat. In 16t4 the town was taken by the parliamentary forces, slap hell it until the due of the war.
The priacipal manufacture carried on in Tewkesbury is the cotton esti lambswool hosiery. On the Avon are several corn-mills. Tooke& bury pouresee an externalve carrying trade on the Seeern and Avon. A abort breath line joins the Belated and Birminghem railway. The collegiate church of the ancient monastery, now the parish church, is • stable serueture of Norman date, and cousiats of a nave, choir, and treavepla, with a tower rising from the centre, supported on massivo and lofty piers with circular arches. The Wesleyan Methodists, ladepenekote, Baptiste. and Quakers have places of worship. There are a Free Grammar school ; National, British, and Infant schools ; a savings bank ; almshouses; and several medical and other charities. &sides the town-hall and borough court-room, there are a jail, peni teetiary, and house of correction. A county court is held in the town. The market-house is a handsome building, with Doric columns and pilasters supporting a pediment in front. There are a small theatre, and a publio library and news-room. The market-days are Wednesday and Saturday. Eight fairs are held in the year. In the vicinity is a race-eourse, where races take place annually.