Abingdon

Abingdon, a market-town in Berkshire, 51 miles N.W. of London, and 6 S. of Oxford, on the right bank of the Thames at its junction with the Ock. The name, originally Abbaddun (Abbots'town), was derived from the great Benedictine monastery established there, 680. Offa, King of Mercia, built a palace in the town. It possesses two ancient churches and a free grammar-school (founded, 1563, rebuilt 1870), and a clothing factory. Up to 1885 it returned a member to Parliament, but is now merged in the division of the county to which it gives its name.