Biggleswade, a parliamentary division a market town, and a parish in Bedfordshire. The town stands in a fertile valley on the right bank of the river Ivel, adjacent to the G.N.R., having a station of the same name, 10 1/2 miles ESE of Bedford, and 41 NNW of London. It was anciently called Bykleswade. It suffered destruction of 150 houses by fire in 1785, and it now contains many neat modern houses. The town-hall, erected in 1814, was enlarged and improved in 1888 at a cost of £900. The parish church is Early English with Late chance], was originally collegiate, and contains some very interesting brasses. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ely; net yearly value, £260 with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Ely. There is also a church dedicated to St John the Baptist, erected in 1883, and Baptist, Calvinistic, Primitive Methodist, and Wesleyan chapels. The Brethren have also a place of worship here. The cemetery, which covers an area of 2 acres, has two mortuary chapels, and is under the control of a Burial Board of 9 members. The workhouse, erected at a cost of £4850, has accommodation for 320 inmates. The town has a fair water supply derived from springs in the neighbourhood. The country round is celebrated for its fertility, and is largely devoted to the growth of potatoes, cucumbers, onions, known as " Biggleswade violets," and other vegetables used for pickling purposes. A weekly market is held on Wednesday for corn. There are fairs on 14 Feb., Saturday in Easter week, Whit Monday, 27 Sept., and 8 Nov. for horses and live stock. It is a seat of petty sessions and a polling place, and has a head post, money order, and telegraph office. Some Roman relics, several armour-clad human skeletons, and about 300 gold coins of Henry VI. have been found in the neighbourhood. The environs are pleasant, and contain some handsome villas and mansions. The parish includes also the hamlets of Holme and Stratton. Acreage, 4647 ; population, 4943. At Stratton Park, about a mile SE of the town, the Cottonian Library was preserved, after being removed from Connington, in the time of the Civil War.
Biggleswade Parliamentary Division of Bedfordshire was formed under the Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885, and returns one member to the House of Commons. Population, 64,457. The division includes the following:—Sharn-brook—Bletsoe, Bolnhurst, Garlton, Chellington, Colmworth, Colworth Farm, Dean, Farndish, Felmersham, Harrold, Keysoe, Knotting, Melchbourne, Milton Ernest, Odell, Pavenham, Pertenhall, Puddington, Riseley, Sharnbrook, Shelton, Soul-drop, Staughton (Little), Thurleigh, Tilbrook, Wimmington, Yielden; Bedford—Barford (Great), Barford (Little), Bid-denham, Bromham, Cardington, Clapham, Cople, Eastcotts, Eaton Socon, Elstow, Goldington, Kempston, Oakley, Ravensden, Reiihold, Roxton, Stagsden, Stevinton, Turvey, Wilden, Willington, Wilshampstead, Wootton; Biggleswade—Arlesey, Astwick, Biggleswade, Blunham, Campton, Chicksands, Clifton, Cockayne Hatley, Dunton, Edworth, Everton, Eye-worth, Henlow, Holwell, Langford, Meppershall, Mugger-hanger, Northill, Potton, Rowney, Sandy, Shefford, Shefford Hardwicke, Southill, Stondon (Upper), Stotfold, Sutton, Tempsford, Warden, Wrestlingworth; Ampthill (part of)— Cranfield, Marston Moretaine, Lidlington, Millbrook, Ampthill, Houghton Conquest, Haynes, Maulden, Clophill; Bedford, municipal borough.
