Is a small market town and ancient borough, in the hundred of King's Sutton; 63 miles from London, 20 from Northampton, and 11 from Towcester; situated on the south side of the river Ouse. The town possesses but little to recommend it to the observation of the tourist: its buildings have no pretension to uniformity or architectural taste; & the only ones worthy of notice are the two churches of St. Peter and St. James, the former of which is the parochial one. It is situated a little out of the town, and is a fine structure, with a lofty square tower; contains some good specimens of ancient architecture, and several curious monuments. The living is a vicarage, in the gift of R. H. Bradshaw, Esq. M.P., who is also lord of the manor of Brackley; the present incumbent is the Rev. C. A. Sage. Here is a good free-school, supported by the president and fellows of Magdalen college, Oxford; and six alms-houses, sustained by Lord Crewe.
Brackley, in the 1st of Edward VI, obtained the privilege of returning two members to parliament: the right of voting is vested in the corporate body, consisting of a mayor, aldermen and free burgesses, in number about 36; the mayor is the returning officer; and the present representatives are, Robert H. Bradshaw, Esq. and Colonel James Bradshaw. Formerly this town was a great mart for wool; its present and only manufacture is that of lace. The market is held on Wednesday; and the fairs take place on the first Wednesday after the 25th February, April 19th, the first Wednesday after 22d June, Oct. 11th, and Dec. 11th. By the last census, St. Peter's parish contained 1,072 inhabitants, and St. James 779; total, 1,851.
