John Winchcombe, alias Smalwoode (died 1520), was a pioneer of the clothing manufacture at Newbury, and acquired thereby great wealth. He built a house at Bucklebury on land which had belonged to the Abbey of Reading. His descendant, Frances Winchcombe, married in 1700 the celebrated Viscount Bolingbroke, who resided at Bucklebury for a time. John Winchcombe is buried in Newbury church. He was popularly known as "Jack of Newbury" and many fables are told about him. Thomas Deloney, a weaver by trade, who lived in the latter part of the sixteenth century, wrote the ballad "The Pleasant History of John Winchcomb, in his younger days called Jack of Newbury." 26. THE CHIEF TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF BERKSHIRE. (The figures in brackets after each name give the population of the town or parish in 1901, and those at the end of the sections give the references to the text.) Abingdon (6441). A municipal borough in the Abingdon division of the county. It is situated at the junction of the river Ock with the Thames, 61 miles from Paddington by railway, and 56 miles from London by road. It was incorporated by Charter granted by Philip and Mary in 1555. Its trade is mainly in agricultural produce, and its manufactures are carpets, woollen goods, and sacking. We have already referred to the remains of its great Benedictine Abbey as well as to its churches, Christ's Hospital, and the Town Hall. The Earl of Abingdon is the High Steward of the borough. (pp. 19, 24, 34, 57, 62, 65, 74, 92, 94, 97, 100, 101-4, 113, 116, 122, 123, 129, 134, 140.) Aldermaston (482). A village with a railway station eight miles from Reading on the Newbury line. The church is of various styles. There is a Norman doorway built in at the west end under the tower. The east window of three lights is Early English. (p. 116.) Aldworth (211). A village on the chalk downs three miles west of Streatley. The church is celebrated for the series of tombs of the De la Beche family with effigies and canopies of the Edwardian period. Appleton (466). A village near the Thames five miles north-west of Abingdon. The remains of a Norman manor house exist near the church. It is defended by a moat, and there are two other moated houses at no great distance. (pp. 18, 113.) Ardington (433), a village at the north side of Lockinge Park with a church mainly in the Early English style. There is a fine chancel arch, and the north doorway is round-headed. (pp. 78, 101.) Ascot Heath (1927). A village and parish with a railway station 29 miles from Waterloo. The race-course is close to the station. (pp. 16, 39, 136.) Ashbury (589). A village five miles north-west of Lambourn; the church with some windows in the Decorated style, a good Norman doorway, and other points of interest. In the parish there is a manor house of the fifteenth century moated on three sides. The area of the parish is 5609 acres and the population has been reduced from 786 in 1851 to 589 in 1901. (pp. 84, 113, 117, 119.)