Langport
Langport is a small
town and
parish in
Somerset,
England, situated five
miles west of
Somerton in the
South Somerset district. The village has a
population of 1,067. Langport lies on the east bank of the
river Parrett, near the point where that river debouches from the hills on to the
Somerset Levels through which it flows to the
Bristol Channel. It was previously also known as
Langport Eastover, with the part on the western bank being
Langport Westover, now known just as
Westover.
Langport (
Lion gborlh,
Langeberga,
Langeport) owed its origin to its defensible position on a hill, and its growth to its facilities for trade on the chief river of Somerset. It occupies the site of the British town of
Llongborth, and was important during the Roman occupation. It was a royal borough in Saxon times, and in
1086 had 34 resident burgesses. The first charter, given by
Elizabeth I in
1562, recognized that Langport was a borough of great antiquity, which had enjoyed considerable privileges, being governed by a portreve. It was incorporated by
James I in
1617, but the corporation was abolished in
1883. Langport was represented in parliament in 1304 and 1306.
The charter of 1562 granted three annual fairs to Langport, on the 28th of June, the 11th of November and the second Monday in Lent. One fair only is now held, on the 3rd of September, which is a horse and cattle fair. A Saturday market was held under the grant of 1562, but in the 19th century the market day was changed to Tuesday.
The main street leads up a slope from the river to the fine
Perpendicular church of All Saints. Close to this an archway crosses the road, bearing a Perpendicular building known as the hanging chapel. After serving this purpose it housed first the grammar-school (founded 1675), then the
Quekett museum, named after
John Thomas Quekett (1815-1861) the histologist, a native of the town, whose father was master of the school. The hanging chapel afterwards became a masonic hall. Not far distant is the church of Huish Episcopi, with one of the finest of the Perpendicular towers for which Somerset is noted.
*
Battle of Llongborth# Somerset County Council, 2002.
Population estimates.#
