WHITCHURCH-CANONICORUM, a parish in the hundred of WHITCHURCH-CANONICORUM, Bridport division of the county of DORSET, 5 miles (W.N.W.) from Bridport, containing, with Abbotswooten, Barn, Vale, and Wild quarters, 1317 inhabitants.

The living is a vicarage, with the perpetual curacy of Stanton annexed, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £32. 6. 3., and in the patronage of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The church was originally dedicated to St. Whyte, or Candida, and subsequently to the Holy Cross.

This is one of the most ancient and extensive parishes in the county, and gave name to the hundred: it had anciently a market and a fair, granted by Henry III.

Volume 4, page 456