HANDLEY, a parish in that part of the hundred of SIXPENNY-HANDLEY which is in the Shaston (East) division of the county of DORSET, 5½ miles (N.W. by W.) from Cranborne, containing, with the chapelry of Gussage-St. Andrew, and the tythings of Minchinton and Woodcots, 831 inhabitants.

The living is a perpetual curacy annexed to the vicarage of Iwerne-Minster, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. A market was granted for this place at an early period, and the market-day was changed in the reign of Henry III. but it has been disused from time immemorial.

Volume 2, page 311