British Towns and Cities: Chipping Campden

Strangers who arrive at the undistinguished station marked “Campden” sometimes ask the way to the village. The proper reply is to put them on the road to Ebrington. For Chipping Campden, though now officially a parish in the North Cotswold Rural District, had a Borough Charter under Henry II, and from Henry Ill had confirmation of the fair and the market, free for ever from toll and custom, which gave it the first part of its name. When the charter had been lost “by negligence or misfortune” the Burgesses borrowed £100 to get a new one from James I. That has been lost by negligence or misfortune too, but Campden remains to all who live there “the town” and short of calling it “Chipping” no greater offence can be given than to ascribe to it a lesser status.