of a Carmelite monastery and Conventual church founded in the reign of Edward II.; and the Biggin Almshouses, close to the church, still preserve some of the old fabric of the Gilbertine Nunnery, founded in the reign of Edward III.  The Church of St. Mary (formerly St. Andrew), just off the N.E. corner of the market-place, is thought to be the largest parish church in the county, the other claimant for that honour being St. Peters, Great Berkhampstead.  The whole structure is embattled.  The square W. tower is of unusual size, but low in proportion.  Entering by the fine old S. porch we notice the niches for statues, none of which remain, and the vaulted roof, badly battered and marred by—­as is supposed—­the zealous iconoclasts of Cromwell’s army.  Opposite, over the N. porch, hangs a painting of the Adoration of the Magi, believed to be by Rubens; it was formerly over the communion table.  The church has been restored at intervals since 1858; but the fine Perp. aisle-roofs still remain.  The font, of Ketton stone, is ancient, and formerly had statues of the twelve Apostles in niches; these, however, have been mutilated almost beyond recognition; the beautiful oak canopy is new.  Note the effigy in stone lying in the recess of the first window of the N. aisle, believed to be that of Bernard de Baliol, founder of the Preceptory of Knights Templars at Temple Dinsley (3 miles S.), and the mosaics of the reredos, representing the Last Supper, Christ and the woman of Samaria, Moses striking the rock, and other subjects from Scripture.  The screens of carved oak, between the aisles and chancel aisles, are among the finest in the county.  Memorials are numerous; some ancient brasses having been brought to light during restoration.  Among the brasses are one (1) to John Beel, Margary his wife, and their eight children (1477); this is near the pulpit; (2) to James Hert, B.D. (d. 1498); (3) to John Pulter, a draper (d. 1421), and his wife Alice, the effigies almost obliterated; (4) to Nicholas Mattok, and his wife Elizabeth (d. 1485); this Nicholas was a fishmonger of London, and a merchant of the staple of Calais; (5) portion of a brass, near the chancel steps, to John Sperehawke, D.D., Canon of Wells (d. 1474).

Adjoining the W. end of the churchyard is Golden Square, once the residence of Eugene Aram, from which we may pass into Bancroft, one of the widest thoroughfares in the county.  Close by is Tilehouse Street; the Baptist Chapel, on the left, some way up the street, was restored in 1894:  it stands on the site of the building in which Bunyan preached; a chair which he gave is still shown in the vestry.  It may here be mentioned that George Whitefield and George Fox are both known to have visited Hitchin during their missionary wanderings.  A little farther W. is Mount Pleasant, thought to be the birthplace of George Chapman, the translator of Homer.  That he finished his translation in this neighbourhood is matter of knowledge; but what is told of his family connections with Hitchin is little more than conjecture.