Torrington

Torrington, a market-town of North Devon, on an eminence sloping to the Torridge, 10 miles (by rail 14) SSW. of Barnstaple. A castle (1340) has disappeared; and the church, of which Wolsey and John Howe were incumbents, was rebuilt in 1651, its predecessor having been accidentally blown up with 200 prisoners, after Hopton's defeat here by Fairfax, February 16, 1646. Torrington, which was made a municipal borough by Queen Mary, gave the title of earl to Monk (q.v.) and in 1689 to Admiral Arthur Herbert (1647-1716), of viscount to Admiral George Byng (q.v.). Gloves are manufactured. Pop. (1851) 3308; (1891) 3436.