Caption beneath the picture - CHRIST'S HOSPITAL, ABINGDON.
Abingdon, an agricultural town of ancient origin, derives its name from Abbandun, "the town of the Abbey." It was a place of importance in the time of the Britons and became a royal residence in Saxon days. Christ's Hospital, a curious cloistered edifice of brick and timber, with turret and dome, was founded in 1553 by Sir John Mason, an eminent statesman who served Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth. It contains an oak ball with pictures and stained glass, and has at the east end of its cloister a representation of a famous octagonal market-cross which was destroyed in 1644.