BARNET

barnet, a residential district in the mid or st albans parliamentary division of hertfordshire, england; 10 m. n. of london, served by the main line and branches of the great northern railway. the three chief divisions are as follows:--(1) chipping or high barnet, a market town and urban district (barnet), pop. (1901) 7876. the second epithet designates its position on a hill, but the first is given it from the market granted to the abbots of st albans to be kept there, by henry ii. near the town, round a point marked by an obelisk, was fought in 1471 the decisive battle between the houses of york and lancaster, in which the earl of warwick fell and the lancastrians were totally defeated. the town is on the great north road, on which it was formerly an important coaching station. a large annual horse and cattle fair is held. (2) east barnet, 2 m. s.e. of chipping barnet, has an ancient parish church retaining norman portions, though enlarged in modern times. pop. of east barnet valley urban district, 10,094. (3) new barnet lies 1 m. e. by s. from chipping barnet.