Bedfordshire
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Bedfordshire
orBedford,
former county, central England. Also called Beds, it was abolished as an administrative authority in 2009, but it remains a ceremonial county under the Lieutenancies Act. The county seat was BedfordBedford,town and borough (1991 pop. 75,632), central England, on the Ouse River. It is an important industrial center; diesel engines, pumps, turbines, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, and transistors are the chief manufactures.
..... Click the link for more information. ; other chief towns were LutonLuton
, borough and unitary authority (1991 pop. 163,209), S central England on the Lea River. Hats, automobiles, ball bearings, and aircraft parts are among the products manufactured. The English millinery industry was established there during the time of James I.
..... Click the link for more information. and DunstableDunstable
, town (1991 pop. 30,912), Central Bedfordshire, SE England. Located at the meeting point of the ancient Icknield Street and Watling Street, Dunstable is a developing residential and industrial district, with printing and cement plants and extensive automobile works.
..... Click the link for more information. . The county was a refuge for Protestants from the European continent during the English civil warEnglish civil war,
1642–48, the conflict between King Charles I of England and a large body of his subjects, generally called the "parliamentarians," that culminated in the defeat and execution of the king and the establishment of a republican commonwealth.
..... Click the link for more information. .
Bedfordshire
a county of S central England: mainly low-lying, with the Chiltern Hills in the south: the geographical county includes Luton, which became a separate unitary authority in 1997. Administrative centre: Bedford. Pop. (excluding Luton): 388 600 (2003 est.). Area (excluding Luton): 1192 sq. km (460 sq. miles)