BADMINTON

also called Great Badminton village (parish), South Gloucestershire unitary authority, historic county of Gloucestershire, England. Badminton House, seat of the dukes of Beaufort, stands in a large park in the locality. The original manor of Badminton was acquired in 1608 from Nicholas Boteler (to whose family it had belonged for several centuries) by Thomas, Viscount Somerset of Cashel, third son of Edward, 4th earl of Worcester. The present ducal mansion was built in 1682 in Palladian style on the site of the old manor house. The game of badminton derives its name from the estate. The park is also well known for its horse trials. Pop. (1981) 283.