Disputes arose several times, especially during the thirteenth century, as to the extent of the borough’s independence.

The sheriffs of Bedford and various judges tried to treat the town like other parts of Bedfordshire, as though it had no borough privileges.

Unlike the priory, the king had nothing to gain by guarding the town’s independence as a borough.

[2] For the next three hundred years the town was governed by the parish and county authorities, in the same way as most rural areas.

Under the act, towns which had borough status or local boards were not to be grouped into highways districts.

[5][6] Less than a year after the formation of the Local Board, the town petitioned Queen Victoria for a charter to become a borough.

The charter was drawn up and came into force on 8 December 1864, incorporating the parish of Dunstable as a Municipal Borough.

The first mayor of the new borough was Charles Stockdale Benning, and the first meeting of the new council was held on 28 March 1865 at Dunstable Town Hall.

[9][10][11] A market hall had been built in Dunstable in 1803 by the Duke of Bedford, who owned the manorial rights at the time.

[18] The council then also acquired Priory House at 33 High Street South in 1956 for additional office space.