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Chiltern Hundreds
(The). There are three, viz. Stoke, Desborough, and
Bonenham (or Burnham). At one time the Chiltern Hills, between Bedford
and Hertford, etc., were covered with beech trees which formed shelter
for robbers; so a steward was appointed by the Crown to put down these
marauders and protect the inhabitants of the neighbourhood from
depredations. The necessity of such watch and ward has long since
ceased, but the office remains; and, since 1750, when a Member of
Parliament wishes to vacate his seat, one way of doing so is by
applying for the stewardship of the three Chiltern Hundreds. The
application being granted, the Member is advanced to an office under
the Crown, and his seat in the House is ex officio vacated.
Immediately the Member has effected his object, he resigns his office
again. The gift is in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It
was refused to a Member for Reading in 1842.
The Stewardships used for a similar purpose were Old Sarum (in
Sussex), East Hendred (in Berks), the Manor of Poynings (in Sussex),
Hempholwic (in Yorkshire), all of which have dropped out of use. The
Stewardship of the Manor of Northstead (in Yorks) survives (1894), but
the Escheatorships of Munster and Ulster were abolished in 1838.
The London Gazette of August 4, 1893, announced that the
“Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed William Henry Grenfell to be
steward and bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds in the room of John
Morrogh, resigned.”
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Chiltern Hundreds from Infoplease:
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