Antoninus, is a large parish which contains much of interest. Its
ancient names, Cestre, Ceaster, Cestrehunt, leave little doubt that it
was a Roman station.[3] At Roman Urn Inn, near the station, G.E.R., is
an urn imbedded in the wall; it was discovered close by some years ago,
and is probably of Roman manufacture. Cheston, yet another old name of
this spot, has been thought to be derived from the chestnut trees once
plentiful in the neighbourhood, of which many of the houses were built.
William I. gave the manor to Alan the Red, Earl of Brittany, and it
remained an appendage to that earldom for a long time. Edward III.
granted a weekly market to be held in the town every Monday. The Church
of St. Mary the Virgin was built in 1420 by Nicholas Dixon, who held the
living of Cheshunt for thirty years. It is Perp., entirely embattled;
the W. tower has an octagonal cupola. Restoration was carefully effected
during 1872-4, under Mr. G. F. Bodley. The rood-screen, lectern and
pulpit are of carved oak, all comparatively new. The memorials are very
numerous; amongst them may be noted (1) brass on chancel floor to the
above-mentioned Nicholas Dixon (d. 1448); (2) brass to William Pyke (d.
1449); (3) two female effigies, 1500-20; (4) altar tomb in chancel to
Robert Dacres, Privy Councillor to Henry VIII. There are windows of
stained glass to a former vicar (d. 1858); to General Miles (d. 1860),
and, in the tower, to one Robert Archer, for thirty-six years parish
clerk. N. from the main street, near the river Lea, stood a small
Benedictine nunnery. It originally belonged to the Canons of Cathele,
but Henry III. turned them out and gave the property and rights to the
"Prioress and Nuns of Cesthont". The college, a famous institution,
stands near the church; it was founded in 1768 by Selina, Countess of
Huntingdon, at Trevecca, near Talgarth, S. Wales, and removed to
Cheshunt after her death. A few years ago it was bought by the Church of
England, for use as a theological college. Close by, too, is the site of
Pengelly House, once the home of Richard Cromwell. Cheshunt Park (1 mile
N.) is full of memories of the Cromwells and the Russells. The Great
House, near Church Gate, was one of the many residences of Cardinal
Wolsey. Both the house and the moat are still preserved.
[Footnote 3: Chauncy writes: "This Vill in old Records was called
Cestrehunt, from Castrum in the Latin, which might, in all Probability,
import some castle erected here by the Romans; and the Saxons imitating
the name, though corruptly ... might from hence call it Cestrehunt".]
CHESS, river. (See Introduction.)
_Cheverell's Green_ (1½ mile N.W. from Flamstead, and about 4 miles N.W.
from Redbourn Station, M.R.) is a small hamlet and green adjoining
Beechwood Park.
_Childwick Green_ is 1 mile S. from Harpenden Common, and 2½ miles N.
from St. Albans.
CHIPPERFIELD (2½ miles W. from King's Langley Station, L.&N.W.R.) was
made an ecclesiastical parish in 1863. The small church on the common,
E.E. in style, built in 1837, is of little interest. There is a good
lich-gate at the N. entrance to the churchyard. The neighbourhood is
pleasant and varied.
_Chipping_ (2 miles N. from Buntingford) is a small village on the
Royston Road.
_Chivesfield (or Chesfield)_ is 2 miles N.E. from Stevenage Station,
G.N.R. It is locally famous for its ruined church. One John Wykins
was rector here as early as 1323. The windows were partly destroyed in
1642. Some interesting memorials were extant in Chauncy's day, and are
mentioned in the second volume of his _Antiquities_.
[Illustration: CHORLEY WOOD COMMON]
CHORLEY WOOD, a village 2½ miles N.W. from Rickmansworth, has a station
on the Met.R. near the Amersham Road. The church, E.E. in style, dates
from 1845, but was largely rebuilt in 1870. William Penn, the Quaker,
was married here. There are many pretty walks through the Valley of the
Chess, which flows between the village and Sarratt (_q.v._).
_Church End_ is a small hamlet in the parish of Albury, 3 miles E. from
Braughing Station, G.E.R.
_Clapgate_, a hamlet on the river Ash, is close to Church End.
_Clay End_ (1½ mile S.E. from Walkern) is about equidistant--5
miles--from Stevenage or Westmill Stations.
_Clay Hill_ is on the high road between Bushey and Bushey Heath
(_q.v._).
CLOTHALL (2¼ miles S.E. from Baldock) has an interesting church, chiefly
Perp., on a gentle hill. There is a good brass in the chancel to John
Vynter, first rector of the church (d. 1404), and one to John Wright,
Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, also rector here (d. 1519). On the
S. of the church is a small Dec. chantry chapel. Note also a sixteenth
century brass to the wife and sixteen children of William Bramfield of
Clothall. The Saxons are said to have called the spot Cley Hall, because
it stood on a hill of clay. Clothall Bury is a little to the E.
_Cockernhoe Green_ is 2½ miles S.W. from Offley, and 2½ miles N.E. from
Luton Station (Beds).
_Cockhampstead_ (2 miles N.E. from Braughing Station, G.E.R.) is near
Albury Hall.
CODICOTE (3 miles N.W. from Welwyn Station, G.N.R.) is a large village
on the Welwyn-Hitchin Road, with a pleasant heath a little W. The Church
of St. Giles is an ancient structure, E.E., restored in 1853; it stands
in a field ½ mile N. from the village. The S. chapel dates from 1312.
The embattled W. tower is a fine structure. There are several memorial
windows, comparatively modern.
COLE GREEN has a station on the G.N.R. branch line from Hatfield to
Hertford. From the station little is to be seen except the Cowper's Arms
and a few cottages.
_Coleman's Green_ (1½ mile S.E. from Wheathampstead Station, G.N.R.) is
prettily situated near the "Devil's Dyke" and Brocket Hall. John Bunyan
sometimes preached in a cottage here; a large chimney-stack, bearing an
inscription, still marks the spot, unless quite recently removed.
_Collier's End_ is on high ground, on the Old North Road, 2 miles S.W.
from Standon Station, G.E.R. It is a very typical English hamlet.
COLNE, river. (See Introduction.)
COLNEY HEATH (1 mile S. from Smallford Station, G.N.R.) is an
ecclesiastical parish. The brick church (1844) is in Byzantine style; it
has an apsidal chancel, and small N. porch and tower. The new West Herts
County Asylum is close by.
COLNEY STREET, on the main road from Radlett to St. Albans, forms an
almost equilateral triangle with Park Street and Bricket Wood Stations,
L.&N.W.R. It is only a few minutes' walk from the pretty church at
Frogmore (_q.v._).
_Common Moor_ may be visited from Croxley Green (¾ mile N.E. from
Rickmansworth) for an inspection of its large paper mill.
_Cooter's End_ is a tiny hamlet close to the M.R. on the Bedfordshire
border.
_Corey's Mill_, a hamlet 1 mile N. from Stevenage Station, G.N.R., is
named from an old mill, burnt in 1878.
COTTERED (3 miles W. from Buntingford) has a fine old church (Perp.).
There is a chapel on the N. side of the chancel erected by Edward
Pulter; the W. tower is embattled and carries a lofty spire. Several
memorials to the Pulter and Forester families are of the seventeenth
century. The church was restored in 1886. In the days of William I. the
_vill_ of Chodrei belonged to Walchelin, Bishop of Winchester. _Cottered
Lordship_, a farmhouse near the village, is one of the very oldest
dwellings in the county. The writer is assured by an expert that the
front door dates from 1450-80!
_Cromer_, a hamlet 5 miles S.W. from Buntingford, is prettily situated
in a valley, in a purely agricultural district.
_Cromer Hyde_ (1½ mile S. from Ayot Station, G.N.R.) consists of a
farmhouse, the Chequer's Inn, and a few old and picturesque cottages.
The nearest church is ½ mile S.E. at the corner of Brocket Hall Park.
_Croxley Green_ (¾ mile N.E. from Rickmansworth) is an ecclesiastical
parish near the river Chess. The church, built fifty years ago, is late
E.E. in style and has some good memorial windows.
_Cuffley_ is a small hamlet about midway between Cheshunt and Potter's
Bar (Middlesex) Stations, but a little N. from the straight line. The
Church of St. James at Goff's Oak (_q.v._) is 1 mile E.
_Cumberlow Green_ is 4 miles N.W. from Buntingford.
_Currants Bottom_, on the Bucks border, is close to Chorley Wood
Station, Met.R.
_Dane End_, or Munden Street, is 4 miles S.W. from Standon Station,
G.E.R. The nearest church (½ mile N.) is at Little Munden.
_Dane End_, 4 miles S. from Royston, is close to the Old North Road.
There are a few cottages and two farms.
_Dassells_ is a hamlet on the Old North Road, 1 mile E. from Westmill
Station, G.E.R. The little river Quin flows close by.
DATCHWORTH (1½ mile S.E. from Knebworth Station, G.N.R.) has a church
with some Norman portions. Its spire is conspicuous for miles round. The
larger portion is, however, Dec. Note (1) some good stained glass
windows in chancel; (2) chalice dated 1630. The church was restored in
1869-70. The place is very ancient; we read that four hides of land at
_Decewyrth_ were granted by an early Saxon king to the Monastery of St.
Peter at Westminster, and that in the reign of Edward III. Thomas de la
Mere, Abbot of St. Albans, transferred the patronage of this church to
the king.
_Dean End_ (¾ mile S. from Redbourn Station, M.R.) is a small hamlet.
_Delamore End_ is ½ mile E. from Flamstead, and near the high road to
Dunstable. The nearest railway station is Redbourn, 2½ miles S.E.
_Digswell_, a village on the river Maran, is ½ mile S.W. from Welwyn
Station, G.N.R. Looking E. the visitor will notice the Great Northern
Viaduct over the Maran Valley--a truly magnificent structure of forty
arches. The church, beautifully situated on the hill, is[h] E.E. It
contains a large but much mutilated brass to John Perient, Master of the
Horse to Joan of Navarre and Esquire to Richard II., Henry IV. and Henry
V. This interesting inscription being much defaced I will transcribe
from Chauncy: "Hic jacet Johannes Perient, Armiger pro corpore Regis
Richardi Secundi, et Penerarius ejusdem Regis, et Armiger. Regis Henrici
Quarti, et Armiger etiam Regis Henrici Quinti et Magister Equitum
Johannæ, filiæ Regis Navarr, et Regiæ Angliæ qui obiit--et Johanna uxor
ejus quondam capitalis Domicilla--quæ obiit 24 Aprilis Anno Dom. 1415."
Note also brasses (1) to John Perient, son of the above (d. 1442); (2)
William Robert, auditor of the diocese of Winchester (d. 1484); (3) to a
civilian, his wife, and ten children (_circa_ 1530); (4) to Thomas
Hoore, a mercer of London, his wife, and twelve children. The church was
restored in 1872.
_Digswell Water_ is a hamlet ½ mile E. from Digswell Church, and close
to Welwyn Station.
_Down Green_ is ½ mile W. from Wheathampstead Station, G.N.R.
_Driver's End_, a hamlet 2 miles W. from Knebworth Station, G.N.R., is
on the S.W. confines of Knebworth Park. One mile S. is the village of
Codicote. The neighbourhood is very pleasant.
_Dudswell_, a few cottages on the Grand Junction Canal, is ½ mile N.W.
from Northchurch village, and 2 miles N.W. from Berkhampstead Station,
L.&N.W.R.
_East End_ (1 mile S.E. from Cole Green Station, G.N.R.) is between
Panshanger Park and the River Lea. There is also a hamlet of the same
name on the Essex border, about 5 miles N.E. from Braughing Station,
G.E.R.
EASTWICK (1 mile N.W. from Burnt Mill Station, G.E.R.) is a parish near
the Essex border, on the river Stort. The church, rebuilt in 1873, is in
E.E. style. It is locally famous for its recumbent statue of a knight in
chain armour, resting on a raised slab; the legs are crossed. There is
neither date nor name; but it has been surmised (1) that the crossing of
the legs shows that he was probably a crusader, (2) that the effigy
dates from early in the thirteenth century and represents a member of
the De Toni or De Ros family. The former conjecture is undoubtedly
erroneous. There is a piscina in the chancel.
ELSTREE, formerly Idlestree, is a large village beautifully situated on
the Middlesex border; the station (M.R.) is to the N.E. at Boreham Wood.
At the N. end of the street a fine view stretches in the direction of
Radlett and St. Albans. The Church of St. Nicholas was founded by the
Benedictine monks of St. Albans in the fourteenth century; the present
structure is Dec. and dates from 1853. The monuments are unimportant;
but the wrought-iron chancel screen, designed by Sir A. W. Blomfield, is
worthy of careful scrutiny, as is also the vestry screen of carved oak.
The five-light E. window was presented by the pupil of a former rector,
John Morris, D.D. (d. 1848), to whom it is a memorial. In the old
churchyard, closed some years ago, was buried the notorious robber and
reputed murderer William Weare, who was murdered by Thurtell on Gill's
Hill, 2½ miles N.W., in 1823. Here, too, was buried Martha Reay, whose
life was a chronicle of crime; she was mistress to the Earl of Sandwich,
and was killed on leaving Covent Garden Theatre, in 1779. There is
excellent fishing to be had at Elstree Reservoir, a little W., in
Aldenham parish. Some archæologists have thought that the Roman city
_Sulloniacæ_ occupied (approximately) the site on which Elstree stands,
and Norden lent his authority to this hypothesis; but there is little
doubt that Brockley Hill near Edgware more closely corresponds in
position with the city mentioned in the _Itinerary_ of Antoninus.
_Epping Green_, a hamlet 1 mile S.E. from Little Berkhampstead, is at
the N. end of Punsborne Park. The nearest station is Cole Green
(G.N.R.), nearly 4 miles N.W.
ESSENDON is a pretty village on rising ground overlooking the Valley of
the Lea, 2 miles S. from Cole Green Station. The church, standing in the
park, was rebuilt in 1883; it was probably founded as early as the
twelfth century. It is now of flint, dressed with ancaster stone. Note
(1) alabaster monument to William Priestly (d. 1664); (2) brass and
effigy of William Tooke, auditor of the Court of Wards and Liveries (d.
1588); (3) shields from the tomb of Henry Courtenay, son of Henry,
Marquess of Exeter; (4) chalice bearing date 1570, given to the church
by Elizabeth Reynes; (5) Baskerville Bible presented by the First
Marquess of Salisbury. During restoration several slabs to the Tooke
family (1635-55) were discovered. _Essendon Place_ (David Citroen, Esq.)
is a fine house in a park of 100 acres; and _Bedwell Park_ (C. G.
Arbuthnot, Esq.) should be visited, by special permission, to view the
Belvedere Collection, including one of Murillo's many "Assumptions".
_Exnells_, near the river Ash, is a small hamlet 2 miles N.E. from
Hadham Station, G.E.R.
_Fanham Hall_ is 1 mile N.E. from Ware.
_Fisher's Green_ (½ mile N.W. from Stevenage) is a small hamlet.
_Flamstead_ (2½ miles N.W. from Redbourn Station, M.R.) lies on high
ground near the river Ver. The name is a corruption of Verlamstead, the
river having formerly been called the "Verlam". The church is in the
centre of the village; it is a large Dec. structure dating from the
fourteenth century; the nave is of six bays, with fine octagonal
pillars. The tower is very large and massive. Note (1) piscina in W.
wall of vestry, once a chapel; (2) piscina in chancel; (3) finely carved
oak chancel screen, dating from fifteenth century but restored in 1893;
(4) mutilated altar-tomb in nave, carved and crocketted, but bearing no
inscription, it is probably not later than 1400-20; (5) marble monument,
with Ionic columns, to Thomas Saunders of Beechwood; (6) brass to John
Oudeby, rector of the church (d. 1414); (7) effigy in armour to Sir
Bartholomew Fouke, Kt., for many years Master of the Household to Queen
Elizabeth (d. 1604). At _Beechwood Park_, so called because of the many
fine beeches in the neighbourhood, was once a Benedictine Nunnery. The
walk from Flamstead to Great Gaddesden, by way of Beechwood Park (about
6 miles), is very picturesque.
_Flamstead Bury_ is 1 mile W. from Redbourn Station, M.R., and midway
between the N. end of the village and a spot called Heaven's Gate.
_Flamstead End_ (1½ mile N.W. from Cheshunt Station, G.E.R.) is a
considerable hamlet.
_Flaunden_ (4 miles S.W. from Boxmoor Station, L.&N.W.R.) is a village
and parish on the Bucks border, with the river Chess 1¼ mile S. The
present church is modern, and local folk claim that it is the first
built by the late Sir Gilbert Scott. The font, and a few tiles, etc.,
were brought here from the old church at Flaunden Bottom near Chenies,
some ruins of which still remain. Chauncy tells us that Flaunden
belonged to the manor of Hemel Hempstead, that it was granted to one
Thomas Flaunden, who built a small church in the valley near the river
(Chess) with a small tower of timber at the W. end. Spiritual offices
were performed by a curate supplied from Hemel Hempstead, who served
Bovingdon and Flaunden by turns as duty required.
_Folly, The_ (a small hamlet 1 mile N.W. from Wheathampstead Station,
G.N.R.), is passed on the way to Harpenden or Mackery End. A little
farther W. is Batford Mill on the river Lea.
_Frithsden_ (or _Friesden_), a hamlet 2 miles N.E. from Great
Berkhampstead, stands in a beautiful district, with Ashridge Park to the
N.W. The nearest church is at the pretty village of Nettleden (_q.v._)
½ mile N.E. High Park Road, Evesden Wood, Marigold Wood, Holly Bush Wood
and Frithsden copses are all adjacent and may be visited during an
hour's ramble.
FROGMORE (¾ mile S.E. from Park Street Station, L.&N.W.R.) is a hamlet
between the villages of Park Street and Colney Street. The church is
modern, in late Norman style; it stands close to the high road from
Radlett to St. Albans. There are several memorial windows to local
persons. The village flower show has been held for many years in July,
and is well patronised and widely known. The river Colne flows between
this hamlet and Park Street Station.
FURNEAUX PELHAM (4 miles N.E. from Braughing Station, G.E.R.) has an
interesting E.E. and Perp. church. One of the six bells in the embattled
W. tower dates from before the Reformation; it bears, in black-letter,
the words "Sancta Katarina ora pro nobis"; upon the clock in the tower
are the words: "Time flies. Mind your business." Note (1) piscina and
sedilia in chancel; (2) piscina in each aisle; (3) Newport Chapel
adjoining S. aisle, built by the Robert Newport whose brass and effigy
is in the nave (d. 1518); (4) brass (mutilated) in chapel, representing
two figures, _temp._ Richard II.; (5) ambry (lancet headed) in chancel;
(6) three ancient stone coffins, discovered during restoration, one
bearing the words: "Simonis de Furneaux Filius". The De Furneaux were a
Norman family, to whom the village owes its name: Simon de Furneaux was
lord of the manor in the reign of Edward I. Close to the church is
_Furneaux Pelham Hall_ (recently unoccupied), a fine Elizabethan mansion
whose owners suffered several misfortunes during the civil wars.
GADDESDEN, GREAT (3 miles N.W. from Hemel Hempstead), is a village on
the river Gade at the foot of the hill that leads to Nettleden. The
church is close to the river side, and immediately behind the _Cock and
Bottle Inn_. It is an ancient structure of "Roman bricks" and flint
(E.E.), believed to date from, say, 1290; the tower was rebuilt in 1862.
There are many memorials to the Halsey family, but few others of any
interest. _Gaddesden Place_, in a park ½ mile E., is the seat of Rt.
Hon. T. F. Halsey, Esq., D.L., J.P. It was built from designs by Wyatt,
in 1774, in an Italian style.
GADDESDEN, LITTLE (4 miles N. from Berkhampstead Station, L.&N.W.R.), is
a straggling village on the confines of Ashridge Park. Pretty cottages
and tastefully planned gardens meet the eye everywhere. The church is
Perp. and contains many monuments to the Egerton family, Earls of
Bridgewater: (1) Sir John Egerton, Kt. (d. 1649); (2) Lady Frances,
Countess of Bridgewater (d. 1635); (3) John, Viscount Brackley, Lord of
the Privy Council (d. 1686); (4) Elizabeth, Countess of Bridgewater, a
"transcendently virtuous lady" of "beauty so unparallel'd that 'tis as
much beyond the art of the most elegant pen, as it surpasseth the skill
of several of the most exquisite pencils ... to describe and not
disparage it" (d. 1663); (5) Ann, Lady Egerton (d. 1625); (6) Francis,
third Duke of Bridgewater (d. 1803). The latter was styled the Father of
British Inland Navigation; and the tall column near Ashridge Park, 1¾
mile W. from the church, was erected to his memory in 1832.
_Gaddesden Green_ is practically one with the above, the marble cross
and fountain to the memory of Lady Marian Alford (d. 1888) being between
the village and the Green. Gaddesden Hoe is 2 miles E. from the S. end
of the Green.
_Gaddesden Row_ (3 miles N. from Hemel Hempstead Station, M.R.) is a
straggling hamlet equidistant (about 2 miles) from Flamstead and Great
Gaddesden.
GADE, river. (See Introduction.)
_Gallows Hill_ (½ mile S. from King's Langley Station, L.&N.W.R.) is a
hamlet. The Booksellers' Provident Retreat is here. It is also the name
of a hill between Hertford and Ware, on which stands the Joint Isolation
Hospital for the two towns.
_Gannock Green_ is 2½ miles S. from Ashwell Station, G.N.R. The nearest
church is at Sandon. Gannock Farm is ½ mile E.
_Gardener's End_ (3½ miles W. from Buntingford) is a hamlet in the
parish of Ardeley.
_Garston_ is 1¼ mile S.W. from Bricket Wood Station, L.&N.W.R.
_Gibraltar_, on the road from Harpenden to Luton, is on the Bedfordshire
border, close to Luton Hoo Park and Station, G.N.R.
GILSTON (2 miles N. from Burnt Hill Station (Essex) and about 2 miles
S.E. from Widford village) is a scattered parish. Chauncy says it was
probably waste ground at the time of the Conquest, as there is no
mention of it in _Domesday Book_. The church was very probably erected
by Geoffrey de Magnaville, who was Earl of Essex and Lord of the Manor
of Sabriesword (Sawbridgeworth) during the reign of Stephen. It is E.E.
and stands on the hill about ¼ mile N. from the Park. There is a fine
double piscina in the chancel, and some heraldic glass in the windows,
showing the coats of Astley, Bassett, Eastfield and Engayne. The
monuments to the Gore family are numerous; amongst those buried in the
church are (1) Sir John Gore, Kt. (d. 1659); he was twice sheriff of the
county, and a member of Cromwell's second Protectorate Parliament; (2)
Dame Dorothy Gore (Kempe), second wife to the foregoing (d. 1645); (3)
Dame Persis, wife to Sir Humphrey Gore, Kt. (d. 1665); (4) in
churchyard, John, eldest son of the said Sir Humphrey (d. 1691). The
Feathers, a fine old inn (_circa_ 1680), still stands in this village;
an excellent photograph of it was reproduced in the _Home Counties
Magazine_ (Oct. 1901). _Gilston Park_, beautiful but not very extensive,
should be visited; for the mansion (A. S. Bowlby, Esq., M.A., J.P.,
etc.) stands near the site of _New Place_, successively the home of the
Chauncys, Gores and Plumers. The house was enlarged and beautified by
Sir Humphrey Gore, who was knighted at Whitehall in 1660. In 1701 it
passed into the hands of Col. John Plumer, whose family is so well known
to readers of the _Essays of Elia_. It was his grandson William (d.
1822) whom Lamb calls "a fine old Whig". This William left no family, so
the house at Gilston Park and his other house, the famous "Blakesmoor in
H----shire" of Lamb's essay, passed to his widow (and cousin) Jane
Hamilton, a daughter of Hon. George Hamilton, Canon of Windsor.
_Goff's Oak_ (2½ miles W. from Cheshunt Station, G.E.R.) is a hamlet
which owes its name to the fine oak, a part of which still stands near
the Goff's Oak Inn at the S. extremity of Cheshunt Common.
GORHAMBURY. (See St. Albans.)
_Gosmore_ (2 miles S.W. from Hitchin Station, G.N.R.) is a small
village. The nearest church is at Ippollitts (_q.v._).
_Gossoms End_ is on the road from Berkhampstead to Tring, ¼ mile S.E.
from Northchurch.
GRAVELEY (1½ mile N.E. from Stevenage Station, G.N.R.) is a village off
the Great North Road. By walking from Stevenage towards Little
Wymondley[i] a pretty view over Graveley may be obtained from a gateway
near some cottages on the right. The ancient church of brick and flint
is late Norman with embattled tower; it was restored in 1886-7. The
carved oak chancel-screen is ancient; there are windows of stained glass
to the memory of local rectors. The present N. aisle was added during
restoration. The manor of Graveley is of great antiquity; it was given
by William I. to William, Earl of Ewe. Graveley is perhaps Saxon for
"the Reeve's land," and Norden thinks the place took its name from a
Reeve of the county in pre-Norman times. Near the village a beacon was
employed "once upon a time" to give warning of the approach of enemies.
One mile N. from the church is Jack's Hill, once the haunt of a robber,
"Jack o' legs," the hero of many a legend known in the district. His
grave is shown in Weston churchyard, 2 miles E. from Jack's Hill.
_Gravesend_ (3½ miles N.E. from Braughing Station, G.E.R.) is a hamlet
on the road from Little Hadham to Furneaux Pelham. Albury church is 1
mile S.