Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

Description
Hughenden, a parish in Bucks, about 2 miles N from High Wycombe station on the G.W.R. It has a post office under Wycombe; money order and telegraph office. High Wycombe. Area, 5828 acres; population of the civil parish, 1765; of the ecclesiastical, 910. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Oxford; net yearly value, £192 with residence, in the gift of Coningsby Balph Disraeli. The church, which dated from Norman times having fallen into decay, was almost entirely rebuilt in 1874-75 in rough flint with dressings of stone. It contains a brass of the 15th century and several monuments of the De Montfort and Wellesbume families, but its chief interest is found in that it contains the grave and numerous interesting memorials of the late Earl of Beaconsfield. The Earl, when Benjamin Disraeli, purchased in 1847 the manor of Hoghenden with the manor house, which remained his seat until his death, 19 April, 1881, and his body was laid in his family vault at the eastern end of the De Montfort chapeL Since his death the interior walls of the chancel have been beautifully decorated, some exceedingly handsome stained windows inserted, and other valuable gifts have been bestowed upon the church as tributes to his memory. Among the latter must be mentioned a monument in white Sicilian marble, erected by Her Majesty the Queen, which contains, together with a profile portrait and the arms of the deceased earl, the inscription following:-" To the Dear and Honoured Memory of Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield. This Memorial is placed by his Grateful Sovereign and Friend, Victoria R.I. ' Kings love him that speaketh right'-Proverbs xvi. 13. February 27, 1882." By command of the Queen the banner and other insignia of the Garter were removed from St George's chapel, Windsor, and were placed over the seat formerly occupied by the Earl in the chancel of the church. The font of the church is late Norman. There is a singularly beautiful alabaster and marble pulpit with carved figures erected in 1892 to the memory of Mr Searight, through whose munificence the church was rebuilt There are a Baptist and two Primitive Methodist chapels, and several useful charities. The manor belongs now to Coningsby Ralph Disraeli, devisee of the late Earl. The manor house is a mansion of brick and stone in the Jacobean style, standing in a well-wooded park of 140 acres, and commanding a fine view of the Wycombe valley. It contains some interesting portraits and a library of some value.