Hunsdon, Hertfordshire

Description
Hunsdon, a village and a parish in Herts. The village stands near the river Stort and the boundary with Essex, 2 miles NE from Eoydon station on the G.E.K., and 5 ESE from Ware, and has a post office under Ware; money order and telegraph office, Stanstead Abbots. The parish comprises 1971 acres; population, 532. The manor belonged to the Ferrars, the Engaines, the Goldingtons, the Oldhalls, and the mother of Henry VII.; had a castle of the Oldhalls, and was made an honour by Henry VIII. Hunsdon House, a moated mansion, was built on the site of the Oldhall's castle, by Henry VIII.; was occupied or visited by Henry VIIL's children; and was given by Queen Elizabeth to her cousin Cary, Lord Hunsdon. The building, now almost wholly modernized, is the seat of the Charrington family. The living is a rectory in the diocese of St Albans; net value, £224 with residence. The church is a building of flint in the Early Perpendicular style; consists of chancel, N aisle, nave, and mortuary chapel, with tower and spire; and contains a curious brass and several handsome monuments. Hunsdon Bury, Mead Lodge, and Briggins Park are chief residences.