Chiltern Hundreds
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The Chiltern Hundreds date back to the 13th century, and probably to the Anglo-Saxon period. A hundred is a traditional division of an English county, and the hilly, wooded hundreds of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire were once notorious as a hiding place for robbers. A Crown Steward was appointed to maintain law and order in the area, but the position's duties ceased to be required in the 16th century, and the holder ceased to gain any benefits during the 17th century. The Chiltern Hundreds are Stoke, Desborough and Burnham.
The positions of Steward and Deputy Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds are now used as a procedural device to allow resignation from the House of Commons. Those of Steward and Deputy Steward of the Manor of Northstead in Yorkshire are also used as a device for resignations. Formerly any one taking office under the crown (including ministers) was automatically disqualified from membership of the house, and had to be re-elected. This need to be re-elected has been abolished, except in the case of these four offices, which were preserved to facilitate resignations.
See also
- List of Stewards of the Chiltern Hundreds
- Aylesbury Hundreds
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