CHICKSANDS, a liberty (extra-parochial), in the hundred of CLIFTON, county of BEDFORD, 1§ mile (W. N, W.) from Shefford, containing 56 inhabitants. A priory for canons-and nuns of the rule of St. Gilbert of Sempringham was founded, in 1150, by Pain de Beauchamp, and the Lady Roas, his wife; the two quadrangles, with the cloisters, remain entire, and have been converted into a modern mansion.