GADDESDEN, GREAT and LITTLE, (Hertfordshire) near Hemel-Hempftead, have Cawley-Wood and Ivingo-Hills to the N.W. Aldbury-
Cliffs on the S. W. and Dunstable-Downs to the N. and have their name from their situation in the vale where the r. Gade
rises. The manor of Great-Gaddesden, which is 1 m. to the E. of the Lesser, was by K. Hen. VII. granted to Tho. Stanley
Earl of Derby, in whose family it continued till the R. of Q. Eliz. when the heiresses of Ferdinando Earl of Derby
suffered a recovery of this manor, and conveyed it to Sir Rob. Cecil, then secretary of state, who granted it to Mr. Carey
of Berkhamsted, by whom it was conveyed to Rich. Speed. Nevertheless, it came afterwards to Sir Philip Carey of Cadington,
who, with Sir Henry Carey of Berkhamsted, conveyed it to the Ld. Ellesmere, Ld. Chan. of England, and from him it came to
the late D. of Bridgwater. Little-Gaddesden, 3 m. N. of Hemel-Hemsted, bel. formerly to the mon. of Bonhommes; but after
the Diss. it came to the crown, where it continued till Q. Eliz. granted it to the Lady Cheyney; but was afterwards sold
to Ralph Marinal, who conveyed it to Randolph Crew, by whom it was granted to Ld. Ellesmere and Sir John Egerton. About
half a m. off on the other side of the common that runs along by the D. of Bridgewater's park, there is a noble prospect
into 3 Cos. which is most beautifully diversified with woods, cliffs, rivers, and land both arable and pasture.