HUNSDON, (Hertfordshire) a rectory on the N. side of Hodsdon, near the r. Lea's conflux with the Stort, and 2 m. N. of Stansted, stands in a fine gravelly soil and good air, and was formerly parcel of that manor. After it became a distinct manor, it was purchased of Mr. Goldington by Sir Will. Oldhall, who forfeited it to the crown, by being in arms for K. Rich. III. at Bosworth field; yet it is said his son, being restored, built a grand house here in the form of a castle. K. Henry VII. settled it on his mother, and Thomas Earl of Derby her husband, for their lives. After their decease, King Henry VIII. granted it to Thomas D. of Norfolk, in special tail, from whom it reverted to the crown, and the K. erected a palace here, where he kept his children; and having annexed the manors of Royden and Stansted to it, made them an honour, and this manor the capital place of it. K. Edw. VI. settled it on his sister the Lady Mary, on whose accession to the throne, it was vested in the crown again, and there rested till Q. Eliz. gave it, with the title of Baron of Hunsdon, to her mother Anne of Bullen's nephew, Sir Henry Carey, her Ld. chamberlain, &c. as was also Sir George, his son and successor in the barony, ancestors to the present Ld. His grand-nephew, John Ld. Hunsdon, who was also Visc. Rochford and Earl of Dover, sold this manor to William Willoughby, Esq; brother to Ld. Willoughby of Parham, who succeeded him in this barony. His son, William, sold this manor, about anno 1671, to William Bluck, Esq; one of the six clerks in chancery, whose son, Matthew, lived here, anno 1700. Robert Chester, Esq; lately built a seat in this p. on a beautiful hill, with a fine prospect, and inclosed it with a park.