THIS little book is intended for the ordinary individual rather than the earnest student or the ardent antiquary. As I have attempted to embellish the dry bones of history and to present the undoubted beauties and charms of the corner of England that lies upon the Herts and Essex border in a manner likely to interest the former, my effort will possibly appear to the latter to have several shortcomings. That part of the book dealing with Cheshunt has presented some difficulty. One day, perhaps, some industrious historian will prepare a really good history of the ancient parish of Cheshunt, and utilise to the best purpose the wealth of material that lies hidden away in the parish chests. To the Rev. J. H. Stamp, I am indebted for reading the proofs and for some valuable information, as well as for his kind permission to use the chronological data prepared by him. To Mr. H. Collingwood Lee my thanks are also due for his kind assistance. FREEMAN BUNTING. WHITE WEBBS, July, 1905. The Publisher’s Address to the Reader. THIS little volume forms one of the Homeland Handbooks, a series founded in 1897, with a view of providing adequate information respecting special localities and districts. They are issued at popular prices, and contain everything likely to interest the intelligent visitor regarding the History, Traditions, Worthies, and Antiquities of the neighbourhoods with which they deal. In each case the books are written by a qualified Author, with special local knowledge. Other Volumes in the Series likely to interest the reader of this book are as follows:— CLOTH. PAPER. Hertford, and the Country of Charles Lamb and 2/- 1/- Izaak Walton The City of St. Albans, its Abbey and its 2/6 1/- Surroundings Dunstable and its Surroundings 2/- 1/- _A full list will be found on pages_ ii _and_ iii. * * * * * The Homeland Association for the Encouragement of Touring in Great Britain, Association House, _22_, Bride Lane, Fleet Street, E.C. ‘DON’TS’ FOR PICNIC PARTIES. THE Council of the Selborne Society urgently requests visitors to treat the country they are visiting with the reverence due to natural beauty. DON’T gather such quantities of wild flowers and ferns that before the day is over you are obliged to throw them away on the roadside. By such gathering you injure the flora of the district, and you take away pleasures from many people who like to see flowers and ferns growing in their native haunts. DON’T disturb the birds in their breeding season. DON’T litter the places visited with waste papers or torn letters. DON’T leave empty bottles and other débris of your picnic to vulgarise the spots, the scenery of which you have been enjoying. HAROLD’S TOWN AND ITS VICINITY.