Chiltern Hundreds

an English stewardship. The hundred is a division of many English counties dating from the time of Alfred. Very possibly it may have been a portion of a county supposed to have 100 fighting men. The term was introduced into our middle colonies and still lingers in Delaware. The Chiltern Hundreds are a hilly game district of Buckinghamshire which has long belonged to the crown. The stewardship of this district is now a nominal position, but being by tradition a position of honor and profit, its holder may not sit in Parliament. As a member of Parliament may not resign, a member wishing to vacate his seat requests an appointment as steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. This appointment releases him from Parliament. The steward may, of course, resign, which leaves the way clear for another appointment. The royal assent is in this way obtained before a member may resign his seat in Parliament. See Parliament