Chiltern Hundreds
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia · John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
The offices of steward or bailiff of His Majesty's three Chiltern Hundreds of Stoke, Desborough, and Bonenham; or the steward of the Manor of Northsted. These offices have sometimes been refused, but they are ordinarily given to any member of the House of Commons who applies for them as a means of ceasing to be a member of the House, an office which cannot be resigned; but which becomes vacant upon the acceptance of any other office by a member. The office is retained until the appointment is revoked to make way for the appointment of another holder. The practice began about 1750. The offices of steward of the Manor of East Hendred and Hempholme were last used for this purpose in 1840 and 1865 respectively. Chiltern Hundreds is an appointment under the hand and seal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 1861, and since, the words "reposing especial trust and confidence," etc., were omitted.
May, Parl. Pr. 642.