Chiltern Hundreds is an area partly in Berkshire and partly in Buckinghamshire, England. It is known in its connection with one of the methods by which members of the United Kingdom Parliament may vacate their seats. Parliamentary law prevents members of Parliament from resigning, but it does allow them to disqualify themselves by accepting an office of profit from the Crown.
Stewards of the Chiltern Hundreds used to be appointed to rid the district of robbers. In time, this appointment came to involve no duties. In about 1750, a member of Parliament applied for the stewardship so that he could vacate his seat. A salary of 20 shillings (now 1 United Kingdom pound) a year was enough to make the appointment an office of profit under the Crown. When a member of Parliament “takes the Chiltern Hundreds,” the grant to the last holder ceases. There were once eight such stewardships, but only the Chiltern Hundreds and the Manor of Northstead survive.
