Burnham Hundred (Burnham)

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... part of Chiltern Hundreds, Buckinghamshire

The Chiltern Hundreds date back to the 13th century, and probably to the Anglo-Saxon period. A hundred is a traditional division of an English county, and the hilly, wooded hundreds of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire were once notorious as a hiding place for robbers. A Crown Steward was appointed to maintain law and order in the area, but the position's duties ceased to be required in the 16th century, and the holder ceased to gain any benefits during the 17th century. The Chiltern Hundreds are Stoke, Desborough, and Burnham.

[edit] Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds

Tony Blair, Steward of the Chiltern HundredsThe positions of Steward and Deputy Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds are now used as a procedural device to effect resignation from the House of Commons, as British MPs are not permitted simply to resign their seat, a legal anomaly dating back to past centuries when Members of Parliament (MPs) were often elected to serve against their will.

As an instrument of resignation, the role is alternated with that of Steward and Deputy Steward of the Manor of Northstead in Yorkshire. Under the Act of Settlement, any Member of Parliament accepting an office of profit under the Crown must give up his or her seat. The "office" is conferred by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and held until such time as another MP applies.

The current steward of the Chiltern Hundreds is Tony Blair from 27 June 2007.
Previous ones include Neil Kinnock and Betty Boothroyd.