Clavering (St. Mary and St. Clement)

CLAVERING (St. Mary and St. Clement), a parish, in the union of Saffron-Walden, hundred of Clavering, N. division of Essex, 7½ miles (N. by W.) from Bishop-Stortford; containing 1172 inhabitants. The parish borders on the county of Hertford, and comprises by computation 3691 acres, of which about 500 are in woods and plantations; the soil is various, consisting of chalk, clay, sand, and a light gravel. A small stream, rising in Arkesden, unites with a rivulet from Langley, and pursues its course through the parish to the river Stort. The village is irregularly built, but contains some respectable houses, and the surrounding scenery is agreeably diversified. The living is an endowed vicarage, with that of Langley annexed, valued in the king's books at £22. 13. 11½.; patrons and impropriators, the Governors of Christ's Hospital: the great tithes have been commuted for £504, and the vicarial for £465. 6., and the glebe contains 7¼ acres, with a glebe-house. The church is a spacious and handsome edifice of stone, with an embattled tower. There is a place of worship for Independents.