Braintfield (St. Andrew)

BRAINTFIELD (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union of Hertford, hundred of Cashio, or liberty of St. Alban's, though locally in the hundred of Hertford, county of Hertford, 3½ miles (N. W.) from Hertford; containing 201 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £11. 6. 8., and in the patronage of Abel Smith, Esq.: the tithes have been commuted for £326, and there are about 35 acres of glebe. According to Matthew Paris, this was the first preferment held by Thomas à Becket; and a small pond near the parsonage-house still bears his name.