Munden, Great (St. Nicholas)

MUNDEN, GREAT (St. Nicholas), a parish, in the union of Ware, hundred of Broadwater, county of Hertford, 2 miles (W. by N.) from Puckeridge; containing, with the hamlet of Munden-Furnival, and part of the hamlets of Dane-End and Haultwick, 477 inhabitants. In the reign of Henry II., a Benedictine nunnery was founded at Rownay, in the parish, and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, by Conan, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond; but falling into decay, it was surrendered in the reign of Henry VI., and its revenues were appropriated to the maintenance of a chantry priest, till the Dissolution, when the income was returned at £13. 10. 9.: there are still some slight remains. The parish comprises by measurement 3300 acres, of which 150 are woodland, 550 pasture, and the remainder arable; the soil is a stiff clay, and the surface undulated. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £21. 9. 7., and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes have been commuted for £785, and the glebe comprises 76 acres. The church is a neat structure, in the early English style.