Chalfont St Giles
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Chalfont St Giles is a village in south east Bucks on the edge of the Chilterns, 25 miles from London, and near to Seer Green, Jordans, Chalfont St Peter, Little Chalfont and Amersham.
Chalfont means chalk spring, in reference to the water carrying capacities of the local terrain. St Giles was a saint.
There is a Norman church originally built between 1150-1180, with a fine example of a lychgate. There is also a duck pond, which receives it's water from the River Misbourne.
Separated from Chalfont St Peter in 1237, Chalfont St Giles can be considered a village in its own right from this date, though it did not have its own parish council till 1894.
During the Great Plague of 1665, John Milton retired to Chalfont St Giles, which is where he completed his epic poem Paradise Lost. His cottage is still located in the village, and is open to the public. The inspiration for Paradise Regained is said to have been found in this parish from a conversation with one of the local residents.
Chalfont St Giles is also the burial place of Bertram Mills and the birthplace of J.T. Hearne one of the greatest bowlers of the 1890s and 1900s, who also died here in 1944.
External links
- Village website (http://www.chalfontstgiles.org.uk/)
- Milton's cottage (http://www.miltonscottage.org/)
- CSG Cricket Club website (http://chalfontstgiles.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp)