Chantry House

C 1930

C1991

Opposite the Westbury Gates stands the Chauntry House an old thatched cottage.

An extract from the Chauntry Certificates for Hertfordshire says “Opposite the Westbury Gates stands an old cottage mentioned in the Herts. Monument’s Report. It was built in the 15th Century. Near the west end are the remains of a 15th Century stone window of two trefoiled lights in a square head with moulded work.” It is believed that this was the chauntree house in the hands of John Smarte Clerke worth by the yere XIIIs IIId. The old report goes on: – “John Smarte is of the age of X/III yeres, a man of godlie conversation, having no other lyvinge but the said Chauntree.”

The Chapel of the Chauntry stood in the north-east corner of the Chancel of the Parish Church.