BRENT PELHAM (1 mile from Essex border and 5 miles E. from Buntingford) is an interesting village, formerly called Burnt Pelham because, as tradition states, both village and church were destroyed by fire during the reign of Henry I. Traces of the fire existed in the days of Norden (circa 1548-1626).  The church—­near which the old stocks may still be seen—­is E.E., with the embattled western tower so frequent in Herts.  It is locally famous for a tomb in the N. wall, said to mark the resting-place of one Piers Shonkes, a serpent slayer who lived in the time of William I. The tomb bears some allegorical figures, which have been the subject of diverse interpretations. Pelham Hall (E.  E. Barclay, Esq.), “a slight but well contrived House in this Mannor, near the Church,” was built in 1620 by one Edward Newport.  It was once owned by the Floyers or Flyers, a family to whose memory there are several memorials in the church.

Brickendon is now partly included in the borough of Hertford.  There are some imposing residences in the neighbourhood.

BRICKET WOOD is almost exactly midway between St. Albans and Watford; it consists of some cottages scattered around an extensive wood and common, crossed by L.&N.W.R.  The station is 1/2 mile from the “wood,” which is much frequented by picnic parties, school treats, etc.  The district is good ground for the field botanist and entomologist.

Broadfield (21/4 miles N.W. from Buntingford) is a hamlet near Cottered, on the hill N. from that village.  The hall was once a much larger structure (engraved in Chauncy, vol. i.); it was in part rebuilt in 1882, but still retains a portion believed to date from the fifteenth century.

Broadwater is a hamlet at the meeting of the roads from Stevenage, Hatfield and Hertford.  The nearest station is Knebworth (11/4 mile S.).

Broadway (11/2 mile S.E. from Berkhampstead) has a Dec. chapel-of-ease to the parish church.  It was erected in 1854.  A short walk takes one to the ruined chapel of St. Mary Magdalen on the Bucks border.

Bromley (11/2 mile S.E. from Standon Station, G.E.R.) is a small hamlet.

Broomin Green (3/4 mile S.W. from Stevenage Station, G.N.R.) is a hamlet near the railway and 1/2 mile from the Six Hills. (See Stevenage.)

[Illustration:  BROXBOURNE CHURCH]

BROXBOURNE, a large village near the river Lea and New River, is a favourite fishing resort.  The church stands on high ground overlooking the mill-leat; it is a fine Perp. structure, dating from early in the fifteenth century.  The N. chancel-chapel was built by Sir William Say, “in honor a ye Trenete the yere of our Lord God 1522”; his tomb is in the chancel.  The church was restored in 1857; the roof is of fine oak panelling; the font, on eight pillars, is probably Early Norman.  There are brasses to a priest holding a chalice (circa