CHILTERN HUNDREDS, a hilly district extending through part of Buckingham and Oxford shires. To this district is attached a nominal office in the gift of the crown, and the person holding it is called the Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. In former times the steward of these hundreds was an officer appointed by the crown to keep the peace there. As a member of the House of Commons cannot, strictly speaking, resign his seat, he may accomplish that object indirectly by accepting a nominal office under the crown, such as the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds.