a large and populous town of Hartfordshire in England, situated near a large wood called Hitchwood. The manor was the ancient demesne of the kings of England, as it continues at this day; and it has been the dower of several of their queens. The town is reckoned the second in the county for number of streets, houses, and inhabitants. It was formerly famous for the staple commodities of the kingdom, and divers merchants of the staple of Calais resided here, since which that trade is lost. The inhabitants now make large quantities of malt; and the market is one of the greatest in England for wheat. Population 3628. W. Long. o. 10. N. Lat. 51. 58.