Chartridge - More about the Middle Ages

At the end of the 12th century Robert de Charderugge obtained 18 acres of land in Chesham from Ralf de Purlel for 30 sols (shillings). At about the same time Ralf de Chadrigge also held land in Chesham - part of his wife Joan's dowry. Through her mother Emma, Joan was related to a major land-holding family in Chesham, the Sifrewasts. In 1200 Joan's father, Osbert de la Mere, was in dispute with his inlaws over land given as part of Emma's dowry. He failed to win the case, but the loss must have been important to the de la Meres as Robert, Joan's brother, tried unsuccessfully to regain the land 23 years later.

The Sifrewast family held a good deal of land in and around Chesham in the 12th and 13th centuries. The family held the manor of Chesham Bury which included lands in Chartridge and Pednor. They gave the Pednor estate to Missenden Abbey in the 12th century around the time that the Abbey was founded by Hugh de Missenden (later de Noers). The Sifrewasts also had several disagreements with the Wedon family over land in the 13th century. By the mid-16th century the Wedons owned Pednor Farm and Thomas Wedon became Chesham's most celebrated benefactor by founding the almshouses that bear his name.