Information Board at John Hampden Monument, Prestwood

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 13 Apr 2019

Situated in Honor End Lane, this information board is adjacent to the John Hampden Monument. It has the following wording on the left hand side: Who was John Hampden? John Hampden (1595-1643) was a local landowner and MP who lived at Hampden House, in nearby Great Hampden. Hampden was a longstanding opponent of the King's arbitrary rule and the trial resulting from his refusal to pay the Ship Money tax established him as a national figure. What was Ship Money? As its name suggests the tax replaced the feudal obligation to provide the ships, supplies and men to the Royal Navy in times of war. Traditionally the tax was only levied on the inhabitants of coastal areas. King Charles began to levy the Ship Money tax during the period when he ruled without a Parliament and this provoked resistance because England was not at war and it was extended to inland counties. What was the Ship Money Trial about? The Ship Money Trial is one of the most famous in British history. The key issue at stake was the Crown's right to levy Ship Money without Parliament's approval. The prosecution of John Hampden for his refusal to pay the 20 shillings (31) assessed on his lands in Prestwood (an enclave pertaining to Stoke Mandeville) became the test case in which this principle was challenged. The judges finally decided against Hampden but eventually the principles that Hampden fought for were enshrined in the 1689 Bill of Rights which prohibited extra-parliamentary taxation. You can find further information at "www.johnhampden.org". An image of John Hampden is at the top of this description. Middle Column FOR THESE LANDS IN STOKE MANDEVILLE JOHN HAMPDEN WAS ASSESSED IN TWENTY SHILLINGS SHIP MONEY LEVIED BY COMMAND OF THE KING WITHOUT AUTHORITY OF LAW, THE 4TH OF AUGUST 1635, BY RESISTING THE CLAIM OF THE KING IN LEGAL STRIFE, HE UPHELD THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE UNDER THE LAW, AND BECAME ENTITLED, TO GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE. HIS WORD ON THIS EARTH ENDED AFTER THE CONFLICT IN CHALGROVE FIELD THE 18TH JUNE 1643, AND HE RESTS IN GREAT HAMPDEN CHURCH W.E.1863 The right hand column indicates that this monument is managed by The Chiltern Society.

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