Broxbourne or Broxborne, a village, a township, and a parish in Herts, on the river Lea. The New river also runs through the parish. The village stands on the verge of the county, 1/2 of a mile W of the G.E.R., and 4 1/2 miles N by W of Waltham Abbey, has a station on the railway, and a post, money order, and telegraph office (S.O.) The township includes the village, and comprises 1932 acres; population of the civil parish, 776; of the ecclesiastical parish, 1179. The parish includes also part of the town and chapelry of Hoddesdon. The manor belonged to the Knights of St John, and passed to the Cocks, the Monsons, and others. Broxbourne-Bury is now the seat of the Smith-Bosanquets, and here Sir H. Cock entertained James I. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of St Albans; net value, £361 with residence. The church is a fine building of the Perpendicular period, dating about 1420, and consists of nave, chancel, aisles, and two small chapels, with a plain tower and beacon-turret; contains an old pillared font, Norman or Saxon, and many interesting brasses and monuments; was restored in 1857, and further repaired and improved in 1880. The perpetual curacy of Hoddesdon is a separate benefice. There are some decorative terra-cotta works, and some extensive nursery grounds in the neighbourhood. The village is also a favourite resort during the summer months on account of its facilities for boating and fishing.
