Place:Chrishall, Essex, England

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source: Family History Library Catalog

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Chrishall (pronounced Chris hall) is a small village in the English county of Essex. It is located south of Cambridge and lies equidistant between the two medieval market towns of Saffron Walden and Royston. Although in Essex, Chrishall lies close to its borders with Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire and has a 'Hertfordshire' postcode (SG8).

The village was listed in the Domesday Book as Cristeshalla, or "nook of land dedicated to Christ". In 1422, (1 Henry VI), it appears in a record as "Cristeshale".

The Icknield Way, a Neolithic track, passes through the parish.

Chrishall's location is key to its character; as the village sits at the highest point in Essex, at above sea level, road construction has avoided this high ground and therefore Chrishall is off the beaten track. Despite its relative isolation the village retains facilities such as a pre-school as well as a primary school. The village also boasts a sports field, a new playground, a church, a village hall and many clubs and societies as well as the Red Cow public house.

Chrishall's population has remained largely unchanged over the last 170 years. In 1841 it totalled 518 and today about 450 people live in the village.

Notable residents include the English composer, John Rutter.

The parish was part of the Saffron Walden Rural District from 1894 until 1974. Since 1974 it has been located in the Uttlesford District of Essex.

Research Tips

• A map of Saffron Walden Rural District.
• The Recorders of Ucclesford History provides a series of webpages on most of the parishes in Ucclesford District. They also host transcriptions from various parishes provided by local family history societies.