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General
It is likely that the name Hampden comes from the Old English hamm and denu meaning ‘a valley with a homestead'. In the Domesday Book of 1086 the name appears as Hamdenam. The manor had belonged to the Hampdens, an ancient family, for many generations until the family died out with the death of John Hampden in 1754. In the 2001 Census the population of the parish of Great and Little Hampden was 259.
Tradition has it that Edward III and the Black Prince visited Hampden which turned out to be costly for the owner. While the prince and his host were exercising themselves in feats of chivalry, a quarrel broke out and the prince was struck a blow on his face. He immediately departed the manor with his royal father and seized some valuable manors belonging to his host as punishment. This tale gave rise to a local rhyme:
Tring, Wing, and Ivinghoe,
Hampden did foregoe,
For striking of a blow,
And glad he did escape so.
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Hampden Common
It is said that a ghostly coach and horses has been seen racing down the hill from Hampden Common in the direction of Speen.
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