HUNDRED

A hundred is a territorial division, having for its object the more convenient and efficient administration of justice; anciently subsisting in other countries, particularly France and Lombardy, as well as in England, and.adopted in this country as the subdivision of a county. The institution of the hundred, as well as that of the county and tything, is, upon no precise authority, usually referred to the reign of Alfred; but it is probable that the division was of an older date, and that it was not introduced into all parts of England at the [s. 579]