The market town of Princes Risborough is in the West of the county. The town has Saxon origins and for hundreds of years was held by royalty, early on being held by Edward the Confessor. William the Conqueror granted the manor (then known as Great Risborough) to one of his loyal companions Walter Giffard. In the 12th century the manor reverted back to crown ownership. King Charles I finally sold the manor to the City of London in 1628 to repay some of his debts. The most notable royal owner of the manor was the Black Prince, Edward the son of Edward III. The manor gained it's name Princes Risborough during his time.
Princes Risborough was granted a market charter in 1523 by King Henry VIII. Princes Risborough became a centre for a number of industries including bed and furniture manufacturing in the last century with some manufacturers still in the town.
St Mary's church dates from the 12th century though much of the surviving church is from later centuries.
Nowadays many of the inhabitants are commuters to London, the railway station opening in 1862.
