Hatfield

There are besides four churches recently erected in the parish-viz: at Wood Hill and Hatfield Hyde, both built by the Marquis of Salisbury; at Lemsford Mills by Lady Cowper, and one at Newgate-street dedicated to St. Mary. This last was erected and endowed by Thomas Mills, Esq., M.P. and J.P., who also built a school with a residence adjoining. The Independents have a chapel, and there is a public library recently established. There are several charities, producing altogether about £117 per annum, part of which is for education, and part an endowment of the almshouses, founded by one of the Cecil family. There are several schools, including Church of England, National, and infant and district schools at Woodside, Cromer Hyde, and Newgate Street. The chief seats are Hatfield House, of the Marquis of Salisbury, and Brocket Hall, of Viscount Palmerston. The former is a large Elizabethan brick building with enrichments of stone, built by the first Earl of Salisbury in 1605-11, and restored by Thorpe. It stands near the site of the palace of the bishops of Ely, which was burnt in 1835, when the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury perished. Both Edward VI. and Elizabeth were here when galled to the throne-the latter in a sort of confinement; and the oak-tree under which the princess sat awaiting the arrival of her troops to escort her to London to be proclaimed queen, is still preserved in the park, being carefully fenced round. Charles I. was confined here for some time by order of parliament, and Queen Victoria visited the mansion in October, 1846. In the hall is a gallery of paintings, including portraits of the great statesman Burleigh; Sir Robert, and others of the Cecil family, by Lely and Kneller; Richard III.; Margaret, mother of Henry VII.; Henry VIII.; Anne Boleyn; Mary Queen of Scots; Elizabeth; and Dudley, Earl of Leicester: also a library containing many rare MSS. and original letters, including those of Sir Robert Cecil to James I. before his ascending the English throne, and recently published for the Camden Society. The park, which is the most extensive in the county, is bounded on the N. by the river Lea, and on the W. by the Great North road. Brocket Hall, now the property of Viscount Palmerston, was the residence of the late Lord Melbourne, and at which he was visited by her Majesty Queen Victoria. The park comprises 500 acres, and is adorned by the windings of the river Lea. Hatfield Woodall was an old seat of the Bassingbournes and Botelers, but is now pulled down. The Marquis of Salisbury is lord of the manor, and chief proprietor of the parish. Thursday is market day, and fairs are held on the 23rd April and 18th October.