Hatfield House, the perfect Jacobean mansion and home to the Cecils

Posted in Architecture, Country House, Historical articles, History, Politics, Royalty on Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Click on any image for details about licensing for commercial or personal use.

This edited article about Hatfield House originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 702 published on 28 June 1975.

Hatfield House, picture, image, illustration

A picture history of Hatfield House

Only 21 miles from London, is this celebrated Jacobean house which stands in its own great park. It was built between 1607-12 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Prime Minister to James I. It has been the family home of the Cecils ever since.

The accounts show that the design is due to Robert Lyminge and supervised by Simon Basil, the predecessor to Inigo Jones as Surveyor of the King’s Works.

The plan is unusual in that it was among the earliest to combine domestic comfort with provision for State visitors or as we would call them now, V.I.P’s. The centre is devoted to State rooms with a separate dining room with kitchen adjacent.

The staircase is exquisitely designed and decorated and the beautiful stained glass in the chapel is original. Adjoining is Hatfield Old Palace where Queen Elizabeth I was confined during her sister Mary’s reign.

The Staterooms contain famous paintings, fine furniture, rare tapestries and historic armour. Hatfield House is one of the most completely adorned and preserved of mansions.

Comments are closed.