The Old Palace

 palace, place with historical importance, Grade I Listed (UK)

The Old Palace was built in about 1485 by the Bishop of Ely, John Morton. Its one of the best examples of medieval brickwork in the UK and originally formed a quadrangle around a central courtyard.

King Henry VIII acquired the Palace from the Bishop of Ely in 1538 and used it as a nursery for his three children. It is with Elizabeth that the Palace is most associated. She had a happy childhood here, sharing in her brother Edward's education. Circumstances changed for Elizabeth when Queen Mary came to the throne in 1553, for Mary feared that her enemies might plot to place her protestant sister on the throne. Effectively Elizabeth was kept under house arrest at Hatfield.

In 1558 Elizabeth was sitting under an oak tree in the Park when she learnt of her succession to the throne. One of her first acts was to call her trusted advisers, including William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, together for her first Council of State which was held in the Banqueting Hall of the Palace.

Elizabeth's successor James I did not like the palace much and so gave it to Elizabeth's chief minister (and his own) Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury, in exchange for Theobalds which was the Cecils' family home. Cecil tore down three wings of the Royal Palace (the back and sides of the square) in 1608 and used the bricks to build the present Hatfield House.

The Old Palace can be rented throughout the year for corporate and private parties, marriage ceremonies, wedding receptions, banquets and other events.

Video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE-B0glk3WY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOGYO7DmsDA