The manor of Cheshunt Park originally belonged to the Crown, but was
purchased by Sir William Cecil in 1570, and became merged in the manor of
Theobalds. It was seized with other Crown lands by the Parliament in
1650, and then leased to William Groff. Thence it passed to the
Cromwells and Russells. Mrs. Russell was the last person who bore at
birth the name of Cromwell, through direct male descent. Her father,
Oliver, great-grandson of Henry, son of the Protector, was very desirous
of leaving his name to his son-in-law, and applied several times for the
royal licence for Mr. Russell to assume it. But the king, George III.,
always refused, saying, “No! no! No more Oliver Cromwells!” There is a
plan of the park made in connection with a survey in 1611, in the British
Museum, and it is therein stated to be “in length just 3 myles and in
circuit along the paile 8 myle lack 30 poles.”
At the northern extremity of the parish, along the high road, lies the
hamlet of Turnford, still a picturesque little spot, though now given
over to the builder and market gardener. Scores of acres of glasshouses
exist here. In early times, however, the famous nunnery of the
Benedictines extended along the eastern side of the road here. At the
Dissolution this, with other lands in the parish, fell into the
possession of that “old land grabber,” as a Herts antiquary has dubbed
Sir Anthony Denny. Nothing now remains of the nunnery.
Cheshunt Street contains a good many interesting examples of old domestic
architecture. There is rather a curious structure here known locally as
the Round House, which has been in the family of the present owner since
the time of Elizabeth. It was built by a descendant of one of
Elizabeth’s sea captains, who was engaged in the seven years’ war. He
settled down here, and called it Effingham Place.
The heights of Cheshunt
The highlands of Cheshunt are all of a beautiful character, and the
climate of these elevated situations is particularly healthful, the air
being clear and bracing. To the north lie Hammond Street, Appleby
Street, and the beautiful sylvan hamlet of Beaumont Manor; to the west is
the pleasant old village of Goff’s Oak, with pretty Newgate Street
beyond, and the noble domain of Wood Green Park adjacent. More to the
north is the picturesque old hamlet of Cuffley, to the curative waters of
whose well King James frequently repaired. From Cuffley one may enjoy a
very fine view of the Lea Valley and the richly timbered undulations of
Epping Forest. The little place is effectually cut off from the affairs
of ordinary civilisation, and is as isolated as a hamlet in the heart of
Warwickshire.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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