What could be more exciting to a Jane Austen fan than to visit the county where her most beloved book took place? The Bennet family resided in Hertford, Hertfordshire and I had the great pleasure of staying in Hatfield for part of our holiday. Hatfield is a lovely town just 7 miles from Hertford.
The train ride from London to Hatfield is such a picturesque one. As a fan, a writer, and a fellow lover of England it was quite an experience to see the countryside that Jane wrote about and loved so much. Riding from London to Hatfield was like traveling back in time. I felt as if I were taken back to the 1800’s. And as I sat staring out the window of the train I imagined that at any moment I would steal a glimpse of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley riding their steeds over the green English hills.
Hatfield was not only inspiring because of its role in literature but also for its Historical significance. In order to tell you why Hatfield was so special to me for its Historical significance I must tell you about a book I read a long time ago. Sometime between the ages of 8 and 10 I read a somewhat fictional diary of Elizabeth I. It was based on true facts but written to interest younger girls. Since then Elizabeth I has been one of my favorite historical figures to study about.
Now back to Hatfield… On the same property as Hatfield House, there also stands the remnants of the Old Palace, formerly called Hatfield Palace. It was the Old Palace that Henry VIII used as a home and school for his children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. Elizabeth spent much of her childhood at Hatfield and also lived there later in life during the reign of her sister Mary. Elizabeth was at the Old Palace when news was brought to her of her sister’s death, in other words, that she was the new queen.
….Ok let me try to make the rest of the story short.. In 1607 King James I traded the Old Palace and grounds to Robert Cecil (later the 1st Earl of Salisbury) and it was Cecil who built the beautiful Hatfield House. Construction was completed in 1611 and unfortunately Cecil died in 1612. Hatfield House continued to be the home of Robert Cecil’s descendants, and has remained such for the past 400 years.
I was very disappointed when I was told that pictures were not allowed to be taken inside the house. It was so frustrating to see such beautiful things but not able to capture them. The library was a highlight… of the whole trip. It wasn’t nearly as big as the library on Beauty and the Beast but it didn’t have to be. There was something about it that made it so perfect, the latters, the woodwork, the style of the furniture, perfect reading chairs, and of course the some 10,000 books it contains.
For more details about Hatfield House and for pictures visit
http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/
People are more important than places, that’s why it’s more shattering to part with them…
Bartley.. no that’s not it.. Brompton… Bennet… Brighton… Barnet! That’s it! Barnet is the name of the borough that I can never remember. If one were to travel to Barnet they would find a lovely church there. A Holy Ghost filled, Spirit led, gospel church. I was so blessed by the work that God is doing in London through Jonathan and Bridget. I felt right at home all the way over in Hatfield, Barnet, and also at the prayer meeting in Croyden.
I had such a wonderful time with Jonathan and Bridget and their kiddos. From the very beginning of our time with them I felt like I was with family, as if I had known them my whole life. I really enjoyed our late night doctrinal discussion our first night there 
They both said “some good things” that really helped me, I wish I would’ve taken notes… (they actually said a lot of good things, but that phrase “some good things” is an inside joke ) I have a terrible memory and unless I write something down I can’t remember exactly what was said. But I remember at one point I could’ve cried cause of something Jonathan said that spoke right to my heart, and was exactly what I needed to hear at the time. I so appreciated their words of encouragement. Over the course of the time that I’ve been able to spend with them I feel like we’ve built a trust and a bond that will never be broken.
Last year I teared up when we left because I was sad to be leaving Europe. This time not only once again was I sad to be leaving Europe, but I cried because I was parting with family.
…………*gasp* I still haven’t written about Greenwich!…………
