The history of Hatfield House begins in about 1485, when John Morton, Bishop of Ely, built Hatfield Palace. When Henry VIII dispersed the possessions of the Church, he took it over and used it as a residence for his children, Mary, Elizabeth and Edward. Hatfield is most associated with Elizabeth who spent much of her childhood there. After Henry VIII’s death, Elizabeth’s life became troubled and during the reign of her sister Mary she found herself virtually a prisoner. In 1558 Mary died, and while seated under an oak tree in the park Elizabeth was given the news of her accession. King James succeeded Elizabeth and exchanged Hatfield with Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, who set about a complete redesign, pulling down three sides of the Palace and building the present House. Just before it was finished in 1612, Lord Salisbury died. His successors for the next 240 years were not men of eminence but their rank still enabled them and their House to play a part in history. In the second half of the 18th century the House comes into prominence again as the residence of George III’s Lord Chamberlain, the 1st Marquess, and is now the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury. There have been sightings of a phantom coach and horses that drives up the driveway, through the doors and up the stairs. The old hall is haunted by none other than Queen Elizabeth I. It was here that Elizabeth learnt that her sister Mary was dead and that she was now queen. A veiled lady has also been witnessed.