You are warmly invited to join us at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, the former home of Queen Elizabeth I, on Saturday 8 June.  Our group will be given a tour of the house by an expert guide, and we are excited to have been able to arrange privileged access to some very special items specific to Elizabeth College.  This will be followed by a buffet lunch in the Coach House Kitchen where we can catch up and meet new friends. Afterwards Hatfield House’s beautiful garden, park and woodland walks are available for you to enjoy at leisure.

Hatfield is quite important in English history and, indirectly, in that of Elizabeth College. Built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, he was the son of William Cecil (Lord Burghley), the chief minister of Elizabeth I who, basically, did all the work towards founding Elizabeth College. The deer park surrounding the house and the older building of the Old Palace had been owned by Elizabeth I’s father, Henry VIII, of course. It was home for his children, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary. It was while she was living in the Old Palace, in 1558, that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne.

This invitation is being extended to existing Dead Donkey Club members, as well as UK-based OEs who we believe might be interested in hearing a little more about the Club.