Robert Cecil was given Hatfi eld House
in exchange for a property he owned
that was coveted by King James I.
In 1611, Cecil began rebuilding Hat-
fi eld House. He laid out the gardens
around a north-south axis. The house
sits between a spacious balustraded
forecourt and rear terrace. Garden
courts and terraces to the east and
west form a cross-axis. A path from a
formal parterre on the east side leads
to a bowling green and maze. The garden
rooms illustrate the continuation
of Italian Renaissance styles. Water
features were designed by Salomon de
Caus. Exotic plants were provided by
John Tradescant, the elder.