208 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



eldest son, afterwards created Earl of Exeter) and 

 on Tuesday is expected at Theobalds." The 

 chief reason that made King James desire the 

 possession of Cecil's house was its nearness to 

 an immense expanse of land suitable for hunting, 

 and it was not long before he had persuaded 

 his minister to make the celebrated exchange 

 of "Hatfield" for "Theobalds," Hatfield thus 

 becoming, with all its memories, the property of 

 Sir Robert Cecil, the founder of the great house. 

 Cecil was the youngest son of the celebrated 

 Lord Burleigh, whose taste in Gardens was 

 admittedly the best in his day. 



It was he who planned the delights of Theobalds 

 and the beauties of Burghley, and retained for 

 twenty years as his Gardener, Gerard, the famous 

 herbalist, author of "The Herbal," dedicated to 

 Lord Burghleigh, and with his help many unknown 

 flowers were introduced into English Gardens. 

 For instance, Gerard writes : " The Red Lillie of 

 Constantinople groweth wilde in the fields and 

 mountains many daies journies beyonde Constanti- 

 nople, whither it is brought by the poore peasants 

 to be solde, for the decking up of Gardens. From 

 thence it was sent by Master Harbran ambassor 

 there unto my honorable and good Lord and 

 Master the Lord Treasurer of England who 

 bestowed them upon me for my Garden." It was 

 not surprising under these circumstances that Lord 



