Cedars Park History
Human timeline
A kinesthetic activity to help children understand the chronological
history of Theobald’s Palace and the relationship to other historical
periods.
National Curriculum Links
History Key Stage 2 – a local history study
-
a study over time tracing how several aspects of national history
are reflected in the locality (this can go beyond 1066)
-
a study of an aspect of history or a site dating from a period
beyond 1066 that is significant in the locality.
Equipment and resources
-
Timeline cards
-
Cedars Park Education Pack map
-
Images of Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, William Cecil,
Robert Cecil
-
Civil war re-enactment film
https://www.broxbourne.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-greenspaces/education-pack
Timing
15 – 20 minutes
Activity
Start at the Bas Reliefs, point 2 on the history trail. Look at and discuss
the 7 bas reliefs of Queen Elizabeth I, William Cecil, King James I,
Robert Cecil, Mountain Jennings and William Packer (found on the
wall).
Human timeline
In 2 groups, ask the children to create a human timeline using the
cards. Ask them to stand in order of where they should be on the
timeline in complete silence. One or two children should not be given
a card. The job of these children is to make sure everyone is standing
in the right place at the end and to re-order anyone standing in the
wrong place.
Discuss the periods of time covered by the timeline in particular making
reference to the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I, e.g. ask
the children to hold up their card if it mentions Queen Elizabeth or
William Cecil (Elizabethan period/16th century) or hold up their card if it
mentions King James or Robert Cecil (Jacobean period/17th century).
How long ago was Cedars Park given to the people of Cheshunt?
Extension Activity/Follow Up
Write a potted history of Theobald’s Palace as a storyboard/film
script/play script.
Background information
The correct order of the timeline is as follows:
43 AD - Roman invasion of Britain.
1509 - Henry VIII crowned king.
1554 - William Cecil, secretary of state, bought Theobald’s Manor.
1558 - Elizabeth I crowned queen.
1560 - William Cecil started to make improvements to transform
Theobald’s Manor into Theobald’s Palace.
1564 – 1598 Queen Elizabeth I visited Theobald’s Palace 15 times
during her reign.
1598 - William Cecil died and his son Robert inherited Theobald’s
Palace.
1603 - Queen Elizabeth I died and James I was crowned King.
1607 - King James I bought Theobald’s Palace from Robert Cecil in
exchange for 17 manor houses, including Hatfield House. Theobald’s
became King James I main residence outside of London.
Human timeline
1621 - A 10 mile wall around Theobald’s Palace, which enclosed the
royal deer park, was completed.
1625 - King James I died at Theobald’s Palace after developing a fever
whilst hunting. His son Charles I was crowned King.
1642 – 1651 The Civil War took place. The Roundheads (who
supported parliament) fought against the Cavaliers (who supported
royalty).
1649 - King Charles I was beheaded. Most of Theobald’s Palace was
demolished to pay the victorious troops led by Oliver Cromwell.
1768 - Theobald’s Square was built, which included 4 large manor
houses, using material from Theobald’s Palace.
1838 – 1901 The Victorian period.
1919 - Cedars Park is given to the people of Cheshunt by Sir Henry
Meux.
Human timeline
43 AD
Roman invasion
of Britain.
1509
Henry VIII
crowned king.
Human timeline
1554
William Cecil,
secretary of state,
bought Theobald’s
Manor.
1558
Elizabeth I
crowned queen.
Human timeline
1560
William Cecil started
to make improvements
to transform
Theobald’s Manor into
Theobald’s Palace.
Human timeline
1564 – 1598
Queen Elizabeth I
visited Theobald’s
Palace 15 times during
her reign.
1598
William Cecil died and
his son Robert
inherited Theobald’s
Palace.
Human timeline
1603
Queen Elizabeth I
died and James I was
crowned King.
Human timeline
1607
King James I bought
Theobald’s Palace from
Robert Cecil in exchange for
17 manor houses, including
Hatfield House. Theobald’s
became King James I main
residence outside of London.
1621
A 10 mile wall around
Theobald’s Palace, which
enclosed the royal deer
park, was completed.
Human timeline
1625
King James I died at
Theobald’s Palace
after developing a
fever whilst hunting.
His son Charles I was
crowned King.
Human timeline
1642 – 1651
The Civil War took
place. The Roundheads
(who supported
parliament) fought
against the Cavaliers
(who supported
royalty).
Human timeline
1649
King Charles I was
beheaded. Most of
Theobald’s Palace was
demolished to pay the
victorious troops led
by Oliver Cromwell.
Human timeline
1768
Theobald’s Square was
built, which included 4
large manor houses,
using material from
Theobald’s Palace.
1838 – 1901
The Victorian period.
Human timeline
1919
Cedars Park is given
to the people of
Cheshunt by Sir
Henry Meux.
Human timeline
Queen Elizabeth I
Human timeline
King James I
Human timeline
William Cecil (1st Baron of Burghley)
unknown, Crown copyright: UK Government Art Collection
Human timeline
Robert Cecil (1st Earl of Salisbury)
John de Critz the elder, 1602 copyright National Portrait Gallery.
Human timeline