Legacy of Theobalds Palace
The significance of Theobalds Palace, which stood on the grounds of Cedars Park, is reflected in the surrounding area today. Here are some local links:
Theobalds Lane is named after the palace and contains the remains of the main buildings.
Theobalds Brook, a tributary of the River Lea, passes through the former palace grounds.
An entire ward of the borough is named Cheshunt South & Theobalds, showing the prominence of the palace in the area.
Hedworth Avenue and Lambton Avenue are named after Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux (né Lambton), who lived at Theobalds Park and donated Cedars Park to the people of Cheshunt in 1919.
Lady Meux is known to have entertained Sir Winston Churchill in the upper chamber of Temple Bar (when it was located at Theobalds Park) and a dual carriageway, immediately south of Cedars Park, has been named after him.
The story told in the early 17th century ballad of The King and the Tinker took place at the pub on Whitewebbs Lane, Enfield (now The King and Tinker) which stood on the extensive deer hunting grounds of Theobalds Palace.
The story describes King James I becoming separated from his courtiers while out on a hunt at Theobalds and taking refuge in an alehouse, where he enjoyed a drink with a tinker. The tinker only realised who his drinking partner was when the courtiers caught up with the King.