Enfield Old Park - Royal Property

Royal Property

In the mediaeval era the Park was recorded in documents as 'Parcus Intrinsicus' (Latin, 'the Inner Park') to distinguish it from the much larger, and unenclosed, Enfield Chase. The name 'Old Park' seems to have been applied from the 15th century. Around this time, the Park, together with the Manor of Enfield, became royal property as part of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Queen Elizabeth I frequently visited Enfield for hunting and stayed sometimes at the Manor House, known as 'Enfield Palace', which stood at the edge of the Park, and sometimes at Enfield House (Elsyng Palace). In 1596, Robert Carey, 1st Earl of Monmouth recorded that "The Queen came to dinner at Enfield House and had toils set up in the park to shoot the bucks after dinner".

In the early 17th century the course of the New River was laid through part of the Park. In April 1620 a review of the Park's stock gave a total of 207 fallow deer, of which 73 were "Deare of Anteleir" (i.e. antlered males).

During the Commonwealth period, the Park was sequestered by Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate, and a detailed survey was prepared. This assessed the area of the Park as 553 acres (2.2 km2), and its value as £311/10/- (i.e. £311.50 in present day notation). It also mentions the Park's stock of coneys (rabbits), and "50 sorts of several deer". The Park was given initially to Parliamentary soldiers in lieu of their overdue wages, but was then granted to George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle.