The Tunnels of Hertford
Bayley Hall
The origins of Bayley Hall are not so clear. It appears in Spede’s map of 1611 and is referred to as the manor house. It is unclear exactly when the original house was built, who owned it or who lived in it.
It was possibly first constructed about the middle of the sixteenth century but the modern building dates from 1650 when Arthur Sparke who was then the Member of Parliament for Hertford employed Sir Thomas Clarke to pull down the old buildings and erect the present house on the foundations.
Bayley Hall passed through many different owners until 1900 when it was purchased by William Cowper for the use of Hertford Grammar School. Possibly this became part of the Bayfordbury Estate which has long association with royalty, the Fansahwe’s declaring themselves for Charles during the Civil War which led to Bayfordbury Hall being sequestered by Parliament.
Bayley Hall became the Headmasters House and boarding home for many of the schools pupils. The 1901 England Census is available from Ancestry.co.uk.
In 1904 William Cowper gave up many of his rights over the school’s affairs although one of the school houses is still named after him; and in return the school received maintenance from County Council and the Board of Education.
In 1930 the school moved to its present site in Pegs Lane and is now Richard Hale School. The Board of Education retained its right to sell Bayley Hall and it was used as local government offices.
In 1967 Bayfordbury Hall was also sold to Hertfordshire County Council and became
part of the University of Hertfordshire. In 2004 Bayfordbury and the estate was sold
by the County Council to Fairview Homes trading as Rialto. The property development
company was owned by multi-
The full essay with extra material and photos in eBook format: The Tunnels of Hertford.
Previous ... Hertford Castle
Next ... Shire Hall
Bayley Hall
Spede’s Map of 1611