Chapter 1 by Jack Edwards and Peter Rooke The Dewhurst family had been associated with the parish of Cheshunt at least since the latter part of the sixteenth century, for Barnar Dewhurst, Robert’s father, was secretary to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England in the reign of, Elizabeth I. Lord Burghley purchased Theobalds in 1564 and Barnard died in 1596, so it would appear...