Offley Place
Great Offley, Hertfordshire
Offley Place. Click on image to enlarge.
Offley Palace is said to have been built in the eighth century by the Saxon King Offa, from whom the village probably takes its name. According to local legend, Offley Palace once stood where Offley Place, currently a training and conference centre, now stands in the Hertfordshire village of Great Offley.
This was where Hester Thrale (née Salusbury) grew up and was first introduced to Henry Thrale. At this time (mid 1700's) it was owned by Sir Thomas Salusbury (Hester's uncle).
After the death of Sir Thomas Salusbury's first wife - Anne Maria Penrice - the estate would have been inherited by Hester as Salusbury's closest relative. However - much to Hester's disappointment, Salusbury married again to Mrs. King who inherited instead.
The Great Ash Tree - much loved by Anne Maria Penrice - in Offley Park was brought down by a heavy storm in 1760. This was the subject of these verses by Hester Thrale. A year later - in 1761 - Hester Thrale wrote these verses about Offley Park.
Offley Place. Click on image to enlarge.
It was later home to George Hughes (1821-1872) and his wife, Anne Salusbury Hughes, daughter of Samuel Steward and Anne Salusbury.
