Place Name
William Cecil (September 13, 1520 – August 4, 1598), 1st Baron Burghley also known as Lord Burghley, was chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign. It was under his direction that many of the foundations of English policy were laid down including the subjugation of Ireland, the execution of the Roman Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, and the strengthening of the Royal Navy. He was the founder of the Cecil dynasty (Marquesses of Exeter and of Salisbury) which has produced many politicians including two Prime Ministers. Cecil had connections with the Enfield area for many years having built Theobalds House so that he could be near to and impress Elizabeth I. The street itself is one of a small cluster named after Elizabethan worthies. It was laid out and built following the opening of the branch line to Enfield Town in 1849. After a slow start to attract interest the National Freehold Land Company bought market gardens west of London Road in 1852 and offered free season tickets to London to the purchasers of its first and second rate houses. Four streets were laid out and named Essex, Cecil, Raleigh, and Sydney roads, to advertise the Elizabethan associations of the area. The first houses were occupied in 1901 as part of the Enfield New Town development.
