Hatfield House has put on a small display of Japan-related documents in the Library, which forms part of the house tour. The display includes a letter from Richard Cocks, who travelled to Japan on the Clove, from the time when he was Robert Cecil’s spy, working in France. A further display case tells the story of the New Exchange (or Britain’s Burse), built by Robert Cecil (the First Earl of Salisbury and builder of Hatfield House) to sell luxury goods, including those imported from Japan, with a further case concerning the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Treaty, from a time when the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury was the British Prime Minister. A beautiful late 16th century Japanese cabinet also forms part of the display.
Robert Cecil, the First Earl of Salisbury was James I’s Chief Minister at the time that The Clove set sail for Japan.
This display runs from now until 29 September 2013 (during opening hours)
Attendance is included in the entrance fee to the house
See website for opening hours, details of access and group bookings.