Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. It was built after the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century to control a key route between London and the Midlands. Robert of Mortain, the half-brother of William the Conqueror, probably oversaw its building and owned it. The castle had protective earthworks and a deer park for hunting. It became an important administrative center.

Over time, many important people used the castle. During a civil war in 1216, it was besieged and captured by Prince Louis, later Louis VIII of France, using siege engines. Later, it was given to Richard, Earl of Cornwall, who made it a grand home. King Edward III and his son, Edward, the Black Prince, developed the castle further and used it to hold important royal prisoners.

By the late 15th century, the castle was no longer popular and began to decay. In the 1830s, it almost was destroyed when the London and Birmingham Railway was built, but it became the first building in Britain protected by Parliament. Today, the castle is cared for by English Heritage and is open to visitors as a popular historic site.

History

1066–1217

Berkhamsted Castle was built after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. William the Conqueror ordered the castle to be built in Berkhamsted after winning at the Battle of Hastings. The castle was important because it sat on a key route between London and the Midlands. William’s half-brother, Robert of Mortain, likely oversaw the building and later owned the castle.

The castle had a motte and bailey design, with a large mound and an enclosed area. It was positioned near natural springs and included a deer park for hunting and a vineyard. Over time, the castle changed hands among royalty and important figures. During a conflict in 1216, the castle was attacked but successfully defended before being returned to royal control.

1218–1461

The castle became linked with the Earls and Dukes of Cornwall. It was favored by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, who added a tall tower and used it for official matters. The castle also served as a place for important events and even held a French prince after a battle. It was used by many English kings over the years.

1462–1900

Later, the castle fell out of favor and began to ruin. By the 16th century, it was no longer used by royalty. Parts of it were torn down for building materials. In the 1800s, plans for a railway threatened the site, but laws helped protect it. The castle ruins were used to help feed people in need during hard times.

20th – 21st centuries

In the 1920s and 1930s, efforts were made to protect and restore the castle. During World War II, important statues were hidden there for safety. Today, the castle ruins are cared for by English Heritage and are open to visitors, with many local volunteers helping to keep the site running.

Castle Occupants

In the 11th century, Robert of Mortain was linked to Berkhamsted Castle. Later, in 1086, Randulph, Lord Chancellor, was allowed to build a wooden fort there. In 1155, Thomas à Becket, serving as Lord Chancellor, changed the wooden fort into a stone fortress.

Many important people stayed at the castle over the years. Queen Berengaria of Navarre lived there between 1191 and the death of King Richard I. Queen Isabella of Angoulême also stayed there until a siege in 1204. In 1227, King Henry III gave the castle to Richard Earl of Cornwall, who made it his main home and office. Other famous residents included Queen Margaret of France in 1291, and Edward, the Black Prince, who took control in 1337. He kept King John II at the castle in 1356. The castle was later given to Henry V by his father King Henry IV, and then passed to Margaret of Anjou. Finally, from 1469 until her death in 1495, Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, lived there.

Castle Construction

Berkhamsted Castle has a large mound called a motte. It is about 14 meters high and 55 meters wide. The motte is in the northeast corner of an open space called a bailey. The stone structure at the base of the motte is about 18 meters wide, and the bailey covers around 1.3 hectares.

The original wooden castle was later rebuilt with stone and made bigger, but it stayed in the same place. At its height, the castle had two deep ditches around it. People reached the castle by walking on Castle Street, crossing a small wooden bridge over the River Bulbourne, and then using another drawbridge to get to the main entrance.