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Berkhamsted Castle

Berkhamsted can trace its origins to Saxon times when there was an important fort here guarding one of the principal routes through the Chilterns. It was to Berkhamsted that William, Duke of Normandy came in 1066 after defeating Harold at Hastings and where he was offered the English Crown by Archbishop Ealdred and various noblemen before proceeding to London. William granted the Manor and Honour of Berkhamsted to his half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain who built a typical Norman motte and bailey castle including an earthen mound surrounded by a defensive enclosure. The earliest stone buildings appeared in the mid-12th century when the castle was rebuilt. The most notable event in the castle's history occurred in 1216 when it was besieged by Prince Louis of France. Castles of this type fell out of favour at the end of the 15th century and Berkhamsted was abandoned in 1495. Although much of the stone was plundered in subsequent centuries, the ruin has always been a significant feature of the town and is now in the care of English Heritage. For more information seeLinkExternal link
by Stephen McKay

Created: Sun, 21 Feb 2010, Updated: Mon, 12 Mar 2012


83 images use this description. Preview sample shown below:

SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by N Chadwick
SP9908 : The Caretaker's Lodge, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Well in the Middle Ward by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Caretaker's House, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Trees stand out against the sky at Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Wing Wall and Modern Steps, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Earthworks to the North of Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The West Moat after a dry winter by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by Stephen McKay
SP9908 : The kitchen area, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by Stephen McKay
SP9908 : Site of the Main Gate of Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by N Chadwick
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by Stephen McKay
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by Stephen McKay
SP9908 : The base of the S.E. tower in the Curtain Wall by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Wide Inner and Wooded Outer Moats at Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by Graham Hogg
SP9908 : The Outer Rampart and remains of Western Curtain wall of Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Motte, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Wing Wall from site of Derne Gate, Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The dry southern moat at Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : Berkhamsted Castle by N Chadwick
SP9908 : Middle Rampart and Motte of Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds
SP9908 : The Wooded Outer Moat at Berkhamsted Castle by Chris Reynolds

... and 58 more images.

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