/+\ Hertford Castle /+\

18th October 2009

Hertford Castle was built on a site by Edward the Elder around 911, at the time of the Norman Invasion in 1066. William the Conqueror granted the castle to the Sheriff of Hertfordshire and Essex. King John, Henry III and Edward I were residents and it also housed a minority of political prisoners - The Knights Templars in 1309. The Hundred Years war also saw prisoners of royal and noble rank in residence, passing through the Plantagenet and Tudor periods. Henry VII spent little time at the castle but Henry VIII spent considerable sums turning the castle into a palace, building the gatehouse which still stands. His daughter, Elizabeth I was a frequent visitor to Hertford.
Since the reign of James I the castle ceased to be a royal residence and it fell into disrepair and after Charles I came to the throne the castle was granted to William Cecil, 2nd Earl of Salisbury. Much of the castle was now in ruins having not having been used since Tudor times. Between 1805 and 1809 the castle became a college and the home of East India Company College.
In 1911 the Hertford Corporation leased the gatehouse of the castle (which was all that then remained) from the Earl of Salisbury to house its administration.
A more recent discovery is that it is gently rumored that the castle could be home to the Holy Grail and hidden within the labyrinth of tunnels, built by the Knights Templars which lie beneath Hertford, most of which are blocked, but still fascinating to know of Hertford’s ancient history.
(No parking at the castle, park in St Andrew Street Car Park or Gascoyne Way (A414). Both within easy walking distance.)

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