Berkhamsted Castle (Berkhamsted)

 castle, ruins, interesting place, scheduled ancient monument

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Founded in the 11th Century by Robert, Count of Mortain, Berkhamsted is a 'Motte and Bailey' castle: a mound (motte) surmounted by a residential tower (or keep) that is surrounded by a defensive curtain wall enclosing an open space (or bailey).

The original wooden defences were replaced with a more substantial stone structure, beginning with work (1155-1165) by Thomas à Becket, Henry II's Chancellor and later Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr and Saint. Further work was undertaken by the notorious King John ('Lackland'),

There are only traces left of Berkhamsted's stone keep, but the castle is surrounded by two moats, separated by an earthen rampart. Fragments of the curtain wall remain.

Berkhamsted Castle was a royal castle and was to the Plantaganets what Windsor is to today's Royal Family. It was the 'honeymoon' location of The Black Prince.

Now belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall, the castle is open to the public under the auspices of English Heritage.

See: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.3
See: www.castlewales.com/motte.html
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A_Becket
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_England
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward%2C_the_Black_Prince