Ruinous flint walls, keepers house, castle mound in background
Berkhamstead (or Berkhamsted) Castle in Hertfordshire had a leading role in English medieval history, but very little is now to be seen, the ruins having passed into the care of English Heritage. The original fortification dates from Saxon times, and the castle was later given by William the Conqueror to his half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain. Thomas Becket lived here during his term as Chancellor of England. It later passed into the hands of the Earls of Cornwall, one of whom was Piers Gaveston, favourite of King Edward II of England. Another, Edward, the Black Prince, spent much of his time at this residence.
Important events which took place at Berkhamstead Castle:
BerkhamsteadCastle is/was an early motte and bailey castle built as a direct result of the Norman Conquest.
The castle was undoubtedly of wooden construction, as the Chilterns are chalk hills which yield no stone suitable for building, though the area cottages and other later buildings are made from flint, found in abundance in the chalk.) When the land was pacified the opportunity to re-build in stone was taken.
However time has not been kind to Berkhamstead, much of the walls are gone, pillaged for stone for other edifices, the remaining walls are well worn, the mounds that formed the motte and most likely supported supplementary towers are very noticeable, but are of little assistance in determining the trace.
In 1139, the castle was a refuge for the Empress Maud during the Anarchy.
Castles were also developed to defend key part of the countryside such as a mountain pass or river estuary and often exploited the natural geography to support the defensive walls through exploitation of cliffs, rivers, hills and the like.
The castle stood upon high ground and consisted of three distinct enceintes or wards besides the keep, which was in this case merely a strong tower forming part of the innermost ward, The donion was rarely defended ci outrance and it gradually sank in importance as the outer "wards" grew stronger.
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