‘ Hertford’s history is both fascinating and unique and deserves closer inspection.’
Hertford's recorded history dates back to Saxon times when Theodor of Tarsus presided over the Church Synod of 673. It has grown from a fortified burgh at the time of the Norman Invasion to a modern prosperous town, playing host to kings and queens along the way. In Cowbridge on the road to Bengeo is a blue plaque to the memory of Captain W E Johns, creator of the fictional hero Biggles. He lived here in Biggles House before moving less than a mile away in Molewood Road.
The countryside around Hertford offers ideal opportunities for walkers, either following established routes or simply exploring the lanes and flood meadows.
Hertford is renowned for its' large number of restaurants and pubs, as well as a vibrant arts, theatre and music scene.
Hertford's History
There has been a settlement on the River Lea (or Lee) since Saxon times. The river formed a natural boundary between the Danelaw to the north and Saxon Wessex to the south. In 911 Edward the Elder son of Alfred the Great, founded two burghs on either side of the river at a ford crossing, at the modern day site at Nicholas Lane
Following the Norman conquest a castle was established in Hertford and became the home of Kings and Queens. The gatehouse was rebuilt by Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I often stayed at the Castle; during the London plague years in the mid-1600’s Parliament was held there.
The area around the Castle reflects this association for you approach Hertford Castle by car through Castle Street, having left Parliament Square and on the other side of Gascoyne Way is the aptly named Queens Road.
In 1628 Hertford Castle passed into the Salisbury family who own it to this day but lease the grounds to East Herts District Council for the enjoyment of the people of Hertford.
In front of the gatehouse is a stone which commemorates the General Synod of 673AD at which the rules for calculating Easter were set out. It is believed that the actual site was close but not at this precise location.
There has been much speculation in recent years that in the tunnels below the Castle and throughout the town is the hiding place of the Holy Grail. There is little evidence to support this but there are clear indications towards Hertford Castle being one of many places where the Knights Templar were imprisoned.
Hertford’s prosperity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was founded on the abundant fields of barley around the town. It became a centre for the malting industry and grain was taken to London by barge along the River Lea. Hertford is at the head of the river and you can still travel by river, cycle or foot all the way to London.
The town centre still contains many interesting buildings constructed during this period of enormous growth. There are many examples of outstanding architecture such as at the Salisbury Arms Hotel in Fore Street with its traditional exterior pargetting and Jacobean staircase. Oliver Cromwell stayed here before entering battle with Royalist forces in nearby fields. There is also an equally fine example of pargetting at the Bradford and Bingley Bank opposite.
A few doors away is Lussman’s restaurant – a surprise example of Egyptian exterior styling. Just a few minutes walk away is Hertford Museum which has a hidden Jacobean garden in which to enjoy cream teas on Saturday mornings. The Friends Meeting House can be found in Railway Street. This was built in 1670 and is the oldest Quaker Meeting House in the world to have been purpose built and to have remained in continuous use.
Just outside of the town centre are two other items of interest for completely different reasons. In Ware Road is the Addis Building, a fine example of 1950’s Art Deco architecture once the home of the Addis brush company famous for dustpans and toothbrushes and now the offices of a Housing Trust.
