| Berkhamsted | |
  Berkhamsted shown within Hertfordshire |
|
| Population | 19,000 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Dacorum |
| Shire county | Hertfordshire |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BERKHAMSTED |
| Postcode district | HP4 |
| Dialling code | 01442 |
| Police | Hertfordshire |
| Fire | Hertfordshire |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | South West Hertfordshire |
| List of places: UK • England • Hertfordshire | |
Berkhamsted is a historic town of some 19,000 people. Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government Dacorum is a local government district and Borough in Hertfordshire, England. Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of Subdivisions of England used for the purposes of Local government outside Greater London Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one The East of England is one of the nine official Regions of England. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The, also known as the Hemel Hempstead postcode area, is a group of twenty-three postal districts in north west Hertfordshire and East Buckinghamshire The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Hertfordshire Constabulary is the Home Office Police force responsible for policing the county of Hertfordshire in England. The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is the Statutory fire and rescue service for the County of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the authority responsible for providing NHS Ambulance services in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, East of England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election South West Hertfordshire is a Constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates List of places --> List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places This is a list of settlements in the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire, England. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. It is situated in the west of Hertfordshire, between the towns of Tring and Hemel Hempstead. Hertfordshire (ˈhɑːtfədʃə(r, abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of Tring is a small Market town in the Chiltern Hills in Hertfordshire, England. Hemel Hempstead is a Town in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom with a Population of 81143 at the United Kingdom Census It is in the administrative district (and borough since 1984) of Dacorum. A borough is an Administrative division of various countries In principle the term borough designates a self-governing Township although in practice Dacorum is a local government district and Borough in Hertfordshire, England. The town thrives as a prosperous settlement for those working in London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom.
The name of the town has been spelt in a variety of ways over the years, and the present spelling was adopted in 1937. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Earlier spellings included Berkhampstead, Muche Barkhamstede, Berkhamsted Magna, Great Berkhamsted and Berkhamstead. The earliest Beorhoanstadde dates back to pre conquest Saxon times. Historian Percy Birtchnell identified over 50 different spellings and epithets since the Domesday Book. It is believed the original refers to homestead amongst the hills (Saxon - bergs)
It is also the home of the British Film Institute's BFI National Archive, one of the largest film and television archives in the world, which was generously endowed by the late John Paul Getty. The British Film Institute ( BFI) is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to encourage the development of the arts of film television The BFI National Archive is a department of the British Film Institute, and one of the largest film archives in the world
Contents |
History
Berkhamsted was the terminating point of the Norman invasion of 1066. Having defeated Harold II and the English at Hastings, William the Conqueror led the Norman invading army to circle London crossing the Thames at Wallingford making for Berkhamsted. Harold II (or Harald II) can refer to several people Harald II of Norway Harold II of Denmark Harold II of Hastings is a town on the coast of East Sussex in England; it is also the administrative centre for the Borough of the same name William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Wallingford is a small Market town and Civil parish in the upper Thames Valley in Oxfordshire, England. Here he parleyed with Edgar Aetheling (the Saxon heir to the throne), the Archbishop of Aldred, the Earl Edwin and the Earl Morcar. Edgar ( the) Ætheling, also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c 1051&ndashc They swore loyalty to William and thus in Berkhamsted William of Normandy became William the Conqueror. William I of England ( 1027 His reign which brought Norman culture to England had an enormous impact on the subsequent course of England in the Middle Ages However, he declined to accept the crown in Berkhamsted saying he would receive the keys to London in Berkhamsted and would have the crown in London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom.
The castle was rebuilt in stone in the 1080s and became a favourite home of Norman and Plantagenet monarchs. The House of Plantagenet (planˈtadʒɪnɪt also called the House of Anjou, or the First Angevin dynasty, was originally a noble Simon Schama refers to Berkhamsted as being to the Plantagenets what Windsor is to today's Royal Family. Simon Michael Schama, CBE (born 13 February 1945 is a British professor of history and art history at Columbia University. The House of Plantagenet (planˈtadʒɪnɪt also called the House of Anjou, or the First Angevin dynasty, was originally a noble Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited Castle in the world and dating back to the time of It remained a Royal Castle until it was abandoned in 1495. Much of the stonework was plundered for building materials for the town and nearby Berkhamsted Place (demolished in 1967) but the impressive earthworks and two of the original three moats remain. Half of the third was lost when the London to Birmingham railway line was built. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um The English surrender to William and royal links with the town are probably the source of the local legend that Berkhamsted is the "real" capital of England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland
The town is home to the oldest extant shop in Great Britain, dated by dendrochronology of structural timbers to between 1277 and 1297. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Dendrochronology (from Greek grc δένδρον dendron, "tree" grc χρόνος khronos, "time" and grc -λογία Evidence has been found that it may have been a jeweller or goldsmith. Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal Ornament, such as a necklace ring or bracelet made from Gemstones A goldsmith is a Metalworker who specializes in working with Gold and other Precious metals usually in modern times to make Jewelry. The shop, at 173 High Street, until recently Figg's the Chemists, is currently (2006) in use as an estate agent which has proved controversial as some residents of Berkhamsted think the site should be preserved.
The Grand Junction Canal from the Thames at Brentford to Berkhamsted was completed in 1798 and all the way to Birmingham in 1805. The Grand Junction Canal is a Canal in England from Braunston in Northamptonshire to the River Thames at Brentford, with The Thames ( is a major River flowing through southern England. Brentford is a suburb in the London Borough of Hounslow at the Confluence of the River Thames and the River Brent in West London Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um
Nearby Ashridge House was the home of the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, affectionately known as the Father of Inland Navigation. Francis Egerton 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (21 May 1736 &ndash 8 March 1803 (also the 6th Earl of Bridgewater known as Lord Francis Egerton until 1748 was a British nobleman His canals sparked a rush of canal building nationwide. His climable monument stands in a grove of native broadleaf woods on a Chiltern ridge Ashridge. Ashridge is an estate and house in Hertfordshire, England; part of the land stretches into Buckinghamshire and it is close to the Bedfordshire From 1797 when the Grand Union Canal was cut through Berkhamsted, Castle Wharf became a hub of inland water transport and boat building activity. The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. It is still known as the Port of Berkhamsted. The town also stands on the River Bulbourne (non navigable). The River Bulbourne runs from Dudswell in Northchurch, through Berkhamsted and Bourne End to where it joins the River Gade at Two Waters in
Castle
Berkhamsted Castle is a ruined Norman castle, beside the railway station. Berkhamsted Castle, is a ruined Norman Motte and Bailey Castle at Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire ( The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. A castle is a defensive structure seen as one of the main symbols of the Middle Ages. Berkhamsted railway station is in the town of Berkhamsted, just beside Berkhamsted Castle. Now in the care of English Heritage, this royal castle was once the home of Edward, the Black Prince and his wife, Joan of Kent. English Heritage is a Non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government ( Department for Culture Media and Sport) with a broad remit of Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, KG (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376 popularly known as The Black Prince, was the eldest son of King Edward Joan Countess of Kent ( September 29, 1328 &ndash August 7, 1385) known to history as The Fair Maid of Kent, was the first Geoffrey Chaucer was constable. Geoffrey Chaucer (c 1343 – 25 October 1400? was an English author poet Philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier and Diplomat.
From a timberbuilt Saxon fortress, the castle was rebuilt in stone in the 1080s and as a site of victory became a favourite home of Norman and Plantagenet monarchs. Norman dynasty is the usual designation for the English monarchs which immediately followed the Norman conquest and lasted until the Plantagenet dynasty The House of Plantagenet (planˈtadʒɪnɪt also called the House of Anjou, or the First Angevin dynasty, was originally a noble Simon Schama refers to Berkhamsted as being to the Plantagenets what Windsor is to today's Royal Family. Simon Michael Schama, CBE (born 13 February 1945 is a British professor of history and art history at Columbia University. The House of Plantagenet (planˈtadʒɪnɪt also called the House of Anjou, or the First Angevin dynasty, was originally a noble Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, is the largest inhabited Castle in the world and dating back to the time of
1155 until 1165 the Henry II's favourite Thomas Becket was appointed master. Henry II may refer to King or Emperor Henry II Holy Roman Emperor, Saint Henry II (972-1024 Holy Roman Emperor Henry II of Castile St Thomas Becket (c 1118 &ndash December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170 The surviving flintwork walls remain from his building plans. However, according to Percy Birtchnell, one of the reasons for Beckett's fall from grace and assassination was his overspend on Berkhamsted Castle which stretched the kings finances. Despite this records show that a chamber was always named Sir Thomas's.
In 1309 King Edward II granted Berkhamsted to his lover Piers Gaveston. Edward II may refer to Edward II of England (1284–1327 King of England 1307–1327 ''Edward II'' (play, (1592 Piers Gaveston 1st Earl of Cornwall (c 1284 &ndash 19 June, 1312) was the Favourite, and possibly lover of King Edward II of England. For the sake of honour Piers married Margaret de Clare, the grand daughter of King Edward I in Berkhamsted Castle. Margaret de Clare (October 1293 – April 1342 was one of the three daughters of Gilbert de Clare 3rd Earl of Gloucester and his wife Joan of Acre, and thus a granddaughter However in 1312 he was assissinated and the castle returned to the crown.
Henry III and Richard III are two monarchs who spent much time here. Henry III may refer to Henry III Duke of Bavaria (940-989 Henry III Holy Roman Emperor (1017-1056 Henry the Lion Richard III ( 2 October 1452 &ndash 22 August 1485) was King of England from 1483 until his death A tower of three storeys in the castle was built to commemorate birth of Richard's son Edmund in 1249. This potential future king died as an infant. His mother, Henry's wife Sanchia of Provence also died in the castle in 1260. Sanchia of Provence (c 1228 &ndash 9 November, 1261) was the third daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV Count of Provence and Beatrice of Savoy
More happily the Hero of Berkhamsted, Edward Prince of Wales, the Black Prince spent his honeymoon here with Joan, the Maid of Kent in 1361. The entire court celebrated for five days to celebrate the marriage in Berkhamsted and on Berkhamsted Common. Aged only 16 he was the hero of the Battle of Agincourt. His lieutenants included Berkhamsted men such as Everard Halsey, John Wood, Stephen of Champneys, Robert Whittingham, Edward le Bourne, Richard of Gaddesden, and Henry of Berkhamsted. At the Battle of Poitiers Henry saved the Prince's baggage and was rewarded with 2d a day and was appointed porter of the royal castle at Berkhamsted.
However, it was to Berkhamsted in 1353 that Edward brought his most celebrated prisoner, John, King of France. As a royal prisoner he could not be taken to anything other than a royal residence. His presence was recognised by Charles de Gaulle who made Berkhamsted his base during the 2nd World War. Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( ( 22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French General and statesman who led the Free French
Having noteworthy earthworks raised above the surrounding valley floor (flooded by chalk stream aquifers - at the most Northern extent of the London Basin), it is likely the castle's site has been of some significance since man first populated the area. The London Basin is an elongated roughly triangular Syncline approximately long which underlies London and a large area of south east England and south eastern Historical Windsor and Royal Dunstable also seem connected, as Berkhamsted lies almost straight between the two, the main road through the town in this direction being called King's Road.
Other notable buildings
The Town Hall, Built in 1859 and designed by Edward Buckton Lamb was built at public subscription from Berkhamstedians, comprised a market hall (now Brasserie Chez Gerard), large assembly hall, and rooms for the Mechanics’ Institute. A city hall or town hall is the chief administrative building of a City or Town 's administration and usually houses the city or Edward Buckton Lamb (1806-1869 was a British architect who exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1824 It was saved from demolition by Dacorum Borough Council after a 10 year citizens' campaign during the 1970s and 80s. Dacorum is a local government district and Borough in Hertfordshire, England.
The site now occupied by the Pennyfarthing Hotel dates from the 16th Century, having been an monastic building that offered accommodation to religious guests passing through Berkhamsted or going to the monastery at Ashridge.
Ashlyns School, a large impressive building which was the former The Foundling Hospital, built in 1935 relocated from London in the 1920s. Ashlyns School is a school for pupils aged 13-18 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England. The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It contains stained glass windows, a staircase and many monuments from the original London hospital founded by Thomas Coram in 1740. The School Chapel housed an organ donated by George Frederick Handel.
Berkhamsted Collegiate School, founded in 1541 and attended by the celebrated author Graham Greene, whose father was headmaster there. Berkhamsted Collegiate School is a public school in Hertfordshire, England, formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the original Berkhamsted School Henry Graham Greene OM, CH (2 October 1904 &ndash 3 April 1991 was an English writer best known as a novelist but who also produced Short stories
The Rex, Berkhamsted, is a fine example of the very best art deco cinema with glorious decorations of sea waves and shells. The Rex is an Art deco cinema (designed by David Nye in 1936 that was opened in 1938 in Berkhamsted, England, and closed in 1988 Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue Originally opened in 1938, it closed in 1988 and was reopened in 2004 after an extensive redevelopment. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The cinema has been restored to become one of the most popular and sought after entertainment attractions in the area, often selling out entire performances. It was the first 1930s cinema to be restored and opened since 1975. The site also regularly hosts guest presenters from the cast or crew to introduce the films.
Famous People
Famous people born in Berkhamsted include in the first place the outstanding English novelist Graham Greene (1904-1991), whose father was headmaster of what was then Berkhamsted School, where Graham attended. Henry Graham Greene OM, CH (2 October 1904 &ndash 3 April 1991 was an English writer best known as a novelist but who also produced Short stories Berkhamsted Collegiate School is a public school in Hertfordshire, England, formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the original Berkhamsted School One of Greenes novels, "The Human Factor", takes place there and mentions several places of interest of the town, including Kings Road and Berkhamsted Common. The Human Factor (ISBN 0-679-40992-0 is an espionage Novel by Graham Greene, first published in 1978 and adapted into a In his autobiography, Greene says, that he has been moulded in a special way "through Berkhamsted". Greene's life and works are celebrated annually during the last weekend in September with a festival organized by the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust.
In 1866 Lord Brownlow tried to enclose Berkhamsted Common with 5' steel fences built by Woods of Berkhamsted and therefore, claim it as part of his estate. Local hero Augustus Smith MP (1804) led gangs of local men and hired men from London's East End brought out on the new railway on a specially chartered train to break the fences and protect Berkhamsted Common for the people of Berkhamsted. Augustus John Smith ( 15 September 1804 &ndash 31 July 1872) was governor of the Isles of Scilly for over thirty years and was largely East End toughs and local Berkhamsted men and women fought that night against Lord Brownlow's men in what became known nationally as the Battle of Berkhamsted Common. Born in Ashlyns Hall in 1804 Augustus Smith constantly fought for the common man. He died having reformed working class education in the Scilly Isles and today is commemorated by the award of the Augustus Smith scholarship for state school students in Berkhamsted.
Then, the English poet William Cowper (1731), Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly , the influential soldier Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien (1858), the actor Michael Hordern (1911) and the television presenter Esther Rantzen (1940). William Cowper (pronounced " Cooper " ˈkuːpɚ (26 November 1731 – 25 April 1800was an English Poet and Hymnodist. Year 1731 ( MDCCXXXI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year General Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien GCB, GCMG, DSO, ADC ( 26 May 1858 – 12 August Year 1858 ( MDCCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Sir Michael Murray Hordern ( 3 October 1911 &ndash 2 May 1995) was an English Actor, knighted in 1983 for his services Year 1911 ( MCMXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Esther Louise Rantzen CBE (born) is an English Journalist and Television presenter who is best known for her long stint in That's Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. John Cleese from Fawlty Towers lived in Berkhamsted. John Marwood Cleese (ˈkliːz born 27 October, 1939) is a British Actor, Comedian, Writer, Film producer Fawlty Towers is a British sitcom made by the BBC and first broadcast on BBC2 in 1975 It is also the birthplace of singer Sarah Brightman and the home of retired premiership footballer Denis Irwin. Sarah Brightman (born 14 August 1960 is an English classical crossover Soprano, actress songwriter and dancer For the double bassist see Dennis Irwin Denis Joseph Irwin (born 31 October 1965 in Cork, Ireland) is a former Irish football Berkhamsted was also home to Thomas Stevenson the first person to cycle around the world and he did it on A Pennyfarthing.
The fictional BBC Radio 4 character Ed Reardon is based in Berkhamsted. Ed Reardon's Week is a Sitcom on BBC Radio 4. It concerns the story of a curmudgeonly 50-something writer described in the show's publicity material as
James C Butterfield, who wrote the music to "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" was born in Berkhamsted in 1837.
Twin Towns
Berkhamsted is twinned with Beaune, France and as part of Dacorum with Neu Isenburg, Germany. Beaune is a commune in eastern France, a Sub-prefecture of the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne region Neu-Isenburg is a city in the Offenbach Kreis (district in southern Hesse, Germany with a population of 35386. The town also also has an informal relationship with the town of Barkhamsted in Connecticut, United States. Barkhamsted is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut and contains six villages West Hill Mallory Center Hill Washington Hill Pleasant Valley and
Gallery
 The Court House Berkhamsted |
 St Peters Church Berkhamsted |
 Berkhamsted Fete June 2006 |
 Grand Union Canal |
 Berkhamsted Castle |
 Berkhamsted Totem Pole |
 The Crystal Palace Public House |
 Dean Incent's House |
References
- ^ Roscoe, Thomas (1839). John Incent ( c 1480 to 1545 was Dean of St Paul's Cathedral between 1540 and 1545 and the founder of Berkhamsted Collegiate School. The London and Birmingham Railway; with the . . . . etc. , Pub. Charles Lilt. London. Facing P. 64.
External links
- Berkhamsted Town Council. The web site of Berkhamsted Town Council
- berkhamsted.info. A directory of information useful to the population of Berkhamsted.
- Berkhamsted Collegiate School Main Web Site. The web site of Berkhamsted Collegiate School
- St Peter's Church dating back to the 13th century
- Berkhamsted Lawn Tennis & Squash Club. The web site of Berkhamsted Tennis & Squash club
- Ashlyns School. Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted
- The Rex, Berkhamsted. The Rex, Berkhamsted
- Berkhamsted Raiders Community Football Club. FA Charter Standard Club, running twenty two teams including the Under 7's up to the Under 15's, three girls teams and a Senior team.
- Northchurch Baptist Church, Berkhamsted
- Kings Road Church, Berkhamsted
- Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society
- Berkhamsted Town websites, maps, businesses, photos and information
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