Historic Berkhamsted
‘Berkhamsted is a lively town set in a valley of the Chiltern hills with a
history going back beyond Saxon times. Its claim to fame includes strong
royal, literary and teaching connections.’
So, Berkhamsted Town Council opens its 'Berkhamsted
Heritage Walk' leaflet. This partners the 32 blue plaques that have
recently been installed on some of the town's most significant buildings.
It was outside the Saxon fort that became Berkhamsted
castle that William the Conqueror was finally handed the English crown in
1066. Still remaining after a thousand years are the substantial
earthworks on which the Norman castle was built.
The favourite home of the Black Prince, who honeymooned
here with the Fair Maid of Kent, Geoffrey Chaucer was once its Clerk of
Works.
Berkhamsted School was founded in 1541. Hymnist and
poet, William Cowper was born in the Rectory here, less than two hundred
years before Graham Greene was born at Berkhamsted School.
James Barrie often stayed here and the children who
lived in that house were the inspiration for Peter Pan.
A few doors down the High Street Clementine Hozier
lived and went to the Girls' school, now part of the co-educational
Berkhamsted Collegiate School. She became the wife of Sir Winston
Churchill.
Some of the many distinguished Old Berkhamstedians
include Claude Cockburn, Peter Quennell, Richard Mabey, Michael Meacher
and Robin Knox-Johnston.
The valley route north through Berkhamsted has always
been of major importance. Originally part of an ancient Roman road (Akeman
Street) it became a turnpike and major route to the north.
The Grand Junction, now the Grand Union canal was
opened through Berkhamsted in 1798. Up until the Second World War, the
canal was a principal artery of the industrial revolution linking London
with the West Midlands. The 'Father of Inland Navigation', the Duke of
Bridgewater, who inspired the canal system in England, had his home 'up on
the hill', at Ashridge.
Then, of course, the railway came. Berkhamsted is less
than 40 minutes from London, Euston. Around £10 will buy you access to
London and the whole of its underground and bus transport system for a
day.
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The illustrations are by the late Harry Sheldon and have been taken from
Berkhamsted's Story, published by Berkhamsted Town Council. © 2000
Berkhamsted Town Council..
