Historical Days Out - Hertfordshire edition

   1) St Albans/Verulamium

   It is such a beautiful city rich with Roman history. Above is a picture of the Roman wall in Verulamium park, and the reason the grass looks pretty much dead is because it was a scorcher of a day!

  

The old theatre in Verulamium

Sopwell Priory

   2) Berkhamsted Castle.

   Another motte-and-bailey. Originally built in 1066 after the battle of Hastings, this was a strategic move by William due to the fact that Berkhamsted was on a key route to the midlands via the Chiltern Hills. Over the years it had many owners, ranging from Thomas Becket to Piers Gaveston, and by the 16th century was in ruins. 

3)   Waytemore Castle, Bishop's Stortford.

   And, yet another motte-and-bailey built after 1066 (haha!). This one is situated in a park and not far from the Wetherspoons. What a great town! 

Bungay Castle

   About a month ago I visited Bungay Castle on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.

   This is another one of 'Bigod' castles, and, in the middle of the 12th century was briefly confiscated by King Henry II, only to then be besieged during the 'Revolt of 1173-1174' (when Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry 'the Young King', Richard and Geoffrey Plantagenet rebelled against Henry only to then lose). 

   By the end of the 13th century it had been restored, however soon fell to ruin again. What is left of it today includes the curtain wall, the twin towers of the gatehouse and some of the keep (so for 50p you get your money's worth) ;).