The River Lea and its crossing at Hertford lie at the heart of the
town's history. Before the Norman Conquest the river formed a natural
boundary between the Danelaw to the north and Saxon Wessex to the south.
Saxon villages already existed at Bengeo and Hertingfordbury and, in 911
and 912, Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, founded two
fortified burghs, north and south of the Lea crossing. Following the
Norman Conquest, a castle was established at Hertford, together with a
priory and a new mill. For the next 300 years, the castle was a royal
residence. With the patronage of kings and queens, together with the
town's agricultural base, Hertford prospered. This continued throughout
the centuries, most notably in the Victorian era, which saw increased
building as transport links to London improved and industry grew. Today
Hertford is a thriving and rapidly expanding town, with a wealth of
history that is demonstrated through its rich architectural heritage. In
this book, Paul Rabbitts and Peter Jeffree present a well-illustrated
and accessible perspective highlighting 50 of Hertford's significant
buildings and landmarks. Each one has its place in the history of the
county town and the lives of its people. From pubs to Priory and
churches to Corn Exchange the buildings featured were used for a variety
of purposes and designed in many contrasting styles. This engaging
architectural tour is a fascinating exploration of a significant aspect
of the town's history and reveals its changing face across the
centuries. This book will appeal to residents, visitors, local
historians and all those with links to the town.
