Berkhamsted Castle is a substantial 11th- to 15th-century motte-and-bailey fortress in Hertfordshire with a compelling Norman heritage. Founded around 1070 by Robert of Mortain, William the Conqueror's half-brother, the castle was where William received the submission of the English after the Battle of Hastings. The site was subsequently developed by Thomas Becket and the Earl of Cornwall, with Richard the Black Prince adding a grand deer park. Today managed by English Heritage, the castle's impressive earthworks, surrounding ditches, and ruins tell the story of royal power and medieval refinement across several centuries. Free admission and daily access make this substantial monument to Norman achievement readily available to visitors.
