Hertford Castle Gatehouse

En un regard

Le château en bref

In the heart of Hertford, on the bank of the River Lea, the red-brick gatehouse is the only building still standing of a castle that was a royal residence for more than three centuries. It stands on the west side of a large bailey still bounded to the east and south by the curtain wall built under Henry II, while the original motte survives in the public gardens. Built around 1460-1465 at the initiative of Edward IV, the gatehouse retains a carved panel bearing that king's arms, massive walls and octagonal turrets. In the 18th century the Marquess of Downshire turned it into a residence, giving it Gothick windows and a domestic wing; further wings were added in 1937. Since 1912 the building has housed municipal services: the borough council until 1974, then Hertford Town Council, whose mayor has a parlour and a robing room on the upper floors. The site, a scheduled monument and Grade I listed building, is mainly enjoyed through its gardens and on occasional open days.