Hertford Castle
The Normans
By the time of the Norman Invasion in 1066, Hertford had a motte and bailey surrounded by a moat. This consisted of large earthen mound with a stong wooden tower or keep on top. The Bailey was an enclosure, into which cattle could be driven. Surrounding this was a high fence of timber stakes driven into the ground (palisading).
The Normans brought with them a continental system of government which saw the Reeve replaced by a select body of burgesses, who governed the borough and had privileges and authority over the other inhabitants. These burgesses elected from amongst themselves a Bailiff to be chief of the town and to represent the King. A Steward was also elected to preside over a borough court.
William The Conqueror 1066-87 granted the castle to Peter de Valoignes - one of his followers and the Sheriff of Hertfordshire and Essex. Under the Normans, the character of the castle changed as the old Saxon burh - constructed primarily for the protection of the people - was replaced by a stronghold for the nobility that might well be used against the people. It should be remembered that at this time England was an occupied country and many people resented their new Norman rulers.
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