By Tim Lambert
Early Hertford
In the 10th century King Edward built two burhs (fortified places) north and south of the River Lea at a place called the Harts Ford. One of them developed into Hertford Castle. The other became a civilian settlement.
By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, Hertford had a population of more than 200. By the standards of the time it was a large village. It had 2 churches and 3 watermills where grain was ground to flour. The Normans founded Hertford Priory.
In the late 12th century King Henry II rebuilt and strengthened Hertford Castle. In 1216 it was captured by a French prince but he returned to France in 1217.
Hertford continued to thrive through the centuries and the Verger’s House was built in the mid-15th century. However Henry VIII dissolved Hertford Priory in 1536. Richard Hale School opened in 1617.
In the 18th century Hertford was still a busy market town. Hertford Shire Hall was built in 1771. The River Lea navigation was cut in the late 18th century making it easier to transport corn to London.
Modern Hertford
In the 19th century the population of Hertford increased. It reached 6,600 in 1851.
In the 19th century amenities in Hertford improved. The town gained gas light in 1825. Hertford County Hospital opened in 1833. The first police station was built in 1836. The railway reached Hertford in 1843. Hertford Corn Exchange was completed in 1859. A public library opened in 1888.
In the 19th century brewing was a major industry in Hertford.
In the 20th century Hertford continued to develop. It gained an electricity supply in 1901. Hertford Museum opened in 1903. The first cinema in the town opened in 1910.
However, in 1915 a Zeppelin airship dropped bombs on Hertford. Eight people were killed and many buildings were damaged. Hertford War Memorial was built in 1921.
County Hall was built in 1935. Castle Hall opened in 1975. Hertford Fountain was built in 1994.
By 1911 the population of Hereford was over 10,000. In the late 20th century it grew rapidly. By 2001 it had risen to 24,000. Today it is 31,000.
