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 Ra
