Hertford

Hertford, the county town of Hertfordshire, 26 miles N. of London by rail, is situated on the Lea, which is navigable for barges up to this point. It contains few buildings of any architectural importance, save one ancient church; but there are also a town or shire hall (1768), an infirmary, and a corn exchange and free library (1859). Hertford has a grammar-school and several charity schools, whilst at the entrance into the town on the London Road is a preparatory school in connection with Christ's Hospital (q.v.) in London. A considerable trade is carried on in corn, malt, and flour. Hertford returned two members to parliament till 1867, and in 1885 ceased to be a parliamentary borough. Pop. (1851) 6605; (1881) 7747; (1891) 7232. The New River (q.v.) has its source a mile east of the town, and 2 miles westward is Panshanger, the seat of Earl Cowper, with its valuable collection of pictures. Of the old castle of Hertford, commenced by Edward the Elder about 905 to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the Danes, and strengthened by William the Conqueror, but a small portion now remains; the present castle was built by William Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, or Sir William Harrington, in the reign of James I., and in 1805-9 was occupied by the East India Company as a temporary college during the erection of Haileybury (q.v.). See Turner's History of Hertford (1830).