St Peter's Parish News
Thursday 1 January 1970
Henry of Berkhamsted
680 years ago, Henry of Berkhamsted rode into battle with Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales and son of King Edward III, to fight at the Battle of Crécy (26 August 1346). This was the first major battle fought by England and France in the Hundred Years’ War. The date is significant to Berkhamsted because of the involvement of the Black Prince, whose centre of operations was Berkhamsted Castle. The English victory was decided by the introduction of a new weapon, the English longbow. Berkhamsted had become a centre of archery under the Black Prince, and it is thought that Berkhamsted bowmen went with him into battle at Crécy.
He began as a butler to the Burghersh family at the Castle, but rose to prominence as he became a favourite of the Black Prince, eventually becoming Constable of Berkhamsted Castle and a henchman in the Black Prince’s retinue. He died in 1398, and his tomb can be seen today in the Lady Chapel of St Peter’s Church. You can read more about Henry’s life on the Berkhamsted Castle website:
www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk 
