The Tunnels of Hertford
Shire Hall
Given its long standing royal association it is no surprise that Hertford retained the right to be the centre for the dispensation of justice. The Quarterly Sessions and Assizes were held in Hertford. Up until 1609 these were held at Hertford Castle where the judges were also lodged.
By a charter dated 1605 from James 1 recognising the right to hold Sessions in Hertford and a charter dated 1627 from Charles 1 giving permission to erect a Sessions House, the Shire Hall was built in 1627.
The west facing side was open as this was where one of Hertford’s markets took place. This was the situation until 1767 when at a meeting at the Bell public house (now the Salisbury Arms Hotel) the Council acknowledged that a new Shire Hall was needed.
By an Act of Parliament of 1768 King George 111 granted the building of a new Shire Hall consisting of two courts, two petty jury rooms, Grand Jury room, a room for the Corporation; and two water closets..
At the close of the Quarter Sessions on 9 August 1768 the old building was demolished and the new one erected before the next Session in November 1769.
By the late 1980’s the building was in a sorry state and parts near collapse. New plans were drawn up and the building was completely renovated to open again in 1990 to great public acclaim of the architectural quality.
Shire Hall is now home to the local magistrates courts which sits every weekday and apart from meetings of the court administrative bodies it is rarely used for other purposes.
The full essay with extra material and photos in eBook format: The Tunnels of Hertford.
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Shire Hall
The Salisbury Arms Hotel