The Kings Arms- Berkhamstead - Herts
Posted by: 
Norfolk12
N 51° 45.588 W 000° 33.804
30U E 668155 N 5737132
The King's Arms is an eighteenth century inn and became the principal inn of the town. It's capacity to stable up to forty horses was of great economic significance when it was customary to change one horse of a team of four every ten miles.
Waymark Code: WM7M8H
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/08/2009
Views: 3
The King's Arms is an eighteenth century inn in Berkhamsted's mediæval High Street is part of the Roman Akeman Street linking Veralum (St. Albans) with Akemancester (Bath). As such, it was a major staging post for travellers westwards (Windsor) as well as north and south, the town's importance emphasised by the presence of the castle.
James Snooks, a highwayman, was an ostler at the King's Arms and is believed to be the last person to be hanged in England at the scene of his crime. His crime being to hold up the post boy along Westbrook Hay. His memorial stone can still be seen in the close-by field on Boxmoor Trust land.[ also waymarked ]
Being the King's Arms one would expect the arms to be those of the exiled King Louis XVIII of France who was a frequent caller and known to have been fond of the landlord's daughter, Polly Page.
Instead, the arms on the sign are those of Queen Anne.
Blue Plaque managing agency: Berkhamstead Heritage Walk
Individual Recognized: Kings Arms - Coaching Inn
Physical Address:
The Kings Arms
High Street
Berkhamstead, Hertforshire United Kingdom
none
Web Address: [Web Link]
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