Berkhamsted Castle

On the North and East sides of the castle are eight large earth mounds. It has been claimed that these earthworks were constructed by the forces of the Dauphin of France to act as platforms for mangonels (catapults) when they besieged the castle in 1216. This seems unlikely considering the short time that the attackers were in the area. It is more likely that it was King John who had these earthworks constructed and a second ditch dug when he had the castle defences strengthened in 1215­-16 in view of the pending threat from the Dauphin and the English barons. John also had trees cut down to make palisade fencing round these bastions