Caen - Berkhamsted Castle

I accept Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, please see our Privacy Policy Berkhamsted Castle Home

Caen

EXPLORE MORE About us

• The Castle Trust
• The Castle Site
• Who’s Who
• News
• Our Partners
• Conservation
• Annual Reports
• Join our mailing list
• Contact Us
• News

Your Visit

• How to get Here
• Hours & Facilities
• Interactive Guide
• Guided Tours
• School Visits
• Days Out

Events

• What's on
• Book the Castle

History

• A Brief History
• Construction
• Timeline
• Personalities of the Past
• Historical Objects
• Dukes of Cornwall
• Milestones in History
• Historic Places
• The Undiscovered Castle
• Recommended Reading

Education

• Resources for Schools
• Document Library
• Contribute

Projects

• Castle Fields
• Deer Park

Support us

• Donate to the Castle Trust
• Friends of Berkhamsted Castle
• Leave a Legacy
• Volunteer

Home > History > Places > Caen

Photos

View all places | View in Google Maps Caen Normandy, France

Opening hours

Daily —

Caen

Caen Normandy, France View on map

Berkhamsted Castle owes its origins to William the Conqueror, who in 1066, accepted the surrender of Saxon nobles at Berkhamsted and ordered a castle to be built. William was crowned king and ruled England until his death in Normandy in 1087.

The body of William the Conqueror was sent to Caen to be buried in the Abbey of Saint-Étienne (the Abbaye aux Hommes). It is said that funeral attendants botched the burial by trying to force William’s body into a small tomb, causing his corpse to burst open and fill the church with a foul odour.

William’s tomb was disturbed several times, including acts of desecration in 1562 during the French Wars of Religion and during the French Revolution. William’s bones have all been lost, with the exception of one thigh bone. The tomb is now marked by a marble slab dating from the 19th century.

The inscription on William’s tomb reads:

Hic sepultus est in victissimus Guillemus conquestor, Normanniæ Dux et Angliæ Rex, hujus ce Domus conditor, qui obit anno mlxxxvii

Here is buried the invincible William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, the founder of this house, who died in the year 1087

Location map

Discover More

Timeline William the Conqueror The Norman Conquest ×

Info

Previous image Next image Close ×

…

Close ×

…

Close Email subscription will be available soon. ×

Contact

Your name (success) Your email address (success) Your message (success)

All fields are required

Message sent

Thank you for getitng in touch - your message has been sent. Your email message has been sent Close Send ×

Donate to Save Castle Fields

Cancel