How did Baldocks come to be? This historic building stands before us. Baldocks whispers tales of a town founded by Knights Templar.
Baldock is a market town in Hertfordshire. It is located 33 miles north of London. The Knights Templar founded Baldock in the 1140s. They envisioned a prosperous market town. They named it after Baghdad. Baghdad was known as Baldac in Old French. The Knights hoped to bring Baghdad’s prosperity to their new town.
Baldock’s layout dates back to the 16th century. Some buildings are even older. They date back to the 14th century. The town thrived as a major staging post. It connected London to the North. Coaching inns became pubs and hotels. Baldock became known for its many pubs.
The High Street is wide. This is a typical feature of medieval market places. Multiple rows of buildings once stood here. Butcher’s Row was demolished in the 1770s. Baldock was a centre for malting from the 16th century. It became a regional brewing centre. Several brewers operated here in the 19th century.
John Wynne founded the Wynn almshouses in 1621. He left money in his will for their upkeep. The railway station opened in 1850. It connects London Kings Cross and Cambridge. Baldock became a commuter town.
Baldock has been inhabited for a long time. Prehistoric remains date back to 3000 BCE. Romans settled here. The settlement was located between Walls Field and Bakers Close. Baldock’s position was key. The Great North Road and the Icknield Way crossed here. Charles I passed through Baldock in 1648. He was on his way to London after his arrest.
From 1808 to 1814, Baldock hosted a shutter telegraph station. It connected London to naval ships in Great Yarmouth. Baldock has a rich history. Vivian Crellin wrote a book about Baldock’s Middle Ages. Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews and Gilbert Burleigh wrote about its Iron Age and Roman past.
Today, Baldock hosts several annual events. These include the Beer Festival. There is also the Charter Fair and the Balstock music festival. The Baldock Festival began in 1982. It features various events. There are museum displays and beer festivals.
King John granted the right to hold a yearly fair in 1199. It was held on St. Matthew’s Day. The dates are now October 2nd to 4th due to calendar changes. The Balstock Festival started small. It has grown into Hertfordshire’s biggest free music festival.
Daniel Defoe wrote about Baldock Lane. He described it as unpassable. People had to break out of the way. They paid a toll to avoid the sloughs and holes.
Monica Dickens often visited Baldock. She mentioned The George and Dragon pub in her autobiography. Baldock’s story is rich and varied. From Knights Templar to modern commuters. Baldock continues to evolve.