Berkhamsted Castle was taken prisoner at the Battle of Poitiers. When the Black Prince fell ill following his campaigning in France, he retired to Berkhamsted and died there in 1376. Richard II inherited Berkamsted Castle in 1377; initially the use of it was given to his favourite, Robert de Vere and, after de Vere's fall from power and exile in 1388, to John Holland. Henry IV lived in the castle after he deposed Richard in 1400, and he used the property to detain rival applicants to the throne. During this period Geoffrey Chaucer, later famous for his "Canterbury Tales", oversaw renovation work
John Roches John Roches Sir John Roches (c.1333-1400), of Bromham, Wiltshire, was an English admiral, diplomat, magistrate and politician. He was made Ambassador to the Kingdom of Aragon from 30 October 1377 to 4 May 1378, and then again 20 June 1378 . He was then elected as Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Wiltshire in 1381, May 1382, October 1382, February 1383, April 1384, November 1390, 1394, January 1397 and 1399. He was first appointed Admiral to the West a senior command of the English Navy from 22 May 1381 to 23 November 1383. He was then given the