After Robert, Count of Mortain, the castle passed to his heir William, who rebelled against Henry I and lost the castle to the king. In 1155 Henry in turn gave it to his favourite Thomas Becket, who held it till 1165. Becket was later alleged to have spent over £300 on improvements to the castle, a claim that led Henry to accuse him of corruption and may have contributed to his downfall. Henry II extensively used the castle, making it one of his favourite residences. Both King Richard I and King John gave the castle to their queens, Berengaria of Navarre and Isabella of Angoulême, respectively. In King John's reign, Geoffrey Fitz Peter (c. 1162–1213), Earl of Essex and the Chief Justiciar of England (effectively the king's principal minister) held the Honour and Manor of Berkhamsted from 1199 to 1212. During his time in the castle he was responsible for the foundation of the new parish church of St Peter (the size of which reflects the growing prosperity of the town); two hospitals, St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist (one of which was a leper hospital), which survived until 1516; and for the layout of the town.
After Robert Count of Mortain the castle passed to his heir William who rebelled against Henry I and lost the castle to the king In 1155 Henry in turn gave it to his favourite Thomas Becket who held it till 1165 Becket was later alleged to have spent over £300 on improvements to the castle a claim that led Henry to accuse him of corruption and may have contributed to his downfall Henry II extensively used the castle making it one of his favourite residences Both King Richard I and King John gave the castle to their queens Berengaria of Navarre and Isabella of Angoulême respectively In King John's reign Geoffrey Fitz Peter (c 1162–1213) Earl of Essex and the Chief Justiciar of England (effectively the king's principal minister) held the Honour and Manor of Berkhamsted from 1199 to 1212 During his time in the castle he was responsible for the foundation of the new parish church of St Peter (the size of which reflects the growing prosperity of the town); two hospitals St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist (one of which was a leper hospital) which survived until 1516; and for the layout of the town