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Name
Herefordshire comes from the Old English for army ford. The county was recorded as Herefordscir around 1038. 
Topography
Herefordshire is bounded by Shropshire in the north, Worcestershire in the east, Gloucestershire in the south, and Monmouthshire, Breconshire and Radnorshire in the west. The River Wye crosses the county from the west to Hereford. The Malvern Hills rise in the east and form the border with Worcestershire. The highest point in the county is 2,306 feet and is in the Black Mountains which enter the south-west corner of Herefordshire.
History
In pre-Roman times, the region was occupied by the Silurian tribe and by the Celts. Following the departure of the Romans, it became part of the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. King Offa built early defences that separated his kingdom from Wales and the area that became known as Welsh Marches was controlled by a line of castles erected by the Normans. The Battle of Mortimer's Cross was one of the decisive battles marking the end of the War of the Roses. During the English Civil War there was a north-south divide in Herefordshire, with the northern part of the county largely supporting the Parliamentarians whilst the southern section was mainly for the king.
Landmarks
The Wye Valley is dedicated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' and features some of the most beautiful lowland scenery in Britain. The Golden Valley is on the western edge of Herefordshire, a deeply rural and tranquil area made famous in the film "Shadowlands." Built by Offa, King of Mercia in 757 to 796, Offa's Dyke formed the boundary between England and Wales, running 182 miles from Prestatyn in the north to Sedbury in the south. Herefordshire Beacon is one of the Malvern Hills forming the border with Worcestershire and is surrounded by an Iron Age hill fort earthwork known as British Camp.
Monuments
Hereford Cathedral dates from the late 11th century and is home to the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the 13th century. A former Norman stronghold on the border of Wales, Croft Castle is now a National Trust property. Goodrich Castle is thought to have the most complete sets of medieval domestic buildings of any fortress in England. Located in the Golden Valley, Abbey Dore has a rare surviving Cistercian church.
Famous People born in Herefordshire
The bare knuckle fighter Tom Spring [Thomas Winter] was born at Witchend, near Fownhope in 1795. Dubbed the 'Harlequin Step', he was crowned heavyweight champion of England in 1821 and, following his retirement in 1824, he took over as landlord of the Castle Inn at Holborn, a pub that became the unofficial headquarters of British boxing with Spring acting as a promoter. The actor and theatrical manager David Garrick was born in Hereford in 1717. Famed for his performances of Shakespeare characters, he was responsible for the departure from the verbose and bombastic style of acting towards that of realism. In later life he was instrumental in the way productions and audiences were controlled during performances. He is buried in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey. The city of Hereford has claimed that it is the birthplace of the actress Nell Gwyn, the mistress of King Charles II. Another actress born in Hereford was Beryl Reid, though her Scottish parents later moved to Manchester. Reid was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Actress for her role of June Buckridge in "The Killing of Sister George." The poet and writer John Masefield was born in Ledbury in 1878. Elected Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967, he is remembered for the children's novels "The Midnight Folk" and "The Box of Delights." 
Famous People who lived in Herefordshire
Born in the Gloucestershire village of Dymock, John Kyrle spent most of his life in Ross-on-Wye where he became known as the 'Man of Ross.' He lived a simple life and became a great philanthropist, choosing to spend his money on the education of the children of Ross, the distribution of alms and by improving the town's buildings and infrastructure. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the prominent 19th century poet, spent her early life at Ledbury. The BBC's garden guru Monty Don, presenter of "Gardener's World" elected to live in Herefordshire where he kept a two acre garden.
Customs
Lady Scudamore's Pax Cakes, a little like shortbread biscuits and featuring the Easter lamb, are given to folk following the Palm Sunday services at the churches of Hentland, King's Caple, and Sellack, and also the chapel of Hoarwithy. This ancient tradition is thought to have originated in 1570 at the bequest of Lady Scudamore, a local landowner. The name Pax is from the Latin for 'peace' and the cakes are thought to signify reconciliation and goodwill. Beer and cider was also given by local farmers and victuallers but this element disappeared gradually during Victorian times, though it is being revived.
Folklore
The notorious ghost of Black Vaughan haunts Herefordshire and his legacy survives to this day. Thomas Vaughan was reputedly an evil lord killed at the Battle of Banbury in 1469. Legend has it that his headless body was returned for burial at Kington. However, his spirit would not rest and, appearing in many guises, he came back to haunt the townsfolk. As the legend of Black Vaughan spread, the fortunes of Kington and, particularly its market, suffered because people did not wish to visit the town. People lived in fear of witnessing the ghoul of the fallen soldier. The town elders responded by summoning twelve clergymen to perform an exorcism within the church. Apparently, they shrunk the evil spirit and sealed it within a snuff box. It is alleged that Black Vaughan requested to be buried beneath a large stone in the bottom of Hergest Pool. In earlier times, it is said that two footmarks were seen in the lush grass surrounding the pool and that this was the spot where Black Vaughan stood to watch the deer in the park. The footprints were beneath an oak tree and locals claimed that no grass grew in the footprints because Black Vaughan was so evil. Indeed, such was his wickedness that when the oak tree was felled, the woodman went mad and died in an asylum.
Diary
Staged annually since the 18th century, the Three Choirs Festival is held alternatively between the cathedral cities of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford. The event is thought to be one of the world’s oldest classical choral music festivals.