St Albans

:For other places named similarly, see St. Albans (disambiguation).

History

St Albans has a long history of settlement in the general vicinity. The Celtic Catuvellauni tribe had a settlement at Prae Hill a mile or so to the west. The Roman town of Verulamium was built alongside this in the valley of the River Ver a little nearer to the present town centre. The mediaeval town grew up on the hill to the east of this around the venerated spot where the first British Christian martyr, St Alban was beheaded sometime before 324 CE.

Related Topics:
Catuvellauni - Verulamium - River Ver - Christian - St Alban - 324

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Successive abbeys and a cathedral have occupied this spot and the town grew as a centre of pilgrimage and as a stopover for people travelling from and to London in the days of coaching. St Albans Abbey was, at one time, the principal abbey in England and the first draft of Magna Carta was drawn up there, reflecting its politcal importance.

Related Topics:
St Albans Abbey - Abbey - Magna Carta

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The growth of St Albans was generally slow before the 20th Century, reflecting its status as a rural market town and a coaching stop of the route to and from London. In the inter-war years it became a popular centre for the electronics industry. In the post-World War II years it was expanded significantly as part of the post-War redistribution of population out of Greater London that also saw the creation of new towns.

Related Topics:
Rural - London - Electronics - World War II - Greater London - New town

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The city today shows evidence of building and excavation from all periods of its history and it is a tourist destination. Notable buildings include St Albans Cathedral and the Clock Tower (pictured). The clock tower is one of only two similar towers in England. The Cathedral's formal name is The Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban and it is known locally as the Abbey. See also St Albans School, which occupies the former gateway to the Abbey.

Related Topics:
St Albans Cathedral - St Albans School

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One of the roads that runs into the city of St Albans is Holywell Hill (pronounced 'Holly-well'). It is reputed that it got this name when St Alban was beheaded at the top of the hill, on the site of the Abbey. Legend has it that the head rolled down the hill and into a well at the bottom, thus giving the street its name.

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