BEDM #8: Local History

I live in a tiny little village in Hertfordshire just down the road from St Albans (which seems to house half of the UK’s bloggers!) – in fact, my village apparently counts as St Albans to some whereas others don’t include it… random! I wasn’t sure whether to write about my village or St Albans when it comes to local history so I thought I would mention St Albans as perhaps the history is a little more interesting. I was going to get out and about to take some pictures today, specifically for this post, but the weather put paid to this idea so instead you get a picture of people in St Albans doing what they do best – celebrating an event!

It was known as Verulamium in Roman times and aspects of this name still exist in St Albans with the Verulamium Museum and the Verulam School. Saint Alban was possibly beheaded here and this is how the city was given its modern name. Holywell Hill is also named after this – it is said that when he was beheaded, his head rolled down the hill into a well – Holy Well Hill thus became Holywell Hill.

Whilst the majority of local history revolves around Roman Britain, two Battles of the Roses took place in or near the city and is well known for giving a Pope his education – Nicholas Breakspear, later Pope Adrian IV, was born nearby and educated in the city – there is even a school named after him. 

Aside from all the local history, St Albans is also known for its notable people – whether they were born here, educated here or simply lived here at some point in their lives. I mentioned Nicholas Breakspear above but other notable people include:

 Francis Bacon – (lived) |  Enter Shikari –  (born & bred) | Friendly Fires – (born & bred) |Stephen Hawking – (educated) | Benny Hill – (lived) | Stanley Kubrick – (lived) | Michael Morpurgo – (born & bred) | Tim Rice – (educated) | Robert Runcie – (lived) | Samuel Ryder – (lived) | Graham Young – (lived) |

I have been a little unfair here and picked mostly people who did something really memorable – philosophers, scientists, film directors, musical directors, Archbishop of Canterbury, creator of the Ryder cup and the famous poisoner – but there are plenty more people who also live or lived here that you may recognise – there is a full list here.

 I guess what I am trying to say is that I am in awe of my city sometimes. It is steeped in such heritage, embraces culture (many TV shows and films are shot here and there are always plenty of cultural events) and has even raised or educated some of the most important people this world has ever seen . I may dislike the people in it sometimes (don’t we all?) but there is no denying that my city is beautiful inside and out and we should perhaps appreciate it a little more.