Nemethinuk: St Albans & Hatfield House with Joanne March 16

Our friend, Joanne Young (Dingle), spent a couple of days with us in the St Albans area. It was wonderful to visit and see some sights while she was here. Alban was a citizen of the Roman City of Verulamium. He became a Christian after sheltering a priest who was fleeing from persecution. When the Romans came to find the priest, whose name was Amphibalus, Alban hid him and put on his robes so they would not take the priest. Alban was put to death by beheading in the 3rd century AD for refusing to renounce his new faith. Alban was buried on the hillside and the Cathedral and Abbey church was built in his honour. He is honoured as the first Christian martyr of Britain, even though it was not known as Britain at the time he was martyred.

Swans in Verulamium Park in St Albans

St Albans was built near the site of an ancient Roman city
This is one of the Roman walls in the park.

One of many Mosaics uncovered that was once part of the Roman city

Another Mosaic

St Albans Cathedral & Abbey

Joanne and Elder Nemeth in front of the Abbey/Cathedral

Walking down one of the typical narrow English streets.

Hatfield House was completed in 1611. It was built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury and son of Lord Burghley, the chief minister of Elizabeth I. The deer park surrounding the house and the older building of the Old Palace had been owned by Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, who had used it as a home for his children, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary. It was while she was living in the Old Palace, in 1558, that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne. Today, Hatfield House is the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury.