St Albans

From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change

St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England.

Contents 1 Location 2 History 2.1 Important people from St Albans 3 Other websites

[change] Location

St Albans is found in southern Hertfordshire, England, 22 km north of central London.

[change] History

It was originally named Verlamion by the Ancient British, Catuvellauni tribe. It was the first major town on the old Roman road of Watling Street for travellers heading north and became the Roman city of Verulamium. After the Roman withdrawal, and prior to becoming known as St Albans, the town was called Verlamchester or Wæclingacaester.

[change] Important people from St Albans

• Kate Allan (b. 1975), author, lived in St Albans
• Rod Argent (b. 1945), musician and songwriter. The Zombies (Argent with Colin Blunstone, Chris White, Paul Atkinson and Hugh Grundy) was formed while the members were at school in St Albans
• Francis Bacon (1561-1626), noted philosopher, scientist and statesman, lived at Old Gorhambury House. Bacon was also styled "Viscount St Albans" from 1618
• Nicholas Bacon (1509-1579), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal under Queen Elizabeth I, built Old Gorhambury House
• Stephen Hawking (b. 1942), theoretical physicist, educated at St Albans School
• Stephen Lander (b. 1947), former head of MI5, has lived in St Albans for many years
• Mike Newell (b. 1942), film director (incl. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), used to live in St Albans and attended St Albans School
• Cuthbert Thicknesse (1887-1971), 4th Dean of St Albans Cathedral 1936-1955, objected to the use of nuclear weapons in August 1945 by refusing to let the cathedral's bells be rung on VJ Day

[change] Other websites

• St Albans - Official website
• Photos of St Albans