St Albans is among the oldest of English cities. Since its origins, more than
two thousand years ago, which pre-date the Roman Verulamium, it has enjoyed a
rich and continuous history, which recent discoveries and researches have made
considerably richer, vividly revealed in this account of the city's development
from earliest times to the present day. Much more than bricks and mortar, it is
primarily about the people whose lives and labours have created, throughout the
centuries, the community of St Albans in all its social, civic, economic,
artistic, political and devotional variety.
Foremost must be Alban, in whose honour both the ancient abbey and the city
are named. How the fluctuating and often bitter relationship between town and
abbey affected the townsfolk is re-assessed, as is the often anxious dialogue
between the city's past and present, a recurring theme throughout the city's
growth.
This is an important book. It looks afresh at the evidence: the archaeology,
the archives and the oral traditions of a proud and ancient city in a scholarly
yet highly readable - indeed, entertaining - narrative.
Contents:
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Foreword
1. Verulamium
2. Saint and Saxons
3. In this Town
4. Knights, King and Royal Pawn
5. From Retribution to Revolt
6. Dangerous Times
7. Changes
8. Civil War
9. Remarkably Clear and Fine
10. Mysterious Ways
11. Full Steam Ahead
12. Sober Excitements, Comical Exertions
13. Enlargement
14. 'Nice Quiet Place'
15. Energetic Steps
16. Aftermath
17. War and Peace
18. A Need that Never Ends
Bibliography
Index
