St Albans has an incredibly varied history and has been directly involved in major historical trends and events in Britain from the Romans to the present day. Under the Romans, Verulamium became the second largest town in Britain. The first British Christian saint, Alban, was martyred there and the Anglo-Saxon abbey built on the site became the principal medieval abbey in the country. The Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII changed the economy of the town and the landscape changed still further during the Industrial Revolution, the town becoming a city in Queen Victoria’s reign. New industries came and went, including the film industry, and today St Albans is moving towards a post-industrialist world, like much of Britain. In so many ways, the history of St Albans is both a microcosm of the history of Britain and also the story of a unique place.

Illustrated throughout, this accessible historical portrait of the transformation that St Albans has undergone through the ages will be of great interest to residents, visitors and all those with links to the city.

'This is certainly a most accessible, readable and attractive history of St Albans and comes highly recommended.' * Herts Past and Present, Spring 2026 *

Valerie Shrimplin was born in Harpenden and went to school in St Albans, where she now lives. After studying History & History of Art at the University of Bristol, she trained in Museum Studies at the University of Manchester and worked in museums before going overseas where she lectured on Byzantine, Medieval and Renaissance Art and Architecture. She completed her doctorate (on Michelangelo) in South Africa in 1991/2 before returning to St Albans. Valerie has lectured widely on art and history, especially on the influence of astronomy and cosmology on art. Valerie also followed a career in education management, quality assurance and professional standards for many years and currently holds the honorary title of Senior Research Associate at Gresham College London, and is an accredited Arts Society Lecturer. See www.valerieshrimplin.com.