Congratulations to the Society

By Margaret Scott

As a former resident of Harpenden (1988-2004) and enthusiastic member of the Local History Society, I would like to congratulate the Committee on setting up the website.  It looks great.

Now living in York, I am equally keen on the history of the city, and am a member of various local organisations.  Earlier this month (on 22 January 2011) I received my degree at the formal University ceremony - an M.A. in Medieval Studies.  As part of the course I chose to write an essay about Matthew Paris'  history of the martyrdom of Saint Alban, written and illustrated about 1250.  It was a pleasure to look again at the history of Hertfordshire and refer to a landscape I remember so well.

The photo I have uploaded is from a facsimile of the book.  Early in the story, a spy in Alban's household  tells the local prince that Alban has hosted a travelling Christian holy man and has worshipped the Christian god.  The building portrayed is Matthew Paris' notion of a Roman princely house in Verulamium although he doesn't call the city that.  

Best wishes to all.