St. Albans
A petition to make Alban the patron saint of England - instead of St. George - was submitted to the British Parliament in 2021.
Key words
- Persecute: to treat people unfairly or cruelly over a period of time because of their race, religion, etc
She claimed the government was persecuting its opponents.
- Flee: to escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear
War has forced people in the region to flee from their homes.
- Abbey: a building where monks or nuns live or used to live. Some abbeys are now used as churches
We walked through the ruins of the abbey.
- Martyr: a person who is killed because of their religious or political beliefs, and is often admired because of it
Joan of Arc, a patron saint of France, was a staunch Roman Catholic, an early feminist and a martyr.
- Monumental: very big or very great
Rebuilding the bridge proved to be a monumental job.
Read the article to find the answers
- What was St. Albans most important industry?
- Why was Alban executed?
- What was built on the site of his execution?
- Why did St. Albans decline in wealth and importance?
St. Albans
St Albans dates back to the 1st century BC when a town was built on the west bank of the River Ver, about 20 miles north-west of central London. It was the first major town on the ancient Roman road north from Londinium. The Romans expanded the town, making it the second largest city in Britain.
For centuries, printing was the city's most important industry. One of the most famous books printed in St. Albans, The Boke of St. Albans, contains the earliest example of color printing in England.