Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire Martyrs and Eastenders
Classed as one of the Home Counties Hertfordshire is in the east of England.
The name Hertford is derived from the Anglo-Saxon heort ford, meaning deer crossing (of a watercourse). Hertfordshire is first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 1011. Deer are featured in many county emblems. It became a shire in the 10th Century.
The is evidence of human settlement dating from the Stone Age and also Neolithic farming. Roman occupation resulted in the local tribe the Catuvellauni submitting to roman rule and the formation of new towns, St Albans (Verulamium) being one of them and is were the first British martyrdom took place. St Alban is the patron Saint of the county and the coat of arms reflects this
After the romans departed, the unprotected county was quickly colonised by invading Saxons and it became part of the East Kingdom of the Saxons. This was quickly followed by the Mercian’s taking control and it becoming part of the West Anglian Mercian’s kingdom.
William the conqueror received the surrender of the English Lords at Berkhampstead. Because of its proximity to the capitol, the county became home to many of the nobility and aristocracy.
In 1903, Letchworth became the world's first garden city.
The county is home to Elstree studios as well as MGM British studios famous films include Star Wars, Harry Potter and the James Bond film Golden Eye. The director Stanley Kubrick worked and lived in the area. Big Brother, who want to be a millionaire and the EastEnders series are also filmed here.
Many famous writers are associated with the county.
Hertfordshire is the location of Jack Worthing's country house in Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is primarily set in Hertfordshire. Topographical scholars place the town of Meryton either as Hertford or Hemel Hempstead, based on how far Mr Collins travels on the post from Watford, in either an easterly or westerly direction. The former location places the Bennet family home Longbourn as the town of Ware.
Mr Jarndyce's Bleak House in Charles Dickens's Bleak House is near St. Albans in Hertfordshire.
Howards End by E.M. Forster was based on Rooks Nest House just outside Stevenage, in the novel; Forster describes Hertfordshire as "England at its quietest".
Manor Farm and The Great Barn Wallington both feature in the novel Animal Farm, George Orwell based his book on the village of Wallington, Hertfordshire where he lived between 1936 and 1940.
Celebrities born in Hertfordshire include Rupert Grint, George Michael, Guy Ritchie, Vinnie Jones, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Brightman, Geri Halliwell, and Simon Le Bon.
Despite the built up areas, much of the county is given over to agriculture. There are many places to visit with interest for all the family and include:-
St Albans Cathedral
Aldenham Country Park
Berkhamsted Castle
Butterfly World, Chiswell Green
Hatfield House – Jacobean house, gardens and park
Towns in Hertfordshire
| Westmill | St Albans |
Activities in Hertfordshire
House and Gardens
Hatfield House - Where the city ends and the country begins
Visit abcbritain's profile on Pinterest.