Wheathampstead: Difference between revisions
imported>Stortford update population, noting distinction between separate figures for built up area and parish, and swap picture of St Helen's Church for a better one |
imported>Stortford new photos, source for station |
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|official_name= Wheathampstead | |official_name= Wheathampstead | ||
|civil_parish= Wheathampstead | |civil_parish= Wheathampstead | ||
|static_image_name=Wheathampstead | |static_image_name=High Street, Wheathampstead.jpg | ||
|static_image_caption= | |static_image_caption=High Street | ||
|coordinates = {{coord|51.812|-0.293|display=inline,title}} | |coordinates = {{coord|51.812|-0.293|display=inline,title}} | ||
|os_grid_reference= TL1714 | |os_grid_reference= TL1714 | ||
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The Devil's Dyke is reputedly where [[Julius Caesar]] defeated [[Cassivellaunus]] in 54 BC, although this claim is disputed. Some historians suggest that the dyke was part of the same defensive rampart as nearby [[Beech Bottom Dyke]], which, if correct, would make the area one of the largest and most important British [[Iron Age]] settlements. | The Devil's Dyke is reputedly where [[Julius Caesar]] defeated [[Cassivellaunus]] in 54 BC, although this claim is disputed. Some historians suggest that the dyke was part of the same defensive rampart as nearby [[Beech Bottom Dyke]], which, if correct, would make the area one of the largest and most important British [[Iron Age]] settlements. | ||
[[File:St | [[File:St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead, June 2025.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead|St Helen's Church]]]] | ||
Later, the village is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 under the name {{lang|la|Watamestede}}. It appears that a church existed at Wheathampstead before the [[Norman Conquest]], as Wheathampstead was given by [[Edward the Confessor]] to [[Westminster Abbey]], but it is very difficult to determine whether any portion of the present [[St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead|St Helen's Church]] is of Saxon work. The original structure was demolished in the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], the oldest portion of the present church, in the chancel, is assigned to the year 1280.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheathampstead.net/sthhisst.htm|title=St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead, history.|website=www.wheathampstead.net}}</ref> | Later, the village is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 under the name {{lang|la|Watamestede}}. It appears that a church existed at Wheathampstead before the [[Norman Conquest]], as Wheathampstead was given by [[Edward the Confessor]] to [[Westminster Abbey]], but it is very difficult to determine whether any portion of the present [[St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead|St Helen's Church]] is of Saxon work. The original structure was demolished in the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], the oldest portion of the present church, in the chancel, is assigned to the year 1280.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheathampstead.net/sthhisst.htm|title=St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead, history.|website=www.wheathampstead.net}}</ref> | ||
Some historians have claimed ([[Trokelowe]], {{lang|la|Annales}} (Rolls Ser.), 78.) that in 1312 the barons who leagued against [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] and his favourite [[Piers Gaveston]], gathered their troops at Wheathampstead, and whilst there refused to receive emissaries from the Pope, although there seems to be no other documentary evidence of this. | Some historians have claimed ([[Trokelowe]], {{lang|la|Annales}} (Rolls Ser.), 78.) that in 1312 the barons who leagued against [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] and his favourite [[Piers Gaveston]], gathered their troops at Wheathampstead, and whilst there refused to receive emissaries from the Pope, although there seems to be no other documentary evidence of this. | ||
The parish of Wheathampstead included the [[chapelry]] of [[Harpenden]] until 1859. Several of the rectors of Wheathampstead (sometimes called Wheathampstead-cum-Harpenden) went on to have successful ecclesiastical careers. [[Richard Sampson]], who held the position in the 16th century, was in 1523 appointed [[Lord President of Wales]], and in 1543 consecrated [[Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield]]. [[Richard Pate (bishop)|Richard Pate]], another rector, was in 1554 consecrated [[Bishop of Worcester]]. Lambert Osbaldeston was also master of [[Westminster School]], and became more famous later for a controversy with [[Archbishop Laud]]; having used libellous language he was, in 1639, deprived of his living and fined £5,000. [[Henry Killigrew (playwright)|Henry Killigrew]], in 1661, was made [[Master of the Savoy]]. John Lambe, whose father mainly devoted his life to the alleviation of the sufferings of prisoners, was also a rector, and was made Chaplain in Ordinary to [[William III of England|William III]] and [[Mary II of England|Mary II]]. John Wheeldon (1773–1800) was the author of several works, and [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]'s private tutor was also a former rector. | |||
[[File:IMG 0226 Wheathampstead Cricket Ground.jpg|thumb|Cricket at Wheathampstead]] | [[File:IMG 0226 Wheathampstead Cricket Ground.jpg|thumb|Cricket at Wheathampstead]] | ||
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==Transport== | ==Transport== | ||
[[File:Wheathampstead Station.jpg|thumb|Partially restored platform at former [[Wheathampstead railway station]], with statue of [[George Bernard Shaw]] and a short stretch of relayed track and a truck]] | |||
[[Wheathampstead railway station]] was opened in 1860 on the [[Hertford, Luton and Dunstable Railway]], a branch line linking [[Dunstable]] and [[Luton]] to the [[Great Northern Railway (Great Britain)|Great Northern Railway]]'s main line at [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire|Hatfield]]. The branch line was bought by the Great Northern Railway the year after it opened. The station closed in 1965.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Woodward |first1=Sue |last2=Woodward |first2=Geoff |title=Branch Lines to Dunstable |date=2008 |publisher=Middleton Press |location=Midhurst |isbn=9781906008277 |page=94}}</ref> An amateur film of the line's last day of operation can be seen on [[YouTube]] under the title "Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden East, Luton Hoo, Bute, Dunstable".<ref>{{cite web |title=Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden East, Luton Hoo, Bute, Dunstable Railway circa early 1960’s |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBrJhh1_Ou8 |website=YouTube |access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> | |||
Public transport is now provided by an hourly bus between [[Borehamwood]] and [[Harpenden]], operated by Aylesbury-based bus company Red Rose Travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redrosetravel.com/timetables/2816b521-dd3a-48cf-90bd-36e24bd37355 | access-date=2023-10-20| title=Timetable 357 Borehamwood - Harpenden via St Albans & Wheathamsptead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327013651/https://www.redrosetravel.com/timetables/2816b521-dd3a-48cf-90bd-36e24bd37355| archive-date=2023-03-27}}</ref> A half-hourly bus operated by [[Uno (bus company)|Uno]] also runs through Wheathampstead between [[Luton]] and [[Hatfield, Hertfordshire|Hatfield]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unobus.info/services/hertfordshire/dragonfly-610612/|title=610/612 | Uno|website=www.unobus.info}}</ref> | |||
==Notable residents== | ==Notable residents== | ||
Latest revision as of 19:41, 21 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:More citations needed Template:Use British English Template:Infobox UK place Wheathampstead is a large village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England, north of St Albans. Included within the parish is the small hamlet of Amwell. The built up area of Wheathampstead had an estimated population of 4,628 in 2022, whilst the parish had a population of 6,622 at the 2021 census.
History
Belgic invaders settled in this area around 50 BC. They moved up the rivers Thames and Lea from what is now Belgium. Evidence for them was found in Devil's Dyke, at the eastern side of Wheathampstead. The Devil's Dyke earthworks are part of the remains of an ancient settlement of the Catuvellauni and thought to have been the tribe's original capital. The capital was moved to Verlamion (which after the Roman conquest the Romans would rename Verulamium, which in turn would become modern St Albans) in about 20 BC. Although silver Republican coins dating back to 100 BC are common finds around the verulam settlement. The Devil's Dyke is reputedly where Julius Caesar defeated Cassivellaunus in 54 BC, although this claim is disputed. Some historians suggest that the dyke was part of the same defensive rampart as nearby Beech Bottom Dyke, which, if correct, would make the area one of the largest and most important British Iron Age settlements.
Later, the village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Script error: No such module "Lang".. It appears that a church existed at Wheathampstead before the Norman Conquest, as Wheathampstead was given by Edward the Confessor to Westminster Abbey, but it is very difficult to determine whether any portion of the present St Helen's Church is of Saxon work. The original structure was demolished in the reign of Henry III, the oldest portion of the present church, in the chancel, is assigned to the year 1280.[1]
Some historians have claimed (Trokelowe, Script error: No such module "Lang". (Rolls Ser.), 78.) that in 1312 the barons who leagued against Edward II and his favourite Piers Gaveston, gathered their troops at Wheathampstead, and whilst there refused to receive emissaries from the Pope, although there seems to be no other documentary evidence of this.
The parish of Wheathampstead included the chapelry of Harpenden until 1859. Several of the rectors of Wheathampstead (sometimes called Wheathampstead-cum-Harpenden) went on to have successful ecclesiastical careers. Richard Sampson, who held the position in the 16th century, was in 1523 appointed Lord President of Wales, and in 1543 consecrated Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. Richard Pate, another rector, was in 1554 consecrated Bishop of Worcester. Lambert Osbaldeston was also master of Westminster School, and became more famous later for a controversy with Archbishop Laud; having used libellous language he was, in 1639, deprived of his living and fined £5,000. Henry Killigrew, in 1661, was made Master of the Savoy. John Lambe, whose father mainly devoted his life to the alleviation of the sufferings of prisoners, was also a rector, and was made Chaplain in Ordinary to William III and Mary II. John Wheeldon (1773–1800) was the author of several works, and Queen Victoria's private tutor was also a former rector.
The village is also close to Nomansland common, and slightly further afield, St Albans.
Amwell
Script error: No such module "Distinguish". About Template:Convert to the southwest of Wheathamstead and lying within its civil and ecclesiastical parish, the hamlet of Amwell consists of a cluster of cottages and a public house at a crossroads. This small settlement has ancient origins and was first mentioned in 1272 as Hamewell in the records of Westminster Abbey. The name is derived from the Old English language hamm, an enclosure, and weille, a spring. The hamlet has five Grade II listed buildings; four are cottages dating from the 18th century together with the Elephant and Castle pub, whose chimneys may date from the 16th century. A further three houses are locally listed. Amwell became a conservation area in October 1983.[2]
Transport
Wheathampstead railway station was opened in 1860 on the Hertford, Luton and Dunstable Railway, a branch line linking Dunstable and Luton to the Great Northern Railway's main line at Hatfield. The branch line was bought by the Great Northern Railway the year after it opened. The station closed in 1965.[3] An amateur film of the line's last day of operation can be seen on YouTube under the title "Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden East, Luton Hoo, Bute, Dunstable".[4]
Public transport is now provided by an hourly bus between Borehamwood and Harpenden, operated by Aylesbury-based bus company Red Rose Travel.[5] A half-hourly bus operated by Uno also runs through Wheathampstead between Luton and Hatfield.[6]
Notable residents
- Rudolph Lambart, 10th Earl of Cavan (1865–1946), Field Marshal and Chief of Imperial General Staff
- Apsley Cherry-Garrard (1886–1959), polar explorer
- Reginald Owen (1887–1972), character actor
- William Beach Thomas (1868–1957), author, journalist, war correspondent and writer about country life, lived here in later life and is buried here.
- Archie Camden (1888–1979), bassoonist, died here at the age of 90.
- Michael Ventris (1922-1956), linguist who deciphered Linear B
- Nick Halling, TV presenter and sports journalist
- Nick Payne, playwright
- Diane Munday, abortion activist
Images
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The Mill Bridge and the Bull public house
-
River Lea flowing through Wheathampstead
References
Further reading
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".