The town is first recorded as Verlamion, a Celtic British Iron Age settlement whose name means ‘the settlement above the marsh’. After the Roman conquest of Britain in AD 43, it developed as Verulamium and became one of the largest towns in Roman Britain but was later destroyed during the revolt of Boudicca in AD 60-61 before being rebuilt.

One of the most significant events in the town’s history and its namesake was the execution of Alban in around AD 250. Alban was a pagan living in Verulamium who was converted to Christianity when he sheltered a Christian priest. The legend goes that Alban switched cloaks with the priest and was arrested in his stead by Roman soldiers and subsequently executed for his faith. Alban’s declaration “I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things” is still used in prayer at St Albans Cathedral. He was later made a saint and named as the first Christian martyr. A shrine was built on the site of his death following Emperor Constantine’s adoption of Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire.

The Roman City of Verulamium slowly declined and fell into decay after the departure of the Roman Army in AD 410. However, the ruined buildings provided materials to build the new Norman Abbey and the Roman bricks removed from Verulamium are still evident in the Cathedral today.

Much of the Roman town was uncovered in the 1930’s including a hypocaust, mosaic flooring and remaining walls. These are on view in Verulamium Park today. Many of the artefacts are housed in the Verulamium Museum, also in the park. There is also the nearby open air privately owned Roman theatre. Also in the park is reputedly one of oldest pubs in England, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, having one of the longest running continuous licences.