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St Albans Cathedral.

"The town of St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, is situated close to the site of the ancient Verulamium, probably at first a British town, and then a town with some of the privileges of Roman citizens. The Roman road, called by the Saxons the Watling-street, was also called Werlaem-street, because it went direct to Verulam, passing close under its walls. Verulam was the scene of dreadful slaughter in the great rebellion under Boadicea, who destroyed here and at Londinium (London), and at other places, about 70,000 Roman citizens and their allies. Suetonius Paulinus, the then governor of Britain, in return for her barbarity, attacked her forces, gained a complete victory, and put 80,000 to the sword. Verulam was then rebuilt, and its inhabitants enjoyed their privileges until the Dioclesian persecution, a.d. 304 ; when the city was again rendered famous by the martyrdom of its citizen, St. Alban: " In Britain's isle was Holy Alban born"....

The church is in the form of a cross; its extreme length is 556 feet, being three feet longer than Winchester Cathedral, and thus longer than any of our cathedrals. There are two transepts, 170 feet long, and a central tower, 150 feet high, of the Norman period, from which time to that of Edward IV. the style of every age may be traced in succession. The most central parts are the most ancient. The carved oak ceiling of the Norman lantern is 102 feet from the pavement. Extract from Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales (Open Library)

Address:
Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban,
St Albans,
Hertfordshire Al1 1BY
Website: www.stalbanscathedral.org

Some of the best cathedrals......

England: St Paul's Cathedral
 
England: York Minster
 
England: Canterbury Cathedral
 
Scotland: St Giles Cathedral
 
Wales: St David's Cathedral

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