What was the original name of Verulamium before Roman arrival?
The pre-Roman settlement was called Verlamion. Scholars reconstruct this Brittonic name as Uerulāmion meaning the tribe or settlement of the broad hand.
Questions about Verulamium
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Boudica destroy Verulamium during her revolt against Rome?
Boudica ordered the destruction of Verulamium in 61 AD. Archaeologists have found a black ash layer confirming the town was sacked and burnt that year.
Who is Saint Alban and what happened to him at Verulamium?
Saint Alban was the first British Christian martyr who sheltered a priest named Amphibalus. He was condemned to death in the 3rd century for his actions and became the namesake of the modern city.
Where can visitors see the unique theatre ruins of ancient Verulamium today?
A unique theatre stands on the grounds of the Gorhambury Estate today. It remains the only fully excavated example of its kind in Britain with a stage rather than an amphitheatre.
How did medieval builders use stone from the Roman city of Verulamium?
Medieval builders quarried stone from the Roman city to construct St Albans Abbey. Much of the Norman abbey used Roman brick and stone visible today.