Hertfordshire   By: Herbert W. (Herbert Winckworth) Tompkins (1867-)

HERTFORDSHIRE

[Illustration: ST. ALBAN'S ABBEY CHURCH]

HERTFORDSHIRE

By HERBERT W. TOMPKINS F.R.Hist.S.

With Illustrations by EDMUND H. NEW AND FROM PHOTOGRAPHS AND TWO MAPS

"Hearty, homely, loving Hertfordshire" CHARLES LAMB

LONDON METHUEN & CO. LTD. 36 Essex St. Strand

Second Edition, Revised

First Published March 1903 Second Edition, Revised 1922

TO MY WIFE

PREFACE

In the following pages I have endeavoured to give a brief description of Hertfordshire on the lines of Mr. F. G. Brabant's book in this series. The general features of the county are briefly described in the Introduction, in sections approximately corresponding to the sections of the volume on Sussex. I have thought it wise, however, to compress the Introduction within the briefest limits, in order that, in the Gazetteer, I might have space for more adequate treatment than would otherwise have been possible.

I have visited a large proportion of the towns, villages and hamlets of Hertfordshire, and have, so far as possible, written from personal observation.

I desire to thank Mr. John Hopkinson, F.L.S., F.G.S., etc., for his kindness in writing the sections on Climate and Botany ; Mr. A. E. Gibbs, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., for his permission to make use of several miscellanies from his pen, and Mr. Alfred Bentley of New Barnet for his courtesy in placing some photographs from his collection at the disposal of Mr. New.

VERULAM, SOUTHEND ON SEA, 1903.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1

I SITUATION, EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES 1

II PHYSICAL FEATURES 2

III CLIMATE 11

IV FLORA AND FAUNA 15

V POPULATION 23

VI COMMUNICATIONS 25

VII INDUSTRIES 28

VIII HISTORY 31

IX ANTIQUITIES 33

X CELEBRATED MEN 39

DESCRIPTION OF PLACES IN HERTFORDSHIRE ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY 45

INDEX TO PERSONS 235

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS

THE RAILWAYS OF HERTFORDSHIRE Front Cover

THE ABBEY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Frontispiece ( From a Photograph by the Graphotone Co., Enfield )

LEAFLESS BEECHES IN NOVEMBER, ASHRIDGE WOODS To face page 2 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )

ON THE RIVER COLNE 8 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )

GRAND JUNCTION CANAL AT TRING THE HIGHEST WATER LEVEL IN ENGLAND 10 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )

THE PARISH CHURCH, ALDBURY 47 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )

ASHRIDGE HOUSE 53 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )

OLD COTTAGE, BALDOCK 59 ( From a Photo. by Messrs. Valentine, Dundee )

CASTLE STREET, BERKHAMPSTEAD 72 ( From a Photo. by Mr. J. T. Newman, Great Berkhampstead )