 t. Albans did not become a Cathedral city until 1877, but the history of the site of the Cathedral church goes along way back in time. The site of the church was sacred even before Augustine arrived in Britain in around 597. A young Roman called Alban gave refuge to to a Christian priest who was being hunted because of his religion. Alban helped the priest escape by pretending to be the priest himself. Alban was captured and beheaded, his head being buried. King Offa founded a monestary at the site and Benedictine monks built an abbey in the memory of St. Alban. After the Conquest a Norman Bishop was appointed abbot and rebuilding work commenced. Some sections of this Norman church still remain today. St. Albans Cathedral has the longest nave of any cathedral in England. It is 106 metres or 348 feet in length. |
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