History of the Hemel Hempstead Rose and Crown Pub

Introduction

Pre-Roman, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon antiquities found in this neighbourhood point to a fairly continuous series of settlements on or about the site of the present town.

Until Tudor times Hemel was a small agricultural hamlet,it was not till 29 December, 1539, that the town received a charter of incorporation from Henry VIII, under the title of 'the Bailiff and Inhabitants,' its government being vested in a bailiff, annually elected by the inhabitants on St. Andrew's day. The first bailiff, William Stephyns, was nominated by the king. A market, a fair, and a court of piepowder to be held during markets and fairs, were granted at the same time. on 29th December, 1539 King Henry VIII, granted a charter of incorporation to make Hemel a market town, which took place in the area around the Old Town Hall.

The ancient market-place was occupied in the beginning of the nineteenth century by a long range of corn lofts which stood on wooden pillars, and underneath which the open markets were held. n 1825 a town hall was erected in the centre of these buildings; in 1851–52 it was demolished with the northern portion of the market-house, and a new town hall was built above the open market-place, which was preserved until, in 1857, it was inclosed to form a corn exchange. The stalls, which had been a part of the market, were then transferred to the street. In 1868 the remaining south part of the market-house was pulled down, and a new market-house, with corn stores above it, was erected on the site. The town acquired, before 1888, part of the churchyard, with which and with some town land a new marketplace was formed.

It is said that when King Henry VIII visited Hemel Hempstead with Anne Bolelyn, he stayed at the Bury in Gadebridge Park belonging to John Waterhouse. The remains known as the 'Charter Tower' were the porch of 'The Bury' with the floor above bearing the carving of the arms of Richard Coombes, who leased the dairy and meadows of Hemel Hempstead and the stock, which consisted of a bull, twelve cows, a boar and a sow in 1535 from Thomas Waterhouse, the last rector of Ashridge. Elizabeth 1 also had connections with Hemel Hempstead, as late in her reign she gave lands around Boxmoor to Robert Earl of Leicester, who conveyed the land to the Boxmoor Trust, local residents are still entitled to grazing rights on the moor to this day.

St Mary's church was begun in 1140, the base of the central tower dates from the 12th century, the top of the timber framed spire was added in the 14th century. The Spire rises 130 feet above the parapet and is reputed to be the highest church spire in Western Europe. It was a surprisingly grand church for the size of the community of the time and is situated in the grounds of Gadebridge Park just off the Old High Street. It is regarded as one of the most complete Norman churches in Hertfordshire and not only held church services but would host feasts, festivals and dancing.

In 1803 a statute fair was first held, it was the beginning of a hiring fair, and was under the control of the bailiff. Its receipts dwindled to nothing, and its original use being lost, the bailiff's control ceased, and the fair came to be held in a field behind the Rose and Crown Inn.

The Charter fair

In the agricultural world, a Statute fair was the time of hiring skilled workmen for the coming year. A hiring fair often known locally as the Statute Fair, or simply the Statutes, was held during Wakes Week. The fair’s origin was in the Statute of Labourers of 1351 - an (unsuccessful) attempt to freeze wages after the Black Death when, with labour in short supply, workmen began to demand their price for employment. By the 19th century workmen were still going to hiring fairs in search of new jobs and farmers were on the look-out for good workmen. Over the years the holiday accompanying the hiring fair developed into a week of celebration.

Sir Astley Paston Cooper, the famous surgeon, lived at Gadebridge Park.

This 16th century inn stands on one of the oldest sites in Hemel Hempstead and originally provided 4 beds and stabling for 20 horses - not available now though!

The fireplace in one of the bars looks as if it needs refurbishing, but in fact has been authenticated by the English Heritage as dating back to 1575. It contains medieval graffiti, and if you look very closely you can see two figures said to be of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Apparently they used to stay often in the old hunting lodge in Gadebridge park, and did their courting in the Old High street ale houses. So as we are not allowed to cover the fireplace up it's there for all to see.

Hemel Hempsteads past

Although Hemel Hempstead is a "New Town" the area has a past that goes back a long way. Originally covered in forest, the land was gradually cleared, and there is some evidence that new stone age, iron age and bronze age man lived in the area. (not all at the same time though!).

The origin of the word Hemel probably came from "Haemele" which was the name of this district in the eighth century (most likely named after the person that owned it). Also suggested is that Haemele means the confluence of two rivers, which in this case would be the Gade & the Bulbourne. In the book the History of Hemel Hempstead, by the Hemel Hempstead local history and records society it says, "Hemel Hempstead itself first enters the written records in the eighth century when lands in the district of Hamele (Haemele is probably a personal name) were granted by Offa, King of Essex, to the Bishop of London in A.D.705." Then in the appendix of the same book, it reads, "First mentioned in the 8th century, this name probably means broken (OE hamol, hamel)." The combined name is referred to in the Domesday Book as "Hamelamesede", but in later centuries it became Hamelhamsted. The word Hempstead probably originated from "hamstede" which means homestead.

The Romans

The importance of the area in the Roman times hinged on the fact that it was near to the city of Verulamium (St. Albans). Raw materials were traded and in return pottery, wine and cloth were purchased from the city merchants. Roman villas have been excavated at Boxmoor, and in Gadebridge, remains of a large villa with a bathing pool were found.(How the other half lived!).

The Saxons

There is little solid evidence of the Saxon occupation of the area, but some documents of the time refer to Hemel Hempstead as "Hamele". In 704 land rights were granted, by decree of the king of Essex to the Bishop of London.

The Normans

Most of the information of this time comes from the "Domesday book" which was a survey carried out for William the Conqueror on his new lands in 1086. It informs us that Hemel Hempstead had 1800 acres of woodland belonged to Robert, Count of Mortain (William's half brother) St. Mary's church was begun in about 1140, situated in Gadebridge park, it's regarded as one of the most complete Norman churches in Hertfordshire. The base of the central tower dates from the 12th century. The top of the 70ft. timber framed spire was added in the 14th century, this spire rises a further 130ft. above the parapet and is reputed to be one of the highest church spires in Western Europe.

It was a surprisingly grand church for the small size of the community, that not only held church services but would host feasts, festivals and dancing. The basic structure is much the same now as it was when first built, but It has been added to and the interior changed over the generations. The walled gardens shown in the photo are beautiful and peaceful any time of the year. The entrance is in Gadebridge park.

The Tudor Connection Until Tudor times Hemel was still a small agricultural hamlet. In 1539 King Henry VIII, granted a charter to make Hemel a market town. It is said that when he visited Hemel Hempstead with Anne Boleyn he stayed at the Bury in Gadebridge park, all that remains is the charter tower next to the church (see photo right). This was the beginning of the town's population growth. Elizabeth I also had connections with Boxmoor, late in her reign she gave the lands around Boxmoor (some 245 acres) to Robert Earl of Leicester, who conveyed the land to the Boxmoor Trust so holding the land for the use of the local inhabitants. Local residents are still entitled to grazing rights on the moor to this day.

When repairs were being made to some cottages in Piccotts End, Medieval wall paintings of unusual quality were discovered behind several layers of wallpaper dating back to the late 15th century.

Our town and pubs historic connection with the Tudors

Not far from Hemel Hempstead, the market town of Hatfield is situated in the shadow of Hatfield House. The house has strong connections with Hemel Hempstead and the pub itself.

Hatfield House was completed in 1611. It was built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury and son of Lord Burghley, the chief minister of Elizabeth I. The deer park surrounding the house and the older building of the Old Palace had been owned by Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, who had used it as a home for his children, Edward, Elizabeth and Mary. It was while she was living in the Old Palace, in 1558, that Elizabeth learned of her accession to the throne.

The Cecils’ former home was at Theobalds, also in Hertfordshire. In 1607, Elizabeth’s heir, James I offered to exchange Theobalds for the Old Palace and manor of Hatfield. A draft Paliamentary Act of exchange survives in the Cecil Papers at Hatfield, dated May 1607. Salisbury began building work immediately. The main architect of the house was Robert Lemynge but Simon Basil, the Surveyor of the King’s Works and Inigo Jones also contributed to the design.

Salisbury had been appointed Lord Treasurer in April 1607 as well as Chief Secretary, but, he became ill and died, aged only 48, in April 1612. Although he was buried in Hatfield, he didn’t live to enjoy the house that was to become the home of his descendants for the next 400 years.

Coffee Tavern

On 7th November 1901, 9 months after the death of Queen Victoria the King Harry Coffee tavern, situated opposite the Rose and Crown public house, closed after 20 years of business. It had been the headquarters of the Hemel Hempstead Coffee Tavern Company, a temperance society founded by Quakers in 1880 to promote the consumption of tea and coffee, particularly amongst young people of the borough. At the time there were around 50 public houses in the old town and drunkenness was a problem.

Penny tokens were minted for the Tavern, probably at William Cranstones foundry just across the road, which could be exchanged for 'one penny worth of refreshment' and these were distributed to the worthy through local parish churches. This building still stands today at number 28, Old High Street, after it was purchased by the London and County Bank which later became The National Westminster Bank.