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Most people in St Albans know of the Earl and Countess of Verulam, of the Grimston family and their mansion at Gorhambury - especially since Lady Verulam was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire last year. Fewer know that there is a Duke of St Albans - Murray de Vere Beauclerk, the 14th Duke. The Duke and his wife, the Duchess, visited St Albans on Friday 9th May at the invitation of the Mayor, Councillor Kate Morris.
First stop for the Duke was the Museum of St Albans in Hatfield Road, where he saw a portrait of the first Duke by Peter Lely. Historian Brian Adams toured the Museum displays with the Duke, who saw the city's mace, gifted to St Albans by Charles II, from whom the Duke is descended.
The Duke had not previously visited the city centre and was interested in the Cathedral quarter and the Town Hall. The Duke and Duchess climbed the 93 steps of the Clocktower to view the market area and the splendid view almost to London, where they live.
The first Duke was the son of Charles II by Nell Gwyn. The present Duke's son, and heir to the title, Charles Beauclerk, has written a biography of Nell Gwyn, published by Macmillan in 2005. In his book, Charles Beauclerk makes reference to John Churchill and the family of Sarah Jennings of Sandridge, first Duke of Marlborough, who lived in St Albans. Accounts of Nell Gwyn's household expenditure show payments to Sarah's mother Frances for dressmaking. Another member of the Beauclerk family, Lord Frederick, was vicar of St Michaels and of Redbourn from 1827 until his death in 1850. He was also a famous cricketer and steeplechaser.
The Duchess was charmed by the medieval city centre, the Cathedral and St Michael's village and said: "It really is such an interesting town, and I think it is right to maintain and display the heritage you have here, whilst using it to effect for modern day purposes." http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/ |
