Editing Wheathampstead (section)

==History==
[[Belgae|Belgic]] invaders settled in this area around 50 BC. They moved up the rivers [[River Thames|Thames]] and [[River Lea|Lea]] from what is now [[Belgium]]. Evidence for them was found in Devil's Dyke, at the eastern side of Wheathampstead. The [[Devil's Dyke, Hertfordshire|Devil's Dyke]] earthworks are part of the remains of an ancient settlement of the [[Catuvellauni]] and thought to have been the tribe's original capital. The capital was moved to [[Verlamion]] (which after the Roman conquest the Romans would rename [[Verulamium]], which in turn would become modern St Albans) in about 20 BC.
Although silver Republican coins dating back to 100 BC are common finds around the verulam settlement. 
The Devil's Dyke is reputedly where [[Julius Caesar]] defeated [[Cassivellaunus]] in 54 BC, although this claim is disputed. Some historians suggest that the dyke was part of the same defensive rampart as nearby [[Beech Bottom Dyke]], which, if correct, would make the area one of the largest and most important British [[Iron Age]] settlements.

[[File:St. Helen's Church, Wheathampstead - geograph.org.uk - 1431983.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead|St Helen's Church]]]]
Later, the village is recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 under the name {{lang|la|Watamestede}}. It appears that a church existed at Wheathampstead before the [[Norman Conquest]], as Wheathampstead was given by [[Edward the Confessor]] to [[Westminster Abbey]], but it is very difficult to determine whether any portion of the present [[St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead|St Helen's Church]] is of Saxon work. The original structure was demolished in the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], the oldest portion of the present church, in the chancel, is assigned to the year 1280.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wheathampstead.net/sthhisst.htm|title=St Helen's Church, Wheathampstead, history.|website=www.wheathampstead.net}}</ref>

Some historians have claimed ([[Trokelowe]], {{lang|la|Annales}} (Rolls Ser.), 78.) that in 1312 the barons who leagued against [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] and his favourite [[Piers Gaveston]], gathered their troops at Wheathampstead, and whilst there refused to receive emissaries from the Pope, although there seems to be no other documentary evidence of this.

Until 1859, Wheathampstead and [[Harpenden]] were part of a single rectory. Before then, several of the rectors of Wheathampstead-cum-Harpenden after 1238 went on to have unusually successful ecclesiastical careers. [[Richard Sampson]], who held the position in the 16th century, was in 1523 appointed [[Lord President of Wales]], and in 1543 consecrated [[Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield]]. [[Richard Pate (bishop)|Richard Pate]], another rector, was in 1554 consecrated [[Bishop of Worcester]]. Lambert Osbaldeston was also master of [[Westminster School]], and became more famous later for a controversy with [[Archbishop Laud]]; having used libellous language he was, in 1639, deprived of his living and fined £5,000. [[Henry Killigrew (playwright)|Henry Killigrew]], in 1661, was made [[Master of the Savoy]]. John Lambe, whose father mainly devoted his life to the alleviation of the sufferings of prisoners, was also a rector, and was made Chaplain in Ordinary to [[William III of England|William III]] and [[Mary II of England|Mary II]]. John Wheeldon (1773–1800) was the author of several works, and [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]'s private tutor was also a former rector.

[[File:IMG 0226 Wheathampstead Cricket Ground.jpg|thumb|Cricket at Wheathampstead]]
The village is also close to [[Nomansland, Hertfordshire|Nomansland common]], and slightly further afield, [[St Albans]].