Redbourn

in 1746

Redborne, which is in the Hundred of Caifho, and lies to the North Weft of St. Alban's and Gorhambury. It was fo called, fays Mr. Camden, from Red Water, tho' the River which runs by it is no more red than the Red Sea; others fuppofed its Name to come from Reeds, growing in the River; but the more proper Derivation feems to be from the Road that leads to St. Alban's. thro' the River to Dunftable; for Red fignifies, in our Old Englifh, a Road, or Paffage, and Bun: is a Rivulet.

In ancient Times this Place was very famous for the Relicks of Amphibalus, an eminent Preacher, who had converted many in divers Parts of Britain, and at length coming to Verulam, made a Convert of St. Alban, and lodged with him till he was forced to fly, under the Perfecution of Dioclesian, when St. Alhan was mar tyr'd. He travelled into divers Parts, and at laft was made Bifhop of Anglefey, where he appear'd with great Zeal againft the Idols and falfe Gods of the Welch; and being apprehended, was brought to Verulam, and put to Death in the fame Place where St. Alban had before fuffer'd; but the Chriftians feeing his Body lying neglected, took it, and buried it in this Place, where much Veneration was paid to it, till it was removed, and enfhrined with St. Alhan's at Verulam in 1178. He was a rare Linguift, and a great Divine for thofe Times. He wrote a Book againft the Errors of the Gentiles, fome Homilies upon the Evangelifts and other learned Works. mentioned by Bale.

This Town is at prefent most remarkable for the old Military High Way, called Watling-Street, upon which it is feated, and for a certain Brook near it, called Wenmer, or Womer, which (as the People generally believe) never breaketh forth, or fwelleth higher than ufual, but it foretells a Scarcity of Corn, or lome troublefome Times approaching.  The Manor of this continued in the Abbot till the Diffolution, when it paffed to the Crown, and ftill remains in it.

The Church is a Vicarage, the great Tithes being appropriated to the Abbey, which, after the Diffohution, was given to Sir Ralph Rowlet, and are fince vefted in the Heirs of Sir Harbottle Grimfton, who bought them of Sir Francis Bacon, Vifcount of St. Albam's. The Building was erected by John Wethamfted, and fituated near the Town. It is in the Patronage of the Right Honourable the Lord Vifcount Grimfton.

The Agreeable Historian, 1746