Saint Alban is known as Britain’s first saint and was buried on this site 1700 years ago. There has probably been a shrine here since then.

A new shrine was built in 1308 but was destroyed when the Abbey was closed down in 1539. Pieces from this shrine were used to restore the shrine in 1872 and again in 1993. There is also a small memorial chapel underneath the main shrine chapel. This belongs to Duke Humphrey of Gloucester (d. 1447), the only royal to be buried at St Albans Cathedral.

This part of the Cathedral continues to be a place of pilgrimage, prayer and reflection.

Image: Donato Cinicolo