Thundridge History
The earliest known occupation within our area was near Cowards, to the north east of Moles farm, where a large early Iron Age settlement was found during excavations for the gas pipeline in 1968. A good deal of finds, including pottery, animal bones and flint flakes with honing stones. The fact that these stones were among the discoveries points to a date of about the early sixth century B.C., the cattle bones were of a comparable size to our modern day Jersey cow and the bones fit the cooking pots of parts which were also found.
The Romans must settled in the area as well, as the route of the old A10 is roughly the same as 'Ermine Street' of that time, thought by many to be an ancient track. There was also a Roman villa at Youngsbury and two Tumuli (burial mounds) are still in existence, one of these was excavated in 1889 and the items found are now in the Verulamium Museum, St. Albans.
Fabdens in Cold Christmas Lane, Thundridge, dates from medieval times and is reputed to be the finest example of a yeoman's hall house of the Wealden type in England. The 15th century tower with Norman doorway remains of St Mary and All Hallows' Church can be found at the end of a bridle path from Fabdens. The whole moated area surrounding and including the churchyard is a scheduled ancient monument and recognised as a deserted medieval village.
All that is left of Thundridge Manor in Thundridgebury is the central brick chimney stack. First mentioned in 1535, the manor was pulled down in 1812.
More soon............