Nomansland Common

Humans have used Nomansland Common for thousands of years and flint axe heads found on the Common have been dated to 4,000BC.

Since at least the Middle Ages, commoners have used Nomansland to graze their livestock and within living memory three flocks of sheep were grazed on the Common.

In 1461, during the Wars of the Roses, the Yorkist army retreated across the Common during the Second Battle of St Albans, which may be an explanation for the cannon balls and 25 skeletons supposedly found on the Common in the 19th century.

During the 1700’s Nomansland was a notorious place for highway robberies, so much so that a gibbet was erected on the Common as a warning to would be thieves.

The most notorious robber of the time was dubbed the Wicked Lady, she was unmasked after her death as Lady Ferrers of Markyate.

Although the Common fell into private ownership in the 17th century, the local population retained the grazing rights.  The Common has long been used for sports and leisure activities.  In the 18th century hunting was popular, while in 1826 cricket was introduced.

The Common also became a venue for brutal prize fighting, sometimes with fatal consequences, In 1833 a fight between Simon Byrne champion of Ireland and James Burke lasted 99 rounds (about 3 hours).  Horse racing also took place between 1829 and 1837 which was supported by nobility. In 1829 George IV won the St Albans Cup on the course.  Since the heydays of formal sports on the Common, the area has provided a location for more passive recreational activities.

During WW II Field Marshal Montgomery reviewed some of his troops here prior to making an assault on the Second Front and German & Italian prisoners of war cleared scrub on the southern half of the common, so it could be ploughed for crops to help the war effort.  In 1965 the Common was registered under the Commons Registration Act.  The area is unified by its historical origin as an unenclosed open margined Common (The Landscape Partnership 2001).