Verlamion facts for kids

Verlamion, also known as Verlamio, was an important ancient town in Iron Age Britain. It was the main home and power base for a powerful tribe called the Catuvellauni. Their leader, Tasciovanus, ruled from here starting around 20 BC. Verlamion remained a major centre until shortly after the Romans invaded Britain in AD 43. You can find its old location on Prae Hill, about 2 kilometres west of today's St Albans.

What Does Verlamion Mean?

The exact meaning of the name Verlamion is not fully known. One idea is that it means "settlement above the marsh." Another suggestion is that it comes from "Uerulamos," meaning "Broad-Hand." These ideas come from the ancient language called Common Brittonic.

Some people also think the name might be linked to the River Ver, which flows nearby. The word "Ver" could mean "short," or it might come from an old word for a "foaming" or "bubbling" river.

Life in the Iron Age

Historians believe that the main capital of the Catuvellauni tribe was moved to Verlamion by Tasciovanus. This happened sometime between 25 BC and 5 BC. We are not completely sure where the capital was before this.

However, clues from ancient writings and archaeological finds suggest it might have been further north. One possible spot is near Wheathampstead. Here, a large earthwork called the Devil's Dyke might have been part of a big defensive settlement near the River Lea.

The First Coins of Verlamion

Tasciovanus was the first king to make his own coins in Verlamion. He started doing this around 10 BC. This shows that Verlamion was a very important place. There is also evidence that the town might have been a significant place for religious ceremonies.

Cunobelinus and Defences

The town continued to grow and become more important under Tasciovanus's son, Cunobelinus. He might have built another large defensive earthwork called Beech Bottom Dyke. The exact purpose of this earthwork is still a bit of a mystery.

Some experts think Beech Bottom Dyke was part of a huge defensive system. This system might have stretched all the way from the River Ver to the River Lea, protecting the entire area.

Roman and Later Times

When the Romans arrived, they built a new city on the same site. They gave it a Latin name: Verulamium. Much later, during Saxon times, the city of St Albans was founded on a nearby hill.

Visiting the Museum

If you want to learn more about Verlamion and the Roman city of Verulamium, you can visit the Verulamium Museum. While it mostly shows Roman items, it also has a special section about the time before the Romans arrived.