Shenley viewed from Woodhall Lane
Shenley's history
Shenley has witnessed a fair share of our nation's history. To find out more, click on the links below. If you have more information about Shenley's history, please e-mail webmaster@shenleyvillage.org. Thanks!
The Shenley Village Society's history gives an overview of the story of Shenley. it begins below, and continues on the following pages.
For additional information on aspects of Shenley's pre-war history, click here. If you are interested in Shenley's role in the Second World War, or have recollections that may be of interest to others, click here.
Shenley Hospital played a big part in the story of Shenley in the twentieth century. To find out more, click here.
Other sources
You may also be interested in the extracts from William's Page ' A History of the County of Hertford' (1908) about Shenley at the British History Online website and from various other books at the Hertfordshire Genealogy's website. Shenley-related sources are also held at the in the National Archives' website, and at the Guildhall Library in London.
Joyce Boswell's 'A history of Shenley' is well worth a read, Although it is out of print, Hertfordshire Libraries hold copies.
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A history of Shenley
(text by Shenley Village Society)
| Shenley is located in south-west Hertfordshire between St Albans and Barnet and is the first green belt village out of north London. It stands on a plateau at the top of a hill. |
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The history of Shenley stretches back a thousand years or more - it is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The name Shenley is based on the Anglo-Saxon Scenlai, Scenlei or Senlai, which means ‘fair or bright clearing or wood’. In the early Middle Ages, south-west Hertfordshire was heavily wooded, with isolated farmsteads or hamlets in forest clearings. Shenley would have been one of these settlements. |
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Shenley viewed from Woodhall Lane |
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The early village was possibly located at the foot of Shenley Hill at the
site where St Botolph’s Church still stands. The earliest mention of this
church, now a private dwelling, is in 1136. By the 1300’s, Shenley was considered to be a convenient parish for a country estate, being within reasonable reach of London. Its pure air, after the smoke and fog of the city made it a healthy place to live. The present village of Shenley apparently grew to accommodate the families of those providing a variety of services for the country estates of the gentry. Parish Registers, dating back to 1657, include service occupations such as coachmen, bailiffs, bakers and labourers. Others worked in agriculture, as cattle drovers, shepherds and millers. Craftsmen in Shenley included tailors, weavers, shoemakers, cordwainers, brick makers, blacksmiths and carpenters. Tiles and bricks were made in the area, due to the abundance of suitable clay. |