Sitting just west of the Greenwich Meridian in North Hertfordshire, Royston is situated in a particularly rural area despite being less than fifty miles from London. All the same, Royston is a full-fledged twenty-first century city with an impressive railway system and fast access to some of the most important motorways that run to and from the city of Big Ben. All the same, the city is filled with an impressive history that permeates every nook and cranny of the scenic burg and Royston proudly honors its storied tradition as one of the oldest cities in the area.
Royston began as an occupied territory by the Roman Empire and the military roads that Rome built can still be seen to this day by anybody who walks around Royston. A cross was set up to commemorate the crossroads of two of these ancient roads and it began to go by the moniker "Roisia's Cross". Over the years the different occupying civilizations that oversaw the city began to alter the pronunciation and the town eventually became known as Royston. At any rate, the city sprang up quickly and it was one of the most advanced and hospitable burgs during the start of the middle ages. There were already two free clinics in the city before the much loved Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Richard Argentine, founded the hospital of St. John and St. Thomas in 1224, made specifically to treat lepers.
Royston was also the site of frequent visits by King James the first. He created a massive hunting lodge within the city in 1607 that was made of double-built brick and ornate tiling. The English crown was from then on tied to Royston, due mainly to its proximity to London. Prince Henry and Queen Anne both visited the town as did Charles I. Unfortunately, Charles I ended up having his throne taken away from him and was dragged through Royston's streets by the Parliamentary Army. That event quickly dissociated the Crown with the city and the royal buildings that were erected through the years quickly fell into disrepair.
Perhaps the best example of Royston's unending celebration of its history is the town council's coat of arms. An archiepiscopal staff is depicted on the coat with two Tudor roses wrapped around the staff. The staff is meant to represent the Priory of Royston while the roses symbolize the connection to the Tudor family. Also on the coat is the checky fesse of the Stewarts which is meant to represent King James the first. This coat of arms is displayed proudly in the city although some may wonder if Royston has accomplished anything truly worthy of its dedication to its own history. After all, the city's main claim to fame was that some kings and queens visited it here and there. The ancient Roman roads are not particularly rare considering that the Roman Empire once spanned half of the known world. All the same, the detractors who fault Royston for its global insignificance should instead be applauding Royston for its extreme civic pride.
| 
+44 (0)1462 893620
