Chiltern Society PhotoGroup

 
 
 
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In medieval times a community of Benedictine nuns was established in Markyate by Christina. On the ruins of the original priory a manor house, Markyate Cell was built. Many additions have been made over the centuries to the house but parts of the original Tudor building are intact.

In the 1600s it housed Lady Katherine Ferrers who in an unhappy marriage resorted to dressing up as a man and venturing out at night as a Highwayman on Watling Street. She joined with a local farmer, also a highwayman, continuing with her exploits until he was caught and hanged. She then continued alone until she was mortally wounded on her final foray in Wheathampstead at the age of 26.
Author: J Fitzgerald