William Rogers and William Gilbert, beer tasters of Watford
William Rogers of Elizabethan Watford lost his elder brother when Thomas sailed away to Holland and eventually the new world of America on the Mayflower. William, however, remained on the family farm in Watford. The early 17th century in England saw the last of a tradition - the Manor Court. For centuries, the Lord of the Manor often won the right to hold court in the parish, called Court Leet. He held authority over the tenants of the parish for small infractions against
How Watford remembers King Henry VIII
When Henry VIII ascended England’s throne in 1509, aged just under 18, there can be little doubt he had no idea of the impact he would have on the Kingdom - let alone the parish of Watford. His elder brother, the Prince of Wales, had died when Henry was 10. The new Prince was kept away from public and kingly duties, so that he was "untrained in the exacting art of kingship". Only days after becoming King, Henry decided to marry Catherine of Aragon, his elder brother's wido
