Did you know that...
In 1050, Kings Langley was called Langalega. The name derives from a Saxon word that means long wood. In 1086, in the Domesday Book, the area is recorded as Langelai and it was part of the hundred of Danish. Robert, Count of Mortain owned Kings Langley after the Norman Conquest. In the 13th century, Queen Eleanor bought the manor and built a royal palace. The village became known as Langley Regina. By the 13th century, the name had changed to Langel’ Regis. Kings Langley Palace housed the Plantagenet kings of England in the Middle Age.
A Dominican priory was established close to Kings Langley Palace. Both the church and palace fell into ruin in the 16th century. Little of both buildings remains above the ground. The Church of All Saints in Kings Langley dates from the 14th century but the church whose grounds it was built on is much older. This was the resting place of King Richard II before he was removed to Westminster Abbey. The memorial chapel has the tomb of Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York who died at the beginning of the 15th century. Remains of a Roman villa were found in this WD4 area.
Kings Langley is mentioned in a few literary works. The palace’s garden is the setting of Act III, Scene IV of William Shakespeare’s Richard II. The White Rose of Langley novel by Emily Sarah Holt partially takes place in the palace. A character from the book Beautiful Darkness comes from this area. Kings Langley F.C. is based here. The team plays in the Premier Division of the Southern Football League. Professional footballer Stuart Slater, who played for West Ham United, was a teacher at Kings Langley School. Professional boxer Anthony Joshua attended this school. World Number One golfer Luke Donald lived in this North London area.