02 Jun 2025
A striking new piece of street art has appeared in Lamb Alley, transforming a once-overlooked and graffitied pillar into a vivid tribute to St Albans’ medieval past.
Commissioned by Conservation 50 and supported by HSBC bank, the mural depicts a Wars of the Roses soldier in full armour – a nod to the city’s dramatic history.
The artwork is part of the Historic Alleyways project, which seeks to celebrate the rich heritage of the narrow passageways branching off Market Place.
Professor Tim Boatswain, Chair of Conservation 50, explained: “This mural highlights the surprising stories hidden in St Albans’ alleyways. It commemorates the First Battle of St Albans in 1455, when Yorkist forces stormed Market Place and the Clock Tower overpowered the Lancastrians, and captured King Henry VI. The Duke of Somerset, a Lancastrian leader, was famously cornered and killed at the Castle Inn. The Inn is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry VI Part II, and there is a St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society plaque in Victoria Street marking the spot, though the exact location of the inn is still disputed.
“Renowned street artist Ant Steel, known for his bold, atmospheric murals, created the piece – his second collaboration with Conservation 50. His first was the mural in Sovereign Way, commemorating St Albans’ Election Scandal of 1851. Ant’s work merges the raw energy of street art with what he calls ‘Rebellion Therapy’ – art that challenges and uplifts. Using aerosol spray, his preferred medium, he regularly battles the elements to complete his works, layering history with his signature intensity.”
Passersby can now spot the medieval soldier watching over Lamb Alley, a ghostly reminder of the city’s turbulent past. With more installations planned, Conservation 50 hopes to turn these hidden corners into an open-air history lesson- one vibrant brushstroke at a time.
For more updates https://timboatswain.wixsite.com/conservation-50
