The name Datchworth is thought to originate from a Saxon lord called Daecca, pronounced Datcher, who lived here around 700AD.    Worth comes from the word  Wyrthe which means enclosure.

However, Datchworth was certainly occupied well before 700AD.  We have two large Belgic Sites,  only one of which has been partly investigated.  Much of parish boundary still  follows the old Belgic ditches.

Sited on the Roman road from St.Albans to Puckeridge the village has examples of Saxon clearings in several  village  greens.

Little evidence exists, apart from possibly the moated Church site, of the influence the Danes had, with Danelaw extending nearby, as far south as Hertford and the Lea Valley.  The Danes were defeated in a battle at Welwyn in 1022 and. being so close, it seems likely that Datchworth people were involved or at least effected by this.

The arrival of the Normans gave us a written record, in the Domesday Book, of the occupants and land values in the 11th century.  This record of 1086, shows us to be a five-hide village, that's about 600 acres of farming land.

Standing at the eastern side of Datchworth Green is the whipping post.  Its last recorded used was on 27th July 1665 when two 'vagabonds' were publicly flogged.  Stocks and cage stood near the post too, but there is no trace of them now.   The stocks are thought to have been removed in 1899.

The notorious robber and murderer Walter Clibbon was shot dead during his last and failed attempt at robbery.  He attempted to rob Mr Ben Whittenbury who Clibbon thought was returning home from the market.   In fact it was Ben Whittenbury who was looking for Clibbon as Clibbon had just robbed Ben's nephew while he was returning to his home in Datchworth.

More recent activities during the Civil War and several instances of witches and ghostly happenings give a background to a thriving village community.

An excellent publication entitled "Five Hide Village" (click here for the on-line version)  records much of the History of Datchworth and with it’s own well established Museum we can look forward to further investigation of the many identified local sites and the safe keeping of the artefacts which will be revealed.

From flint hand axes, medieval pottery and many more recent artefacts there is much in Datchworth to interest the Archaeologist and Historian.

British History Online has much detailed and fascinating information about the Parish of  Datchworth.