It is believed that this area was used for grazing as early as 4,000BC. There used to be a river running parallel to the main road from Wheathampstead to St Albans but this has now gone underground and runs where the outfield of the cricket pitch dips and turns under the cricket pavilion. More recently the common has had an amazing history including battles, bare-knuckle fights, horse races and highway robberies. Arguably one of the most famous visitors to the common was the lady Highway robber Lady Ferrers of Markyate, dubbed the Wicked Lady. The local pub, opposite the cricket pitch, is named after her.