Pubs have been the setting for some of the most blood-thirsty crimes in British history. But most punters enjoying a drink at their local are oblivious to the grisly episodes which may have been enacted within its four walls over the years.

This is not so for St Albans-raised author James Moore, who decided to recount as many gruesome tales about pub life as possible in his new book Murder at the Inn.

“I have been fascinated with pubs for as long as I can remember – before I could actually go in them,” says the 43-year-old who was educated at St Albans School.

He continues: “In St Albans there’s a pub called The Fighting Cocks, which is reputedly the oldest pub in the country. I remember having to walk past it on my way to school and just being fascinated by the architecture of this building.”

Murder at the Inn, which details crimes by villainous landlords, highwaymen and notorious gangsters at pubs across the country, took James a year to write and is his fourth history book.

“It’s the sort of research where it’s a dream really isn’t it? Having to go to pubs,” jokes James, who admits he completed a large portion of research at the British Library.

However, his interest in the subject is not just a personal hobby, as the freelance journalist is keen to document the tales before they are lost forever.

“I think pubs play such a vital role in our communities,” says the dad-of-two. “We’re losing about 26 a week and part of my fascination is to try and get this history down before it disappears.

“Some of these places have existed for hundreds of years on the same spot and provide a real insight into our social history.”

One of his favourite yarns is of villainous landlord in the 12th Century at The Ostrich Inn in Berkshire who is said to have boiled his guests alive using a special contraption which would tip them from their beds and into a scorching vat beneath.

Although he documents nothing so horrific from St Albans’ past, the town’s pubs are rich in history.

“I think St Albans is a particularly interesting place because it has got so many old pubs,” says James, who lived in St Albans and Harpenden until he was 16.

It was during his time at St Dominic’s Primary in Harpenden he decided to pursue a career in writing.

“An author came to the school, and I just thought this was the most amazing thing,” remembers James, who was 11 at the time.

“He stood up in front of the class and said: ‘Never become a writer. It doesn’t pay, it’s not worth doing, go and do a proper job’. That really annoyed me because I thought: ‘I love writing stories’ and I was determined after that to become a writer and prove him wrong, and in some ways I think I have.

"That was a real inspiration.”

And he is still chasing the dream with another book about Tudor crime in the offing for next year.

“What I like doing is showing a quirky different side of history which people might not have thought of before,” explains James. “There are some fascinating tales to be found.”

Dark past of our local hostelries

The Cross Keys Inn, St Albans. Throughout history, pubs have been used as make-shift prisons. The protestant martyr George Tankerfield was held at The Cross Keys Inn, now demolished, in 1555 ahead of his execution by burning at the stake.

Fleur de Lis, French Row, St Albans. In 1356 a house on the site of this 16th century pub was used as a prison for King John II of France before he was taken to the Tower of London.

The Wicked Lady, Wheathampstead. Named after Lady Katherine Ferrers, a 17th century aristocrat who is said to have turned to a life of highway robbery.

The White Hart, Prospect Place, Welwyn Garden City. Before the practice of magistrates holding sessions in pubs was outlawed in 1902, this premises was used as a courtroom.

Murder at the Inn is available from amazon.co.uk