Northamptonshire Tourist Guide - Articles
Northamptonshire History
History and Heritage of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire History is rich and varied, punctuated by periods of invasion, upheaval, devastation and political unrest. The history and heritage of Northamptonshire has been shaped, in part, by the county’s strategic location. Battles were fought, for example, in both the War of the Roses and the English Civil War on Northamptonshire turf, the former at Northampton; the latter at Naseby. But, that’s only part of the story.
Central location aside, Northamptonshire has been home to more than its fair share of great, historic figures, throughout the ages, and it is their remarkable legacy that has also helped form the historically famous county that we see, today.
Northamptonshire’s First Inhabitants
The earliest signs of a human settlement in the area date back to circa 4000 BC, with evidence at Briar Hill of a Neolithic encampment surrounded by a circular earthwork.
Before the arrival of the Romans in 43 AD, the area was inhabited by the ancient British Coritani. Little is known about the Coritani, who were not really a tribe, but rather a random group of people who shared a common, yet primitive lifestyle.
With the advent of the Romans, the territory which makes up modern day Northamptonshire was seized and included in the Roman province of ‘Flavia Caesariensis’. Within a short space of time, the area which was previously covered by forests was changed beyond recognition. Roman roads (two of which, Watling Street and Ermine Street, are now the A5 and A1) intersected the landscape and settlements were built in forest clearings.
When the Romans departed in 410 AD, it became the turn of the Saxons (410 – 1066) to make their mark on this strategically located territory in central England. Strong Saxon influences are still evident in the names of villages and towns and in the many Saxon buildings erected throughout the county. The famous Saxon church tower of All Saints Church, in the village of Earls Barton, is a prime example.
But all was not peace and quiet under Saxon rule, particularly during the latter years when the Vikings (or Danes), 793 – 1042, sought supremacy in the area. Aggravation escalated with the Danish invasion, resulting in a tenuous peace agreement between the Danish marauders and incumbent Saxon King Alfred. It was agreed to partition the territory, with the Danes ruling the area north east of Watling Street and the Saxons administering the area south west of the Roman road. Inevitably, conflict and many battles ensued and the common people suffered, throughout the region.
Law and order was largely restored under Norman rule (1066 – 1154) and the region, once again, began to flourish. The Normans left a legacy of magnificent buildings including several impressive churches and Northampton Castle, built on the site of an existing Saxon wooden stronghold. Interestingly, the castle also doubled up as a trading centre under the Normans and became host to Parliament, in 1131. The city of Northampton continued to prosper in the twelfth century, becoming the third largest town in England.
The population of Northamptonshire increased rapidly, throughout the Middle Ages (1154 – 1485) and the town of Northampton, in particular, continued to flourish. But, the exodus of workers from Northamptonshire’s small villages in search of employment in Northampton had a devastating effect on the economy of these rural areas; starvation and destitution became commonplace during the Middle Ages, culminating in the Bubonic Plague which raged from 1348 to 1350. In 1349, in the town of Northampton alone, the ‘Black Death’ claimed the lives of almost 1,500 of its 3,000 inhabitants. The dire consequences of the Plague had a long-lasting effect on the prosperity of Northamptonshire.
Northampton Market & the Wool Trade
The origins of Northampton market date back to the early thirteenth century, when the wool trade was the dominant industry in the region. Tailors, drapers and weavers proliferated. Many of the street names in Northampton such as Woolmonger Street and Mercer’s Row reflect the important role played by the wool trade, at that time.
Business was brisk at Northampton market, with traders attempting to service the growing demand for their wares from the rich and wealthy local inhabitants. Apart from its strong trading connections, Northampton also became a magnet for the upper echelons of society; many lavish mansions and stately homes were built in and around Northampton. These wealthy estates and popular hunting grounds attracted royal visitors from the King’s court.
The ‘Boot & Shoe Industry’
The impact of Northamptonshire History is inextricably linked with the important trades that developed, over the centuries, particularly the ‘boot and shoe’ industry.
Records show that shoemaking was flourishing in Northampton, by the year 1524, with approximately fourteen percent of the town’s population earning a living as shoemakers. However, it was not until the seventeenth century that boot and shoe making actually took over from the wool trade as the main industry in Northamptonshire.
The shoemaking industry continued to flourish throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Northamptonshire was recognised as ‘tanning capital’ of the world.
Northamptonshire Iron & Steel Industry
Northamptonshire emerged as a centre for iron and steel production, during the Industrial Revolution, with the county’s natural resources, especially iron ore, further boosting Northamptonshire’s economy.
History & Heritage of Northampton
Much of the county town of Northampton which dates back to Saxon times was destroyed by the fire of 1675. Northampton Castle was demolished by Charles II upon his Restoration. Several historic city landmarks remain, however, such as the 12th century circular Church of St. Sepulchre.
Did you know that …
The name ‘Northamptonshire’ is derived from the Old English ‘Hamtunscir’, first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 1011. The name ‘Northampton’ is believed to date back to 917 AD and is derived from ‘Hamtune’ or ‘Hamtun’ which translates roughly as ‘home town’ or ‘the main manor or village in the local area’. The earliest reference to Northampton as ‘home town’ is when the Saxon King, Edward, recaptured Northampton from the Danes. This event was reported in The Chronicle as the army ‘rode out of Hamtun’.
Click here for more information on Northamptonshire History
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Northamptonshire History is rich and varied, punctuated by periods of invasion, upheaval, devastation and political unrest. The history and heritage of Northamptonshire has been shaped, in part, by the county’s strategic location. Battles were fought, for example, in both the War of the Roses and the English Civil War on Northamptonshire turf, the former at Northampton; the latter at Naseby. But, that’s only part of the story.
Central location aside, Northamptonshire has been home to more than its fair share of great, historic figures, throughout the ages, and it is their remarkable legacy that has also helped form the historically famous county that we see, today.
Northamptonshire’s First Inhabitants
The earliest signs of a human settlement in the area date back to circa 4000 BC, with evidence at Briar Hill of a Neolithic encampment surrounded by a circular earthwork.
Before the arrival of the Romans in 43 AD, the area was inhabited by the ancient British Coritani. Little is known about the Coritani, who were not really a tribe, but rather a random group of people who shared a common, yet primitive lifestyle.
With the advent of the Romans, the territory which makes up modern day Northamptonshire was seized and included in the Roman province of ‘Flavia Caesariensis’. Within a short space of time, the area which was previously covered by forests was changed beyond recognition. Roman roads (two of which, Watling Street and Ermine Street, are now the A5 and A1) intersected the landscape and settlements were built in forest clearings.
When the Romans departed in 410 AD, it became the turn of the Saxons (410 – 1066) to make their mark on this strategically located territory in central England. Strong Saxon influences are still evident in the names of villages and towns and in the many Saxon buildings erected throughout the county. The famous Saxon church tower of All Saints Church, in the village of Earls Barton, is a prime example.
But all was not peace and quiet under Saxon rule, particularly during the latter years when the Vikings (or Danes), 793 – 1042, sought supremacy in the area. Aggravation escalated with the Danish invasion, resulting in a tenuous peace agreement between the Danish marauders and incumbent Saxon King Alfred. It was agreed to partition the territory, with the Danes ruling the area north east of Watling Street and the Saxons administering the area south west of the Roman road. Inevitably, conflict and many battles ensued and the common people suffered, throughout the region.
Law and order was largely restored under Norman rule (1066 – 1154) and the region, once again, began to flourish. The Normans left a legacy of magnificent buildings including several impressive churches and Northampton Castle, built on the site of an existing Saxon wooden stronghold. Interestingly, the castle also doubled up as a trading centre under the Normans and became host to Parliament, in 1131. The city of Northampton continued to prosper in the twelfth century, becoming the third largest town in England.
The population of Northamptonshire increased rapidly, throughout the Middle Ages (1154 – 1485) and the town of Northampton, in particular, continued to flourish. But, the exodus of workers from Northamptonshire’s small villages in search of employment in Northampton had a devastating effect on the economy of these rural areas; starvation and destitution became commonplace during the Middle Ages, culminating in the Bubonic Plague which raged from 1348 to 1350. In 1349, in the town of Northampton alone, the ‘Black Death’ claimed the lives of almost 1,500 of its 3,000 inhabitants. The dire consequences of the Plague had a long-lasting effect on the prosperity of Northamptonshire.
Northampton Market & the Wool Trade
The origins of Northampton market date back to the early thirteenth century, when the wool trade was the dominant industry in the region. Tailors, drapers and weavers proliferated. Many of the street names in Northampton such as Woolmonger Street and Mercer’s Row reflect the important role played by the wool trade, at that time.
Business was brisk at Northampton market, with traders attempting to service the growing demand for their wares from the rich and wealthy local inhabitants. Apart from its strong trading connections, Northampton also became a magnet for the upper echelons of society; many lavish mansions and stately homes were built in and around Northampton. These wealthy estates and popular hunting grounds attracted royal visitors from the King’s court.
The ‘Boot & Shoe Industry’
The impact of Northamptonshire History is inextricably linked with the important trades that developed, over the centuries, particularly the ‘boot and shoe’ industry.
Records show that shoemaking was flourishing in Northampton, by the year 1524, with approximately fourteen percent of the town’s population earning a living as shoemakers. However, it was not until the seventeenth century that boot and shoe making actually took over from the wool trade as the main industry in Northamptonshire.
The shoemaking industry continued to flourish throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Northamptonshire was recognised as ‘tanning capital’ of the world.
Northamptonshire Iron & Steel Industry
Northamptonshire emerged as a centre for iron and steel production, during the Industrial Revolution, with the county’s natural resources, especially iron ore, further boosting Northamptonshire’s economy.
History & Heritage of Northampton
Much of the county town of Northampton which dates back to Saxon times was destroyed by the fire of 1675. Northampton Castle was demolished by Charles II upon his Restoration. Several historic city landmarks remain, however, such as the 12th century circular Church of St. Sepulchre.
Did you know that …
The name ‘Northamptonshire’ is derived from the Old English ‘Hamtunscir’, first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 1011. The name ‘Northampton’ is believed to date back to 917 AD and is derived from ‘Hamtune’ or ‘Hamtun’ which translates roughly as ‘home town’ or ‘the main manor or village in the local area’. The earliest reference to Northampton as ‘home town’ is when the Saxon King, Edward, recaptured Northampton from the Danes. This event was reported in The Chronicle as the army ‘rode out of Hamtun’.
Click here for more information on Northamptonshire History
Back to Articles Page