Skip to main content Accessibility statement

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. More info on our cookie policy.

Histories of Northamptonshire

Search

  • Piece of Northamptonshire ironstone, from Irchester Country Park. © NMAG

    Ironstone

    Northamptonshire’s ironstone was formed from iron-rich sediments in the Jurassic period. Quarried since Roman times, ironstone has shaped our landscape, fuelled the county's industry and built our houses.

    175 million years ago Geologic to Prehistoric

  • Piece of dressed Northamptonshire sandstone © NMAG

    Dressed Northamptonshire Sandstone

    A small piece of sandstone quarried and dressed for use in the modern repairs to the 16th century Manor House in Great Doddington.

    1999 Modern

  • Carved sandstone from the medieval castle of Northampton © NMAG

    Northampton Castle Stone

    This carved piece of sandstone comes from Northampton Castle, one of the most significant castles in medieval England.

    Norman 11th century Medieval to Tudor

  • Obverse (head) of a Norman period silver penny minted in Northampton © NMAG

    Norman Silver Penny

    Minted at Northampton in the years after the Norman Conquest, this silver penny dates from bewteen 1083 and 1087.

    Norman 11th century Medieval to Tudor

  • Obverse (head) of Viking silver coin found in Northampton. © NMAG

    Viking Silver Coin

    There is limited evidence of Viking influence in Northamptonshire and despite being minted during Viking rule this silver coin from Northampton depicts an Anglo-Saxon king.

    Anglo-Saxon 895 CE-915 CE Roman and Early Medieval

  • Large copper ball added to the cast iron Victorian Market Square fountain in Northampton in 1954. © NMAG

    Fountain Ball

    This copper ball was added in the 1950s to the Victorian ornate cast iron fountain installed in the Market Square, Northampton.

    Victorian 1863 Modern

  • Discarded (partially worked) antler chess pieces © NMAG

    Bishop and Queen Chess Pieces

    These two discarded 12th century antler chess pieces were made in a workshop and are evidence of Northampton as a bustling medieval centre.

    Norman 1100 - 1199 Medieval to Tudor

  • Iron key from medieval monastery of St Andrew's Northampton © NMAG

    Monastery Key

    15th century key from St. Andrew's Priory, a Cluniac monastery located in medieval Northampton.

    Medieval 1400s Medieval to Tudor

  • Torah Scroll and red velvet bag. © NMAG

    Torah Scroll

    Torah scroll smuggled out of Austria following the events of the Kristallnacht in 1938. It is now on loan to the Northampton Hebrew Congregation.

    1939 Modern

  • Bronze cast from clay maquete produced by sculptor Henry Moore © NMAG

    Madonna and Child Maquette

    Maquette (preliminary model) for Madonna and Child statue at St Matthews Church, Northampton. It was commissioned from the now-famous sculptor Henry Moore.

    1944- 5 Modern

  • Cobblestone from Market Square, Northampton. Thrown during Bradlaugh Riot in 1874 © NMAG

    Bradlaugh Riot Cobblestone

    Cobblestone from the Market Square, Northampton thrown during the Bradlaugh Riots of 1874.

    Victorian 1874 Modern

  • Rear of 1950s Saints Rugby shirt with appliqued number © NMAG

    Saints Rugby Football Club Shirt

    Northampton Saints RugbyFootball Club shirt from the 1950s worn by John Beresford Deeks (Bez).

    1949-59 Modern

  • Star shaped Metal neon advertising sign for Phipps NBC Brewery © NMAG

    Phipp's Sign

    Neon sign advertising Phipps Brewery, brewer in Northampton since the early 1800s.

    1957 Modern

  • Vinyl record and sleeve released in 1980 entitled 60 Miles by Road or Rail © NMAG

    60 Miles by Road or Rail

    Released in 1980 this "novelty record" began life as an advertising jingle intended to promote Northampton as a great place for people to move to.

    1980 Modern

  • Aluminium sterilising drum with syringe and cotton swab © NMAG

    Dr Waddy's Sterilising Drum

    Sterilising drum belonging to Dr Francis Fisher Waddy, first anaesthetist at Northampton General Hospital. The drum contained small items of anaaesthetic equipment during their sterilisation.

    1930 - 1959 Modern