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Histories of Northamptonshire

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  • 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

  • Fossil brachiopod Kallirhynchia sharpi. © NMAG

    Jurassic Fossil Kallirhynchia sharpi

    168 million years ago, Northamptonshire lay beneath a warm sea teeming with marine life, including this fossil brachiopod Kallirhynchia sharpi.

    168 million years ago Geologic to Prehistoric

  • Dinosaur footprint cast, one of several found at Irchester Country Park. © NMAG

    Dinosaur Footprint

    This 166-million-year-old dinosaur footprint cast, found in Irchester, is Northamptonshire’s first dinosaur evidence, likely made by a Megalosaurus

    166 million years ago Geologic to Prehistoric

  • Parchemnt cover sheet of Weston Haddon Enclosure Award 1765 © NMAG

    West Haddon Enclosure Award

    Parchment copy of the West Haddon Enclosure Award of 1765. It details the allocation of land to each landowner in lieu of their previous holdings.

    Georgian 1765 Stuart to Georgian

  • First World War Military Cross (with ribbon and bar) © NMAG

    Military Cross

    First World War Military Cross awarded to Lieutenant OK Parker for gallentry during what is often called the blackest day in the Northamptonshire Regiment's history.

    1915 Modern

  • Treaty of Edinburgh signed at Northampton Castle in 1328. © National Records of Scotland

    Treaty of Edinburgh - Northampton

    In 1328, England's parliament met at Northampton Castle; where they agreed this peace treaty officially marking the end of the First War of Scottish Independence.

    Medieval 1328 Medieval to Tudor

  • Copper metal tree label affixed to trees planted in the grounds of Ecton Hall © NMAG

    Tree Label

    Tree label identifying a Hemlock spruce, part of the arboretum planted by the Sotheby family of Ecton Hall.

    1902 Modern

  • Fossil screw pine - Pandanocarpum ooliticum (Carruthers) © NMAG

    Screw Pine Fossil

    This screw pine fossil is a rare type specimen. Parts of Jurassic Northamptonshire were submerged in a shallow warm sea and tropical plants thrived on the nearby land.

    168 million years ago Geologic to Prehistoric

  • World War I German incendiary bomb © NMAG

    Zeppelin Bomb

    First World War incendiary bomb, dopped from a German military airship or Zeppelin as part of bombing raids on Britain.

    1917 Modern

  • German spy radio housed in cardboard and fabric suitcase © NMAG

    Spy Radio

    Spy radio belonging to Swedish national and Nazi Sympathiser Gösta Caroli, recovered when he was caught parachuting into Northamptonshire in 1940.

    1940 Modern

  • Painting of the Binty Chicken on underpass pillar in Northampton © NMAG

    Binty Chicken

    A Binty Chicken, created by anoymous grafitti artist Binty Bint and just one part of Northamptonshire's story in the 21st century.

    2025 Modern

  • Bronze Age pottery vessel or Beaker © NMAG

    Bronze Age Beaker

    HIghly decorated pottery vessel, known as a Beaker pot. Found as part of a male burial marked by a Bronze Age round barrow.

    2050 - 1900 BCE Geologic to Prehistoric

  • Medieval encaustic floor tiles depicting crests of the Woodville family and the House of York © NMAG

    Woodville Tiles

    Medieval floor tiles decorated with the crests of the the Woodvilles and House of York. Laid as part of the floor at the Hermitage in Grafton Regis.

    Medieval 1464 - 1499 Medieval to Tudor

  • Langar Painting

    Painting of Langar

    A commissioned painting of Langar (Free Community Kitchen) by SCCYC SMN by Artistic Seva, Slough, demonstrating the value of Community & Equality. The painting showing communities from all faiths and castes cooking together, eating side by side on the floor and washing up together. Chosen as part of the extended exhibtion Beyond the 100 in 2025/26.

    1500 Medieval to Tudor

  • 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