19th century photograph of the remains of Northampton castle during construction work on the railway
Northampton Castle was one of the most significant castles in the country in the Middle Ages. It was located around the Chalk Lane and St Peter’s area of Northampton opposite St Peter’s Church. Waltheof, Earl of Northampton was ordered by William the Conqueror to build a castle which was probably a wooden structure on top of an earthen mound, known as a motte. After Waltheof was executed, for rebelling against William the Conqueror, the Norman knight Simon de Senlis became Earl of Northampton and built the stone castle.
When de Senlis died the castle passed to King Henry I. The most famous event to occur at the castle was the trial of Thomas Beckett the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1164. The trial was held by Henry II and a Grand Council of Barons. Beckett was facing life imprisonment but managed to escape to France.
It became the first major Norman castle to be only a day’s ride on horseback from London. This made it very popular. It was apparently King John’s favourite castle, and he visited over 30 times at Christmas, Easter and Whitsun. He even purchased a pair of boots from a local shoemaker during a visit and moved the Royal Treasury to the castle in 1205.
The last parliament in the castle was held in 1380, but in the fourteenth century the castle started to be used as a gaol and the severed heads of the executed could often be seen displayed above the battlement, including the head of the gunpowder plotter Francis Tresham in 1605. The castle was finally demolished to make way for the railway station which opened on 16 February 1859.
Number 35 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
2nd Image One of a number of 19th century images of Northampton Castle contained in the local studies collection at Northampton Central Library
This unique limestone figure, carved in deep relief, shows a man in a long belted robe with hands held in prayer. Among thousands of Medieval objects excavated from the Deserted Medieval Hamlet of West Cotton, Raunds (1985–89), this one stood out and was affectionately nicknamed ‘Norman Morris’ by the archaeological team.
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.
This 12th century grave slab is located in the church of St Peter, Marefair in Northampton. It is thought to have been carved by the same sculptors as the beautifully preserved set of Norman capitals (headings of columns) in the church.
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© WNC
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Andy Chapman
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National Records of Scotland
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Friends of St. Peter's Marefair Northampton by Rafal
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NMAG