Explore the Histories of Northamptonshire Interactive Timeline

Roman and Early Medieval

43 to 1066 CE

The Romans bring a new culture, towns and roads, whilst the later settlements by Anglo-Saxon peoples evolve into the early medieval communities that are first called Northamptonshire.

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Late Roman - 4th century CE

Roman Wall Plaster

Painted wall plaster from the bath house wall of the Hunsbury Roman villa, with the rare depiction of a woman's face.

Roman 350 - 399 CE

Irchester Bowls

A collection of bronze vessels, known as the Irchester bowls, found in 1874 at the site of Irchester Roman town, near Wellingborough.

Roman - first century CE

Roman Chatelaine

This astonishingly well preserved example of a chatelaine (collection of personal grooming objects), is a high-status object made to be seen as much as used.

Roman 43 - 410 CE

Roman Spindle Whorl

Marked with the name of the Roman woman who used it, spindle whorls were used to spin wool into yarn to make clothes.

Anglo-Saxon 550 - 599 CE

Anglo-Saxon Pot

One of the objects buried with an Anglo-Saxon male in the later 6th century, this beautifully decorated pottery vessel is stamped with triangular indentations.

Saxon 500 - 700 CE

Wakerley brooch

Excavated from a burial in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery, this square headed brooch is unusual in being marked with a runic inscription on the back.

Anglo-Saxon 650 - 700 CE

Desborough Necklace

Dating to the late 7th century the Desborough necklace belonged to a high status Anglo-Saxon woman and is likely to be explicity Christian in meaning.

Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendant necklace.

Anglo-Saxon 895 CE-915 CE

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.