Explore the Histories of Northamptonshire Interactive Timeline

Medieval to Tudor

1066 to 1603 CE

As England's rulers change, stone castles and churches are built, markets and settlements flourish, and Northamptonshire plays a key role in national power struggles.

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Norman 11th century

Northampton Castle Stone

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

Norman 11th century

Norman Silver Penny

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

1150

Elaborately carved stone grave slab - St Peters, Marefair, Northampton

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.

Norman 1100 - 1199

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.

Medieval 1200 - 1350

Medieval Seal Matrix

A medieval silver-gilt seal matrix. Used to create wax impressions on documents, this is a rare example in the name of a medieval woman.

Medieval 1259 - 1290

Jewish Tombstone

This Jewish tombstone fragment is one of two surviving medieval inscriptions in England; indicating a thriving medieval Jewish community living in Northampton at the time.

Mid-13th century

“Norman Morris” - Carved Stone figure from West Cotton,

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.

1200

Glazed ceramic shouldered roof tile from St. James' Abbey, Northampton

This is a rare type of medieval ceramic roof tile, replaced in the 13th century by standard rectangular ceramic or nib tiles used until the 20th century. The rarity of these roof tiles and their association with buildings of high status in Northampton, both religious and secular, is of historical and archaeological significance.