The
Castle
Northampton castle was originally built
from earthwork and timber of the motte and bailey or
ringwork type. The timber was later replaced in the 12th
century by stone when Simon de Senlis became Earl.
Because of its prominence in the centre of England, the
castle was to become a favourite for the Kings through
it's life. The castle helped Northampton achieve it's
prosperity and soon became the third largest town in
England. It became the Normans midland capital, halfway
between its northern and southern capital, York and
Winchester.
No less than three crusades were proclaimed from the
castle; two of which the castles founder, Simon de Senlis
was instrumental in. The castle became the seat of
parliament due to its royal popularity and held that
status until 1380, about two hundred years. It was home
to a great many councils, jousts and tournaments and myth
would have us believe that Robin hood slept here too. Yet
the castles most famous moment is archbishop Thomas
Beckets trial. After being summoned to the royal
chambers, Henry II wanted to pass sentence but Becket
escaped during some confusion and fled to France, briefly
stopping at a spring to refresh with water.
Did you know:
that people were baptised in the river Nene just below the castle fortifications? William Carey was one of note, On October 8th, 1783, in the early gray of the morning he was baptised by Dr. John Ryland, minister of College Street Chapel, Northampton. The " baptistery " was a branch of the Nene, which ran past the ruined walls of old Northampton Castle, at the bottom of the hill known as Fitzroy Street.
The castle withstood numerous attacks and sieges but it wasn't until 1662 that Northampton castle fell from grace. In August 1642, the walls were described as 'miserably ruined, though the country abounds in mines of stones'. The town set to work to bolster the defences and improving the fortifications. In September of 1662, Charles II, furious that Northampton had sided with Cromwell, ordered the destruction of the castle and its defences. On the restoration of the monarchy, Charles was to exact revenge for Northamptons role with the Cromwellians. The castle and walls were pulled down and Northampton would never again defend itself.
The town continued to adapt and survive but never regained its importance. The ruins stood for another 200 years until the onslaught of modernisation caught up. 1859 saw the demise of the remaining sections. The railway had blossomed as an alternative means to travel and trade and the castle stood in its way. It was completely demolished to make way for a brand new railway station and in rememberance, took the name "Castle Station".
The only surviving remnants
of the castle are the Postern Gate and a couple of
outcrop stones marking a buttress. The Postern Gate,
which is not in its original position, was saved and
moved to its present location for safe keeping. The
outcrop stones are now being cared for; too little, too
late. Northampton has lost a huge and important piece of
history.
The town walls have also gone
and no trace remains of those. Roads and housing saw the
gradual demise of the defences. It is still possible,
from the road layout, to mark the rough position of the
defense walls. Starting from the river Nene, you can
trace a line up St. Georges St. Upper and Lower Mounts,
York Rd, Cheyne Walk, Victoria Promenade, Weston St. and
back to the Nene.
The four main gates stood where the Market Harborough,
Kettering, London and Daventry roads entered the town. It
has been written that in the 14th century, in King Johns
reign, the East Gate was described as 'being very
handsome and adorned with coats of arms; the other three
main gates being then used as tenements for the
poor”. Part of the castle walls between the East
and North Gates, is described in an inquisition in 1278
as being “crenellated and much used for walking
purposes”. Freemen of the borough who wanted to
take short cuts to avoid the muddy lane below in winter
and by the night watchmen who spied through the
battlements upon malefactors as they came in and out of
the town were among those who also used the wall for
walking
.