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
.