Monument record 4156/0/78 - Conjectural line of road through Rockingham

{1} The road through Rockingham was a major national road in 1675, leading from London through St. Albans, Bedford, Wellingborough and Kettering to Oakham, thence to Nottingham and the north. The early significance of this route can be suggested by the presence between Kettering and Rockingham of a ford identified in the name Barford, first recorded in 1086. The bridge over the Welland at Rockingham is first recorded in 1229, while Rockingham is depicted on the 14th century Gough map, suggesting it was a place of some significance and perhaps that it was positioned on a major road though not one of the most important in the kingdom. In 1615 the main road ran through the market place and south through a narrow combe, immediately east of the castle, and thus up onto the plateau. This road was diverted in 1618 onto its present course. However in 1615 a road already ran on the east side of the settlement and it is possible that represented the original line of the major road, being diverted perhaps in the later 13th century with the laying out of the market place in front of the castle to bring trade directly into the market place.
See also section 10 'Historical Topography' in main report.

<1> FOARD G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rockingham (Medieval and Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100473.

<2> 1615, Map of Rockingham 1615, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100477.

<3> Brown, J., 2011, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment For A New Access Road, The Cottons, Rockingham, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Report). SNN107507.

Record last edited

Aug 15 2011 12:22PM