Monument record 4161/1/1 - Route of medieval road, north of Rockingham

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Summary

Hollow way to the bridge, now levelled, to the west of the road but surviving to the east. After 1615 the road was realigned and the bridge rebuilt a short distance to the east. It is possible that significant archaeological remains of the medieval bridge could survive. The road from the river crossing may be the earthwork on the north side of the river seen on NCC SP8692/001.

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

{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. Rockingham bridge is mentioned by Leland and its position is shown on the 1615 map but it was rebuilt on a new location when the road was realigned at some time between 1615 and 1806. This bridge was replaced in 1870 and in its turn this bridge was replaced in 1969. (1)

{4} Enclosure flanked by continuation of hollow way to the north-west of the site;,

{3} Follow up to SMR report submitted 9/6/93. Holloway clearly on 1615 map. In SW corner of field rock 4 and into rock 5.

{5} Hollow-Way (SP 86559220), now destroyed, lay in the north of the parish immediately east of the Caldecott Road where it crossed the present course of the River Welland. It can still be traced for some 600 m to the north in Caldecott parish, in Leicestershire, where it swings west in a broad arc before regaining the modern road. It is presumably the original line of the medieval road abandoned when the present straight road was cut probably in the 18th century, and certainly before 1806 (NRO, Map of Rockingham).


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

<2> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Miscellaneous), 4/33 (Article). SNN76346.

<3> CADMAN G.E., 1993, Several Fields in Rockingham Castle Estate, (unchecked) (Report). SNN40423.

<4> CADMAN G.E., 1993, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Note). SNN49997.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.128/Site 11 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<6> 1615, Map of Rockingham 1615, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100477.

<7> HYLTON T.; MASTERS P., 1998, Empingham to Hannington Anglian Water Pipeline, Northamptonshire Section, Archaeological Evaluation: Stage 1, (unchecked) (Report). SNN63049.

<8> 1806, Map of Rockingham (Map). SNN113085.

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Digital archive: FOARD G.. 1999. Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rockingham (Medieval and Post Medieval). Mapinfo\Archive\Extensive Survey\Rockingham. Northants County Council. (unchecked).
  • <2> Article: Brown, A.E. (Ed.). 1970. Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Miscellaneous). Bulletin of Northants Federation of Arch Societies. 4. Mercury Press. 4/33.
  • <3> Report: CADMAN G.E.. 1993. Several Fields in Rockingham Castle Estate. (unchecked).
  • <4> Note: CADMAN G.E.. 1993. SMR REPORT FORM. (unchecked).
  • <5> Series: Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England. 1979. An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton. 2. HMSO. p.128/Site 11 (unchecked).
  • <6> Map: 1615. Map of Rockingham 1615. (unchecked).
  • <7> Report: HYLTON T.; MASTERS P.. 1998. Empingham to Hannington Anglian Water Pipeline, Northamptonshire Section, Archaeological Evaluation: Stage 1. N.C.C.. (unchecked).
  • <8> Map: 1806. Map of Rockingham.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Location

Grid reference Centred SP 86590 92119 (121m by 324m) Central
Civil Parish ROCKINGHAM, North Northamptonshire (formerly Corby District)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • NRHE HOB UID: 346215

Record last edited

Mar 3 2022 3:51PM

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