Monument record 7196/170 - Possible former lane off Back Lane

Possible route of lane shown on the 1591 map leading off Back Lane (now Saffron Road)

{1} Norden indicates a more complex pattern of roads and tenements on the west side of the market place than survived in the 18th century. The identification of the exact location of these roads is difficult because of the extreme distortion of the 1591 map, but in 1789 a narrow plot runs east to west in this area and a gap exists in the frontage that may indicate the position of the earlier lane. Whether the north-south lane actually existed as a separate feature is less certain, for it is conceivable that Norden distorted one of the blocks on the market place and that the north south lane is in fact part of 'Behind Stye'. More likely however, judging from both the shorter plots and the other narrow plot seen here in the 18th century, that there was indeed a lane that is now lost. Both lanes have been mapped but the potential inaccuracies must be noted. (1) (2) (3)

<1> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<2> 1591, Bibliotheque Nationale Paris, Mss 706 Anglais, Acq. Nouv. No.58, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100545.

<3> Bainbridge T., 1789, Higham Ferrers, 1789 (NRO Map 1000), (unchecked) (Map). SNN100544.

Record last edited

Nov 21 2016 1:29PM