Monument record 7427 - Cytringan Saxon Charter Boundary (AD 956)

{1} Kettering is mentioned in several Saxon charters. Those by Wulfhere of 664 and another of 972 in which King Edgar grants Kettering to the Abbot of Peterborough, are both spurious. However there is a genuine charter of 963(?) in which bishop Aethelwold made a foundation grant to Medeshamstede, later known as Peterborough Abbey, of various property including Kettering. Kettering had however previously been in royal hands, like the adjacent manor of Warkton, for the bounds are defined in a charter of 956 in which King Eadwig had granted ‘10 Cassatos’ at ‘Cytringan’ to Aelfsige his minister.
The boundary defined in the charter has been broadly correlated with the pre 19th century parish boundary of Kettering. Some of the boundary markers appear very easy to identify, but in fact are not securely located and certain alternative possibilities do exist.

{2} Plan showing a conjectural reconstruction of the late Saxon charter boundary of Kettering. Some parts may yet survive (pref ref - 5983/0/1). Apart from the northern section the boundary for much of its length appears to follow The River Ise and The Slade Brook.

{3} Kettering was initially a royal manor, it's bounds being defined in a royal charter of AD 956, in which King Eadwig granted an estate at Cytringan to one of his ministers.

<1> Foard G.F., 2000, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Kettering (Medieval + Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100747.

<2> Greenall R.L., 2003, A History of Kettering, p.3 (unchecked) (Book). SNN103938.

<3> Savage R.D., 2011, Former Rockingham Box Factory, Dryden Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN108291.

Record last edited

May 2 2017 10:03AM