Monument record 6617/0/1 - Post medieval inhumations, south of Rothwell

Twenty-five human skeletons were discovered in 1862 in a mass grave. There were very few artefacts with the burials other than a James I coin. Possibly associated with the Battle of Naseby

{1} Between December 1862, twenty five human skeletons were discovered. Article in Northampton Mercury 25/4/1864:
Several of the skeletons were lying cramped on top of one another, the majority only a few inches from the surface. Some lay straight, but most were thrown confusedly as if into holes dug for them. They had not been previously disturbed. The skull of one of them was two feet below the surface and three feet from its trunk. All were fully grown men, between five feet, six inches and six feet tall. They had good teeth, so it was assumed that they were young men. There were no traces of any clothing, no buttons or implements. There were a few iron buckles, a brass cross and a copper coin. The coin was a two penny piece of James I.
There was a local tradition of some men murdered in a windmill on this spot. It is more likely that they were burials after the battle of Naseby. The fact that no clothing or possessions were with them (the coin was probably an accidental oversight) probably indicates that their surviving comrades obeyed orders and salvaged anything that could be re-issued, probably loading it onto a waggon.

<1> 1863, Northampton Mercury, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107440.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2020 12:41PM