Monument record 7198 - Kettering

During the late Saxon and early medieval period, Kettering was little more than a wealthy village overshadowed Rothwell. At 1086 and prior to 1066, it was held by the Abbey of Peterborough. The Abbot obtained a grant of a Friday market at Kettering in 1227 which was a catalyst for the first stages of urbanisation. Its medieval expansion may in part have been due to the transfer of woollen cloth production when the industry was in severe decline in boroughs such as Northampton and Stamford. The woollen cloth industry collapsed in the late 18th century and it was not until the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century that Kettering experienced large-scale development with the growth of the boot and shoe industry.

{1} Kettering is mentioned by Morton as one of the places producing pottery in the county.

{10} During the late Saxon and early medieval period Kettering was essentially a large village dominated by the neighbouring royal estate centre of Rothwell. Kettering did not become an urban centre until the 13th century when the Abbot of Peterborough obtained a licence for a Friday market. The relative prosperity of Kettering was in part due to its position at the junction of several important routes, although it was also because, like Wellingborough, woollen cloth production was transferred here in the second half of the 13th century.
The woollen indsutry collapsed in the late 19th centry and although the boot and shoe industry did replace this to some extent it was not until the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century that this industry was propoerly established in the town. It was also during this period that the iron industry also saw rapid growth.

{11} The late Saxon township was mentioned in a charter of 963 where Bishop Aethelwold made a foundation grant to Medeshamstede, later known as Peterborough Abbey, of various properites including Kettering. Prior to this Kettering had been in royal hands.

{17} 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. It became an ecclesiastical estate by AD 963 when a charter includes Kattering in a list of properties which Bishop Aethelwold transferred to Medeshamstede (later known as Peterborough Abbey), as a foundation grant. It was still held by Peterborough in AD 1086. Further discussion of Kettering's medieval and post medieval development is presented, mainly taken from the Extensive Urban Survey report.

<1> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.68-73 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<2> Treswell, 1587, Map of Kettering (NRO Map 4434), (unchecked) (Map). SNN58272.

<3> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<4> Eagle, 1826, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN58273.

<5> 1950, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN58274.

<6> 1967, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN58275.

<7> Buildings Worthy of Conservation in Kettering, (unchecked) (Map). SNN57893.

<8> Chapman A, 1998-9, Kettering, The Rectory, (unchecked) (Note). SNN104055.

<9> GOTCH J.A., 1903, Notes On Some Anglo-Saxon Antiquities Found At Kettering, (unchecked) (Article). SNN68780.

<10> Walker C., 2013, Archaeological Desk-Based Heritage Assessment of Land at the Former Maplefields School, Kettering, Northamptonshire, p.10 (checked) (Report). SNN108525.

<11> Walker C., 2013, Archaeological Desk-Based Heritage Assessment of Land at Rockingham Dene, Kettering, Northamptonshire, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN108521.

<12> Kettering Civic Society, A Walk Round Kettering, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN107831.

<13> SMITH T., 1999, Twentieth Century Kettering, A Book For The Millenium, (unchecked) (Book). SNN109383.

<14> Billington V., 2000, Woad-Growing in Northamptonshire, p.59-70 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102516.

<16> Foard, G. & Ballinger, J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Kettering, (unchecked) (Report). SNN103120.

<17> Savage R.D., 2011, Former Rockingham Box Factory, Dryden Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN108291.

Record last edited

Oct 5 2026 2:12PM