Monument record 1160/112/1 - Dychurch Lane & The Riding

Dychurch Lane was known in 1685 as Dithers Lane, but previously known as Grope Lane. Depicted on Speed's map of 1610. To the east of Fish Street, The Riding may have been the location of Gobion Manor, later a 'riding ground' in 1746 and the location of the town gaol in the early 19th century and established as a street by 1847.

{3} Gropecunt Lane occurs from at least 1274. Gropecunt (and Grope) Lanes are known from at lest 27 towns and are associated with prostitution (although prostitution may not have been limited to this locale). It was Gropecunt Lane in 1444; Crope Lane in 1495; Grope Lane in 152-1; Dychers Lane als Grope Lane in 1586; Groape Lane als Dichers in 1622 and Grope Lane in 1653. The origin of the new name is unknown, but may relate to trade in leather.

<1> Noble; Butlin, 1746, Town Map, (checked) (Map). SNN430.

<2> Cox Rev.J.C., 1898, Records of The Borough of Northampton, p. 519 (Book). SNN3420.

<3> Steve Holder, Forthcoming, Appendix 5: Property Ownership: Methodology, permissions and Street Index, p. 432-5 (Appendix). SNN116858.

Record last edited

Jul 21 2025 3:10PM