Monument record 1160/238/1 - Swan Street formerly Cow Lane

Minor lane

{3} The first appearance of Cow Lane (the medieval name for Swan Street) is inferred from a 1275 reference to Cougate. There are subsequent references of 1414 to four cottages with gardens and thereafter to stables and orchards.

{4} One of the oldest of the smaller thoroughfares, occurring in various documents pertaining to the Anglo-Norman town.

{5} Excavations have demonstrated that this street was not laid out until the 13th century.

<1> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<2> Noble; Butlin, 1746, Town Map, (checked) (Map). SNN430.

<3> Shepherd N., 2013, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Swan Street, Northampton, p.13 (checked) (Report). SNN109229.

<4> Cox Rev.J.C., 1898, Records of The Borough of Northampton, p. 518 (Book). SNN3420.

<5> Shaw, M, 2020, Approaches to the analysis of the topography, origins, growth and development of English medieval towns: case studies of selected towns and their wider applicability, p. 174 (Thesis). SNN116307.

Record last edited

Apr 9 2025 1:55PM