Monument record 3884 - Wellingborough

Medieval Town, with a market dating from 1201.

{2} The medieval development of Wellingborough cannot be sensibly plotted on the basis of surviving topography becsue on 28th July 1738 much of the town centre was destroyed by a mjor fire. The fire broke out on the west side of Silver Street, crossed the road fanned by a strong south-westerly wind, and raged fro six hours. It "burnt down and utterly consumed 205 dwelling houses, chiefly in the best and most trading parts of the town, with all the warehouses, barns, stables and outhouses thereunto belonging to the number of 806; as also all the barns, stables and outhouses belonging to 19 other dwelling houses left standing".
The fire destroyed the medieval north frontage of Market Street, both sides of Pebble Lane, the east side of Silver Street and so closely approached All Saints Church that the heat began to melt the church lead. It burnt as far as the Globe Inn on Gloucester Place which it destroyed.

{11} A large medieval town dominated from before Domesday by the Croyland Abbey manor. The town grew properous from the profits of the wool trade and its advantageous position on the crossroads of two major road routes. By the C18th although the wool trade was still one of the major industries, the burgeoning boot and shoe industry was beginning to eclipse it. By the C19th it was second only to Northampton in the number of people employed in that industry.

{12} The town and manor of Wellingborough formed one of the most important possessions of Crowland Abbey from the 10th to the 16th century, with a prosperous market, but the townspeople do not seem to have obtained any measure of self government, but rather found their rights of electing certain officials a burden on the score of expense. The market dates from 1201.

<1> Settlements in Irchester and Wellingborough, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN57939.

<2> Soden, I., 2008, Archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Church Street, Wellingborough, p.8 (checked) (Report). SNN108106.

<3> Cole J., 1837, The History and Antiquities of Wellingborough, p.215-6 (unchecked) (Book). SNN43829.

<4> Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (Series 1), p.129 (unchecked) (Series). SNN185.

<5> James, W., 1803, Wellingborough Town 1803, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100362.

<5> Andrew, M., 2002, Northamptonshire Living Memories, (unchecked) (Book). SNN105102.

<6> Palmer J.; Palmer P., 1974, A History of Wellingborough, (unchecked) (Book). SNN101875.

<6> Palmer J.; Palmer M., 1975, Wellingborough Album, (unchecked) (Book). SNN109489.

<7> Palmer, M. & Palmer, J., 1983, Wellingborough in Old Picture Postcards, (unchecked) (Book). SNN109233.

<8> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Wellingborough (Medieval + Post Medieval), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100339.

<10> Soden I., 2001, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre Site, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
SWIMMING POOL AND
LEISURE CENTRE SITE
WELLINGBOROUGH
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102759.

<11> Walker C., 2006, Documentary Research for Wellingborough Green Heritage Trail, p.1-2 (checked) (Report). SNN108005.

<12> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 135-46 (Series). SNN100371.

<13> Matrix Partnership Ltd, 2009, Wellingborough Town Centre: Conservation Area Appraisal (Adopted July 2009) (Report). SNN116250.

Record last edited

Jul 21 2026 2:27PM