Monument record 1160/30 - Medieval Jewish Synagogue, Northampton

Medieval documents place the synagogue somewhere in Silver Street, probably between the former fish market and The Bear public house.

{1} Jewish Synagogue recorded in 'Parmentry'; Jewish Synagogue was situated in Silver Street; probably recorded in 'Parmentry' which is probably an earlier name for Silver Street;

{3} A will dated 1630 shows evidence of synagogue situated in Silver St; investigation says that C13th Northampton synagogue was probably situated on a site adjacent to former Red Lion Inn such that synagogue would have been just north of eastern side of present day Fish Market where it fronts Sheep St;

{4} Various documents dating from the time of the expulsion describe the location of property owned and rented by the towns community… These mention the existence of a Synagogue in Silver Street. Its exact location is not known. However, the present day Fish Market stands on land between Silver street and Sheep Street, both considered to have been inhabited by Jews in this period. A will dated 1630 stated that …. "the tenement wherin she now dwells, sometymes called the Synagogue of the Jews in a street called Silverstreete"

{7} {8} {9} {10} A ground penetrating radar survey of the cellars beneath The Bear public house and No 9 Sheep Street identified the remains of probable masonry walls and a square structure interpreted as a stair well perhaps 'leading to what may have been a vestibule in the shul'. Documentary research and map regression attempts to identify the location of the synagogue and surrounding Jewry.

{12} Archaeological observation undertaken during the demolition of the former fish market and redevelopment of 5-7 Sheep Street found no evidence for the synagogue due to the truncation caused by later building and deep cellars.

Chapman, A, 2021, An alternative topography for the medieval Jewry, Northampton (Article). SNN112923.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.382 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> 1504, RENTALS AND SURVEYS, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN753.

<3> JOLLES M., 1996, A Short History of the Jews of Northampton 1159 - 1996, p 9 (checked) (Book). SNN74170.

<4> Abrams J., 2003, A Field Guide: The Archaeology of Britain's Medieval Jews, pp 1-2 (checked) (Chapter). SNN103950.

<5> Jarvis, E. (Ed.), 2010-12, Hindsight: The Journal of Northamptonshire Association of Local History, Issue 18 pp.28-31 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN108377.

<6> Jollies M., 2004, The Presence of Jews in Northamptonshire, p.54-68 (unchecked) (Article). SNN109358.

<7> Dysch, M, 2010, Northampton Synagogue discovered under kebab shop: Walls of 800-year-old synagogue discovered under halal takeaway (Newspaper cuttings). SNN111987.

<8> Jtrails, 2010, Remains of medieval synagogue uncovered under Northampton kebab shop (Website). SNN111988.

<9> Harrison J., 2010, Kebab House Dig Finds Rare Jewish Building, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107672.

<10> Roberts, M with a contribution from Sturdy Colls, C, 2021, The Topography and Archaeology of the Medieval Synagogue and Jewry in Northampton, p. 305-333 (Article). SNN112918.

<11> Chapman, A, 2021, An alternative topography for the medieval Jewry, Northampton, p. 349-359 (Article). SNN112923.

<12> Upson-Smith, T, Walker, C and Holmes, M, 2021, Archaeological investigation at the former Fish Market and 5-7 Sheep Street, Northampton, p. 335-348 (Article). SNN112919.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:52PM