SNN104096 - The Early Topography of Northampton And Its Suburbs

This article provides modern mapping of the medieval and post medieval suburbs of Northampton, based upon the earliest available historic maps, and represents the first attempt to accurately define their extent and morphology. The suburbs cannot however be understood in isolation and so a topographical analysis of the walled town is also presented. Building upon previous studies, a sequence of evolution of the Saxon and medieval town is suggested. At least four main phases are defined: the early/middle Saxon, which is associated with the 'palace'; the late Saxon burh; the Norman new borough and later the medieval suburbs. Consideration is given to the evidence of large scale regular planning in the late Saxon and Norman periods. An alternative explanation for the apparent regularity, that it was the pattern of the pre-existing roads and furlongs which determined the layout of the medieval town, is also considered. Seven distinct medieval suburban areas are identified and briefly described. The major monuments in each suburb, mainly ecclesiastical sites, are identified and where possible located, as are the isolated suburban monasteries of St.James and Delapre. Consideration is also given to the likely chronology and reasons for the development and demise of each suburb. The article is intended as a broad summary which sets a topographical framework for future detailed documentary and archaeological research.