History of Northampton

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A.D.
c.20	Hunsbury settlement abandoned.
c.43	Romans occupied the area, traced by small market town at Duston; farm sites in Thorplands area; Villa at Wootton.
c.410	Romans abandoned the area and the land was occupied by invading Saxons and other Germanic tribes.
	Little is known of the period between Roman departure and the 8^thCentury, by which time Northampton had become an important regional centre.
c.750	The Great Hall, the residence of a local Saxon prince, was constructed of timber next to St. Peter’s Church in Marefair.
c.820	The Great Hall was enlarged and re-built in stone – a royal residence and a major administrative centre.
874	Area conquered by the Danes - became a base for one of their armies.
913	Earliest reference to Northampton as a place name occurs in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle when the Saxon King Edward recaptured it from the Danes. It reports that the army "rode out of Hamtun".
917	Danes abandoned area.
	Before the Norman Conquest in 1066, the town’s prosperity must have fluctuated as it was plundered many times.
1086	Domesday Book records about 300 houses and 1500 - 2000 inhabitants.
1089	Simon de Senlis I, who had arrived with William the Conqueror, became Earl of Northampton. He probably founded the castle and created defences.
	Northampton expanded rapidly in the 12^th Century, becoming the third largest town in England. Major building works included Northampton Castle (now demolished) near the present railway station; churches, religious houses; town walls.
1100	Church of the Holy Sepulchre founded in Sheep Street by the Earl of Northampton, Simon de Senlis to commemorate his safe return from the Crusades. Oldest building in town and the largest and best preserved of the 4 round churches remaining in England.
1131	Northampton became the seat of the national Parliament.
c.1140	St.John’s Hospital founded at bottom of Bridge Street.
1145	Delapre Abbey founded.
1147	Army raised to fight 2^nd Crusade set off from Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
1159	Jews first recorded. A Synagogue existed between Sheep Street and Silver Street – most lived in this part of town.
?1160	St. Peter’s Church founded in Marefair – excellent example of Norman church architecture with ornate interior.
1164	Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was summoned to Northampton Castle to defend his opposition to new legislation that restricted the power of the Church. He was tried and found guilty by King Henry II. Before sentence could be passed, he escaped to France disguised as a monk, allegedly stopping to refresh himself at a spring just outside the town’s "Derngate". In 1843, the local Corporation built a stone structure at the location to mark "Becket’s Well".
1180	Northampton was probably one the six most prosperous towns in England.
1189	King Richard I granted town’s first charter in exchange for money to fund his (disastrous) crusades. The charter allowed certain rights and independence in legal and administrative matters. The town was given the right to elect a reeve (later known as a mayor) annually.
1202	Earliest known reference to a local shoemaker – "Peter the Cordwainer". Shoemaking was to become the area’s major industry over the following centuries.
1213	King John, a frequent visitor to the town, bought a pair of boots for nine pence.
1215	William Tilly was appointed as town’s first mayor. Civil War: Northampton Castle, a royal stronghold, was besieged by barons and townsfolk. King John’s royalist forces retaliated by destroying a large part of the town.
1235	First market held on Market Square.
1261	A fledgling university that had been attracting discontented tutors and students from Oxford and Cambridge, received royal approval.
1264	Civil War: Simon de Montfort assembled a force of rebellious knights and squires. King Henry III and Prince Edward attacked with large army, took prisoners and pillaged town.
1265	University dissolved by Henry III because the students had supported Simon de Montfort and the rebellious barons against him.
1291	Queen Eleanor’s Cross built on London Road to mark stopping place of the funeral procession as King Edward I took his wife’s body from Lincoln to Westminster Abbey - one of only 3 remaining crosses out of the original 14.
c.1300	Early Town Hall built at corner of Abington Street and Wood Hill.
1349	Black Death plague reduced the town’s population from about 3,000 to about 1,500 and triggered a massive decline in Northampton’s fortunes.
1380	Parliament met in Northampton Castle for the last time.
1449	War of the Roses: Yorkists won a decisive battle, capturing the young weak King Henry VI, plunging the country into deeper chaos.
1460	War of the Roses: Battle of Northampton fought in Hardingstone fields between the river and Delapre Abbey – Yorkists defeated the Lancastrians and captured Henry VI.
1484	Town was reportedly in "great desolation and ruin".
1500	Population: 3,000
1516	Fire destroyed much of the town.
1524	Shoemaking established as town’s major craft – about 14% of population were shoemakers.
1538	Delapre Abbey dissolved by King Henry VIII.
c.1540	King Henry VIII ordered dissolution of the monasteries – about two-thirds of all property in town belonged to the Church.
1541	Boys Grammar School founded by Thomas Chipsey, a grocer, in Bridge Street. Moved to former St.Gregory’s church, then to Abington Square, then (1911) to Billing Road. Now known as Northampton School for Boys.
1557	John Kurde, a Protestant shoemaker was burned at the stake outside the North Gate because of his beliefs in the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary.
1566	Fire destroyed part of the town.
1595	"Welsh House" built on Market Square – one of the few buildings to escape the Great Fire of 1675. Has Welsh motto around coat of arms on its facade. Its appearance has changed considerably over the centuries. When it was incorporated into the Grosvenor Shopping Centre it was reconstructed to its original design.
c.1600	Hazelrigg House built in Marefair – one of few buildings to escape the Great Fire of 1675.
1612	Five women and a man executed for witchcraft.
1638	Plague – over 500 people died.
1642	Civil War broke out: Earl of Northampton backed King Charles I, but the people supported Cromwell’s Parliament and supplied boots to his army.
1643	Civil War: Prince Rupert attacked town with about 2,000 men but was beaten back at the North Gate.
1645	Civil War ended after decisive victory by Cromwell at nearby Naseby. Cromwell slept at Hazelrigg House in Marefair the night before the battle.
1662	Castle and town walls demolished by order of Charles II because town had sided with Parliament, the enemy of his father (Charles I) during Civil War.
1675	Great Fire of Northampton, caused by sparks from an open fire in St. Mary’s Street near the castle, devastated the town centre, destroying about 600 buildings, including All Saints church in 6 hours. Three quarters of the town was destroyed – 11 people died, about 700 families made homeless. Local people and businesses raised �25,000 towards re-building the town centre based around the Market Square. Streets were widened to help prevent a re-occurrence. King Charles II donated 1000 tons of timber for the re-building. A commemorative statue of the king (dressed in Roman toga) stands on the portico of the re-built All Saints church. Later (1724), the new appearance inspired the author and traveller Daniel Defoe to describe Northampton as the "handsomest and best built town in all this part of England…..finely rebuilt with brick and stone, and the streets made spacious and wide".
1678	Sessions House and County Hall in George Row completed.
1695	Castle Hill Independent Chapel built – oldest surviving chapel in town. Dr. Philip Doddridge was minister there from 1730-51. Now known as Doddridge and Commercial Street United Reform Church. Northampton has a long tradition of non-conformism.
1701	Re-building of fire-ravaged All Saints church completed, including new columned portico.
1714	College Street Baptist Chapel built.
1720	Northampton Mercury newspaper founded.
1729	Dr. Doddridge’s Academy founded in Sheep Street.
1742	World’s first water-driven cotton mill established near Tanner Street.
1744	County Infirmary founded in George Row – treatment was free but it had only 40 beds.
1745	Earl of Halifax and local non-conformist minister Philip Doddridge raised a volunteer army of over 800 men to fight the "Pretender" to the throne "Bonnie Prince Charlie".
1761	Rive Nene made navigable from King’s Lynn, allowing cheap transportation of coal and other goods to the town.
1778	Improvement Commissioners established – an independent body to administer local services, e.g. sewers; building regs; street lighting and cleaning; refuse collection, etc.
1787	Public execution of the notorious Culworth gang for robberies – watched by an estimated crowd of 10,000.
1793	County Infirmary moved to Billing Road – now the General Hospital.
1796	Grand Junction Canal to Blisworth opened.
1801	Population: 7,020.
1806	Theatre Royal founded in Marefair.
1809	Spencer Perceval, the town’s M.P., became Prime Minister.
1812	National (Church of England) and British (non-conformist) schools established. Prime Minister Spencer Perceval (Northampton’s M.P.) shot dead in House of Commons lobby by John Bellingham.
1815	Blisworth to Northampton branch canal opened, allowing direct access to Midlands’ coal-fields and major cities. "Importing" of raw materials and "exporting" of completed shoes facilitated rapid commercial growth.
1817	Phipps’ brewery moved to Bridge Street premises.
1824	Original gas works opened: first gas street lighting; first gas-lit building - the old Theatre Royal in Marefair.
1831	Northampton Herald newspaper founded, initially based at "Welsh House". One third of town’s males (1,322) were shoemakers.
1834	Paganini, the virtuoso violinist, performed at the George Hotel.
1835	Electoral reform – councillors elected to represent electoral wards. Duties limited to administration of law and order, and markets.
1836	Northampton Asylum founded - now St. Andrew’s Hospital.
1839	All Saints school established in Horseshoe Street – first of parish schools. St. Katherine’s Church consecrated (now demolished).
1844	Roman Catholic Cathedral built in Barrack Road.
1845	First railway station opened at Bridge Street (Cotton End), providing fast and cheap communication to other parts of the country. Town prison built on Upper Mounts. Seven prisoners executed there - the last was hanged in 1914.
1848	Northampton Town & County Building Society founded in Abington Street.
1849	Town police force was formed.
c.1850	Rapid expansion of town with houses, schools and factories. Major shoe factories were established attracting workers who had previously hand-made shoes at home or in garden sheds. Mass-production methods, together with the improved communications network, gave a massive boost to the shoe industry and the prosperity of the town. Many terraced streets were built by major manufacturers to house workforces.
1850	Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton established.
1851	Corn Exchange opened on Market Square. Primarily used for marketing of corn - replaced trading on the open Market Square. Also used for concerts, balls, and public meetings, etc.
1857	Sewing machines introduced for shoemaking.
1859	Castle Station opened, on site of the ancient castle.
1862	Castle Hill church enlarged and re-named Doddridge Chapel (after eminent Congregationalist Philip Doddridge).
1863	Roman Catholic cathedral in Barrack Road greatly extended. College Street Baptist Chapel re-built. Fountain erected on Market Square to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark.
1864	John Clare (poet) died in Northampton Asylum (now St.Andrew’s Hospital). Old Town Hall at corner of Abington Street and Wood Hill demolished. Current Guildhall built in the Gothic style that was typical of the time. Local people and events are depicted in the stonework of the fa�ade. Designed by Edward Godwin.
1871	Two-fifths of town’s males (4,641) were shoemakers. Other major industries included breweries; brass/iron foundries; flour mills; coach works.
1872	St. John’s Street railway station opened – the town’s third. Northampton Rugby Football Club formed - amalgamated with other clubs to form Unity club.
1873	Purpose-built Cattle Market on Victoria Promenade opened.
1874	Riot on the Market Square, provoked by parliamentary election campaign involving Charles Bradlaugh, a radical atheist. The mayor read the Riot Act, but rioters did not disperse until troops arrived and fired over their heads.
1875	Corporation took over the duties of the Improvement Commissioners.
1876	Public Library established, in the lower assembly rooms of the Guildhall. Public swimming baths opened in Cattle Market Road. Erected by Phipps Brewery – used waste heat from brewery to heat water. Berrywood Hospital opened in Duston as county Asylum (later re-named as St. Crispin�s).
1879	Remains of Northampton Castle levelled when Castle Station enlarged.
1880	The Chronicle, and Daily Echo newspapers founded. Charles Bradlaugh elected as M.P. His atheism and radical views brought him into conflict with establishment views.
1881	Horse-drawn trams introduced. Notre Dame High School built in Abington Street.
1884	Royal Theatre and Opera House opened in Guildhall Road. This elegant Victorian theatre cost �12,000 and was designed by Charles Phipps – opened with a production of Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night".
1886	Cricket first played at the County Ground.
1887	Celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
1888	Northampton became a County Borough. Temperance Hall opened in Newland – headquarters of Temperance Soc. Joseph Grose founded his business, originally as a bicycle shop and manufacturer of cycle components – became pioneer of motor vehicles.
1890	First of annual cycle parades – later became carnival parades.
1891	Population: 61,012 Unity rugby club amalgamated with St. James Improvement Class Rugby Section to form Northampton St. James Football Club – now Northampton Football Club (the "Saints".)
1892	Lady Wantage donated Abington Manor House and large area of land to the town for recreational use – soon to become Abington Park. Guildhall extended (to the west) – designed by local architect Matthew Holding.
1893	St. Matthew’s church built in Kettering Road – designed by local architect Matthew Holding, built by Pickering Phipps as a memorial to his father. Now contains two major works of art: Henry Moore’s "Madonna and Child", and Graham Sutherland’s "Crucifixion". Church has a long and celebrated history of music making – home of town’s Bach Choir.
1894	Statue of local M.P. Charles Bradlaugh unveiled on Abington Square.
1896	Joseph Grose, local motor car pioneer, drove first motor vehicle in town.
1897	Abington Park opened to the public. Northampton Town Football Club formed – played at the County Ground. Celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
1898	Joseph Grose, local motor car pioneer, incurred first speeding fine (of �1), by travelling at a staggering "15–16 m.p.h." !
1899	Sir Moses Philip Manfield died – eminent shoe manufacturer, mayor and M.P. His funeral procession was watched by an estimated 15,000 people. Abington Manor House opened to the public as a museum.
1901	Population: 87,000 Emporium Arcade built on North side of Market Square. Palace of Varieties music hall opened at bottom of Gold Street.
1904	Horse racing at Racecourse abandoned after several serious accidents. Electric trams introduced – replaced horse-drawn trams.
1905	Northamptonshire County Cricket Club entered first-class cricket. Northampton and County Independent magazine founded. Co-operative building opened in Abington Street.
1906	Christchurch in Wellingborough Road was consecrated.
1908	First motor cabs appeared in town. Mrs. Pankhurst addressed a Suffragette meeting. Midsummer Meadow bathing place opened. Temperance Hall became a cinema.
1909	Roller-skating craze swept town – rinks opened at George Hotel, West Bridge and Wellingborough Road, but craze died within a year. Holy Trinity church consecrated. First motor fire engine in town.
1910	Smith, Major and Stevens (later known as Express Lifts) opened as a major employer. County Electric Pavilion cinema opened in Gold Street – lasted only 11 years and showed only silent pictures. Central Library and Carnegie Hall opened in Abington Street.
1911	Northampton Town and County Grammar School opened on Billing Road – now known as Northampton School for Boys. Town streets tarred for first time. Celebrations for Coronation of King George V. Abington Avenue Congregational Chapel opened. Art Gallery opened in the old Reference Library building, Guildhall Road. Cinema de Luxe opened in Campbell Street.
1912	Palace of Varieties music hall in Gold Street changed to a "Picture Palace". "East Park Picturedrome" cinema opened in Kettering Road – first purpose-built cinema in town. New Theatre opened in Abington Street (locally called the Hippodrome).
1913	Madame Nellie Melba gave concert at Corn Exchange. Local Suffragettes tried (unsuccessfully) to burn letters at Post Office. First motor ambulance. "Vint’s Palace" opened in Gold Street. It showed both films and variety acts – Charlie Chaplin appeared there twice. King George V and Queen Mary paid a state visit – inspected troops on Market Square.
1914	Northampton Chamber of Trade formed. Northampton Motor Omnibus Company founded by Joseph Grose. Start of World War I: Edgar Mobbs, a local businessman and rugby football international raised a battalion of sportsmen to fight in France. He and many others never returned.
1915	Northants Regiment suffered terrible casualties at Neuve Chapelle.
1916	The typical 19^th century town house at 78 Derngate owned by eminent model engineer Basset-Lowke was extensively re-designed in the Scottish Art Nouveau style by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
1917	Racecourse ploughed to provide war-time allotments. Lt.-Col. Edgar Mobbs killed in action at Ypres, aged 35. Zeppelin raid on town – 3 civilians killed by incendiary bombs.
1918	Voters’ register included women in Parliamentary and municipal elections for first time. End of World War I: over 1,700 local men had been killed, with hundreds more wounded. Armistice service held on Market Square.
1919	Civic receptions and celebrations held for homecoming troops. Vigo brick-works chimney (250 feet) demolished. Majestic cinema replaced Vint’s Palace in Gold Street.
1920	Corn Exchange on Market Square converted into the Exchange cinema. Lloyds Bank bought the George Hotel in George Row. Vaudeville Electric cinema opened in Grove Road.
1921	Dallington Park donated to the town by the Lewis family. Memorial to local war hero Edgar Mobbs unveiled on Market Square.
1922	Winston Churchill, then Minister for the Colonies, addressed meeting in the New Theatre. Salon de Danse replaced the Victory Hall on Weedon Road.
1923	County Ground donated to town by Alfred Cockerill. First motor buses came into service.
1924	Mr. J. Manfield, eminent shoe manufacturer, donated Weston Favell House to become a hospital for crippled children.
1925	Pageant of town’s history in Abington Park - about 1,700 people took part. International ballerina Pavlova danced at New Theatre.
1926	St. James’ End badly flooded – worst floods for 30 years. Popular singer Gracie Fields performed at New Theatre. Local workers joined General Strike. Angry crowds roamed streets and Councillors drove trams. Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital opened. "New Ways" house built in a radical modernist style for eminent model engineer Basset-Lowke in Wellingborough Road.
1927	Northampton Repertory Company founded from members of the Elephant Repertory Company. Edward, Prince of Wales, (later King Edward VIII), paid state visit.
1928	Slipper Baths opened in Miller’s Meadow, near Spencer Bridge.
1929	First set of traffic lights installed at junction of Abington Street and Fish Street (only the third set in England). Exchange cinema screened town’s first "talkie" – "The Singing Fool", starring Al Jolson. The R101, Britain’s new giant airship, passed low over town centre on maiden voyage. Vaudeville Electric cinema closed.
1930	Old prison in Upper Mounts demolished (later replaced by police station and Magistrates’ Court). Regal Super cinema opened in Grove Road (formerly the Vaudeville Electric cinema). Market Square fountain renovated - four hanging lamps added.
1931	Chronicle and Echo newspaper founded. Mercury and Herald newspaper founded.
1932	Borough boundaries extended to include Dallington, Spinney Hill and other outlying areas. College of Technology in St. George's Avenue opened by Duke and Duchess of York.
1933	Park Avenue Methodist church opened.
1934	New Racecourse pavilion opened. Last of the electric trams superseded by motor buses.
1935	Council changed name of "Cow Meadow" to "Becket’s Park". Road speed limits first introduced to built-up areas. New Salvation Army Citadel opened in Sheep Street. Current fire station opened on the Mounts.
1936	Savoy cinema opened on Abington Square (later ABC cinema, now closed). Barratt Maternity Home opened. Mounts Swimming Baths opened, at a cost of �52,000. Electric cinema in St.James changed name to the Roxy.
1937	Celebrations for Coronation of King George VI. Majestic cinema closed.
1938	Garden of Rest opened on Abington Square to commemorate local fatalities of World War I - included Mobbs memorial (moved from Market Square). St. Alban’s Church consecrated. Co-operative arcade opened between Abington Street and St. Giles Street.
1939	Start of World War 2 – first air-raid warnings sounded. St. John’s Street railway station closed.
1940	Rationing introduced.
1941	British Timken (international manufacturer of roller bearings) opened factory at Duston. Campbell Square police station opened (on site of old town jail). Stirling bomber crashed in Gold Street. Wreckage extended to George Row, but no serious damage to All Saints Church. Crew had baled out – pilot’s body found on Racecourse, other crew members landed safely.
1942	Over 17,000 local women registered for fire-guard duties.
1943	King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited town on "working tour".
1944	Home Guard stood down.
1945	Victory in Europe (V.E.) celebrations. Victory in Japan (V.J.) celebrations.
1946	Bottleneck in lower Abington Street removed by demolishing large building occupied by General Post Office and Labour Exchange. Northamptonshire Regiment received the Freedom of the Borough.
1947	Fuel crisis closed many factories.
1948	July 29 was hottest day for 50 years – 90.5 F.
1949	Roxy cinema closed – became part of Dover’s cycle accessories factory.
1950	Exchange cinema changed name to the Gaumont. St. Katherine’s Church demolished – site became Memorial Gardens.
1951	Police patrol cars first equipped with 2-way radios.
1952	Controversial "Woman with Fish" statue unveiled in Memorial Gardens – after repeated vandalism it was removed to Delapre Abbey gardens.
1953	Celebrations for Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
1954	Duke of Edinburgh opened an extension at British Timken, Duston. St. Gregory's Church opened in Park Avenue North, Abington.
1956	Cinema-de-Luxe closed. Regal Super cinema changed name to the Essoldo.
1957	St. Katherine’s Court 10-storey block of flats opened. Manfield shoe factory gutted by fire – �15,000 damage. Coliseum and Picturedrome cinemas closed.
1958	Technical High School opened. New Theatre closed. Many stars had appeared there including Gracie Fields, Rex Harrison, Laurel & Hardy, Frankie Vaughan, and Norman Wisdom.
1959	Delapre Abbey opened as Northamptonshire Record Office and home of Record Society.
1960	New Theatre demolished – replaced by Fine Fare supermarket (now Primark). Peacock Hotel on Market Square demolished – this ancient coaching inn had survived since 1456. Extensive one-way streets and prohibited parking introduced to town centre. Tivoli cinema closed. St. John Street railway station finally demolished (closed 20 years earlier).
1961	Population: 100,000
1962	Market Square fountain demolished, although base remained 10 more years. Ritz cinema closed.
1963	Record low temperatures – 700 schoolchildren sent home due to heating failures. Temperance Hall, the oldest cinema in Britain, closed - became a bingo hall. The Beatles played two concerts (March and November) at the ABC cinema.
1964	Central Government published "South East Study", selecting Northampton as one of 4 major expansion areas. Gaumont cinema changed name to the Odeon. Bridge Street railway station closed.
1965	Northampton Town Football Club won promotion to Division 1 for first time in their history. In first home game they drew 1-1 with Arsenal. In second home game they drew 1-1 with Manchester Utd., watched by crowd of over 21,000 – largest league crowd ever at County Ground at the time.
1966	Largest crowd ever at County Ground saw Cobblers lose to Fulham – team relegated to Division 2 after only one season in top division.
1967	Town’s first multi-storey car park opened, at back of ABC cinema.
1968	Northampton officially designated as a "new town". A Development Corporation was set up to substantially re-develop the town in partnership with local council. Expansion was to be mainly to the east and the south to accommodate new residents, mainly from the London area. Essoldo cinema closed – became a bingo hall, then a roller-disco, now a laser gun battle zone (how leisure interests have changed!)
1969	Northampton Gaslight Company offices in Abington Street demolished – replaced by Marks and Spencer store.
1970	Town expansion started with slum clearance; road-widening; new road building; influx of new and varied commerce and light industry. Bridge Street railway station demolished.
1971	Population: 133,000 Barclaycard House office block in Marefair completed.
1972	Planning proposals for new eastern districts approved. Emporium Arcade on Market Square demolished despite strong local public opposition. Princess Street and most of Newland (inc. Temperance Hall) demolished.
1973	Carlsberg Brewery replaced earlier brewery at South Bridge.
1974	Planning proposals for new southern districts approved. Odeon cinema closed – converted to a bingo hall. Weston Favell Shopping Centre opened.
1975	Grosvenor Shopping Centre opened.
1976	Derngate bus station closed – Greyfriars bus station opened.
1979	Notre Dame High School demolished – replaced by shops and offices. St. Edmund’s Church demolished.
1981	Population: 150,000
1982	Express Lift Company’s test tower (418 feet) opened by Queen Elizabeth II. BBC disc jockey Terry Wogan referred to it as Northampton’s "lighthouse".
1983	Derngate Theatre opened – multi-purpose design allows hosting of wide range of events. Midsummer Meadow open-air swimming pool demolished.
1985	Development Corporation wound up, having added 20,000 dwellings, 40,000 inhabitants and over 200 companies. Population: 168,000
1988	Peacock Place shopping arcade opened.
1992	Guildhall extension added (to the east) - designed by local architects Stimson, Walton, Bond.
1995	ABC cinema closed. Northampton Town F.C. moved from County Ground to new Sixfields stadium.
1997	Princess Diana's funeral procession passed through town on way to Althorp.
1998	Severe flooding of Far Cotton and St. James areas on Good Friday – 2 people died, thousands of homes affected.
2002	All Saints Piazza opened in front of the town centre church.
2004	Northampton Town F.C. lost 3-0 to Manchester Utd in fourth round of the FA Cup at Sixfields stadium. Saints Rugby Football Club was awarded the Freedom of the Borough at the Guildhall in recognition of the club's contribution to the town.