|
 ounty
of central England. 
Northamptonshire County Council
- Northampton Borough Council
- Kettering Borough Council - Daventry District Council
|
owns and cities |
Northampton (administrative headquarters), Kettering, Corby, Daventry,
Wellingborough |
rea |
2,370 sq. km / 915 sq. miles |
opulation |
594,800 (1994) |
opography |
Northamptonshire is bounded on the north by Rutland and Leicestershire; on
the east by Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes; on the south by
Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire; and on the west by Warwickshire. The surface of the
county is mainly level, with occasional low hills and woodland. The Grand Union Canal
crosses the county. rivers Avon, Cherwell, Leam, Nene, Ouse, and Welland |
ommerce |
Industries: engineering; food processing; printing; shoemaking;
Northampton is the centre of the leather trade in England
Agriculture: cereals (wheat and barley); sugar beet; sheep rearing; cattle rearing,
especially in the Nene and Welland valleys, where there is rich pasture |
amous people |
Richard III, Robert Browne, John Dryden; the family of George Washington,
first president of the USA, originated at Sulgrave Manor. Sir Thomas Tresham (funded the
Gunpowder Plot) built the Triangular Lodge at Rushton Hall. William Knibb - promoted the
abolition of slavery. Alfred East - Royal Academy artist. |
ttractions |
Castle Ashby, built in 1574 by the first Earl of Northampton stands in
grounds landscaped by Capability Brown.
Silverstone, where the famous race track plays host to the British Grand Prix every two
years.
Fotheringhay, birthplace of King Richard III and where Mary, Queen of Scots was executed
in 1587. Althorp Park, Spencer family home and burial place of Diana, Princess of Wales;
Canons Ashby, Tudor house, home of the Drydens for 400 years; churches with broached
spires (an octagonal spire on a square tower) The Battle of Naseby, the decisive battle of
the English Civil War in 1645, in which Oliver Cromwell defeated the Royalists, was fought
at Naseby 32 km/20 miles south of Leicester. Northamptonshire has few monastic remains,
but there are Norman churches. There are market crosses at Brigstock, Helpston, Higham
Ferrers, and Irthlingborough, and at Hardingstone and Geddington are two of the crosses
built by Edward I in memory of his wife, Queen Eleanor. The ruins of Fotheringhay Castle,
where Mary Queen of Scots was executed, are also in the county. Mansions include Althorp
Park, Burghley House, Rushton Hall, Rockingham Castle, Castle Ashby, Dingley Hall, Deene
Park, and the ruined Kirby Hall. At Draughton there is evidence of occupation in the early
Iron Age. Prehistoric and Roman remains have been found, and Watling Street and Ermine
Street both cross the county.
Rothwell - hosts an annual Fair granted in a Royal Charter by King John in 1204. Corby
- hosts a fair every 25 years called the Pole Fair - also hosts the largest Highland Games
outside of Scotland every year. |
|