Castle Park Heritage Part 2: Anglo-Saxon Northampton

Excavations at Chalk Lane and Marefair have found remains of timber buildings of early Anglo-Saxon date (400-650 AD), showing that people were living there after the Romans had left. Other nearby settlements have also been found at Duston, Wootton, and Briar Hill.

A large village and an Anglo-Saxon burial ground were discovered more recently during excavation works on the new housing estate at Overstone Gate, on the northern edge of the modern town. 

The true origin of the town may lie in the foundation of the twin churches of St Peter and St Gregory, as early as the late 7th century. St Peter's Church still stands today on Marefair, but St Gregory's Church remains hidden.

Between the churches there was a large timber meeting hall, which was later rebuilt in stone. Together, they may have formed an Anglo-Saxon minster, no doubt with patronage from the Kings of Mercia, who ruled central England at this time.

St Peter's Church may have even been built next to an ancient round burial mound, to respect an older sacred site.

In the late 9th century, the town was taken over by the Vikings, but it was recaptured in 917 AD by King Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great.

The Kingdom of Wessex, with the support of the Mercians, gradually took back control of the east of England from the Vikings. Eventually, Edward's son, Athelstan, became the first king of a united England in the mid-10th century.

From this time, the town is recorded as `Hamtun', and it only became Northampton following the Norman Conquest, to be able to distinguish it from Southampton.

By the middle of the 10th century the town had become a defended Saxon burh. The security of a defended burh would have helped to attract traders, merchants, and craftsmen to set up business in the town, and coins were being minted in the town during this period. Coins were minted in Northampton for over 250 years which shows the significance of Northampton as a major royally approved centre.

In the 12th century, the area inside the town walls became much bigger, especially south of the castle. Builders reused the older Saxon defences, with the new town wall, built on top of the Saxon bank. 

Last updated 17 October 2025