Northampton - Northampton, UK
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Northampton - Wikipedia
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Northampton (/no.r'thaempt@n/ [listen]) is a market and civil town in the East Midlands, England. It lies on the River Nene 60 miles (97km) north-west London, and 50 miles (80km) south-east Birmingham. Northamptonshire is the county town. It has one of the largest cities in England. [3]
The Bronze Age, Romans, and Anglo-Saxons are the oldest archaeological evidence that settlements were made in the region. The establishment of Northampton Castle in the Middle Ages gave the town national prominence. This was an occasional royal residence that hosted the Parliament of England. Many churches, monasteries, and the University of Northampton were all part of Medieval Northampton's walls. Richard I granted it a town charter in 1189, and King John appointed a mayor in 1215. Two medieval battles took place in the town, one in 1264 and another in 1460.
Northampton supported Parliamentary Roundheads during the English Civil War. Charles II ordered the demolition of the town walls as well as most of the castle. Much of the town was destroyed by the Great Fire of Northampton (1675). It was quickly rebuilt and grew rapidly during the industrial revolution of the 18th century. Northampton grew with the arrival of Grand Union Canal and railways in 19th century. It became a center for leather and footwear manufacturing.