Northamptonshire Archives and Heritage Service

06/10/2026

Since October is here, who doesn’t love a ghost story?

This statement written by William Blagrave to Sir Justinian Isham in 1674 reveals the strange tale of how a spirit allegedly led William Clarke, a husbandman from Harrington, to Southwark to find his long-lost fortune to give to his descendants.

Blagrave writes that Clarke’s children spotted a man outside of their house at night, “walking a long tyme about the close in blackish clothes” when Clarke attempted to leave the house to talk to him, he disappeared several times. When finally they had the opportunity to speak the spirit said “not to be afraid, for he would not hurt him nor his wife nor children, but he is the man that must doe his business”. “267 years, 9 months and 2 days ago he was murdered in the old days… by a servant thereof, was buryed in the close”. “You must forthwith to Southwarke” to the house the spirit’s wife and children once lived in at the time of his death. After initial avoidance, Clarke finally relented and followed the spirit to the house in Southwark, where he was let into the house and he dug where instructed until he, sure enough, found “old rusty money but not gold with a parchment”. The spirit left “several things in charge to those of the house and him” and the he did not return to Clarke’s house following the events.

Ghost stories have fascinated us for centuries, and the story at the time was a sensation in Oxford according to further correspondence with Sir Isham’s son.

Catalogue reference: IC/805

02/10/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

🎉 One year ago, the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record (HER) website went live.

Over the past 12 months, more than 25,000 users have visited the website, using the HER to explore Northamptonshire's historic environment and access thousands of heritage records.

Since its launch, people from across the county and beyond have used the HER to discover prehistoric landscapes, Roman roads, medieval churches, industrial heritage sites and archaeological discoveries. One of the HER's priorities has been to make our data more accessible and easier to access online and it is rewarding to see the website helping to make that a reality.

Thank you to everyone who has visited the website, explored the records, shared our posts and supported the HER over the last twelve months.

Here's to another year of discovering, recording and celebrating Northamptonshire's past.

🔎 Explore the HER: https://her.northamptonshire.gov.uk/
💬 What's been your favourite HER discovery this year?

25/09/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

This September marks one year since Histories of Northamptonshire opened at Northampton Museum & Art Gallery.

The exhibition brought together 100 stories from across Northamptonshire, curated by a wide range of contributors. The Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record (HER) was pleased to take part as a guest curator, contributing to two of the stories featured in the exhibition and helping to share the archaeology, records and landscape history that shape our understanding of the county's past.

Although the exhibition closed at the end of February, its legacy continues online through the interactive timeline created as part of the project. The website allows visitors to explore the stories featured in the exhibition and discover the people, places and events that form Northamptonshire's history.

If you didn't get the chance to visit the exhibition, or would like to revisit some of the stories, the interactive timeline is still available here:

Welcome to the Histories of Northamptonshire interactive timeline, showcasing objects throughout history.

15/09/2026

If you missed us this morning, we will be at Kettering Library again on Friday afternoon, 1pm-3pm! As part of Heritage Week, this is a great opportunity to chat to some of our staff about the archives and the Historic Environment Record. We hope to see some of you there!

04/09/2026

Pictured here is Abington Street, Northampton c.1914, prior to the widening of the street and removal of the tramways. Horse-drawn trams were introduced in the town in 1881, and were phased out with the introduction of electric trams in 1901 when the Northampton Corporation Tramways bought the company. However with the introduction of motor buses in 1922, the tramways fell into disrepair until eventually in 1934, the tram system ceased completely. Abington Street was later widened and pedestrianised in the mid-20th century.

Document reference: NLS/PH/198/T/6

21/08/2026

🏺 Missed Roman Fest? Here's a snapshot of Chester Farm's Roman past
More than 5,000 people visited Chester Farm over Roman Fest weekend, enjoying living history displays, Roman reenactments, family activities and the chance to explore one of Northamptonshire's great heritage sites.

If you couldn't make it, here's a quick look at why Chester Farm is so special.
The site forms part of the Roman town of Irchester, a Scheduled Monument occupied from the 1st to early 5th centuries AD. Archaeological investigations have revealed a thriving settlement with streets, buildings, industrial activity and religious sites, alongside evidence for earlier Iron Age occupation and the later medieval hamlet of Chester on the Water.

✨ Did you know? Irchester's development was closely linked to its position on the Roman transport network, helping to connect people, goods and ideas across the region.

Today, Chester Farm combines archaeology, history and nature, making it a fantastic place to visit whether you're interested in the Roman past or simply looking for somewhere to explore.

🔎 Learn more on the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record:
https://her.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Designation/DNN6254

14/08/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

📍 A question for our followers

The Historic Environment Record helps make information about Northamptonshire's past accessible to everyone. Some archaeological reports include photographs of excavated human remains.
This raises an important question: should these images be freely available online, or should access be managed in some way?
Open access supports research, education and transparency. However, human remains were once living people and many feel that images of burials and skeletons should be treated with particular care and respect.

💬 What do you think?
🔹 Freely available online
🔹 Available with a content warning
🔹 Available only on request
🔹 Managed in another way

We're interested to hear your views on how archaeological information can remain accessible while treating human remains with dignity and respect.

07/08/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

📍 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱?

HERs are an important starting point for anyone interested in the archaeology, built heritage, and history of an area.

The Historic Environment Record (HER) is a helpful source of information on Northamptonshire's archaeological sites, historic buildings, landscapes and past discoveries. It brings together evidence collected over many years, helping to build a picture of how the county has changed through time.

Used by archaeologists, planners, researchers and members of the public, the HER helps inform decisions about development while making information about Northamptonshire's rich heritage accessible to everyone.

With over 170,000 records across monuments, investigations, sources, finds and designated heritage assets, the HER provides an invaluable resource for understanding and exploring our historic environment.

The HER is a great place to start if you are interest in learning about Northamptonshire's past.

🔎 Explore the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record:

Northamptonshire’s Historic Environment Record

31/07/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

📍 How can metal detecting contribute to our understanding of the past?

Responsible metal detecting can make an important contribution to archaeology. Finds recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) have helped identify settlements, trace trade networks and provide insights into everyday life in the past.

Responsible detectorists always obtain the landowner's permission and report archaeological finds to their local Finds Liaison Officer (FLO), ensuring discoveries are properly recorded for future research. Some finds may also be classed as Treasure and must be reported under the Treasure Act.

Unfortunately, illegal detecting, known as nighthawking, can damage heritage assets and result in the loss of important archaeological information. For archaeologists, a find's context, - where it was found and what it was found with - is often just as valuable as the object itself.

By working with Finds Liaison Officers and following responsible detecting guidance, detectorists can help protect and enhance our understanding of the past.

24/07/2026

[𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱]

📍 How do archaeologists investigate sites?

Archaeologists use a range of techniques to understand what survives below the ground, from non-intrusive surveys to excavations.
Excavation is perhaps the best-known method. Archaeologists carefully remove soil and record features, deposits and finds. Because excavation permanently removes archaeological evidence, detailed records are made throughout the process.
Trial trenching is often used to assess a site's archaeological potential. A series of sample trenches are excavated to determine whether significant remains survive and if further investigation is needed.
A watching brief involves an archaeologist monitoring groundworks, such as construction or landscaping. Any archaeological remains revealed during the work are recorded.
Not all archaeological investigations require digging. Geophysical survey is a non-intrusive technique that uses specialised equipment to detect buried features such as ditches, pits and walls by measuring variations in the soil.
Field walking is another non-intrusive method. Archaeologists systematically walk across ploughed fields, recording artefacts visible on the surface. Patterns in the finds can provide clues about past settlement, industry and land use.
By combining these techniques, archaeologists can build a picture of the past while helping to protect and preserve our shared heritage.