Read our dramatic account of the 1st Battle of Northampton in 1264. This important Battle sees King Henry III and his son Prince Edward take on the 6th Earl of Leicester in a fight between democracy and monarchy.

The heroic son of Earl Simon de Montfort and two friends attempt to hold back Prince Edward and 40 mounted knights as democracy is betrayed by the Monks of St Andrews. Discover how the King breaches the walls of Northampton Castle with the view to hanging hundreds of Oxford scholars studying at the University of Northampton and devolving the beginnings of Parliament.

Read on... (click!)

Whilst performing some routine research Northamptonshire History discovered this amazing video on YouTube. Split into two parts, the first is included here for viewing and the second will be posted here soon. This just goes to show what an amazing talent we have here in Northampton, as well as a genuine thirst for knowledge of what went on in a borough of Northamptonshire.

There is also a guest appearance from local author and comic-book legend Alan Moore who is a big advocate of Northamptonshire History.

To find the second part, or to find out more and comment on this Video you can 'double click' the video, you can also make it full screen by using the buttons underneath the video.

Today marks the beginning of the new forum which allows registered users (which is free) to discuss anything you like from Family History to local memories. This forum is more powerful than anything else we've had before and allow posters to receive emails when they receive replies. Also make sure you subscribe to emails and/or use the RSS function to monitor responses. Happy posting! - Click to get started!

July 25th/26th 2009 saw time go backwards to the time of the Romans, and return right through to World War II and beyond. Over 2000 years of history came together at Kelmarsh Hall for the seventh consecutive year of the Festival of History.

Historical enthusiasts across Europe flock to the county to see the largest historical festival in Europe. Re-enactments begin with settlements, stalls and people keen to educate you on their period in time, right through to staged demonstrations and battles run throughout the weekend.

Photos and hopefully a video will appear on this site soon.

The BBC Website is arguably one of the best in the world. The sheer volume of information, the innovative design and the frequency of updates is rivalled by very few sites around the world. Northamptonshire has its own section with a dedicated area for history and we are very proud to be the first of only four websites in their 'History Links' section found here (click).

In the spirit that 'today's events create tomorrows history' it seems only right that we document the snow we've had in 2009. Traffic chaos is all over the news but we shouldn't forget the fun that many of the 'young at heart' have been having. Replacing your childs buggy with a sledge is a fine way travel.

Please email any fun pics to editor@northamptonshire-history.org.uk. Any suitable ones we receive will be published here (click to view current ones).

Although not strictly of historical interest, when it comes to travelling back in time there is only one name that has any serious credibility. Doctor Who is now due for his latest transformation and the new actor playing the ageless time lord was born in Northampton.

Matt Smith will become the youngest actor to play the Doctor and he hails from Northampton. Born 28th October, 1982. He almost took up a career as a footballer but a back injury prevented him pursuing this as a career.

Having played for Leicester City and Nottingham Forest youth academies a drama teacher at Northampton School for Boys encouraged him to take the subject at A Level. He left Northampton aged 18 to study drama and creative writing at University of East Anglia in Norwich.

Find out about other people of historical interest, as well as local celebrities over at our 'people' pages.

Looking Back, Volume 2 is the second book spawned from the popular Chronicle and Echo feature. The paper published old photos and asked for readers to comment on the events and people pictured. In 2007 the first Looking Back book was published and was a local hit and I can see this second edition will follow suit. Click here to read a short review...

This book is certainly worth taking a look at next time you are in the bookshop. Younger Northamptonians should also keep this book in mind as a potential gift for older relatives who lived in the town. Another great local history book with a personal charm that others often fail to find.

Northampton Castle was a key factor in creating this website. Research has uncovered some excellent documentation on the castle and the Castle page is being updated during May.

This photo is of Dover Castle which shares a very similar history being of Norman construction over an earlier Saxon fortification. It is highly likely that Northampton Castle looked similar to this image and it is a sad situation that it is lost forever.

Northamptonshire was a favourite playground of Royalty and King John in particular visited the Castle no less than 30 times in his 17 year rule (1199 - 1216). Younger brother of King Richard I he is most well known as being the enemy of the fictional Robin Hood. He was imprisoned here just before he signed the Magna Carta.

The yew tree is often found in churchyards across England and can predate the churches they accompany. These ancient trees can signify a sacred site much earlier than the church becoming exceptionally large (over 9ft or 3 metres diameter) and likely to be over 2,000 years old.

Is there a Yew in your local Northamptonshire churchyard? Leave us a comment or email editor@northamptonshire-history.org.uk with your pictures.

You can read more about this symbol of both elongated life and of death (due to it's poisonous nature) on Wikipedia here.

In the future this site intends to look at both World Wars but until then we are looking for links to useful websites. Please comment on this story if you have any suggestions.

Ideally we would like your stories or the stories of people you know. The BBC have a collection of Northamptonshire War Stories so we invite you take a look at some interesting accounts of life during World War II in Northamptonshire.

Read about local World War I hero Edgar Mobbs.

What was life like in Northamptonshire before the Romans invaded in 43 AD? Click here discover Northamptonshire pre 43 AD where the earliest remnants of county life can be found.

This was a time when early hill forts were built and early pots and tools were made by locals. Towards the end of this era the powerful Catuvellauni were among the tribes that stood up to the early probing excursions of the great Julius Caesar.