Historic events

Magna Carta and the First Barons War

Learn about the important events that took place in Northamptonshire, which led to the creation of Magna Carta.

Image: King John ratifying the Magna Carta © the Trustees of the British Museum, licenced under a Creative Commons licence

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The Second Barons War

Learn about Northamptonshire's role in the Second Barons War.

Image: The Death of de Montfort from A Chronicle of England © the Trustees of the British Museum, licenced under a Creative Commons licence

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The Wars of the Roses

Learn about the Wars of the Roses and the two battles that took place in Northamptonshire on the Wars of the Roses website (external link).

Image: Loyal Subjects - the Battle of Northampton by Graham Turner © Graham Turner and Studio 88

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The Gunpowder Plot

Learn about the Gunpowder Plot, which was planned in Northamptonshire, on the gunpowder Plot Society website (external link).

Image: Gunpowder Plotters © Northamptonshire Archives Service

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The First English Civil War

Learn about Northamptonshire's role on the frontline of the First English Civil War.

Image: The Retreat at Naseby by William Giller © the Trustees of the British Museum, licenced under a Creative Commons licence

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The Great Fire of Northampton

Learn about the Great Fire of Northampton, which destroyed most of the town in 1675.

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Slavery and the abolition of slavery

Learn about slavery in Northamptonshire and the local contribution to the abolition movement.

Image: Slave Trade by John Raphael Smith © the Trustees of the British Museum, licenced under a Creative Commons licence

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The First World War

Learn about Northamptonshire's role in the First World War.

Image: The Northamptonshire Yeomanry © Northamptonshire Archives Service

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The Second World War

Learn about Northamptonshire's role in the Second World War.

Image: 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, Normandy, 1944 © IWM (B 8796), licenced under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence

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The Easter Floods

Learn about the Easter Floods of 1998, one of the worst floods in Northamptonshire in recent years.

Image: the Tove, Towcester © Northamptonshire County Council

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