Part 1

The Early Development of the Town

“Tis but a slender thread we can pursue
As Rushden takes its journey in review
But many threads and many a loving hand
Shall spin the web of memory in our land.”

The parish of Rushden with a total acreage of 3,777 acres is situated in the county of Northamptonshire and has, as its southern limits, the county boundary between Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. The River Nene which flows into the Wash provides the parish with its northern limits. The county of Northamptonshire is said to be noted for "its spires and squires" and judging from what historians have said and much more from what they have not said about it, the town appears for long years to have been noted for nothing but its spire and its squire. However, it can boast of its antiquity.

Just over two miles away to the north of the parish near by the present Northampton to Peterborough railway, a tumulus was discovered and was opened at the beginning of this century. The actual position of the tumulus is rather unique as the general tendency was to find such earth mounds on the higher land where the prehistoric peoples lived. It was this high land where they hunted and defended themselves against any attackers, but these were often very few in number as the high wooded land gave natural protection. This tumulus is close to the River Nene on land below two hundred feet, and therefore it must be presumed that the prehistoric people did inhabit these lower regions in this area, for they would not carry their dead miles away to bury them.(see historical map *missing) Socketed celts or axes were found in this tumulus and this evidence clearly suggests that the area around Rushden was inhabited during the Bronze Age period. In this country the transition from the Stone to the Bronze Age was marked by the occupation of Britain by a fresh tribe of people who invaded and conquered the Neolithic people, and who, if they did not actually bring the knowledge of bronze with them, were soon in full possession of it. Among the objects that belonged to the Bronze Age are sickel and celts which show a regular course of evolution from the oldest types to a highly effective socketed celt, as it is probable that the earliest bronze types were copies from the Neolithic stone celts, (see sketches *missing).

A little further to the west, from the sight of the tumulus, marked on the Ordnance Survey maps, but still in the flat meadow land of the River Nene a round barrow was opened on October 16th 1906. The mound was made up of fine sand, which could not have been obtained from less than half a mile from the spot.

With reference to the sketches, figure A was found about 18 inches from the surface, and a little deeper a heap of calcined bones was discovered which, judging from the thickness of the remains of the skull, are considered to be those of a man. Nearby were found fragments of reddish pottery, which resemble in colour and body of the usual Bronze Age pottery (probably belonging to the Beaker people).

From the interment being that of a cremated body, the barrow is considered to belong to the Bronze Age, as cremation was not introduced until that period.

In Romano-British times the population became concentrated just above the flood plain of the River Nene on the south side at Irchester only about two miles from Rushden (see historical map *missing). Although this did not produce a large settlement, the position provided a link between Towcester on the main Watling Street and Castor, just north of Peterborough, which had developed into an important and large Roman settlement. At Higham only one mile away Roman baths have been found in the castle grounds, and on the site of the old Roman town at Irchester and from the tumulus nearby, many Roman coins and pieces of pottery have been found. These coins have become so common around this site, that it is no longer considered a great discovery if any of these coins are found. The River Nene provided a means of transport for these people, but it was probably crossed slightly lower down at the present site of Ditchford where the river is quite shallow and the width of the valley fairly narrow. The width of the valley and the flood plain directly opposite the Roman settlement is wide and therefore they probably abandoned any attempt of crossing the river at that position.

The name Rushden is undoubtedly Saxon. The word probably comes from the Anglo-Saxon "rise" rush, and a "den" a small clearing. It is easy to imagine the spot in these far off Saxon times. The primary settlement was Higham (High Ham) while the more secondary form of settlement at Rushden lay in a little wooded valley full of rushes, with a brook meandering through it. Although settlement during the Saxon period may not have been permanent, the small wooded valley had the advantage of seclusion when seclusion meant less chance of attack. This probably is one of the reasons why the settlement became permanent. However, after the Romans left Britain the practice of making bricks fell into decay, and the Saxons went back to the habit of building their houses out of mud and wood (wattle and daub) for the materials were ready to hand. The traces of the old Saxon field system are only to be found in present day names and it can only be presumed that is was a three field system as the names Westfield, Southfield, and Eastfield are still to be found marked on the Ordnance Survey maps.

In William the Conqueror’s Domesday Book, Rushden is called "Risdene" and the land is recorded as belonging to the King. No church is mentioned as standing in Risdene, although the Bedfordshire Domesday Survey speaks of land in Risdene, "formerly held with power of lease by Samar the priest". This brief description is full in accord with what we know of poor Saxon priests in the early days of Norman Britain, e.g. Vinogradoff in his book on the eleventh century says 'The parish priest with his virgate (About 30 acres but was variable), half hide or hide (As much land as could be tilled with one plough in a year. Normally about 100 acres, but was variable) appears to be one of the villein (Not a slave, but a peasant occupier or cultivator entirely subject to a lord) shareholders of the township.

If there was a priest in Risdene, it seems difficult to believe that there was not a church. Possibly we may have to imagine a small Saxon chapel of wood and wattle not worthy of mention in the survey. There was, however, land for 12 ploughs, 30 acres of meadow and a mill. The Manor was assessed at 6 hides and is said to have been "a village of more than 150 families" (The Victoria History of the Counties of England).

Its squire was then William Pevrel and it was in the hundred of Nevesland. In 1105 however, Pevrel, who was also the Norman Lord of Higham gave to the newly founded priory of Lenton the church of Rissenden in Northamptonshire "with a virgate of land and villein holding it". (The Victoria History of the Counties of England) Therefore whether or not an early Saxon church stood on the knoll overlooking the valley, there certainly stood a Norman church on the site.

Much of the development and character of the town is reflected in the church itself and its records. Although almost all traces of the Norman Church have now disappeared, probably its foundations still exist and the present Rector after consulting various sources of information believes that one of the foundation stones is to be seen at the base of the N.E. pillar in the chancel with the marks of the rough Norman axe-work still upon it.

There are no records of the Old Norman Church or even the names of its rectors until 1230. It is said that the monastries did not look after their Parish churches for they were supposed to provide a priest to care for the souls on their behalf (Vicariously, hence the title vicar). The monastries were allowed to take the tythes of corn (the greater tithes) whilst the vicars who lived in the parish and served the church wore paid with the lesser tithes (fruit etc.). However in the case of Rushden, the Bishop allowed a rector to be appointed who was paid from some of the corn tithes, in the ca.se of Rushden, by one fifth, the remainder going to the priory. This was not the only priest residing in the parish during this and 2 later centuries for mention is made of the Hospital of St. James for lepers under the charge of a resident chaplain. It seems to have been situated somewhere near to the Rushden and Higham boundary, and St. James’ Close to-day perpetuates its memory, (see historical map).

About 1250 the oldest parts of our present church were erected and the church was apparently completed at the beginning of the reign of Edward I. Both the roof and small tower of the church were thatched, but as no records mention the material used, the thatch may well have consisted of the rushes from the brook which flowed comparatively close to the church.

The fifteenth century was the time of John of Gaunt who used to hunt in the parish of Rushden. The castle at Higham belonged to him and also the Manor at Rushden. There is an old tradition that John of Gaunt built the Hall at Rushden, and it is possible or even probable that he built the spire which was added at this time. It was certainly built at this time and must have been erected by a very rich man. The traders of this age had grown rich and a new middle class took the place of the great families who gradually died out.

One effect of the war of the roses was the establishment of a Squirearchy to take the place of the barons who had almost disappeared, and at this time the first mention is made of Pemberton family at the Hall. Some of the 16th century villagers were not a pious as they may have been.

"Robinson and Henry William did take 4 sheep of the goods and chattels of Sir Edward Mantiguer K.T. They were convicted and their goods and chattels vallue 40s. seized to her Majesty’s use".

In this century the church seems to have been lit by torches, for we find the following item in wills of this time: "1514 John Peek left a sum of money to Ye Torches". In the 18th century the village was still a quiet secluded settlement with a population of only several hundred. Of buildings it had none to boast except its Hall where the Squire lived and its spire, up which the adventurous village youths, as amateur steeple jacks used to climb, and even compete in races.

The Hall stood in the centre of the village beside the brook which flowed through the village. It was a 2 storey building of various dates, erected around a small rectangular courtyard. To-day the greater part of the house which is of local limestone with red tiled roofs, appears to be of the 16th century, but has been much altered and modernised. The house possessed one of the finest entrance halls in the country and is still surrounded by a finely wooded park and grounds. It is now the property of the Urban District Council and the grounds have become a public park.

The Manor Farm was situated to the south of the village and was built in 1606. It contains a small oak panelled room which was probably used as a Court Room where the 12 copyholders met under the Steward of the Lord of the Manor, admitted fresh tenants, adjusted complaints and fined delinquents. At the beginning of the present century an ancient stone was found in a boundary wall of the manor farm. Unfortunately there was no date inscribed upon it but it had probably been placed in the wall since the enclosure of the fields over two hundred years ago and was known as a boundary stone. (see illustration *missing)

The village consisted of one long winding, straggling street with narrow lanes branching off on either side. Through it, in the coaching days, the coaches used to run and the wants of man and beast were supplied from the 2 inns, named respectively 'The Coach and Horses' where coach passengers alighted and 'The Wagon and Horses' where the humbler van conveyances used to stop.

The houses were of local stone with straw thatched roofs, some of which still remain as monuments of by-gone days. The Villagers walked its streets with bespattered garments and ankle deep in mud. There was no public lighting as we know it to-day and so the villagers carried lanterns to relieve the monotony of the darkness. There was one parish constable who may well also have been a farmer, and would have to deal with some infringement of the law. The only conveyance for public hire was a donkey cart which is said to have travelled at so slow a pace that passengers had been known to strike a light to see if it was moving!

The 19th century marked the turning point for Rushden. At the beginning of the century life in the village continued quite placidly with no great change and little building taking place. The appearance of the village itself was picturesque and about a mile in extent; the houses being irregularly placed in all directions, some with their gables to the street, others retreating and were, here and there, intersepted by orchards, and interspersed with straggling shrubs. Rural lanes branched off from the principal street to an interesting vale, along which the clear stream wound its variously meandering course. Across it, rustic bridges enabled the people to pass freely, and the brook was occasionally belted by plantations, with cottages on its winding margin and orchards near the stream. The out buildings produced quite an effect and a farmhouse characterised the spot, while the tall spire of the church occasionally graced the scene, from a green, lawn-like opening. This was the bright side of the picture, but in winter, wet and dirty lanes with trees divested of their foliage furnished little or no interest, but to the devotee of nature (Annals of Rushden – J. Coles).

Church lighting underwent three changes. In 1830, the churchwardens accounts records read:-

"Paid William Coals for repairing one candlestick for pulpit 2s. 4d."

In 1831 bills commence for oil, fetching oil and lighting lamps and in 1869 gas bills commence.

The village was now growing owing to the gradual mechanisation of the boot and shoe industry. The lighting improved until in 1924 the church was given electricity and new schools were built for the growing population. Much of this development was due to the rector at the time Canon Barker. The villagers had not looked after the church and he set about the tremendous task of restoration at a cost of £6,000. He was also responsible for a large new school, the present rectory (since replaced), an infant school, and a school and mission room at the foot of Rushden Hill. He was also the first man to plan any work of general usefulness, e.g. opening a large reading room, the building of the Temperance Hotel and the formation of societies for the pursuit of other cultural interests.