Rockingham

"ROCKINGHAM, a parish and post town in the hundred of Corby, county Northampton, 8 miles N. of Kettering, and 25 N.E. of Northampton. It is a decayed market town, situated on the declivity of a hill in Rockingham Forest, near the river Welland. In the Saxon times it was written Rockingaham, and has on the summit of a hill remains of a castle built by William I. for the protection of the extensive iron-works, then carried on in the adjacent woodlands. A council was held here in 1094 to settle the differences which had arisen between William Rufus and Archbishop Anselm respecting episcopal investiture. Sir Lewis Watson, Lord Rockingham, garrisoned the castle for Charles I., and was besieged in it by the parliamentary forces. The only remains are the two massive bastions which defended the entrance gateway. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Peterborough, value £216. The church, dedicated to St. Leonard, is an ancient structure, partly battered by Cromwell. It contains effigies and monuments of Lords Rockingham and Sondes. The parochial charities produce about £17 per annum. There is a National school for both sexes. The trustees of the Hon. R. Watson are lords of the manor."[From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868). Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]