strength, it was frequently honoured with the presence of our kings, and several Parliaments were held here.

In 1106, according to the Saxon annals, Robert, Duke of Normandy had here an interview with Henry I. his brother; who, in the twenty-third year of his reign, with his whole court, kept the festival of Easter, at Northampton, in all the state and splendour with which those solemnities were at that period celebrated. In 1138 a council was held here, by king Stephen, at which were present all the bishops, abbots, and barons of the realm, and several promotions were made in the ehurch. Henry III. in the second year of his reign, kept the festival of Christmas at Northampton.

In the twentieth year of this reign the king's mandate was sent to the bailiffs of the town, ordering them to see that the fair, which had been usually kept in All Saints church and church yard, should be removed, and for the future held in some open place. This fair, which, in honour of the churches dedication, was kept upon All Saints day, was of very antient standing, and probably had its rise before the conquest. About the forty-eighth year of this reign there was a kind of university or settlement for students who had left Oxford.

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In the seventh year of Edward I. the Jews who lived at Northampton crucified, on Good Friday, a christian boy, but who fortunately survived their cruelty. For this atrocious attempt, already odious, they became still more detestable in the eyes of the nation; and after Easter, many of them in London, were put to an ignominious death.

King Edward, in August, resided here some days. During his stay in the town, the friars of the different orders were entertained three days successively, at the king's expense. In the twenty-ninth year of his reign Edward I. and Margaret his queen kept their Christmas here.

Soon after the death of Edward I. in 1307, a Parliament was held at Northampton, in October, to consider of the late king's funeral, the coronation, and marriage of the prince, his successor, and the state of the nation.

In the fourth year of Richard II. a Parliament, and the last which was ever summoned to meet at Northampton, assembled about the 5th of November. The Parliament, with the convocation of the province of Canterbury, sat in the chancel of All Saints church; and it is supposed that the preceding Parliaments, which were held here, assembled in the same place.

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The next memorable event that occurred at Northampton, was the battle fought without the town, in the thirty-eighth year of Henry VI. The king was at Coventry, when the account was brought him that the Earl of Warwick and the confederate Lords were landed in Kent. Upon receiving this intelligence he proceeded with his forces to Northampton, and lodged in the convent of the Grey Friars. The army, having passed the Nyne, was very advantageously posted in the meadows, with the river in their rear, the monastry of Delapre on their right, and strong intrenchments in front. On the 9th of July, early in the morning, the confederate army was perceived advancing in three divisions, under the Earls of March and Warwick, and Lord Falconberg. Before an engagement was hazarded, it was agreed to propose terms of accommodation; but the Earls applying to the Duke of Buckingham, were refused admission to the King's presence, and the proposals they offered were rejected with disdain, The following day about noon the battle began; the intrenchments were forced with little difficulty, and the confederates gained the victory; the royalists were totally routed, and ten thousand prisoners taken. During the action Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, who commanded Henry's vanguard, came

over to the Earls' party, and by his revolt principally contributed to their success. Previous to the charge orders were given to the Earls' soldiers to spare the private men, and direct their arms against the Lords, Knights, and Esquires. A great number of the King's forces were drowned in the river, and several thousands left dead upon the field. Among the killed were the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewsbury, John Viscount Beaumont, and Lord Egremont, who lost their lives fighting near the King's tent. The Duke of Buckingham was buried in the church of the Grey Friars, and many others at St. John's hospital within the town. When the battle was over, the Earls in a respectful manner waited on Henry, who had continued the whole time in his tent, and attended him into Northampton. On his entry he was received in procession, and in a few days after was taken to London.

In the ninth year of Edward IV. a commotion was raised in Yorkshire, and the insurgents, headed by Sir H. Nevil and Sir J. Coniers, advanced as far as Edgcot, in this county. The Earls of Pembroke and Stafford were sent by the King's orders to suppress them; the former of whom was routed and slain. The insurgents then advanced to Grafton, where they took prisoners Richard, Earl Rivers, and

John his son, whom they afterwards beheaded at Northampton.

From this period no transaction of importance occurred, until the year 1563, when Queen Elizabeth, on her progress through the country, came to Northampton. Great preparations were made for her reception, the town gates being painted, and the houses elegantly ornamented; and, on her departure, she was presented by the magistrates with twenty pounds, in a purse valued at six pounds. A similar compliment was paid in 1634 to Charles I. and his Queen, who on passing through the town had given them, by the Mayor and Corporation, two bowls of silver, gilt, of the price of one hundred marks.

In 1637 the town was visited with the plague, of which nearly five hundred persons died in about five months. During this calamity the market was held upon the heath, to which none of the inhabitants were permitted to go without a certificate from the mayor.

In 1642 Northampton was seized by the forces under the command of Lord Brooke, fortified with cannon, and made a garrison for the service of the Parliament. For the greater security of the town the South and West bridges were converted into