News

New information boards installed at Northampton (1460) battlefield

6 June 2023

Five new information boards about the battle of Northampton, fought in July 1460 during the Wars of the Roses, have been unveiled in the fields around Delapre Abbey where the battle took place.

The project to install the boards was a partnership between the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society, Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust, and the Battlefields Trust, with some funding provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund through Nenescape. 

An official opening ceremony took place at Delapre Abbey on 2 June 2023.  Northamptonshire Battlefields Society organised a battlefield walk for those attending the ceremony which was followed by speeches from Society Chair Graham Evans, Deputy West Northamptonshire Council Leader Adam Brown and Battlefields Trust Mercia Region Joint Chair Simon Marsh before one of the boards was unveiled. 

A public day for the new boards was held on 3 June involving walks and talks about the battle, including one from Dan Spencer, an expert on artillery during the Wars of the Roses. 

Simon Marsh from the Battlefields Trust said:

‘Northampton is a key battle during the Wars of the Roses and the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society has worked tirelessly to remind local people about its significance.  These information boards will reinforce these efforts, helping to infuse local battlefield heritage into the town’s DNA.’

Graham Evans from the Northamptonshire Battlefields Society added:

‘As well as increasing local awareness about the battle, these boards are a tribute to the Society’s founding Chair, Mike Ingram who sadly died in December 2021. Mike was a tireless advocate for his hometown and county and worked relentlessly to raise public awareness about Northamptonshire’s rich history generally and the 1460 battle in particular.’