Rothwell / Rowell

"ROTHWELL, (or Rowell), a parish in the hundred of Rothwell, county Northampton, 4 miles N.W. of Kettering, 14 N.E. of Northampton, and 77 from London. It comprises the chapelry of Orton, and the hamlet of Thorpe Underwood. The town, which is built on the southern side of a rocky hill, was formerly surrounded by a strong wall, and was held under the Clares, who founded an Austin nunnery here, the revenue of which at the Dissolution was valued at £10 10s. 4d. The unfinished market-house, which is still in good preservation, was commenced in 1577 by Sir T. Tresham, father of the gunpowder plotter. A portion of the inhabitants is engaged in agriculture, and others in the manufacture of silk plush. In the vicinity is the bone well, which at certain seasons throws up numerous small bones, also a petrifying spring. Above half the land is arable, and the remainder meadow, pasture, and woodland. The tithes were commuted for land and a money payment under an Enclosure Act in 1812. The living is a vicarage with that of Orton annexed, in the diocese of Peterborough, value £160. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is an ancient structure, with an embattled tower at the W. end. The interior of the church contains tombs of the Treshams, Lants, and other families, also three brasses of a priest, the earliest bearing date 1361. The chancel has recently been restored. The parochial charities produce about £854 per annum. Jesus Hospital for 26 almsmen was founded in 1591 by Owen Ragsdale, who endowed it with the manor of Olde and the tithes of Overton and Thorpe. There are also six almshouses for the same number of poor widows. The free grammar school was founded prior to the reign of Edward VI., and further endowed in that of Charles II. with the revenues of St. Mary's chapel. There are also National and British and Foreign schools. The Independents and Wesleyans have each a place of worship. T. P. Maunsell, Esq., is lord of the manor. Market day was on Monday, but the market has recently fallen into disuse. A fair for stock and pedlary is held on Trinity Monday." [Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 by Colin Hinson ©2010]