Northampton, borough, administrative center of Northamptonshire, central England, on the Nene River. Northampton is an important market center and is known for its footwear and leather industries. Other manufactures include machinery and electronic equipment. In Northampton are Saint Sepulchre's Church, an early 12th-century round church; a Roman Catholic cathedral (begun 1864); and several museums. A settlement of Anglo-Saxon origins, Northampton was occupied by the Danes in the 9th century. It received its first charter in 1189, at which time it was a prosperous commercial community. In 1675 a fire destroyed most of the town. Shoe manufacturing developed here in the 18th century. Population (1996 estimate) 192,382.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Northampton borough Information info
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