The ordinary little UK town that was England's capital 200 years before London
Before London became the capital of England, that title was held by a much smaller town that held huge significance for 200 years.
There was a town that held the title of the capital of England before that honour was given to London. It seems difficult to imagine it now, but London wasn't always the country's capital city. It's certainly surprising given London's stance today as the largest city in the UK and a major international hub for trade, culture and travel. But as the city's history dates back thousands of years, so does that of England.
It turns out that a smaller town was the capital of England for 200 years before London was. This is because power throughout England changed hands over hundreds of years, from the Vikings to the Anglo-Saxons. Before London became the capital of England, Northampton was the capital. This major town, home to around a quarter of a million people, is known for its shoe production and rich history.
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During the tenth century, Vikings ruled much of England, while Anglo-Saxons ruled other parts. In 913 AD, the Midlands and surrounding areas were largely ruled by these Viking Danes, but were recaptured that year by the Anglo-Saxons.
This was when Northampton was considered the capital of England. Back then, the capital was defined by where the seat of the monarch was. For the subsequent 200 years, this was Northampton.
It wasn't until 1066 that London became the capital of England with the Norman Conquest, under William the Conqueror’s rule.
Today, the capital of a country is largely defined by where its government sits, and where its nationally-run state departments operate. In modern Britain, that is London.
But capitals used to change quite a bit. In fact, there were even other capitals before Northampton. Colchester is largely considered the first capital of England.
This is because it was built by the Romans as a central trading hub, where much of their operations on the island of Britain took place. Meanwhile, in Mercia, which is the aforementioned historical Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the English Midlands, the village of Tamworth had a go at being the capital before Northampton.
Today, Northampton is a thriving, modern town. Here, you will find plenty of tourist attractions that make it worth a visit. Prime examples of this include Althrop Estate, Castle Ashby Gardens, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, and Delapre Abbey.
The closest modern cities to Northampton are Coventry, Milton Keynes, Peterborough and Leicester.
As well as the historic attractions in this former capital of England, there are great pubs and restaurants, both modern and old school. Plus, there are thriving independent shops to explore during the daytime.
