Northampton in West Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Story of Simon de Senlis

First Norman Earl of Northampton (1046-1111)

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 25, 2026

1. The Story of Simon de Senlis Marker

Inscription. Between 1093-1100, Simon de Senlis and his wife, Maud, founded the Priory of St. Andrew's, Northampton in what is now known as Semilong, to the north of the park.

Northampton Castle was built, possibly by Simon de Senlis around the late 11th to early 12th centuries. Archaeologists remain divided about its exact position and size because the castle evolved over time. Castle Hill mound has been suggested as the site of an early motte.

Definition: What is a motte? - a small, raised hill or mound in the centre of a castle surrounded by a walled courtyard with a protective ditch.

Archaeologists have also argued that parts of the old castle site were rebuilt or strengthened during the civil war. In the 1960s, archaeologists dug in the area and found old ditches from medieval times that had filled with dirt. It is thought that this material may have been used in the civil war to make a gun emplacement to defend the approach to the North Gate of the castle.

Definition: What is a 'Gun Emplacement'? A specially prepared position designed to hold and fire a weapon.

If the castle was joined to the town walls when it

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was first built, those walls would have been part of the old Saxon defences. A map from 1610 shows the town walls, which had been rebuilt in the 12th century. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1093 CE.

Location. 52° 14.264′ N, 0° 54.233′ W. Marker is in Northampton, England, in West Northamptonshire. It is on Chalk Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Chalk Lane, Northampton, England NN1 2RW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Castle (here, next to this marker); Earl of Northampton (here, next to this marker); Anglo-Saxon Northampton (here, next to this marker); Where Northampton Began (a few steps from this marker); Birth Of Radar Memorial

Simon De Senlis (painting in the Guildhall, Northampton) image. Click for full size.

Illustration from the marker

2. Simon De Senlis (painting in the Guildhall, Northampton)

(approx. 11 kilometers away).

Site of Northampton Castle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 25, 2026

3. Site of Northampton Castle

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 7, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.