Geddington

Geddington is a village (pop. ~1400) on the A43 in northeast Northamptonshire between Kettering and Corby and on the River Ise, in the Rockingham Forest, which contains what is thought to be the best surviving "Eleanor cross". The monument dates from 1294, when the crosses were raised as a memorial by Edward I (1239-1307) to his late wife, Eleanor of Castile (1244-1290). There were originally twelve monuments, one in each resting place of the funeral procession as they travelled to Westminster Abbey. Three now remain; the other two being in Hardingstone (near Northampton) and Waltham Cross.

The village was also formerly home to a Royal Hunting Lodge which was used as a base by monarchs for hunting within Rockingham forest. The building has subsequently been lost, however, the 'Kings' Door' within St. Mary Magdelane's church in the village remains - it was the entrance through which the King could enter the building while staying at the lodge.

The old main road runs through the village and crosses the river Ise by a spectacular mediaeval bridge. The bridge, built in 1250, has five arches and three pedestrian refuges. A more recent ford also runs alongside the bridge.

Geddington is home to three public houses: The White Lion, The Star, and the White Hart.

External links

* [http://www.geddington.net/ Geddington Village website]
* [http://www.biffvernon.freeserve.co.uk/eleanor.htm A link to a short article with images describing the likely circumstances surrounding the transfer of Queen Eleanor's body to Westminster]
* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/default.asp?wci=mainframe&URL1=default.asp%3FWCI%3DNode%26WCE%3D811%26document_from%3Dhttp%253A//www.english-heritage.org.uk/filestore/visitsevents/asp/visits/Details.asp%253FProperty_Id%253D57 English Heritage page on Geddington's Cross]
* [http://www.boughtonhouse.org.uk/villages/geddington/tour.htm Walking tour with pictures]
*oscoor gbx|SP894830