| Early History | Katherine of Aragon | Richard Nicolls |
| Houghton House | Ampthill's Almshouses | Ampthill History Forum |
| Ampthill Video Archive | Ampthill Place Names Project | Links |
Be sure to also visit the 'Ampthill History' Website created by Ampthill History Forum
The name 'Ampthill' is of Anglo-Saxon origin, as the first settlement was called 'Aemethyll', which literally means either 'ant-heap' or 'ant infested hill'.
In 1242, King Henry III confirmed the right to hold a market on Thursday's in the town and this remains a fixture of life in Ampthill to this day.
Katherine of Aragon
(1485-1536) - The First Wife of Henry VIII
Henry VIII was closely associated with Ampthill and brought his court to Ampthill Castle on many occasions. The Castle was constructed by the uncle of Henry V, Sir John Cornwall, in the 15th Century. However, Ampthill is most memorably linked with Queen Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. Henry married Katherine in 1509; he was 18 and she was 24 years old. The marriage lasted nearly 20 years, but in 1527 Henry decided to apply for an annulment. Over the next 6 years turmoil ensued, culminating in Katherine's trial in 1533 at Dunstable Priory. During this year Katherine lived at Ampthill Castle. On 23rd May 1533, she heard that the court had declared her marriage null and void. Additionally, she was proclaimed Princess Dowager. Despite her protestations she was later that year removed to Buckden and then Kimbolton Castle, where she died in 1536, aged 51. Ampthill Castle regrettably no longer exists, but Katherine's time in Ampthill has been commemorated, with the erection of Katherine's Cross, in Ampthill Park.
Coincidentally, Katherine's Cross gained
additional fame in the latter part of the 20th Century, as it was
at the base of this monument that the 'Golden Hare' was buried,
as detailed in Kit Williams book 'Masquerade'. In fact, this
event has been recognized in the weather vane, placed atop
Ampthill Library, in Dunstable Street.
To discover more information about these two fascinating aspects of Ampthill History, you may wish to visit the 'Henry VIII & the Tudors' Web Site or the 'Masquerade' Web Site.
Richard Nicolls
(1624-1672) - The First Governor of Colonial New York
The Historic Parish Church of St. Andrew's dated back to the 10th Century and is especially notable for the marble memorial to commemorate the life of Colonel Richard Nicolls - the man responsible for giving New York its name.
In 1664, King Charles II gave his brother, James, the then Duke of York, all of the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Delaware. Richard Nicolls was given the task of capturing the Dutch Colonial City of New Amsterdam, on Long Island, which lay within this swathe of land. He did so, by threatening to destroy the Dutch fort, on what is now Manhattan Island, with a flotilla of British warships. The Dutch capitulated, and Nicolls upon accepting the surrender, renamed the city after his commanding officer, the Duke of York. He subsequently became the first colonial governor of New York.
Nicolls returned to Ampthill in 1667, but was later killed at the naval Battle of Solebay (off Southwold, in Suffolk) on 25th May, 1672. His body was brought back to Ampthill and the cannonball, which is said to have killed him, is embedded in the pediment of his memorial (see picture above)
For further details on Richard Nicolls, visit the 'Long Island History' Web Site, the New York Mayors Web Site and a Listing of Colonial Governors of New York.
For details of September 11th Sites, the September 11th Digital Archive, September 11 Web Archive, Commemorate WTC, New York 1, Journal E, September 11 2001 Victims or 09112002
Houghton House -
John Bunyan's 'House Beautiful' in 'Pilgrim's Progress'
Houghton House, widely acclaimed as the inspiration for John Bunyan's 'House Beautiful' in 'Pilgrims Progress' (Published in 1678), is located to the north east of the town. It is contended that Bunyan used the landscape of Bedfordshire, as the backdrop for his classic allegorical tale. Unfortunately, only ruins now remain of this once great house. Further information can be gained by visiting the following Houghton House Web Page.
Ampthill has the second largest Conservation Area in Bedfordshire and part of this area comprises the Church Square, with its historic almshouses. Apart from the road markings and two or three lamp standards, the view of St. Andrew's Church and the almshouses has changed little over the past few centuries. Some of the almshouses date back to the 15th Century. The administration and conservation of these buildings is the responsibility of eight trustees, all of whom are local people, who successfully run 'The Ampthill Feoffee Estate Charity' (Registered Charity No. 200188). The almshouses have recently undergone a programme of refurbishment and modernization in order to safeguard their future and to make them more comfortable for the residents. The overall cost has been £300,000, met largely from local fundraising and grants.
Andrew Underwood & the Ampthill History Forum
Our very own Ampthill Historian, Andrew Underwood has set up a History Forum, with a team of 5 local residents, he has personally trained to provide talks and guided tours to visiting groups. Andrew is the author of a number of books chronicling the heritage of Ampthill, namely 'Ampthill - A Goodly Heritage', 'Home Rule for Ampthill', 'Ampthill in Old Picture Postcards - Vol. 1-3', 'Around Ampthill', 'Ampthill Bedside Book', 'Another Ampthill Bedside Book' and '17th Ampthill & Hugh Reeve: Its True & Lawful Parson'.
There is little doubt that Ampthill has a more interesting and significant history than most towns of a much larger size. Its inhabitants are rightly proud of its past and are anxious to share their heritage with friends and visitors from further a field, and so Ampthill History Forum has been established to provide a well informed band of speakers for social and educational groups, both local and visiting. It will also act as a focus and initial contact for those engaged in scholarly research, especially students from the towns schools and beyond, whose individual enquiries will be particularly welcomed by Forum members. The Forum members are Christina Rathbone, Barry Dackombe, Stephen Bunker, Nichola and John Hele. Should you wish to book their service, as guides or speakers, please feel free to e-mail the forum at ampthill-history@mcmail.com, otherwise visit the Ampthill History Forum's Web Page. The forum regularly conduct guided walks around Ampthill (cost £2.00 for adults)
Barry Dackombe has compiled a detailed history of the Knoll Estate. This is an area of Ampthill that comprises all of Ashburnham Road and Sidney Road, together with sections of Station Road and Flitwick Road. The resulting booklet 'The Knoll: A Mirror for Ampthill' was published in November 2000, at a price of £7.50. Please contact Barry at Forum@ampthillhistory.co.uk concerning orders.
For more information about the Knoll Estate Project and other aspects of Ampthill's History, please visit www.ampthillhistory.co.uk.
'The Clock Strikes Five' recalled by Charles Matthews and edited & introduced by Andrew Underwood, is now available from Ampthill Antiques Emporium. This book details the history of Ampthill House and its associated zoo in pictures and Charles Matthews reminiscences.
Ampthill History Forum is undertaking a major project to identify and record the names and origins of 'places' within the parish of Ampthill. This will include field names, boundary features, street names, house names and other named features, such as well and trees. The Forum are looking for volunteers to assist in the process. For more information visit the Ampthill History Forum Website.
During the year 2000 a digital film archive of contemporary and historical images of Ampthill has been created, so please refer to the Ampthill Video Archive Page for full details of how you can order your copy of the highlights video (price £ 10.00). For example the video includes footage from the 1930 Ampthill Agricultural Show, which was attended by the future King Edward VIII (images of this can be seen on the Video Projects web page).
Other Ampthill History Websites
Ampthill History Forum's Web Page
Ampthill & District Archaeological & Local History Society Web Page
Bedfordshire County Council's Web Page on Ampthill (by Andrew Underwood)
Other Sites of Interest
European Association of Historic Towns & Regions
Contact e-mail address:- info@ampthill.org.uk
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Mark Smith 2000
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