Market Harborough

Lying halfway between Leicester and Northampton is the town of Market Harborough. Located at a crossing point of the River Welland, the town was created in the mid 12th century as a planned market town within the existing parish of Great Bowden. As such, it could be described as a 'medieval new town'. The market place, which was extensive, tapered northwards towards Leicester. Gradually over the centuries the middle of this large area was infilled by market booths which became permanent and were seventually replaced by buildings. Over the years these were replaced or altered. Another feature of the town were the numerous courts which lead off the high street through archways. Some of these are still in existence.

In 1645 Charles I made Market Harborough his headquarters and held a hurried Council of War before the decisive Battle of Naseby. Afterwards Cromwell occupied the town and from here wrote to Parliament, while the church was turned into a temporary prisoner-of-war camp.

The town prospered in the 18th century with the advent of turnpike roads. Coaching inns were built and many remain in the wide high street. The 19th century brought national communication links – the canal in 1809 and the railway in 1850. Manufacturing industry became established, the most notable company being the corset manufacturers R W & H Symington, creators of the `Liberty Bodice`.