Northamptonshire

/ˌnɔːrθæmpˈtənʃər/ proper noun

Definition

A landlocked county in the East Midlands region of England, known for its rich history, numerous stately homes, and traditional industries including shoe manufacturing. The county town is Northampton.

Etymology

From Old English, meaning 'shire of Northampton.' Northampton itself comes from 'north' plus 'hamm' (water meadow) plus 'ton' (settlement), literally meaning 'northern settlement by the water meadow,' referring to its position on the River Nene.

Kelly Says

Northamptonshire is famous for its extraordinary concentration of historic houses and gardens - it has more stately homes per square mile than almost anywhere else in England. The county was also the heart of England's shoe-making industry for centuries, earning it the nickname 'the county of squires and spires.'

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