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Nowadays, this very average town\u2019s biggest claim to fame is being the birthplace of a few British celebrities. It was also once the shoe-making capital of the world \u2014 but it had an even greater status many years earlier.<\/p>\n
Northampton was the capital of the Vikings\u2019 kingdom in England. Known as Mercia, it covered much of what we know as the Midlands today.<\/p>\n
The Vikings\u2019 Mercia rule started in the late 800s but ended in the early 900s when the Wessex (now Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset) Kingdom, under Alfred the Great, defeated them to reestablish Anglo-Saxon rule there.<\/p>\n
At the height of Viking rule, their territory \u2014 known as Danelaw \u2014 covered much of London, East Anglia and the North of England.<\/p>\n
It is claimed they even got quite far into Wessex, which was the only other kingdom of equal power in England during the Medieval ages.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> The beautiful northern city the Vikings made their capital of England<\/strong><\/p>\n If this was the case, it could well be claimed that Northampton was briefly the capital of England itself, assuming that Wessex was subordinate to Mercia during those fleeting years.<\/p>\n During these glory years for the Vikings, Northampton was their centre for administrative and military purposes.<\/p>\n Today, Northampton is best known for its shoe industry which also holds a rich line of history. During World War One, the shoemakers in Northamptonshire supplied over two-thirds of the 70 million pairs of footwear required, due to the thriving tanning industry in the area.<\/p>\n Tourist attractions also include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the largest and best-preserved round churches in England, and\u00a0The Parish Church Of All Saints.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Northampton isn\u2019t the only seemingly innocuous town in England to have been a capital at some stage.<\/p>\n Colchester is widely regarded as the first capital of England. It was given the honour by the Romans, who purposely built the city as a hub for its traders, merchants and retired soldiers.\u00a0<\/p>\n It became a strong city and a place where the Romans could disseminate their culture from<\/p>\n Tamworth, meanwhile, was the capital of Mercia before Northampton\u2019s stint.\u00a0This was during the original days of Anglo-Saxon rule in the kingdom, and even today you can see parts of the largest collection of Saxon gold ever found at Tamworth Castle.<\/p>\n Winchester was Alfred the Great\u2019s beloved capital of Wessex.\u00a0When Alfred united England by defeating the Vikings in Mercia, Winchester undoubtedly became the most important city in the country.<\/p>\n The little village of Malmesbury in Wiltshire was also briefly capital when Alfred the Great\u2019s son took charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n In face, he liked it so much that he instantly replaced Winchester with Malmesbury as his capital city.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, London\u2019s role as capital city began in 1066 with the Norman Conquest, under William the Conqueror\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/141\/590x\/secondary\/4952504.jpg?r=1694424979659\")
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Vikings transported dogs and horses to Britain on raiding trips[INSIGHT] <\/strong>
Anglo-Saxon monks were far from \u2018sitting ducks\u2019 for Viking raiders[REPORT] <\/strong>
AngloSaxon riddles reveals historical interests in wildlife watching[INSIGHT] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/141\/590x\/secondary\/4952533.jpg?r=1694424979759\")
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