More information : (Name centred TF 034076) Stamford, a late Anglo-Danish borough and
medieval trading town, situated on the river Welland. The place-name
Stamford is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the entry for
656, and means 'stone ford'. The position of the crossing can still
be seen east of the town bridge. Stamford may have originated as a
result of transference of population from the Roman town of Great
Casterton.
Stamford was fortified and established as one of the five Danish burhs circa 877. A reference of AD 918 establishes that the Danish burh lay on the north bank of the river. The area of the Danish burh is bounded by Broad Street, St. George's Street, St. Mary's Street and Red Lion square.
The Danish military occupation lasted until 918 when Edward the Elder
built the Saxon burh on the South side of the river. (See TF 00 NW 21) No trace of this burh now remains.
Stamford is mentioned in Domesday Book as a burgis regis of Royal
Burough. The first murage grant was received in 1261, and the town
walls which ran from the river up Austin Friars Street, West Street,
North Street and East Street were built during the late 13th and first half of the 14th centuries. The north-west corner tower remains, but none of the seven gates remain. The Norman castle (see TF OO NW 2) was built to the south-west of the town, and destroyed in the reign of Richard III. By the end of the 10th century Stamford was a flourishing urban centre of commercial, military and political importance, and continued to enjoy prosperity as a commercial centre
in the Middle Ages. (1-8)
Additional bibliography. (9-11)
TF 027072. Area of medieval town by Barnhill House, scheduled. (12)
The suggested rectangular layout of the Saxon Burgh (Authority 1),
with its central long axis being High Street Saint Martins, seems
probable, although no earthwork remains to substaniate this. The low
bank west of Pinfold Lane (Authority 1) is almost certainly of recent
date, but now greatly disturbed. (Illustration card). (13)
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