Clopton, Northamptonshire Explained

Country:England
Official Name:Clopton
Coordinates:52.4121°N -0.4357°W
Population:134
Shire District:North Northamptonshire
Shire County:Northamptonshire
Region:East Midlands
Constituency Westminster:Corby
Post Town:Kettering
Postcode District:NN14
Postcode Area:NN
Dial Code:01832
Os Grid Reference:TL0680
Static Image Name:St Peter's Church, Clopton - geograph.org.uk - 422452.jpg
Static Image Caption:St Peter's Church

Clopton is a small village and civil parish located in North Northamptonshire, close to the Cambridgeshire border. The village stretches along the north side of the B662 and was recorded in the Domesday Book as 'Clotone'. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 134 people.[1] The Village Church of St Peter was built in about 1863 by Richard Armstrong.

In 1395, the noblewoman Agnes Hotot married into the Dudley family at Clopton. Before her marriage, she was known for besting a man in a lance fight; when her ailing father was unable to meet the arranged dueling challenge, Hotot took his place, disguising herself in his armour. She knocked her opponent off his horse – and then revealed her true identity. The Dudley family later created a new crest in honour of her victory.[2] [3]

The village is reputed to be haunted by a ghost known as Skulking Dudley, who lived in the area in the 14th century. Skulking Dudley Coppice is named after him.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=797241&c=clopton&d=16&e=15&g=472507&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1257676085046&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 Office for National Statistics: Clopton CP: Parish headcounts
  2. Book: Grazebrook, Henry Sydney. The heraldry of Worcestershire. 177. heiress agnes hotot.. 1873. John Russell Smith. en.
  3. Book: Dobson, Susanna Dawson. Historical anecdotes of heraldry and chivalry: tending to shew the origin of many English and foreign coats of arms, circumstances and customs. 230. agnes hotot knight.. 1795. Printed by Hall and Brandish. en.
  4. Web site: Saint . David . Skulking in the woods - Northampton Chronicle and Echo . . 29 August 2014 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235352/http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/skulking-in-the-woods-1-4402161 . dead .