The Norman Parish Church built about 1130c is indeed older than both Easton Maudit and Wollaston churches. It survived the Great Fire of Bozeat in 1729 when all older Registers of Bozeat and Strixton were burned in the Vicarage.

In the 15th century there was a thriving weaving industry within the farming community, but by the beginning of the 20th century, the population had risen to 1200 and boasted a cottage lace making industry, a shoe industry and a windmill, with many independent tradesmen, making a very self-reliant village. At this time also, Bozeat had at least twenty shops which enabled the purchase of all the necessities for bringing up a family, including a school, five public houses and four churches.

The village shoe trade dates back to the middle of the 17th century but until the middle of the 18th century it was considered a cottage industry. The local tradespeople made and mended shoes in small buildings near their home which were called ‘shops’, but although some remain today, they now serve a different purpose. The population grew rapidly when spacious shoe factories were built, providing much needed employment for both men and women, and these remained Bozeat’s main trade until 1982 when the last shoe factory closed.

Easton Maudit is a small village and civil parish in rural Northamptonshire. It takes its name from the Maudit (or Mauduit) family who purchased the estate at what was then just Easton, in 1131. There was no residential landowner in the village until 1578 when the village was acquired by Sir Christopher Yelverton.

For more information about Bozeat and Easton Maudit, please see resources section at bottom of page.