Iron Age and
Roman pottery have been found around the village, indicating a possible settlement. By the time of the
Domesday Survey, a settlement of either
Anglo-Saxon or
Scandinavian origin was recorded. The
St Denys Church was built in the 13th Century on a site believed to have been in use since the time of
William the Conqueror. Mother Rhodes, who lived just outside the village, was alleged to be a witch during the
Northamptonshire Witch Trials. During the trial, testimonies against Joan Vaughn and Agnes Brown alleged that they were seen with other ‘witches’, Katherine Gardiner and Joan Lucus, visiting Mother Rhodes, who was found dying according to
The Witches of Northamptonshire: "It was credthly reported that some fort-night before their apprehension, this Agnes Browne, one Ratherine Gardiner, and one Ioane Lucas, all birds of a winge, and all abyding in the Towne of Gilsborough did ride one night to a place (not aboue a mile off) called Rauenstrop, all vpon a Sowes backe, to sée one mother Rhoades, an old Witch that dwelt there, but before they came to her house the old Witch died, and in her last cast cried out, that there were three of her old friends coming to sée her, but they came too late, Howbeit shee would méete with them in another place within a month after. And thus much concerning Agnes Browne, and her daughter". Vaughn and Brown were executed on 22 July 1612. ==Geography==