Diverse Communities Forum

Northampton has for hundreds of years seen immigration from elsewhere in the UK to the town, and from countries abroad. It is still a diverse and multi-cultural town. In 2005 members of the Forum wanted to raise awareness of ethnic minority heroes in the history of the town - people who are or were "black", meaning people with a visible ethnicity and particularly people of African or Asian origin.

There was particular interest in recognising 800 years since the first record of a black man in Northampton, in 1205, "Peter the Saracen". 

The Forum put on displays at the Balloon Festival and the Guildhall for Black History Month, working closely with Northants Black History Association, The display had information about Peter the Saracen and other famous people from the town's black history since then, including:

• the mid 20th Century Commonwealth gold medalist weightlifter Precious McKenzie
  
• the famous early 20th Century footballer Walter Tull
  
• the first man to land an airplane in Northampton (on the Racecourse), William Barnard Rhodes Moorhouse; and
  
• the esteemed 19th Century Shakespearian actor Ira Aldridge who performed in Northampton.

What do we know about Peter the Saracen?

Very little, because of the early date being a time when the written historical record was still in its relative infancy in England.

What does appear is a reference to "Peter the Saracen" in the financial records of 1205 known as "the Close Rolls". The record tells us that he was commissioned as a "maker of crossbows" by King John at 9d (pence) per day.

The word 'saracen' is usually used to describe someone who is of North African or Middle-eastern origin, as well as people of Muslim or Islamic faith.

Last reviewed: 14/01/2009