History
Brackley, originally also known as Brachelai or Brackele, was held in 1086 by Earl Alberic. After this it passed to the Earl of Leicester, and to the families of De Quincy and Roland.
In the 11th and 12th centuries Brackley was in the Hundred of Odboldistow and in the Manor of Halse. Richard I (The Lionheart) named five official sites for jousting tournaments so that such events could not be used as local wars, and Brackley was one of these. The tournament site is believed to be to the south of the castle where the A422 now passes.
Henry III attacked and destroyed the castle in 1173. The site was later granted to the Hospital of SS. James and John (see below).
The town was the site of an important meeting between the barons and representatives of the King in 1215, the year of Magna Carta. Magna Carta required King John to proclaim rights, respect laws and accept that the King's wishes were subject to law. It explicitly protected certain rights of the King's subjects, whether free or a prisoner — most notably allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment. King John and the barons were to have signed Magna Carta at Brackley Castle, but they eventually did so at Runnymede.
Market day was on Sundays until 1218, when it was changed to Wednesdays. It is now on Friday mornings.
In 1597 the town was incorporated by James II. It had a mayor, six aldermen and 26 burgesses.
Over time the Brackley has been known for wool and lace-making.
In 1901 the population of the town was 2,467.
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This book or that, come to this hallowed place
Where my friends’ portraits hang and look thereon;
Ireland’s history in their lineaments trace;
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And say my glory was I had such friends.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
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—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“The principal office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.”
—Tacitus (c. 55–c. 120)