Prominent Rugby-born Historian Matthew Holbech Bloxam recorded his thoughts about the route from Rugby to Brandon, passing Church Lawford, and with a reference to King’s Newnham along the way. These were published in the Rugby Advertiser in March 1873.
Matthew (1805-1888) was well-regarded in historic circles, and was also a prominent archaeologist based out of Percival Guildhouse in Rugby (there is a blue plaque recording his life on that building).
In a very in-depth study Matthew postulates that in 1642 Charles I and his army of around 1500 soldiers would have ridden along this road, as had a young Oliver Cromwell some years earlier that century. He also suggests that historian William Dugdale rode along the road several times in the late 17th century. Perhaps the most interesting claim was that William III (William of Orange) rode along this road in 1690, en-route to Ireland (inferring that this was to lead his forces in the Battle of the Boyne early the following month).
He had considered the 17th Century Route Maps produced by John Ogilby, which are discussed here.
Blaxam also gives his thoughts on the King’s Newnham history revolving around the Leigh family, plus some interesting facts about surrounding villages. His words are shown below.
