ROCKINGHAM, a parish in the hundred of CORBY, county of NORTHAMPTON, 25 miles (N. N.E.) from Northampton, containing 278 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Northampton, and diocese of Peterborough, rated in the king's books at £ 10. 2. 3., endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of Lord Sondes. The church is dedicated to St. Leonard. The river Weiland runs through the parish. This place, formerly a market-town, is situated in the midst of Rocldngham Forest. On the top of a hill, the declivity of which is occupied by the village, a castle was erected by William the Conqueror, for the defence of the extensive ironworks then existing in the adjacent woodlands. Here was convened, in 1094, the council of barons, bishops, and clergy, which sat for the purpose of determining the dispute between William Rufus and Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, respecting the right of episcopal investiture. Of the castle, the two massive bastions which flanked the gateway are the only remains. The tower and part of the body of the church were destroyed in the great civil war during the siege of the castle, which was garrisoned for the king by its proprietor, Sir Lewis Watson, afterwards created Lord Rockingham.