A dispute between scholars at one point led to Stamford being home to a university that would seek to rival Cambridge and Oxford in 1333. It sent waves to the extent that Oxford and Cambridge graduates were, until 1827 made to swear not to be involved in a university at Stamford. This was known as the Stamford Oath and had support from the sheriff of Lincoln, lord chancellor, even king Edward III. The university itself only lasted for a couple of years. It was again considered as a spot for a new univerity in the 196os. Read more about this fascinating history here:
The town was granted a market charter in 1157 by King Henry II, making it one of the oldest and most historically significant market towns in England.
The concept of ‘conservation areas’ was brought in as part of The Civic Amenities Act 1967, and Stamfords ‘Old town’ area is the very first conservation area in the country on account of its exceptional collection of 600+ listed buildings, from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Prior to World War II, Hermann Göring, commander of the Luftwaffe, had visited Burghley House in 1930. He allegedly ordered his pilots to spare the estate during bombing raids, hoping to preserve it for his own use after the war. Thankfuly this scenario never came to be!
Stamford has often been used as a filming location for series and movies that you’ll likely have heard or will be hearing about. Pride and Prejudice (in and around town), The Da Vinci Code , BBC’s Bleak House , The Crown (Burghley House and the town), and Netflix’ new Frankenstein movie, which is directed by Oscar winning director Guillemo Del Toro to name a few.