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Atherstone is a town in Warwickshire, England, with a population of 8,293 (2001 census). The town is located near the northern most tip of Warwickshire, and is the administratve headquarters of the North Warwickshire district.
Atherstone has a long history going back to Roman times. An important defended Roman settlement named Manduessedum existed near the site of modern day Atherstone, and the Roman road, the Watling Street (now known as the A5) ran through the town. It is believed by some historians that the rebel Queen of the Britons Boudicca was defeated at the Battle of Watling Street by the Romans in her final battle near Manduessedum.
The town previously had a sizeable hat making industry, but this died out during the 1960s.
Atherstone is one of the few towns left in England to maintain the tradition of annual Shrove Tuesday Football or (mob football) played on public highways.
Its co-ordinates are 52°35'00" North, 01°31'00" West (52.5833,
-1.5167)1.
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