Peterborough

Peterborough, city, Canada

Peterborough, city (1991 pop. 68,371), SE Ont., Canada, NE of Toronto. It is at the falls of the Otonabee River, which connects, through the Trent Canal, with lakes Ontario and Huron. Settled early in the 19th cent. as a lumber town, it is a railroad and industrial center and is headquarters of the Canadian General Electric Company. Peterborough is also a resort for the Kawartha Lakes region. The lift-locks on the Trent-Severn waterway are the world's highest. Trent Univ. and a canoe museum are there. Archaeologically valuable Native American sites are nearby.

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Peterborough, city, England

Peterborough, city (1991 pop. 113,404), E central England, on the Nene River. Designated as a new town in 1968, Peterborough is an engineering and rail hub and a farm trade center. Products include diesel engines, farm machinery, and processed foods. The nearby suburb of Old Fletton is noted for brickmaking. The Benedictine abbey was founded c.655. In 870 it was destroyed by the Danes, in the 10th cent. it was restored, in the 11th plundered, and in 1116 burned. The impressive cathedral, formerly the abbey church, has three large arches in the west front. It was damaged by Oliver Cromwell's men in 1643. Noteworthy are the bishop's palace and the remains of the ancient abbey buildings and gates. Queen Katharine of Aragón is buried there. The original name of the town was Medeshamstede.