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A GUIDE

TO THE

ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES

IN THE

NEIGHBOURHOOD OF OXFORD.

PUBLISHED BY THE OXFORD SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE STUDY OF

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.

OXFORD,
JOHN HENRY PARKER:

f . AND J. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUl's CHUBCH-YARH AND WATEKLOO-r LACK ;

G. BELL, 186, FLEET STEEET, LONDON.

MDCCCXLVl.

OXFORD :

rniNTF.n by i. snniMFTON.

0=1 Pzx6
ADVERTISEMENT.

The principal object proposed in this publication was stated in the
outset to be, to assist the Members of the Society in the practical study
of Gothic Architecture. This object it is hoped has now been accom-
plished. The Work comprises an accoimt of eighty Churches and
Parishes in Oxfordshire, situated within twelve miles of Oxford ; the
architectural descrijitions are believed to be sufficient as a guide for
students to lead them to discriminate the styles and the dates of the
different parts of a building, so far as this is practicable without the aid
of experience. If these descriptions are found to give the student an
increased interest in the pursuit, and make him desirous to investigate
carefully the history of every building which comes in his way by the
evidence afforded by the building itself, it will have accomplished all
that can be expected. The historical notices are not confined to the
Churches, but contain all the information that could be collected re-
specting the history of the respective Parishes also. This part of the
work has been considerably extended during its progress ; the re-
searches which were originally set on foot with a view to ascertain how
far the recorded history of the Churches would be found to agree with
their architectural character, and thus either to confirm or modify the
received chronology of the art in this country, have led to the discovery
of much curious and valuable matter belonging more properly perhaps
to a County History than to a woi'k of this limited nature. But the
absence of any such History of Oxfordshire rendered it imperative to
preserve the information thus collected. These notices do not add mate-
rially to the bulk or expense of the work, while to many persons they
form the most valuable part of it, and to almost all they will be found
interesting. The Society is much indebted to the Rev. John Baron,
M.A., of Queen's College, Vicar of Waterpery, for the indefatigable
industry and unwearied patience with which he has pursued the investi-
gations connected with this part of the work. Those who have had

ADVERTISEMENT.

occasion to consult the manuscripts of the middle ages with very-
little clue to the object of research, will know how to appreciate his
labours. In the earlier part of the Guide the inyaluable " Parochial
Antiquities of Ambrosden and Burcester, by Bishop Kennett," sup-
plied almost all that was necessary, but in the latter part, being be-
yond his district, this help was entirely wanting, and Mr. Baron has
proved no unworthy follower in the path which he had pointed out, and
in which he had so ably led the way. Our Guide comprises that part of
the Deanery of Bicester which lies within the limits prescribed, and the
whole of the Deaneries of Woodstock and of Cuddesden"; these are
subdivided into seven Rides, each forming a good day's excursion ; by
starting early from Oxford and returning late, the student would be able
to see and take hasty notes of each of the Churches comprised in the
Ride. This arrangement was adopted with the double object of attending
to the established ecclesiastical divisions, and of bringing together the
descriptions of those Churches which are locally situated near to each
other. That the arrangement in Deaneries is on the whole the best for
this purpose seems to be now generally acknowledged. One part of our
plan was to give some notice of eA^ery Church in the district, so that the
ground should be completely surveyed, and we regret that this plan has
not been more generally acted upon in other instances, as it is in this
way only that we can ever hope to obtain a complete Architectural Sur-
vey of all England, an object much to be desired and encouraged.
There are still very many valuable specimens of medieval art and ex-
cellent examples for modern imitation remaining unnoticed and un-
known for want of such a survey.

Our Guide was originally intended to have included the Deanery of
Abingdon in Berkshire, but the limits proposed being already exceeded,
and the bulk of the volume as large as is consistent with convenience, it
has been found necessary to defer this part of the plan.

» With the exception of Dorchester, tlebed, which is modeni, and beyond our
Haseley, and Iffley, of whicli separate limits,
accounts have been published ; and Net-

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

DEANERY OF BICESTER.

RIDE I.

Map of the Deaneby p. 1

ISLIP

Tower 1

Credence and Lettern 3

Pillar and Section 4

Oddington —

Tower 7

Charlton on Otmoor —

View of the Church 9

East Window 10

The Roodloft 11

Crest of Font Cover 12

East Window of South Aisle . . . . ib.

Merton —

The Sedilia 13

Ambrosden —

View of the Church 19

Pillar-bracket ib.

Bicester —

The Porch 23

Supposed Saxon Arch 24

Capital in South Aisle ib.

Section of Pillar 25

Remains of the Priory 27

Caversfield —

Supposed Saxon Tower 30

Windows 31

The Piscina 32

Panel of a Monument ib.

Mouldings of Norman Doorway ... 33

Bucknell —

Tower 34

Chesterton —

The Sedilia 38

Wendlebury 42

Middleton Stoney —

Tower 43

Norman Doorway 44

Weston on the Green . . .47

KiRTLINGTON

The Piscina 48

Blechingdon —

Spire Turret ou the Tower . . . . .51

Hampton Poyle —

The East Window 53

Decorated Capital 55

Hampton Gay 5fi

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

DEANERY OF WOODSTOCK.

RIDE II.
Map of the Deanebt p. 57

KiDLINGTON

General View of the Chnrch .... 57

East End of South Chapel . . . . ib.

The Ground Plan 58

Poppie in the Chancel 59

Pew in the Chancel ib.

North Door of the Nave . . - . . 60

East Window of South Chapel . . . ib.

East Window, &c. in the North Transept ib.

Piscina in South Chapel 61

Mouldings of the North Door ... 62

South Door . . . . ib.

Outer Door of the Porch ib.

Impost Mouldings of the Tower . . . ib.

Label of Arches ia Nave and Tower-Arch, ib.
Label and Jamb of the East Window of

South Chapel ib.

Crocket on Piscina in North Transept . 63

Niche in the Nave 64

The Font ib.

Roof of South Aisle 65

South Porch ib.

Crocket ib.

The Almshouse - . 72

Water-Eaton —

The Chapel 69

The House 70

The Plan of the House ib.

Shipxon-on-Cherwell .... 72
Tackley —

The Chancel 73

Piscina 74

Section of Arch of West Window . . ib.

Impost ib.

Dripstone Termination 75

iiovvsiiam 77

Steeple Aston —

View of the Church 79

The Ground Plan 80

Decorated Piscina 81

Open SeaU 82

North Aston 85

DUNSTEW • .... 88

Sandfokd, near Woodstock —

East Window of Chancel 90

Westcott Barton —

Door-Haudle 94

Steeple Barton —

Corbel in Chancel 95

Window on the North side . . . . ib.

Dripstone Termination 96

RIDE III.

WOLVERCOT —

View of the Church 98

Impost of Chancel- Arch,with Hour-glass

Stand ib.

The Pulpit 99

Battlement ib.

Corbel of Tower-Arch ib.

Part of Roof of Tower 100

GODSTOW

Perpendicular Gateway 101

Small Bridge ib.

Yarnton —

Cross in the Church-yard 106

Plan of the Cross 107

Begbroke —

View of the Church Ill

Bladon —

The House H4

Woodstock —

West Porch . Ud

Capital on South side of Nave . . . 116

Mouldings of South Window . . . , ib.

The Font 117

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

Window on the South side 117

Interior of ditto ib.

Chimney on a House in Old Woodstock 121

WOOTTON 122

Glympton 124

KiDDINGTON

Moulding of South Doorway . . . .125

Boof of South Chapel 126

The Font ib.

Stringcourse 127

Window at west end of Nave . . . . ib.

RIDE IV.
Cassington —

View of the Church

Capital of a Shaft in the Chancel

Ground Plan of the Church

131

132
133

Ensham —

View of the Church 137

Plan of ditto 1 38

Mouldings of Capital of Chancel- Arch . 139

Capital of Pillar . ib.

Section of Pillar ib.

Window on the south side 140

Buttress ib.

The Font ib.

Dripstone Termination 141

Cornice of the North Aisle ib.

Handborough —

View of the Church 145

The Boodloft 146

The Font 147

The Pulpit ib.

Norman Window 148

Interior of ditto ib.

Perpendicular Niche on south side . . ib.

Plan of the Church 149

Ancient Head-stone 150

COOMEE —

Chancel Door 153

Stone Pulpit 154

Sanctus-Bell turret 155

Cross on East Gable ib.

Stonesfield —

Window in Chancel 157

Window, North Chapel 158

Interior of Window, North Chapel . . ib.

WiLCOTE —
West End of the Church 160

NORTHLEIGH

View of the Church 162

East Window ib.

South Door 163

Belfry Window 164

Cross on East Gable ib.

Plan of the Church 166

SoUTHIiEIGH —

Head of Chancel-door 167

Piscina ib.

Head of South Window in Chancel . .168
Head of a Light in the North Window . ib.

Stanton Harcourt —

View of the Church 170

Window-Shaft in Chancel 171

Rood-Screen 173

Base of Shafts ib.

Capital of ditto ib.

Section of the Arch ib.

Parapet of the Nave 175

Shield, with the Harcourt Arms . .178

Pope's Tower, &c 181

The Kitchen 182

The Domestic Chapel 183

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

DEANERY OF CUDDESDEN.

RIDE V.

Map of the Deanery p. 185

Marston —

Ground-Plau of the Church . . . . 185
Sculpture over the East Window . . ib.
Dripstone Termination ...:.. 186
Chancel Door ...-..•.. ib.
Arch, South side of Nave ib.

Wood Eaton —

North-west view of the Church . . . 189

Plan of the Church ib.

The Sedilia 190

Altar Cruet 191

Elsfield —

South-west view of the Church . . .193

Section of East Window 194

Dripstone to Tablet in Chancel . . . ib.
Exterior and Interior of the low Side

Window ib.

Roof of Nave 195

Section of South Door ib.

Section of Lancet Window . . . . ib.

Ground-Planof the Church . . . . 196

NOKE —

Noke Church 201

Beckley —

Ground-Plan of Church 205

Wall-plate in Chancel ...... 206

Roof in Chancel ib.

Turret, North-east Angle ib.

Font and Stone Desk 207

South Door 208

HOUTON . 218

Studley —

The Priory 219

Stanton St. John —

View of the Church from the South-east 223
Side Window of Chancel, Exterior . .224
Corbel Heads, North side of Interior of

Chancel ib.

Female Head, South side ib.

Buttresses of Chancel ib.

East Window 225

Side Window of Chancel, Interior . . ib.

Recess for Easter Sepulchre . . . . ib.

Mouldings of East Window .... 226

Chancel Door 227

Clerestory Window, Interior and Exte-
rior ib.

Poppies in Nave 228

Bench-end and Poppies in Nave . . . ib.

Cross on East Gable 229

Water-drain at East end of North Aisle ib.

Rectory-House, in 1835 230

Ground-Plan of the Church .... 232

WOODPERRY 233

Monumental Slabs 236

Fragments of the ancient Church . . 237
Fragments of ancient Cross .... 238

HOLTON

North-east view of Church .... 242

Wall-plate in Chancel 243

North Door in Nave ib.

Water-pery —

Decorated Cross in the Church-yard . 248
Corbel-heads in Chancel ..... 249
Transition Norman Cap in Nave . . ib.
Early Decorated Window, North side of

Nave 250

Arms of Robert Fitz-Elys, Esq. . . . 251
Brass, A.D. 1527, formerly in the Augus-
tine Friars' Church, Oxford . . . 253
Arms of Fitz-Elys and wife . • . .254
Specimen of Inscription on Bell . . . 255
Effigy of a Knight in Plate Armour,

Lord's Aisle ib.

Ground-Plan of Water-pery Church . 264

Waterstock —

Stamp on Bell in Tower 266

Albury —

The old Church 269

The Font 270

Forest Hill —

The Church 272

The Porch 273

Section of Door ib.

Ground-Plun of the Church .... 274

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

Vll

Headington —

South-East view of the Church . . . 276
Doorway, North side of Chancel . .277

Window, North side of Chancel . . . ib.
Chancel-arch, the pews removed . .278

Section of Chancel-arch 279

Shaft of Chancel-arch ib.

Scutcheon, South Door 280

West Window ib.

King-post to roof 281

Section of West Window ib.

Open Seats in Nave ib.

Upper Moulding of Open Seats . . . ib.

Ground-Plan of the Church .... 283

RIDE VI.

CUDDESDEN

General view of the Church .... 289
Ground-Plan ib.

Mouldings of Arch of West Door . .290
Norman Window in Transept . . . . ib.
Upper Section of Wall of North Aisle,

shewing Buttress cut away . . . . ib.
Junction of last Arch of North Aisle,

with opening to Roodloft . . . . ib.
South-west corner of Tower Arches . . 291
Cap and Base of a Pillar, on the south

side of the Nave ib.

Dripstone of Window in the South Aisle

of the Nave 292

Hoodraould of Arch, South Aisle of Nave ib.
West Door, with Section through the

Jamb and Arch-Moulding .... 294

Wheatley 301

Great Milton —

South-west view of the Church . . . 302

Ground-Plan ib.

East Window of Chancel 303

Clerestory Window — Interior . . . 305

Exterior . . . ib.

East Window of South Aisle — Exterior 306
Window in the South Aisle — Exterior . 307
Stringcourse under the Windows . . ib.
Mullions of Windows in South Aisle . ib.
Flat Gravestone in the Nave .... 308

Buttress of South Aisle 310

Buttress of Chancel ib.

The North Doorway ib.

Mouldings 311

Arras of Sir William Wace . . . . 312

Arms of Sir Richard Camoys . . . , 313

of Robert Edgerley ib .

of Ambrose D'ormer, Esq. . . . ib.

Little Milton —

Ascot Chapel 320

Newington —

View of the Church 321

South Door 322

Font 323

Drayton —

Arms of John Drayton 328

Stadhampton 329

Chiselhampton 330

Garsington —

View of the Church 332

North-west view of the Church . . . 333
Hood-moulds of East Window . . . ib.

Low Side- Window 334

Nave Arches, South side 335

Mouldings of Chancel-arch . . . . ib.

Clerestory Window 336

Sections of Parapets — The Nave , . . 337

The South Aisle . ib.

Cap and Base, North Pillar of Nave . ib.
Corbels of the Arches of Nave . . . 338

Iron Handle, South Door ib.

Sections of South Windows of South

Aisle 339

Mouldings of Belfry Window, lower

West Window, South Door, and

North Door ........ ib.

The South Porch 340

The North Doorway ib.

Plan of the Church 342

Monumental Brass of the Radley

Family 344

North-east view of the School-house . 346
South-west view of the School-house . 347

Horsepath —

Ground- Plan 348

Mouldings of Tower Arch below Cap . 349
Cap and Base of Shaft, Tower Arch . ib.
Cap and Base of Pillar in Nave . . . ib.

Parapet, South Aisle 350

Section of Arch, South Aisle .... il).

The Font ib.

The Stoup 351

Vlll

CONTENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

Corbel of Arch, South Aisle . . . .351

Window, South Transept ib.

Section through the Head ib.

Section of Jamb ib.

Window, East side of Transept . . . 352

The Cross ib.

The old Chancel Roof ib.

Sculptures in the Nave 353

RIDE VII.

Sandford —

Norman Window in the Chancel . . 355

Sculpture in Alabaster 356

Window in the Minchery 308

Crest Tiles from the Minchery . . . 359
View of the Minchery ...... ib.

NuNEHAM Courtney —

The present Church 364

Remains of the Old Churcli .... 365
Sections of Mouldings in the Old
Church ib.

CuLlIAM 367

Clifton Hampden —

Plan of the Church 373

View of the Church from the river . . 374

The Lich-gate 375

Warborough —

The Font 377

Hinge on the Chancel Door .... 378

Benson —

East view of the Chancel 380

Toot Baldon —

Plan of the Church 383

West view of the Church 384

Cap on the North side 385

Marsh Baldon —

Plan of the Chnrch 386

The South Porch 387

Wall-plate in the Porch ib.

Arms of the Earls of Buckingham . . ib.

of John Danvers, Esq 388

of the Bishopric of Oxford . . . 389

of the Baldington Family . . .391

Cowley —

South-east view of the Church . . .392

Low Side- Window 393

The Tower ib.

Plan of the Church 394

St. Bartholomew's Chapel and
Hospital —

View of the Chapel 395

The East Window 396

//a/npU'n (^av

Sefkley

INTRODUCTION.

The object proposed in this publication is to assist the junior
members of the Society in the practical study of Gothic Archi-
tecture. Presuming that they already possess such a knowledge
of the subject as is supplied by the usual elementary works,
we would lead them to seek for more detailed and accurate in-
formation by the study of buildings rather than of books : these
may supply good general rules, but hable to so many exceptions,
that any student who attempts to apply them will at first find
himself very much at fault, and will speedily discover that to
describe with tolerable accuracy the different parts of almost any
old Church, with the style and probable date of each portion,
requires considerable practice, or the assistance of a more experi-
enced guide ; and as such a person is not always at hand, it is
hoped that this printed Gmde may in some degree supply the
deficiency, and that when a student has examined a few such
buildings with this help, he will be better enabled to study others
without it. Every building of the middle ages may be con-
sidered as a subject for study from which something may be
learned ; and the student who has advanced so far as to feel this
will never be at a loss for objects of amusement and interest in
any part of England, or indeed of Europe ; for although there
are peculiarities belonging to each country, and to a great extent
also to each district, the general features of Gothic Architecture

VI INTRODUCTION.

are the same in all ; and the more closely its history is inves-
tigated^ the more nearly we shall probably find its progress to
have been simultaneous.

The plan proposed in the work, of which the First Part is now
placed in the hands of our members, is to furnish some account
of EVERY Church within a circuit of twelve miles from Oxford;
even in those cases where the Church is modern and altogether
unworthy of notice, the information of this fact may save many
a student a fruitless walk or ride ; whenever the Church is old,
it will not be found entirely devoid of interest. This First Part
of the Guide contains those Chm'ches in the Deanery of Bicester
which come vrithin our limit, and it is intended to follow it up
with the other Deaneries in succession, as this ancient Eccle-
siastical division of the country seems the most convenient for
our pui'pose : at the same time, the Churches within the
Deanery are arranged in the order of a ride from Oxford, going
by one route and returning by another, and a shght map of the
route is prefixed to enable strangers to make use of it.

The motives for selecting the Deanery of Bicester to begin
with, were, first, that the Churches themselves are of a very
interesting character, and little known ; secondly, that more
particulars respecting their history have been coDected by the
laborious researches of Bishop Kcnnett than can often be
found relating to mere country parishes ; and these " Historical
Notices" which are appended to the Architectural description
of each Church, add considerably to the interest of the work.
Bishop Kennett's Parochial Antiquities are arranged in chrono-
logical order, which renders it often difficult to make out
clearly the history of each parish separately ; this, however,

INTRODUCTION. Vll

had been in a great degree prepared ready to our hands in Mr.
Dunkin^s History of the Hundred of Ploughley, which consists
chiefly of a useful digest of Bishop Kennett's learned researches ;
and we have not scrupled to avail ourselves of this assistance,
more especially as Mr. Dunkin's work was limited to a very
small number of copies, and is now difficult to meet with. In
speaking only of Churches, it is not intended to confine the work
to them, whenever any other Gothic buildings come within our
range ; but the domestic buildings of the middle ages, though
worthy of more attention than they have hitherto met with, are
not very common, and our district is not rich in them. It may
be asked why we did not commence our work with the buildings
of Oxford itself; but it may be presumed that the generality of
our members are well acquainted with them, and the excellent
illustrations afforded in Dr. Ingi^am's valuable Memorials, seem
to have in a great degree forestalled us.

In presenting this First Part of the proposed Guide to the
Architectural Antiquities of the neighbourhood of Oxford to our
members, it seems necessary to make a few remarks on the
buildings contained in it, their general character and peculiarities :
and this affords a good opportunity of calling attention to the
fact, that although the four Styles of Gothic Architecture are
almost as distinct and as well known as the three Orders of
Grecian Architecture, yet that the number of buildings which
do not belong to any of these styles is much more numerous
than is commonly supposed; and this arising not merely from
different parts of a building being of different ages, but from so
many buildings being erected during the periods of transition
from one style to another. Gothic Architecture never stood

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

still ; and as we have many buildings early or late in each parti-
cular style, so we have also others which do not properly belong
to either, and can only be described as belonging to the period
of transition from one to the other.

The number of buildings erected about the end of the twelfth
century, dui'ing the reigns of Richard I. and John, when the
change from the Norman to the Early English style was in
progress, has led Mr, Bloxam to make a new style of this period
of transition, which he has called Semi-Norman. The objec-
tion to this is, that it is impossible to define such a style, some
buildings being almost Norman, with just a beginning of change;
others almost Early English, with just a last lingering remnant
of Noiinan work ; and this continues, in some instances, to a
period when the Early English style was in general fully esta-
blished. Instances of this transition will be found in the
Churches of Islip, Chesterton, and Middleton Stoney.

The second period of transition, from the Early English to
the Decorated styles, about the time of Edward I,, is less
marked, and consequently not so generally known as the
former one; instances of it are, however, very common, and
some persons have proposed to make another new style of
this, under the name of Geometrical Gothic. The same ob-
jection applies to this as in the former instance ; it is im-
possible to define such a style; the later examples of Early
English, in which we have foliated circles in the head of the
window, and the earlier examples of Decorated, in which we
have these combined with trefoils, and other geometrical forms,
would equally belong to it. It may truly be said, that all
Gothic Architecture is Geometrical. Geometry is the very

INTRODUCTION. IX

soul and essence of Gothic, pervading every part of it, and an
Architect who is ignorant of Geometry does not deserve the
name, and is not fit to erect any Gothic building. A good
example of this transition occurs in the east window of Hampton
Poyle (p. 53,) and the tower of Oddington, (p. 7.)

The transition from the Decorated to the Perpendicular styles
has been less noticed than either of the others, from the circum-
stance of its character being less marked and obvious, discovered
rather by the mouldings and details than by any general fea-
tures, although instances do occur of a mixture of Decorated and
Perpendicular tracery in the head of a window, as in the east
window of Charlton on Otmoor, (p. 10.) Most of the buildings
erected in the latter part of the fourteenth century, during the
reign of Eichard II., partake of this mixed character.

Of the anomalous class of buildings supposed by some persons
to be Saxon, and called by Mr, Bloxam the Saxon style, we
have a good example in the tower of Caversfield Church, to
which we have endeavoured to do ample justice at pp. 30, 31.
Here, as in other instances, this work is so much mixed up
with other featui'es having the usual character of Norman, as
to make it very doubtful whether any part of it is really of an
earlier age, or merely rude country work, such as may be found
at all periods. This remark applies equally to Bicester, (p. 24.)

Of the Norman style, we have some good examples in the
North Porch of Caversfield and the Tower of Bucknell.

Of the Early English style, the Nave of Charlton on Otmoor,
the South Arches of Bicester, the Chancel of Bucknell (a fine
example,) the Tower of Middleton Stoney, and the Nave of
Kirtlington.

X INTRODUCTION.

Of Decorated, Merton Church is nearly a perfect specimen.
The Soutli Aisle of Ambrosden is very rich and good; the
Tower and south side of the Nave of Chesterton, the Nave
of Hampton Poyle.

Of Perpendicular, the Towers of Islip and Bicester, the
Chancel of Ambrosden, the Clerestory and Porch of Bicester,
and many windows inserted in all the Churches.

This Part of the Guide has been prepared by Mr. J. Henry
Parker and Mr. William Grey of Magdalene Hall, who visited
all the Chiu'ches together, and generally one took notes of them
while the other made sketches of the most interesting featui'es.
These rough notes, made on the spot, have been printed with
very little alteration, neither party having time to prepare a
more elaborate work, biit in any case where a doubt was en-
tertained on any particular point, the Church has been visited
again. It is hoped that the publication of this specimen will
lead to an improvement in the subsequent parts of the Guide,
and that other members of the Society will come forward and
render their assistance ; that one who is conversant with the
manuscripts of the middle ages, will examine the Bishops'
Registers, or other documents, calculated to throw light upon
the history of the Churches ; another who is conversant with
Heraldiy, will examine the different monuments, and see Avhat
light can be thrown from that source, (as has been done in the
case of the monument at Caversficld, the date of which was as-
certained bv means of the Heraldrv, with the kind assistance of
the Count Mortara, and the Rev. Dr. Bandinel ;) another who
can draw, to make sketches, accompanied by measurements which
are indispensable in Architectural drawing ; another who is con-

INTRODUCTION. XI

versant with the costume of different periods, to examine the
various heads which occur as corbels, &c., in almost every
Church, and see how far they agree with the Architectural
character, and the date thereby assigned. In this way a far
more valuable work may be produced than is promised by the
present imperfect attempt, but it appeared that unless some one
made a beginning nothing would be done, and it is hoped that
even this, imperfect and superficial as it is, may be found
useful.

I.H.P.

Oxford, Oct. 10, 1842.

PATRONS.

THE DEAN AND

CHAPTER OF
WESTMINSTER.

I S L I P

5t. Mitliohi'

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF PLOUGHLEY.

FT. IN.

Chancel 40 0

Nave 50 0

N. Aisle 50 0

S. Aisle 50 0

Vestry 10 9

FT. Iff.

2 I S L I P.

There can be little doubt that there was a Church at Islip
in the Saxon tiraes^ but no part of the present building appears
to be earlier than about the end of the twelfth century, to which
date the pillars and arches on the north side of the nave must
be attributed. The Church appears to have been in a great
degree rebuilt in the fourteenth century, and the tower added
in the fifteenth. The Chancel was probably destroyed in the
civil wars^ and rebuilt soon after the Restoration.

Chancel. — Built by the celebrated Dr. Robert South, in 1680,
in the debased Gothic style, prevalent at that period. The circum-
stance of this Chancel being rebuilt so soon after the restoration
of the Church of England, and by a divine so well known for
the orthodox character of his writings, attaches a degree
of importance which would not otherwise belong to it, and
therefore makes it necessary to describe it more minutely than
its own merits would require. Of the architecture little need
be said, but that it is a favourable specimen of that age, though
not free from the usual faults ; the windoAvs have semicircular
heads, with the muUions crossing and intersecting each other in
the head, without foliation ; the masomy is good and substan-
tial, buttresses not being requii^ed are not used ; the roof is of
too low a pitch to have a good effect, but the timbers are left
open, without much ornament, excepting the eastern bay imme-
diately over the Altar ; this has a plaster ceiling, Avhicli, though
now mutilated is sufficiently perfect to shew that it was richly
painted in the best style of the period, with the Dove in the
centre represented as descending, siuTounded by cherubim.
The portion of wall immediately over the east window is painted
in imitation of open Gothic work, with the date 1G80. On one
of the beams of the roof is this inscription :

" ROBERTUS SOUTH S. T. P. IN ECCLESIAM HANC PAROCHIALEM INDUCTU8
ANNO DOMINI 1678, PROPRIIS SUMPTIBUS HANC CANCELLARIAM A
FUNDAMENTIS INSTAURAVIT EXTRUXITQVE. ANNO D"!. 1680."

I SLIP.

Credence Table A D. leSO

The Communion-table is plain and substantial oak, of tlie
usual style of Charles II. In the vestry are preserved the
small Credence-tablOj also
of oak, corresponding ex-
actly with the larger table,
and a plain oak Lettern of
the same period, the upper
part of which is square, hav-
ing two desks, and tiu'ning =^
on a pivot on the top of a "^
plain round pillar.

The Altar-rail is plain, of
the same age as the above ;
this end of the Chancel is
raised one step. On the north
side of the Chancel is the
vestry, of the same date, but
built in imitation of an Early
English chapel, with small
lancet windows. In the
vestry is the parish chest, of
plain oak, in which are pre-
served the Chalice and Paten,
also of the same date ; these
are of pewter, being probably
the best that could then
be afforded ; their place has
since been supplied by silver.

The Chancel-arch belongs
to the old part of the Churcli,
and is plain work of the fourteenth centmy. Parts of the old
Rood-screen remain, with the linen pattern panel, marking it
to be of about the time of Henry VIII. Other parts are
preserved in the vestry, but are plain and mutilated.

Nave — North side — tkree arches. Transition Norman, pointed
with flat soffit, the edges slightly chamfered. These rest on pillars

Lettern, A.D. leSO

I SLIP.

of the same style, very short and massive ; one square in section,
with shafts at the angles, and a
plain Norman capital, the other
plain round, with sculptured Nor-
man capital ; the two Responds,
or half pillars, correspond nearly
with the square pillar, but the
shafts have more of Early English
character. In the eastern pillar
a Decorated niche is inserted.

South side — three arches, of
plain work in the Decorated
style.

Roof — plain open timber of
good construction, with garret
windows inserted afterwards.

Tower-arch — good Perpendi-
cular, now plastered up, and
a gallery brought out in front
of it.

Pews — mostly open, good old
oak, some agreeing with Dr.
South's other work. Several en-
closed pews have been introduced
of late years.

Pulpit — plain, probably Dr.
South's work.

Font — stands at the west end
of the nave, good Perpendicular,
octagon cup-shaped, with a qua-
trefoil panel on each face.

Pillar, North side of Nave, c. 1200.

Section of Pillar.

North Aisle — Decorated, good windows at each end; the
cast window lately (1842) restored in a creditable manner; the
side windows are still in a bad state, with their tracery cut out.
On the north wall of tliis aisle some ancient painting has recently

I S L I p. 5

been discovered, (March, 1842,) and the whitewash of a small part
scraped off, but very little can as yet be made out. In this wall
there is a small Decorated door now blocked up. A bracket at
the east end of the aisle shews the situation of a Chantry-altar.

South Aisle — Decorated, the windows mostly mutilated;
the west window looks like a small Early Norman one, but is
only an imitation, of the time of Charles II. At the east end of
this aisle is a Decorated Piscina, partly concealed by modern
pewing; this of course marks the situation of another Altar,
On the south wall of this aisle is a curious painting of the
offerings of the three kings to the infant Saviour, date about
1360, as appeared from an inscription visible at the time it was
discovered, in 1824.

Roofs of both aisles open timber, plain rough work, but original.
South doorway and porch Decorated ; on the east side of the
door under the porch is a Stoup of the same period, but mutilated.

The Tower is good plain Perpendicular, of four stages,
with pinnacles at the angles ; the west door is a good specimen
of this style. i.h.p.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In 1009, King Ethelred kept the greatest part of his residence in this
county, chiefly at Hedington and Islip ^. (Vide Kennett's Parochial
Antiquities, 1808. vol. i. p. 62; for other notices respecting Ishp, see
also pages 36, 63, 66, 67, 68, 69, 85, 93, 97, 101, 110, 111, 257, 436,
467, and 582 ; vol. ii. pages 5, 140, 143, 339, and 385.) King Edward
(whom for his piety and chastity our forefathers honoured with the title of
Confessor) was born here, as is made evident by the original charter of
the restoration of the Abbey of Westminster, wherein he gives to tliat
Church the town of Islip, with tliis additional clause, " The place where
I was born." Sir William Dugdale mentions nothing of this charter
in his " Monasticon ;" but the Saxon copy of the greatest part of it was
discovered by Dr. Kennett, Bishop of Peterborough, and is published
with other instruments relating to the antiquities of Ambrosden, Bur-

" Islip, in Saxon Eij;lir)-lepe, called Charter of the same king's, "Ileslepe;"
anciently " Ghistlipe ;" in the Pipe Rolls and in a presentation of the Abbey of West-
of King Henry II., " Hiltesleape ;" in a minster, Gth Henry III., " Ighteslep."

6 ISLIP.

cester, and some other parishes of this county. In this charter this
towTi is called liySj-lepe'^.

When King Edward founded the Monastery of St. Peter at West-
minster, he gave to it this village of Githslepe, as it was then spelled.
Notwithstanding this grant, William the Conqueror seized upon the
Islip estate, and bestowed it upon the valiant Hugh de Grentmaisnil,
who gave it, as a marriage portion, to his daughter Adeline, the wife of
Roger de Tveiy. Soon after the death of Jeffrey de Ivery, to whom
it descended, the manor and other estates of the lordship of Islip were
granted to William de Curcy, who dying about 1173, the land again
reverted to the crown. The Abbot and Convent of Westminster,
availing themselves of this circumstance, tendered their claim to the
village and liberties of Islip, and ultimately succeeded in gaining the
restitution of their properties here ; and still retain it. They soon after
found the chapel of the palace, which stood near the Church, in a state
of dilapidation, and either repaired or rebuilt it, as was attested by the
lancet windows in the eastern wall. An engraving of it was pubUshed
by Hearne in his preface to " Curious Discourses," A.D. 1720, and a
copy of it is given in Mr. Dunkiu's History of the Hundreds of Ploughley
and Bullington. It was in the eighteenth century used as a barn or
outhouse, till about 1780, when, being in a dangerous state, it was taken
dovm. The old Font belonging to this chapel has been generally, but
erroneously, supposed to have been that in which Edward the Con-
fessor was baptized ; no one, however, in the least acquainted with the
character of Fonts at that period, can for a moment entertain such an
idea ; it appears to be of about the end of the fourteenth century, and is
now carefully presented in the Rectory garden.

TRANSLATION OF THE ORIGINAL SAXON CHARTER.

Edward, king, greetcth Wlsy, bishop, and Gyrth, earl, and all my nobles
in Oxfordshire. And I tell you that I have given to Christ and St. Peter
into Westminster that small village wherein I was born, by name Githslepe,
and one hide at Mersce, scot-free and rent-free, with all the things which
belong thereunto, in wood and field, in meadows and waters, with Church,
and with the immunities of the Church, as fully and as largely, and as free
as it stood in mine own hand ; and also as my mother Imme, upon my right
of primogeniture, for my maintenance gave it me entire, and bequeathed it
to the family. — Kennett, vol. i. p. 68, Qd.

*> Magna Brilannia 1727, vol. iv. ]) 403.

ODDINGTON.

PATRONS.

^nlirclu.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

TRINITY COLLEGE,

HUNDRED

OXFORD.

OF PLOUGHLEY

FT. IN.

FT.

IN.

Chancel .

. . .

27 3

Nave . .

. • • •

46 0

This Church is plain Decorated^ at least so much aa remains
of the original work, but it is so much mutilated, and concealed
by plaster, that it is difficult to make out what it has been.

In the Cu ANGEL there is an
elegant Decorated Piscina, and
the Chancel-arch was plain De-
corated, but is now an ugly low
plaster one. The east window
is restored Perpendicular. In
the Chancel is a small Brass, a
skeleton in a shroud, to Radulph
Hamsterley, Fellow of Merton
College, Rector of this parish.
. . . Anno 15 . . . Mensis . . .
[The blanks have never been
filled up.]

The Nave has Early Deco-
rated buttresses; on the north
side is an arch, stopped up,
which appears to have opened
into a chapel now destroyed.

Pews — good plain open benches. Font — plain, round, lined
with lead, probably the same age as the Church, and therefore
of the Decorated style, though without any ornament. South
Porch has an Early Decorated doorway.

Tower of Oddiijgton Chur^li. c 1300.

8 ODDINGTON.

Tower — good, Earh^ Decorated, plain, of two stories; win-
dows— lancet-shaped with foliated heads; arch — plain Pointed,
not chamfered, now plastered iip.

In the Church-yard is the shaft of a Cross. w.g.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In 1079, Adeline, widow of Roger de Ivery, held, by inheritance from
her father, lands in Charlton, Otendon, and Islip'^.

In 1138, Sir Rob. Gait, Knight, Lord of the manor of Hampton
thence called Hampton Gait (now Gay), possessed a fourth part of the
\dllage of Ottendun, and going to Gilbert, Abbot of Daverlie, he desired
and obtained leave to build an Abbey of the Cistertian order, in the said
village of Ottendun, which accordingly he raised at his own charge, and
endowed it with five virgates of land, which made the fourth part of a
Knight's fee, and called it from the name of an adjoining wood, Ottelei ^.

In a short time the Monastery was found so much exposed to inunda-
tions, that the society petitioned for a removal ; and in consequence of
their representations, Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, was induced to
grant them the park of Thame, in this county, and some land which
had belonged to Nigel Kyre, for the purpose of building thereon. On
their acquisition of this gift, the Monks lost no time in proceeding with
the new fabric. The Convent was removed, and on July 21, A.D. 1138,
the Church was dedicated to St. Maiy, by the same Bishop, who in
gratitude thereof was hereafter reputed the Founder e.

" Kennett, vol. i. p. 85. vol. ii. p. 403.

^ Kennett, vol. i. p. 126, 127. See <^ Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 11,5.

also p. 119, 159, 27(5, 282, 295, 296. and

CHARLTON

PATRONS.

THE PROVOST AND

FELLOWS OF

QUEEN'S COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

ON OTMOOR.

5t. iW:ats i\ft Firgtn.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OP PLOUGHLEY.

FT. IN.

Chancel 36 9

Nave 40 0

Aisles 40 0

FT. IN.

14 6

21 0

10 0

This Church appears to have been built about the middle of
the thirteenth century, and the Chancel added or rebuilt at the
end of the fourteenth. Some alterations were made and a story
added to the tower in the fifteenth. No part of the original
Norman Church remains.

CHARLTON ON OTMOOR.

Chancel — late Decorated and Transition to Perpendicular, a
good specimen of this period, altliougli the work is somewhat rude
and clumsy, as might be expected in a remote country village.

East window of four lights, with ramified tracery, approaching
to Perpendicular. Side ^vindows
of two lights, with more of Deco-
rated character, but the labels over
them, and the mouldings through-
out, partake of the same mixed 1
character. There are some good
bits of original stained glass in
the heads of all the windows;
in that of the east window is
an elegant little figm^e of the
Virgin and Child.

Sedilia and Piscina of the
same late Decorated or Transi-
tion style, the label forming a
square head to the whole. The
work is rude and clumsy : in the
piscina the wooden shelf remains.

Opposite to these is a plain sepulchral recess in the north
wall, with an obtusely pointed arch : as there is no tomb under it,
there can be little doubt that this was for the Easter sepulchre.

There are three steps to the Altar, with many of the en-
caustic tiles remaining, but in a very dirty and mutilated state.

On the floor near the Easter sepulchre is a stone slab, with
an elegant cross fleuree, of the fourteenth centiuy, to the memory
of a former Rector — John de France — but much defaced and
the date lost.

The Altar-rail is a fine piece of oak carving, in the style of
Grinling Gibbons.

The Chancel has a low flat plaster ceiling, which entirely
spoils the Rood-arch.

The most interesting feature in this Church is the Rood-loft,
wliicli is a very fine and perfect specimen : it is of richly carved

Kast Wiudow.c. 1380.

CHARLTON ON OTMOOR.

oakj with the original painting and gikling, of the time of
Henry VII, or VIII. The stone stairs to the Rood-loft are all
cut away hut two. The staircase arch, however, remains open.

Rood-loft. c. 1600

On this Rood-loft a garland is placed from immemorial custom
on May day, strung upon a wooden cross, which remains in the
position of the ancient Holy Rood until the foUomng year,
when the flowers and evergreens are again renewed.

NAVE-^North side, — three Early English arches, acutely
pointed, recessed, chamfered, on octagon shafts with plain cir-
cular caps, labels of early character, with good terminations.

South side, three similar arches, but the caps have the roll
moulding, and the label is diflerent in the inside, but on the
outside, in the aisles, it is the same as that of the north arches,
and is terminated by masks.

Clerestory — On north side three very good small quatrefoil
windows remain, and are probably Early English : within they
are splayed into a square opening, but the effect is very good. On
the south side the windows are square common Perpendicular.

CHARLTON ON OTMOOR.

Crest of Font Cover

Roof of Nave spoiled by a modern flat plaster ceiling.

Pulpit, good Elizabethan, with the date, 1616. Pews in
Nave, all good open seats, a few
modern boxes introduced in the
Chancel.

Font, plain, round, spreading up-
wards, stands on two steps, which
are built in with the base of the west
pillar on the north side, so that it is
clearly all of one age. Early English.
The cover is plain pyramidal, with
a singular and good top to it, con-
sisting of a sort of crest of the Tudor-
flower.

North Aisle, windows Decorated, but in Early Enghsh walls ;
at the east end a jAain Early Enghsh
Piscina and Bracket.

South Aisle, east window Early
English, late in the style, label the
roll moulding, with masks for ter-
minations, window of two hghts, with '^=''^
fohated circle in the head. Near
this also an Early English Piscina,
and Bracket. Other windows De-
corated, and a square Perpendicular
insertion. This aisle has a good
parapet, ornamented with sunk qua-
trefoils. Early English, late in the
style. The south door and porch
are plain Early English : over the

door is a Perpendicular panelled East Ena of the North Aisie.c.i26o.
niche, for a Holy Rood. Roofs of aisles, plain open timber,
i-ougli work.

TowEii, Early English, with a Perpendicular upper story
added, lower windows lancet, upper original windows two
light Early Enghsh with open head, and roll moulding for

CHARLTON ON OTMOOR. 13

labels, terminated by masks. Upper windows and parapet Per-
pendicular, with good pinnacles at the angles.

Tower-arch good Early Enghsh, but plastered up to accom-
modate a singing gallery, which is as usual brought out into
the Church, instead of being placed in the tower.

The masonry of this Church is very good, entirely built of
small stones, with a marked difference between that of the Aisles
and Tower, and the Chancel, though both good. It has buttresses
only at the angles, none being requii-ed at the sides.

The cross in the Church-yard is plain, and much worn, but
is probably Early Enghsh.

I.H.P.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In 1076, or before, Hugh de Grentemaisnil, father of Adeline, wife of
Roger de Ivery, among other large possessions given by him to his
restored Monastery of St. Ebrulf^, in Normandy, granted the Church of
Charlton-upon-Otmoore, with the tithes, and five virgates of land, and
one villain, &c., &c., which grants William the Conqueror confirmed to
those monks by a large charter, dated at Winchester, 1081 ''.

In 1392, the patronage of the Church of Charlton-upon-Otmoore,
being now in the crown, king Richard the Second gave the perpetual
advowson to the prioress and nuns of Henwode, county of Warwick, to
the intent the said Church might be united for ever to the said nunnery,

" The monastery of St. Ebrvilf, or the dominions of his countryman, Robert
St. Evran, Was founded for Benedic- duke of Calabria, and built a new mo-
tine monks by one Ebrulf, in the reign nastery nigh Brepe, on the shores of the
of Clothair I., A.D. 578, and being Adriatic sea, where he died, after having
almost destroyed by the intestine ravages governed the community seventeen years,
of the Franks and Normans, was restored, — Neustria Pia, p. 104, 105, Rothomag
in 1049, by William Geronis, and his 1G63. Also some account of the Alien
nephews Robert and Hugh de Grent- Priories, collected from the MSS. of War-
maisnil ; and in the following year Robert burton and Ducarel, vol. ii. p. 81,82;
assumed the habit and became a monk. London, 1786. Diinkin, vol. i. p. 210.
[GuiL Gemet. sub an. 1051, p.280.] On — Ordericus Vitalis, p. G03. Mon. Ang.
the death of Theodoric, the Abbot, he torn. ii. p. 966.

was elected to the vacant dignity, but was "' Kennett, vol. i. p. 84 ; see also p.

driven from his house and banished by 85, 97, 101, 110, 131, 296, 357, 371, and

Duke William. He found an asylum in 372 ; vol. ii. p. 85.

14 CHARLTON ON OTMOOR.

provided a sufficient portion should be allotted for the endo\vment of a
perpetual vicar, and that a due portion at the Diocesan's discretion should
be yearly allowed for the better support of the poorer parishioners of
the said village of Charlton, which gift King Henry the Fourth did after-
wards confirm ^ And Pope Innocent the Seventh, in the first year of his
pontificate, upon petition of the said prioress and nuns, did allow them to
appropriate the said Church on death or cession of the present Rector i.

Henry the Fifth, in the third year of his reign, annexed this Church,
together with the greater number of the estates formerly belonging to
the Alien Priory of Ware, to the Carthusian Monastery of Shene, in the
county of Surrey.

After the dissolution of that Monastery, it appears that the advowson
of this Church was the property of Wilham Dening and John and
Lancelot Shaw, and that they did homage for it '^.

By indenture bearing date 20th May, 1567, [10 Ehz.,] Alan Scott,
the Rector of Charlton, and the Provost and Fellows and Scholars of
Queen's College, Oxford, patrons of the same, granted to William
Shillingford, alias Izode, of Beckley, his heu-s and assigns, a lease of the
parsonage of this viUage for eighty-one years, on condition of his paying
the said Alan Scott and his successors the sum of £20 per annum, in equal
portions, at the four usual seasons of payment, and finding an able and
sufficient curate, to be allowed by the ordinary to perform divine service
and all other parochial duties, or, in case the said Alan or his successors
do the duty, the said WiUiam ShQhngford, alias Izode, further covenant-
ing to repair the Chancel, whenever necessary, during tlie continuance
of his lease.

Thomas Lamplugh, afterwards Archbishop of York, was Rector of this
parish from 1658 to 1685.

" From the registers, this gift seems vol. ii. p. 176, 204, 205, 210, and 220.
not to have been carried into effect.— Vide " Originalia, 28—3-7 Henry VIII

Dunkin, vol. i. p. 21 1. f. 2f)5. h. No. 63G5, Additional' MSS. in

■^ Mon. Ang. torn, i, p. 479 ; Kennett, Brit. Mus.

SEDILIA MERTON CHCHCH, c 13£0

PATRONS.

THE RECTOR AND

FELLOWS OF

EXETER COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

MERTON.

^t <^&)itl)cn.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

Chancel
Nave .
S. Aisle

35 7
61 0
61 0

This Church is entirely of the Decorated style, and was pro-
bably built in the latter half of the foui'teenth century, a few
windows only being added, and the roof of the Nave rebuilt in
the fifteenth.

Chancel — East window, three light. Perpendicular, but the
label and stringcourse Decorated, the roll moulding. Three
windows on the south side, of two lights. Perpendicular tracery
inserted in Decorated arches, with hollows in the head.

In the Chancel there are some very good carved Decorated
corbels to the roof and the arch ; the roof of the Chancel spoiled
by a plaster ceiling. Chancel-arch Decorated, pointed, re-
cessed, chamfered, springing from rich corbels.

Sedilia and Piscina, good Decorated, rather late, with ogee
arches, crockets and finials ; the Piscina has a shelf and basin
perfect ; near these is a foliated ogee-arched sepulchral recess.
The south-west window has a low seat under it, and adjoin-
ing a small Decorated door. On the north side a good Deco-
rated locker, with ogee arch, having pinnacles, crockets, and
finials.

Two mural monuments, of the time of Elizabeth.

16 MERTON.

The Communion-table plain and olcl^ with the slab detached,
as ordered by the injunctions of Elizabeth ^.

On the outside of the Chancel on the north side, is a small
niche in the wall.

Nave — On the south side four Decorated arches, on octagon
pillars, plain, Avith Decorated caps richly moulded : on the
north side three arches walled up with their labels, ha\dng
Decorated windows, and a door inserted in the wall under
them : these have been moved back from the outer wall when
the arches were filled up, and the aisle destroyed.

Roof of the Nave original Perpendicular, open timber, with
a little of the old painting. Clerestory also Perpendicular.

Seats mostly open, plain and old, but higher than usual,
some modern and very bad.

South Aisle, good Decorated; the east window has Decorated
tracery, rather pecuHar, between flowing and flamboyant. Two
Decorated niches on the south side, and one on the north side
of this window. Side windows very good. Decorated, two light,
with quatrefoils in the head, one Perpendicular inserted.

South door, plain Decorated, with Perpendicular panel for a
rood over it, the same as at Charlton.

Font plain, round, with an octagon shaft, probably Deco-
rated, and has a pyramidal canopy of the time of Charles II.

Pulpit and Reading-desk carved oak scroll work, about the
time of James I.

Tower situated at the west end, plain Decorated, and has a
good ornamented parapet, window and niche ; has had a spire,
which was taken down about 1770, to save the expense of keep-
ing it in repair. Tower-arch small and plain; west window,
single light, cinque-foiled ogee head.

Porch, plain Decorated.

In the Church-yard is the base of an old Cross ; the foot
entrance to the Church-vard is worthv of notice, ha^dng the
original coping, apparently of the fonrtecnth or fifteenth
century. w.g.

' See Mr. D. Parsons' Letter to the Oxford Heraldic Society.

MERTON. 17

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

That the first Church in this village owes it origin and endowment to
one of the early lords of the manor, is evident, from his successor, David,
Earl of Huntingdon, having granted the advowson to the Abbot and
Convent of Eynsham in the latter end of the reign of Henry I.,
A.D. 1118*"; and shortly after, the same community, by a compact with
the successive incumbents, reserved to themselves a pension of 30s. per
annum out of its revenues s.

On the twenty-second of June, 1351, the Abbot and Convent of
Eynsham procured hcence from King Edward III., to appropriate
the Church of Merton to their Abbey, and soon after petitioned the
Bishop of Lincoln, their diocesan, to grant them letters for this purpose,
setting forth the following weighty reasons for the necessity of augment-
ing the revenues of their Convent : " that their Monastery, standing near
the highway, was often frequented and burdened by travellers ; that
they had been engaged in many suits and trials in courts ecclesiastical
and civil, by which they had contracted many and great debts ; that a
late raging pestilence had much diminished and detained their old rents
and profits ; and that their house, as well as their offices and other build-
ings, w^ere much decayed, and they unable to repair or support them ^.
They therefore humbly prayed, that as the parish Church of Merton
was only taxed at seventeen marks and ten shillings, it might be appro-
priated and for ever annexed to their Convent." The Bishop i-emarking
the strong case adduced, consented to their request, and ordained that
the appropriation should commence on the death or resignation of John
de Wanse, the present Rector, reserving for a perpetual Vicar the yearly
pension of ten marks, together with a inanse in the village, and the sum of
twenty shilhngs yearly to the See of Lincoln, to compensate for the pro-

f Rcgist. de Eynsham Chartae 22, appropriation of Hickfiekl, Hants, to New

Apud /Ed. Christ. Oxon., ap. Dunkin. College, Oxford, A.D. 1383. See Reg.

K Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 9. Wykeham Episc. Winton, p. 1, f. 144.

i" Had their allegations been true to After the Bishop had received this peti-

their full extent, the whole revenue of tion, it was common for him to order an

Merton Church could not have preserved inquisition to betaken of the matter; and

the Convent from ruin ; but as it was as the petitioners generally contrived to

usual to set forth some cogent reasons in procure a report which echoed back their

cases of appropriation, this seems to have previous statement, the mandate was

been the nature of the formula, for nearly granted without difficulty. Ap. Dunkin.
the same arguments are adduced for the

18 MERTON.

fits which would otherwise accrue to the said Bishop in the successive
vacancies of the Church ; further directing, that the aforesaid Abhot
and Convent should discharge the Church and Vicarage of all ordinary
and extraordinary burdens, repair the Chancel and its windows, and find
all books, vestments, lamps, incense, &c., necessarj' for the celebration
of Divine Service, excepting the bread and wine for the sacrament of the
Altar, which the Vicar himself was to furnish at his own expense'.

On the surrender of the Abbey of Eynsham, this Parsonage became
vested in the crown, and, with other conventual estates, was subsequently
granted to Sir William Petre, one of the visitors employed by Cromwell
to enquire into the government and behaviour of the votaries of both
sexes, preparatory to the dissolution of religious houses, as a reward for
those services. In the latter part of his life, Sir William conveyed all
right and title therein, together with the appropriations and advowsons
of the Churches of Yarnton, Kidlington, and Long Wittenham, in the
counties of Oxon and Bucks, to Exeter College, Oxford, where he had
been educated ^.

Amidst the changes of religion, which took place in the reigns of
Henry VIII,, Edward VI., Mary, and her sister Elizabeth, John Jones
contrived to retain his vicarage of Merton, and died in possession,
A,D. 1559. — Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 15.

In the village is a manor house, a building erected by the Doyleys
in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and for more than a century the chief
residence of the Haringtons, their descendants by a female heir. The
mansion faces the north, and is entered by a porch leading through a
passage to the hall, beyond which is a large parlour, remaining in the
same state as left by Sir James Harington, the last member of that
family who owned the estate. It appears that little alteration has been
eff'ected on the northern side since its original construction ; the greater
part of the ancient staircase remains, as well as the upper apartments.
The kitchen is also entire, and below is a large cellar arched, now used
as a dairy. The south front of the mansion is said to have been
originally in the form of a Roman L, and a long gallery ran along the
upper part, while the ground floor was occupied by parlours, &c. This
portion of the edifice is now demolished'.

' Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 9, 10. ' Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 1, 2.

» Ibid., vol. ii. p. H, 15.

AMBROSDEN CHDECH , FROM THE S.E.

PATRON.
SIR a. p. TURNER.

AMBROSDEN.

FT. IN.

Chancel 18 6

Nave 66 4

Aisle 68 7

Tower 16 0

DEANERY

OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED

BULLINOTON

FT.

IN.

This is a fine Churcli, mostly of tlie Early Decorated style,
about the time of Edward IL, with a Tower somewhat earlier.
The effect of the south front is very striking, from the richness
of the open parapet and cornice to the aisle ,,(',' ivi" "i I'luini,
and porch, and the buttresses with their
niches.

Chancel — Perpendicular, early in the
style. East window, three lights; side win-
dows, two lights. At the east end are two
short pillar-brackets for images, one on each
side the Altar, with Early English caps of
stiff-leaf foliage.

Piscina — Perpendicular, on an octagon
shaft.

The recesses of the north and south win-
dows are continued below the lights, and
stopped by a seat across.

Some encaustic tiles, but of very common
patterns and common work.

Rood-arch — plain Perpendicular.

Pillar bracket,, c. 1100.

20 AM BROS DEN.

Nave — South side, four Decorated arches, pointed, recessed,
chamfered; the labels consist of the roll moulding and small
corbel heads.

Pillars — plain octagon, with Decorated caps, but only two are
in their original state.

North side — windows originally Early Decorated, but Per-
pendicular tracery inserted ; two lights with quatrefoils.

Font — Perpendicular, octagon, cup-shaped, with a quatrefoil
in each face; the shaft plain.

Seats — mostly old, open, and good, but some square enclosed
pews have been introduced, and a gallery-pew has been put in
at the east end of the north side, against the Chancel-arch : and
the upper part of this arch is cut off by a large beam, sup-
porting a board having the Royal Arms painted on it : the
Commandments &c., are painted on the wall by the side of the
arch.

Roof — the original open timber roof remains, but is concealed
by a plaster ceiling ; there is a gallery at the west end, and the
Tower-arch is j)lastered up.

At the west end is a curious oil painting of the Resur-
rection, said to be of the last century; it is painted on
the wall and partly on the plaster partition under the Tower-
arch.

Pulpit — plain and modern, of Avood, standing on a stone shaft,
plain Decorated.

South Aisle — windows plain, two lights, early Decorated, with
quatrefoil in the head.

The exterior has a good open parapet of trefoils, with spaces
open above, and closed below ; and a cornice of good Decorated
work, filled with a row of heads and ball flowers.

South door — plain Decorated, with a niche over it.

Buttresses — early Decorated, with niches.

Porch — Decorated, tlie same age as the aisle, and with a good
open parapet of trefoils enclosed in circles.

On the north side is a small plain Norman door ; the parapet
on this side is plain, with bold hollow cornice.

AMBROSDEN. 21

The Turret for the Rood-loft staircase, on the north side,
now used as stairs to a gallery pew.

Tower — Early Enghsh, but late in the style, lower windows
lancet, upper ones of two lights under one arch, closed in the
head and divided by a shaft.

Parapet — battlemented, with a plain cornice.

Buttresses — on the north side, small, plain, and low, reaching
only to the first story ; on the south side, in three stages, to the
second story.

The Parsonage House, a good old stone one, chiefly built by
Dr. John Stubbing, in 1638, but its ancient character has
been much spoiled lately by additions.

W.G.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The name of the earliest priest belonging to this parish which
appears in any known record is William, who is found subscribing to a
confirmation [A.D. 1106, 6th Henry I.] by Joan de Piddington, of the
hermitage and chapel of St. Cross, at Muswell, to Missenden Abbey,
which had been previously annexed to the same by Ralph the hermit'".

A.D. 1283. Edmund Earl of Cornwall founded the first College for
the order of the Bonhommes at Esserugge, Asherugge, now Ashridge,
in the county of Bucks, to which this Church of Ambrosden was soon
after impropriated".

A.D. 1308. In the fifth year of Oliver Sutton, Bishop of Lincoln,
Edmund Earl of Cornwall presented a Rector to the Church of Am-
brosden". We may here observe, that Edmund Earl of Cornwall
designed no part of the revenues of this Church of Ambrosden should
be converted to the use of his new Convent, but he only trusts them
with the presentation of a Clerk, on a charitable opinion that these good
men would better execute the right of patronage, and more incorruptly
provide an able incumbent. But too many guardians have embezzled

•" Duiikin, vol. i. ]). 9. Mon. Aug., " Rot. 01. Sutton ep'i Line. II. Dods.

vol. iii. p. 18. MS. vol. cvii. f. 144. Kennett, vol.. i.

° Kennett, vol. i. p. 423, 4. p. 429.

22 AMBROSDEN.

a trust to their own proper use ; so these holy brethren, without any
regard to the donor's intention, soon resolved the inheritance should be
theirs, and therefore, purchasing a deed of gift from the Pope, (who,
like the tempter in the wilderness, offered what he had no right to
bestow,) they quickly made themselves the perpetual Rector. And indeed
in this manner was the illegitimate birth of most impropriations ; the lay
patrons devoutly (and as they thought mnocently) resigned their right
of presentations to religious houses, and they, by their interest and
money, procured from the Popes an annexion of the tithes to themselves,
with an arbitraiy portion, or a poor settled reserve to a servant of theirs,
whom they should call a Vicar p,

A.D. 1334. The Bonhommes of the Convent of Ashrugge, to whom
the presentation of this Church of Ambrosden was given by Edmund
Earl of Cornwall, not content with the honour of patronage without
the profit of the tithes, petitioned Pope Clement V. that he would
authorize the appropriation of the said Church to their Convent, and
effectually begged or bought the Pope's consent, given in letters missive,
dated in this third year of his pontificate, and recited in the Bishop of
Lincoln's licence, sub an. 1334. Thus at Rome began the sad abuse
that yet wants a reformation i.

During the time of this Vicar (Richard Hunt, admitted 1518) the sup-
pression of religious houses took place, and their lands and livings were
given to the King, who, in 1542, granted the patronage of this Church,
by letters patent, to John Denton, Esq. The Vicar (Richard Hunt)
died at Ambrosden, A.D. 1547"^.

The Vicarage of Ambrosden hath been much augmented by the pur-
chase of a farm out of Queen Anne's Bounty at Arncott. Previous to the
Reformation, this Church was included within the deanery of Cuddesdon,
but at that period was attached to Bicester, where it now remains s.

From the period of the dissolution of the Convent at Asherugge till
the reign of Elizabeth, the Rectory of Ambrosden remained in possession
of the crown ; but that Queen having despoiled the See of Oxford during
its long vacancy of several of the best estates, to make some amends,
bestowed on it the endowment of several impropriations, among which
was the present Rectory, then rated at 18/. 12.s\ 1 Id. per annum*.

P Kcnnett, vol. i. p. 140. ' Duukin, vol i. p. Ifl.

1 Ibid., vol. i. p. .509. ' Ibid., vol. i. p. 20.

' Dunkin, vol. i. p. ) ■>.

PATRON.

SIR G. P. TURNER.

BICESTER.

^t. CPalitiuvg.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF PLOUGHLEY.

South Porch, circa 1420.

FT. IN.

Chancel 39 0

Nave 82 0

Aisles 82 0

FT. IN.

17 0

28 0

14 9

Originally a Norman cruciform Churchy with a central
tower, now destroyed, and aisles added ; the south in the thir-
teenth, the north in the fourteenth century ; a western tower
also added in the fifteenth.

BICESTER.

Chancel — Has Norman walls and buttresses, with Decorated
windows inserted, but the tracery of the east window has been
cut out, and a modern semi-circular head turned on the outside ;
the mouldings of the jambs are Decorated : on the south side
a Decorated window of two bghts ; on the north side a Deco-
rated arch of wide span, originally opening into a chapel, now
used as a school-room, and the arch plastered up.

Woodwork at the east end, very bad. On the north wall
of the Chancel is an inscription on brass, to Roger Moore,
1551, and another in raised letters, to Will Stavely, and
AHce his wife, 1498. A gilt hel-
met suspended as a funeral achieve-
ment.

The Rood-abch, and two arches
on the west side of it Early Nor-
man, plain, squai'e edged, not re-
cessed.

On the north side, west of this first
Norman arch, is a small straight-
sided arch, in a slanting direction,
partaking of the supposed Saxon
character; the impost and the edges of the arch are cham-
fered.

Nave — Has on the south side
four Early English arches recessed,
the inner arch chamfered; the
outer has bold round mouldings,
label, and corbel heads; the pil-
lars arc clustered; capitals have
had the stiff-leafed foliage, now
cut away, excepting on two in
the south aisle, which arc good,
and part of the one by the pulpit.
Against this pillar also arc re-
mains of a very elegant Decorated

niche. capital, E. End of SouOi Aisle, c. 1260

Supposed Saxon Arch in Nave.

BICESTER.

On the north side, three Decorated arches, not moukled, but
recessed and chamfered, pillars octa-
gon, with good Decorated cap mould-
ings. The Clerestory Perpendicular.
The roof good, plain, open timber.
Perpendicular. On the south wall
of the Nave is some good Decorated
sculpture, two square recessed pan-
els, each with three small figures
of Knights in armour, inider foliated
arches", and a female figure on a
corbel, with a canopy over the head;
a curious specimen.

Section of Pillar, S. side of Nave, c. 1260

Some original open seats remain, with plain bench ends. The
stem of the pulpit is original oak, and good Perpendicidar work.
There are some fragments of screen-work. This Church is much
spoiled by galleries, and by having the mullions and tracery of
some of the windows cut out.

Font plain, polygonal, probably Early English.

South Aisle — Windows, some Decorated, and some Perpen-
dicular, the tracery cut out.

A small, good. Perpendicular Piscina, with the label defaced.

South door, very good, Early English ; mouldings of arch and
caps perfect, the shafts gone: over this door another panel of
sculpture.

North Aisle — Decorated, with some good two-light win-
dows. Near the west end of the wall in this aisle, is a piece of
zigzag moulding, as a string-course, very perfect, shewing that
the Norman Church extended to this part, and had no aisles.

North Door — Good plain Decorated. Porch — Early Per-
pendicular, with a room over it.

Tower — Perpendicular, with arch of the same date, now
plastered up ; west door and window plain, but good, very
deeply recessed. Belfry windows, of two lights, with transoms.
Parapet battlemented ; pinnacles at the angles, panelled and

" These are engraved by Skellon in liis " Oxfordshire."

BICESTER.

crocketed. This Tower bears so close a resemblance to that
Islip, that they are probably the work of the same hand.

In the Chancel is a marble slab to the memory of the five
children of Samuel Blackwellj sometime Vicar, carved with sculls
in a very grotesque manner.

SAMUEL BLACKWELL S.T.B. HUJDS ECCLESI^ VICARIUS
ET MARIA UXOR
FILII3 AC FILIABUS SUTS
HIC IN PROXIMO SEPULTIS
TmAII C6, 1676.
JAN. 4, 1678.

APRIL 26, 1680. ) DENATI3
APRIL 17. 1631
OCT. 21, 1633

SAMUEL! I

SAMUELI I

ELIZA BETH.S; )naTIS
JOHaNNI
ELEANOKE

E >1

PIETATIS CAUSA

SEPT. 1 . 1677.
JAN. 31,1678.

™-'^-}l631.
FEB. 14, J

I, MART. 2, 1634.

MOERENTES POSUERE .

W.G.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor the manors of Burcester, Am-
brosden, Stratton, Weston, and many adjoining villages were a part of
the large estate of Wigod de Walengford, a noble thane, who kept his
residence at the to-wn from whence he had his title, where at this time
were two hundred and seventy-six houses, of which a mint master had
one free from all geld while he coined money ; hut at the general
survey in the next reign thirteen of these houses were diminished, and
eight had been demolished to make a castle *.

A.D. 10G6. 1 William the Conqueror. — Among the Normans who
were engaged in this expedition, those who were soon after rewarded
with lands in these parts were, first Robert de Oiley, to whom the King
gave in marriage the estate of Wigod de Walengford, and two other
honors, including Burcester, &c., &c.y

A.D. 1073. Rohert de Oily having now finished his castle in Oxford,
built within the walls of it a chapel, dedicated to St. George, and esta-
blished there a fraternity of secular jjricsts, whom he endowed with several
rights and possessions in these parts. He gave them the Churches of

* Kennott, vol. i. p. 74. * Ibid., vol. i. p. 75. See account of Bucknell, p. 3(3.

BICESTER.

Cudelinton, Weston, Cestreton, &c., with two parts of all the tithe of
his demesne in Berencestre ^,

A.D. 1084, 18, and 19, William the Conqueror. — Between the time of
the survey taken in these parts and this year, Robert de Oilly married his
only daughter Maud to Milo Crispin, who had before great possessions in
the counties of Oxon and Bucks, and in right of this wife had now the
custody of the castle and town of Walingford, with that whole honor,
within which was included the manor of Bemcestre *.

Before the end of the year 1107 this great baron Milo Crispin died
without issue, upon which his own proper estate reverted to the crown,
but the castle and whole honor of Walingford remained in right of
birth to Maud his widow, who from hence was called Matildis Domina
de Walengfort*^.

It seems that during the time of Milo Crispin, seven knights fees of the
honour of Wallingford were granted to Gilbert Basset, a younger son of
Ralph Basset, Chief- Justice of England, and amongst these fees are the vil-
lages of Bicester, Wretchwic, and Stratton, particularly specified A.D. 11 07''.

Gilbert Basset, in the year 1182, baron of Hedington, and lord of the
manors of Burcester, Wrechwike, and Stratton, who had his mansion
seat and park at Burcester, this year founded there a religious house for
a Prior and eleven Canons of the
Augustine order, dedicated to St.
Edburg, with consent of Egeline,
his wife, who, surviving her hus-
band, and adding other benefac-
tions, was reputed a co-founder *i.
Great part of the Priory seems
to have been left standing for many
years, but nothing can be said of its
original form®.

How long these buildings re-
mained in their original state after
the dissolution is uncertain ; the
Monastery afterwards became the
residence of the Blounts, and was

* Kennett, vol. i. p. 81.
" Ibid., vol. i. p. 94.
•> Mon. Ang. torn. i. p. 582, ap. Ken-
nett, vol. i. p. 106.

Bemains of the Priory, 1812.

■^ Dunkin's History of Bicester,
p. 151.

<i Kennett, vol. i. p. 185.
« Dunkin, p. 81.

28 BICESTER.

probably then of considerable extent, but the only part remaining is a
house, now occupied by a Mr. Wilson, who rents the gardens, and is
41 feet in length and 16^ feet in breadth, one end of which forms a part
of the boundary wall belonging to the Monastery ^.

Though we have no precise data for ascertaining the form or mate-
rials of the original Church of Bicester, recent discoveries have placed it
beyond doubt that the present edifice has been constructed out of the
remains of some former Church, built of stone, and decorated with
carved ornaments s.

Kennett states, that the present Church was built about the latter
end of the fourteenth or fifteenth century, when the older structure was
demolished''.

In what way the sums necessary for building this fabric were raised,
or who were the chief contributors of the undertaking, are points alike
unknown. According to tradition, the Tower was originally intended to
have been erected near the present Chancel, (and the massive thickness
of the walls seems to countenance the statement,) but that the design
was relinquished by the generous oiFer of the Vicar to build a tower at
the west end at his owa expense, which he afterwards carried into eSect,
and the present structure attests his taste and liberality*.

The presentation belonged to the lords of the manor till the founda-
tion of the Monastery by Gilbert Basset, when the Church was conveyed
by charter to the Prior and Canons, who henceforth became its patrons,
and annexed it to the Priory ^.

It was formerly usual for many of the inhabitants to pay sums for
rents &c. in the parish Church, or in and over the Church porch, and to
lodge copies of their leases &c. in the parish chests, many of which still
remain in those depositories. An indenture, stipulating payments as
above, is given by Kennett, made 1352, 2G, 27 Edward III., between
Sir John Trymnel and Thomas de Panton and Camerona, his wife,
for the conveyance of the enfeoflmcnt of two cottages, with their appur-
tenances, which were held by John Spaygue and John de Langton, in
Bicester, for the yearly rent of twenty-nine shillings sterling, to be paid
in the parish Church on Sunday after the octaves of St. Michael.

' Dunkin, p. 81. a tower at the intersection of the original

K Ibid., p. 48, 4'9. Norman Church in the twelfth century.

*■ Ibid., p. 49. The present tower at the west end is of

' Ibid., p. 50. There can be little doubt, flic fifteenth century,
from the existing remains, that there was ^ Dunkiii, p. .51.

BICESTER. 29

In the Churchwardens' chest are also several leases of the estates
given for charitable purposes, which expressly stipulate for the payment
of rents on a certain day into the hands of Mr. John Coker in the room
over the Church porch ^.

" Good wodds about sum partes of Burcester. There be goodly
meddowes and pastures about Burcester. There is a commune market
at Burcester every weke on a day. There risyethe hard by Bur-
cester a little broket passyng thrwghe a pece of the towne, and aftar
thoroughe the Priory. It goithe a 4 miles of about Otmore into Char-
weU river.

The Bassets were Lords of this towne, after the Straunges, and now
the Erie of Derby.

Sum say that Bassets had his mansion place where the comon pound
is now in the midle of the tovnie.

Some say that Basset's Howse was where the late Priorie of Burcestre
stode.

Gilberte Basset and ^Eglean Courtney, his wife, were originall
foundars of the Priorie of Chanons in Burcester.

JEglean Courteney was buried in the Priorie of Burcester™."

' Dunkin, Appendix, p. 27 " Leland's Itinerary, vol. vii. folio 7.

CAVERSFIELD.

PATRONS.

TRUSTEES OF

THE LATE

J. BULLOCK, ESQ.

^t. Satmrcncc.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

COUNTY
OF BUCKS.

Weat View of Church.

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 29 6 by 13 9

Nave 30 0 by 13 9

A SMALL Church or Chapel coated over Avith rough cast,
having an antique appearance.

Phiu — simple, oblong, Avithout aisles.

CAVERSFIELD.

Tower — at the west end, has a gable roof; no buttress ; on
the north and south sides a string-course of rude character.
On the ground floor are small windows, of the character sup-
posed to be Saxon, widely splayed outside and inside, with a very
small opening in the middle of a very thick wall ; that on the
north side is blocked up outside and
plastered over : on the east side is
a round-headed arch also blocked
up, and a Perpendicular door in-
serted under it. This arch has a
plain dripstone, chamfered under-
neath, the imposts also chamfered
under, resembling the usual early
Norman impost or string-course.
No windows in the upper part of
the Tower, but a small square mo-
dern opening under the gable on
the north side.

North Window,

l^8S#r^*^^

f'IftliliaiiiiirjiP;'

^l^pii

South Window, Interior

South Window, Estenor.

Nave — ^lias, on the south side, two Early English arches, of
early character, with good bold mouldings, and the tooth orna-
ment. These arches are now filled up with masonry, an aisle
having evidently been destroyed. On the north side, a good small
Decorated window, of three lights, with flowing tracery.

Font Norman, round, with intersecting arcade round the
upper partj of rude and early character.

CAVERSFIELD.

Chancel — east end, two lancet windows, cut off by a plaster

g, A plain Norman

ccilin
Piscina.

On tlie south side, a
lancet window and a Deco-
rated window, square-headed
inside, and pointed outside;
also a square-headed Per-
pendicular window.

In the Chancel on the

i!l!iiii';jiitii:i|i|iff|f;'')!iiiiiii!ii!i!,i;^:iil^^^

Piscina in Cbancel.

north side is a high tomb, commonly called an Altar-tomb, of
the fifteenth century, with rich panels enclosing shields of arms,
but all turned upside down.

LANGSTON : or, a
chevron between two
roses gules in chief ; and
In bases a dolphin liau-
rient, azure.

;,U-,

^,'^..

i :

p,,^,
^[^

\^t^

Impaling DENTON,
viz.: A mullet between
two barrs,in chief three
es toils.

John Langston, Esq., who died ann. 1487, married Joan, daughter of John Denton.
— Browne Willin, in Ilhlonj and Anlujiiitic.': of Biic/.ingltani.

On the iloor within the altar rails, a Brass, the inscription
of which is gone : it has three scrolls with texts, proceed-
ing from a heart held in a hand ; a shield of arms under
it. Another Brass, concealed under a modern pew, and a
slab to Maximian Bond, Esq., 1G9().

Chancel door. Early English, of the form culled a square-
headed trefoil.

Chancel-arch has parts of the Norman imposts remaining,
partly cut away, and Perpendicidar cap-mouldings inserted over
them. Arch cut off by a plaster ceiling.

CAVERSFTELD. 33

PoKCH — Norman, the outer doorway has good late Norman
mouldings, and shafts, with scolloped capitals. The inner door-
way is plain Norman, the pillars supporting them are Transition
from Norman. i.h.p.

Mouldings and Capitals of Norman Doorway, North Porch,
circa :i80.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1222. Within this year the Abbot of Missenden presented a
Clerk to the Church of Kaversfeld (now Casefield) nigh Burcester, as
also to the Church of Chalfliunt, county of Bucks ".

Caversfield, in the hundred and deanery of Buckingham, lies about two
miles from Bicester in Oxfordshire, wholly surrounded by that county.
The Manor of this place having been seized by King Henry II., in
consequence of its owner, Brien Fitz-Count, having entered into a
religious order, was granted to Robert Gargate, whose family gave a
part of it to the Prior and Convent of Bicester, partly under whom, and
partly in their own right, it seems to have been held for many genera-
tions by the Langstons. After the dissolution of Monasteries, they be-
came possessed of the whole, which passed by a female heir to the
Moyles, and afterwards by successive purchases to the families of Daven-
port and Bard°, and Joseph Bullock, Esq., through whose daughter, mar-
ried to the Hon. and Rev. Jacob Marsham, it descended to the present
worthy possessor, Robert Bullock Marsham, D.C.L., Warden of Merton
CoUege, Oxford.

n Kennett, vol. i. p. 28. '3. " Lysons' Bucks, p. 53-i.

PATRONS,

THE WARDEN AND

FELLOWS

OF NEW COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

BUCKNELL.

^\. f ctcv.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF PLOUGHLEY.

FT.

IN.

FT.

IN,

Chancel

. . 35

Central Tower .

. . 18

Nave

. . 48

This Church is principally of tlie tliirtecntli centviry, with
the tower of an earlier Church remaining in the centre^ of very
massive character. The Chancel is a fine specimen of the man-
ner in which country Churches were built in the thu-tecnth cen-
tury. The Nave is of the same age^ but had a new Roof and
Clerestory added in the fifteentli ; a Clerestory without aisles is
not a very common featm'e. Plan ; oblong, without aisles.

The TowER is placed between the Nave and Chancel, and is
plain early Norman, with a Perpendicular story added on the
top.

Of the Tower-arches, three are plain, round-headed, square-
edged, not recessed. The west arch remains nearly in its origi-
nal state, but the imposts are cut away. The north and south
arches are filled up, having small early Norman windows under
them ; these are on the outer face of the wall, splayed widely
within ; the imposts of the arches remain. The east arch cut
into a pointed one, recessed, chamfered, with di'ipstonc; the
chamfers die into the piers without any marked imposts.

■( tf*^s^SJff>*SM^'^

TOWEE OF BDCKNEI.L CHDRCH

BUCKNELL. 35

On the first floor of the Tower there is a small early Norman
loop windoWj widely splayed within ; on the second floor, Nor-
man windows of two lights; the upper story has Perpendicular
windows and battlement. On the north side of the Tower there
is a very good early Norman stair-turret.

Chancel — good Early English, in nearly a perfect state, one
window blocked up, and the roof plastered, but rounded and
lofty : at the east end, three good lancet windows, with elegant
shafts between them, supporting the arch mouldings, a very good
design. Side windows, lancet, plain, but good ; a low window on
the north side at the west end, lancet outside, with square-
headed opening inside. Neither Piscina nor Sedilia.

The Chancel has doors both on the north and south sides ;
that on the south side is very good Early English, that on the
north side has been cut through at a much later period.

On the floor near the Altar, a Brass, to Edward Eure,
Arm., 1638, with shields of arms, and inscription.

Nave — west end, a lancet window, with shafts and mould-
ings very good inside and outside : the side windows all
lancets.

Near the east end of the Nave on both sides, a low round arch
in the wall with Early Enghsli imposts and labels ; under each
a window of unusually wide span, but with good Early Enghsh
mouldings.

South door very bold and good Early English, with a pecuHar
moulding like broken sticks, unless parts are really broken off",
which may be the case : the wooden door is modern, but the
original iron hinges are preserved, and are very good. North
door also good Early English.

Eont, octagon, quite plain. Pulpit, carved oak, Elizabethan.
Pews, modern deal, enclosed, very bad.

Clerestory — Perpendicular, square-headed two-light windows,
evidently an addition to the original Church, and has a singular
appearance, from the Church having no aisles.

Eoof flat, plastered ceihng; the Perpendicular corbels and
springers of the roof remain below the plaster ceihng.

I.H.P.

36 BUCKNELL.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

This parish formed part of the estate of Wigod de Walengford in the
time of Edward the Confessor?.

After the decisive battle near Hastings, the Conqueror carried his
forces into Kent, and, marching back from thence, passed by London,
possessed by the party of Edgar Athehng, and came to Wahngford,
where the lord of that town, Wigod de Walengeford, went out to meet
him 1, delivered the town to him, and entertained him there, till Arch-
bishop Stigand and many of the grandees of Edgar's faction came and
offered their submission ^. For which service and merit of the lord of that
place, the victorious prince, in policy to ingratiate with the Saxons, and
to reward his Normans, gave Aldith only daughter of the said Wigod in
marriage to Robert de Oily, who, after her father's death, which hap-
pened nigh the same time, in right of her became possest of that great
estate, wherein Burcester was, in the honor of Walingford, and
Ambrosden in that honour which was after called S. Walery. From
Wahngford the Conqueror led his army through tliis part of the country
with great spoil and mischief in his road to Bercamsted, at which place
Prince Edgar, the Earls Edwin and Morcar, the Bishops of York, Wor-
cester, Hereford^, &c., waited on Duke William, and resigning up all
their interest, invited him to London, and on Christmas-day he was
crowned at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York *.

In 1073, Robert d'Oyly gave two parts of his tithe in this parish
to the Chapel of St. George, in Oxford Castle, which he had founded ".
In 1149, the whole foundation of this Chapel was transferred by Robert
d'Oiley, nephew of the preceding, to Osency Abbey ^.

A.D. 1296. At the general taxation of ecclesiastical benefices and dig-
nities, usually called Pope Nicholas's taxation, the Church of Bucknell
was valued at £10^ (equal to about £200 of our money). This valuation
originated in a grant of the tenth of all spiritualities for six years, to
King Edward I., by the Pope, when the King, being desirous of
raising all the money which he possibly could by the measure, caused a

P Keunett, vol. i. p. 75. ' Cliron. Thos. Wilkes, ap. Kennett,

1 Gul. Pict. Gest. Ducis Norman, p. vol. i. p. 77.
21. ap. Ki'iinett, vol. i. p. 7(). " Kennett, vol. i. p. 81.

■■ Ibid., p. 285. ap. ibid. " Ibid., vol. i. p. Ml.

» Sim. Dun. p. 193. ap. Kennett, vol. i. >' TaxatioEcclcsiast., P. Nicholai, p. 3.

p. 77. ap. Dunkin, vol. i. p. 185.

BUCKNELL. 37

new valuation to be instituted, which in most cases rated them much
higher than before. This created a general murmur among the Clergy,
and some even refused to pay the tax. Among these was the Rector of
Bucknell, whose Church had sustained an increase of rate to the amount
of four marks per annum. This determination being made known to the
Abbot of Oseney, the collector of this district, he complained to his
diocesan, the Bishop of Lincoln, and the Rector persisting in his refusal,
his Church was put under an interdict. Hereupon he sued the Abbot
in the Spiritual Court ; the Abbot appealed to the King, and a precept
was directed to the Sheriff of Oxon, requiring him forthwith to attach
the body of Ikel de Kerwent, and carry him before one of the Barons of
the Exchequer to answer for the contempt and damage. In this court
Ikel was convicted of detaining the King's dues ; and the result was, the
temporals of his living were seized, and put in the hands of John de
Burey, Gilbert de Buckenhull, Chaplain, and nine others, who received
the profits for two years, when the Rector submitted ; and an order was
issued for the restitution of his property, and the removal of the interdict
from his Church, Anno 1298. — SeeMaynard's ed. Mem. in Scacc, p. 38.
London 1678, and Prynne's Histor. Collect., vol. iii. p. 798.

In 1348, Sir Richard de Amory sold the advowson of this Church
for one hundred marks to the Rector, William de Peecks, who the follow-
ing year resigned his Living, and exercised the office of patron ^.

In 1350, William de Peecks [or Peeks] the patron, obtained full
licence from Richard de Stuele and Mihsent, his wife, of Great Barton,
county of Oxon, to give the advowson of this Church, which he held from
them, to the Abbot and Convent of Oseney, to hold for ever ; upon which
he passed a fine in the King's court, and made an absolute conveyance
of his right of patronage to that community*.

After the dissolution of that society, it was conveyed by indenture to
the Warden and Fellows of New College, to whom it still appertains ^.

^ Dunkin, vol. i. p. 186. Kennett, vol. i. p. 186.
vol. ii. p. 95. ^ Dunkin, vol. i. p. 182.

" Par. Ant., vol. ii. p. 235. ap. Dunkin,

PATRONAGE
OF
NEW COLLEaE,
OXFORD.

CHESTERTON.

SbU i«arj).

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF PLOUGHLEY.

"■ " Dtiamitl, „•,/

Sedilia, c. 13:0.

FT. IN.

Chancel 23 6 by

Nave 40 8 by

N. Aisle 37 9 by

S. Aisle 36 9 by

Tower 13 6 by

FT. IN.

16 6

20 9

10 10

9 0

12 0

This Chuuch appears to have been built in the fourteenth
century, but some parts of an eai'her stmcture have been pre-
served, and are of about the end of the twelfth ; some windows
have also been inserted in the fifteenth. The Tower is a good

CHESTERTON. 39

specimen of a simple country Church tower of the Decorated
style. The Sedilia are also worthy of notice^ as an elegant
example of the earlier part of the fourteenth century.

Plan, oblong, with two aisles. Tower at the west end.

Chancel — East window Perpendicular, five hghts with foli-
ated heads, but no tracery, arch flat ; south side, two good Deco-
rated two-light windows, with flowing tracery.

Sedilia — Early Decorated, tliree cinque-foiled arches, with a
square label over them, with ball-flowers. In the spandrils a
trefoil, also ornamented with ball-flowers. Piscina plain, square,
with a shelf.

North wall, plain, with one small plain window.

Rood-arch, Early English, with shafts, which have good caps,
with stifi'-leaf foliage. Eood-screen tolerable, but plastered up
above. Altar-rail handsome, time of James I.

Nave — North side, tliree Transition Norman arches, pointed,
plain, not recessed, but slightly chamfered, on round pillars,
with Norman scolloped caps.

The south side, three Decorated pointed arches, larger and
more lofty than those on the north side. The pillars plain,
round, with cap-mouldings. South aisle, a square Decorated
window at each end, two brackets, and the fragment of a
Piscina at the east end. The side windows mostly square. Per-
pendicular, three-hght ; one a wide lancet, without foliation or
tracery, but has a good Decorated dripstone. South door, plain
Decorated. Clerestory of Nave, Decorated. Roof j^lain, open
timber, resting on good Decorated corbels.

Font, plain round Norman.

Tower — Decorated; the ground-floor has a Decorated window

of two lights, with quatrefoil in the head, two small buttresses

at each angle ; the second story has no windows ; the Belfry

a Decorated windoAv in each face; Parapet ornamented with

quatrefoils.

In the Church-yard there is a fine yew tree.

i.n.p.

40 CHESTERTON.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The Lincoln Register states this Church was consecrated by Bishop
Grosteste (or Grosthead) in 1238*=, and dedicated to God and St. Mary'i.

In ancient times the authority of this Church extended over Great
Chesterton, Little Chesterton, and Wendlebury, and consisted of two
separate and distinct endowments under different patrons s.

For some time subsequent to the Conquest, its history is the same with
that of Bucknell. In 1238, at the consecration of this Church by Robert
Grosthead, Sir Roger de Gunelade, Knight, gave towards its better en-
dowment one acre of land at FundeshuUe, and an acre upon Rugge : at
the same time, William, son of Fulk de Chesterton, for the soul of
Denise his wife, and Agnes his daughter, gave to the said Church, for
endowment, part of a meadow which belonged to his fee in Blackmore.
Bardulf, son of Roger Bardulf, for the health of his own soul, and
the health of the souls of his father and mother, and the souls of
his ancestors, also gave three acres of arable land of his demesne
lying between Wadewell and Small Weye ; and for a further endow-
ment, gave for a mansion-house for the incumbent one messuage and a
croft belonging to it, which Ralph the mUler held, as well as his whole
meadow in demesne in Blakemore, and confirmed to the said Church
the gift of his tenants of their right of common in Blakemore, which
was his fee^.

A.D. 1263, 47, 48 Henry III. This year, the Convent of Oseney,
not satisfied with the bare right of patronage to the Churches of Ches-
terton, Weston, and others, prevailed upon Richard de Gravesend,
Bishop of Lincoln, to issue a letter of appropriation R.

Shortly after, the Abbot and Convent of Oseney appear to have con-

•^ Skelton's Oxfordshire, Ploughloy could be le<^ally consecrated without such

Hundred, p. 3; and Kennett, vol. i. p. ol'i. allotment of house and glebe, generally

^ This date does not agree -with the pre- made by the lord of the manor, who

sent Church (except the Chancel-arch), thereby became patron of the Churcli.

but many Churches were consecrated a])out Other persons, at the time of dedication,

this time, in consequence of a general often contributed small portions of ground,

order, although some of them had been which is the reason why in many parishes

built long before, and others, as in the the glebe is not only distant from the

present instance, have been subsequently manor, but is in remote divided parcels.—

rebuilt. Kennett, vol. i. p. 314.

"= Dunkin, vol. i. p. 248. g Regist. Osen., fol. 32. ap. Dunkin,

' Reg. Osen.,p. 101andG2. No Church vol. i. p. 251.

CHESTERTON. 41

veyed their interest in this Church to the lord of the manor, for no
more entries of their presentation occur in Button's Collections in the
Harleian Library ; hut among Dodsworth's Extracts from the Lincoln
Register (vol. cvii. p. 119, in Bodl. Lib. Oxon.) is a memorandum
dated 1 6th Richard de Gravesend, stating, that in a recent trial at law
William de Leslie had recovered the right of presentation to the Church
of Chesterton against John le Bret, and then conveyed his full right of
patronage to Edmund Earl of Cornwall.

1283. On the foundation of the College of Bonhommes, the above-
mentioned Edmund Earl of Cornwall gave the advowson of this Church,
with the manor, towards its endowment ; and that religious community
accordingly became patrons, and presented till the dissolution.

1403. This year the Convent of Asherugge procured the appropria-
tion of the Church and the ordination of a Vicarage '\ By this instru-
ment, the foi-mer allowances to the Vicar were abrogated ; and instead
thereof the ancient Rectory-house, with its appurtenances, and four
virgates of land, containing one hundred and thirty-two acres, and six-
teen acres of meadow, together with other small parcels, formerly per-
taining to the Rectory ; the altar- offerings, small-tithe, an annual pension
of 6s. 8d., due from the Church of Wendlebury (in token of subjection),
and the trees and fruit growing in the Church-yard, were secured to him :
but in consideration of these advantages, he was required to discharge all
procurations, synodals, and other ecclesiastical dues, repair and beautify
the Rectory-house and Chancel, and his next heir to pay heriot at his
decease to the Rector and Convent of Asherugge, the patrons.

In 1539, the Rector and Convent of Asherugge surrendered their
house, lands, and all other possessions, into the hands of the King ',
who authorized Master Wilham Day and Richard Andrew to present
Jacob Fell to the Church of Chesterton (on the death of WiUiam
EUys), Jxme 25, A.D. 1544^ ; and in the thirty-eighth year of his reign
he granted the Rectory of the same Church, with all its appurtenances,
by Letters Patent, to Richard Longe and Christopher Edmonds, on
condition of rendering to the King, his heirs and successors, the sum
of sixteen shillings per annum, payable at Michaelmas only^ Soon after
which it was conveyed to the Warden and Society of New College,
Oxford, who are now the patrons "'.

•^ Dunkin, vol. i. p. 251, 252. '^ Reg. Episc. Oxon. vol. i. ap. Dunk.

' Vide Willis's Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 9. ap. ' Rot. 27, No. 244, Co. Oxon. ap. Dunk.

Dunk. '" Dunkin, vol. i. p. 253, 254.

WENDLEBURY.

PATRONAGE DEANERY

OP OF BICESTER.

CHRIST CHURCH, HUNDRED

OXFORD. OP PLOUGHLEY.

The former Church of Wendleburyj the Tower only of -which
now remains, was originally cruciform, and was doubtless an in-
teresting structure : falling however into decay, it was taken down
in March 1761, and rebuilt so as to be fit for ser^dce by the 25th
of AprH, 1763".

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The Church of Wendlebury was originally a chapel of ease to the ad-
joining Church of Chesterton, but after its separation and endowment
paid annually 6s. 8rf. in tolcen of subjection. This sum, at the ordina-
tion of the Vicarage of Chesterton, was reserved to the Vicar, and formed
a part of his revenues. The actual time of separation is unknown,
though it probably took place in the twelfth century °.

The scite of the Roman station or city of Alchester is now a part of
the field belonging to this parish ; the ruins are still apparent on the
eastern bank of a small rivulet which crosses the Bicester turnpike road
about half a mile from Wendlebury. For a full account of this Roman
station and the road leading from it over Otmoor, and by Beckley over
Bullington Green, and by Baldon to Dorchester, see an interesting
memoir by the Rev. R. Hussey, published by the Ashmolean Society,
in 1841 . For a history of the Lordship of Wendlebury and lands therein,
see Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 18G — 197.

" Skelton's Oxfordshire. Plonghley Hundred, p. 8. " Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 180.

:->ii.-.

TOWER OF MIDDLETON STONEY CHDRCH, c. 1220

MIDDLETON STONEY.

PATRON.

BISHOP OF
LINCOLN.

^U ^aintg.

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OF PLOUGHLEY

FT. IN.

FT.

IN.

Chancel . . . .

... 33 6

Nave

... 40 0

North Aisle .

... 40 0

South Aisle . .

... 40 0

A GOOD small Clmrcli^ chiefly of the end of the twelfth cen-
tury-j in the period of transition from the Norman to the Early-
English styles.

Nave — the north side has three pointed arches^ recessed;
outer arch square-edged^ with Early English label over it ; inner
arch has round mouldings on the edges; pillars plain round,
with Norman caps.

On the south side are two Decorated arches, recessed, cham-
fered edges, with labels springing from a corbel head in the cen-
tre : the western arch springing from a grotesque head, the other
plain square-edged, without any particular character.

Chancel — east window has Decorated mouldings on the jambs,
tracery cut out, and a plain upright bar substituted. The south
side has two Decorated windows ; on the north side there is
one Norman window ; on this side of the Chancel is a modern
sepulchral chapel of the Jersey family.

Chancel-arch good Transition, pointed, recessed ; outer arch
square-edged with label o^er it ; shaft, round, with a Norman

MIDDLETON STONEY.

cap; inner arcli Las ronnd mouldings on eacli edge, and tlie
tootli- ornament boldly and well cut in the hollow moulding
between them.

Clerestory windows Perpendicular ; roof has a flat plaster ceil-
ing, both in Nave and Chancel.

Tower, a very good specimen of Early English, with a fine
Early English arcade running round it.

North door, round-headed, though ha\dng Early English
mouldings and capitals, with Norman abacus, csddently Tran-
sition work. Font, modern, of marble. Windows of aisles.
Perpendicular, square-headed.

South Porch, Transition Norman. Outer doorway Eai'ly
English; inner doorway rich, late Norman, with varieties of the
zig-zag moulding, and singular foliage in the head.

Souih Doorway, c, 1180.

Near the east end of the Church are the interesting traces of
an ancient Castle, supposed to have been built in the reign of
King Stephen by Richard Camvil on the site of a Saxon mihtary
work P.

W,G.

P Skelton's Oxfordshire, Ploughley Hundred, p. 6.

MIDDLETON STONEY. 45

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The Village and Castle of Middleton in Oxfordshire, is two miles
by west from Bm-chester. The Castle stode hard by the Chm'che. Sum
peces of the walls of it yet a little apeare ; but almoast the whole site of
it is overgrowne with busshys i.

In Doomesday book, Middleton is thus entered, as the property of
William Earl of "Warren, a valiant Norman nobleman, who came over
with the Conqueror, and obtained one hundred and nine lordships in
Norfolk, besides many others in Yorkshire, Shropshire, &c. &c. His
feudatory vassal was Roger, perhaps the ancient Saxon proprietor ^.

The village was subsequently possessed by Gerard de Camvill, and at
his decease passed to his son Richard, a faithful adherent of King
Stephen, who is generally supposed to have built and garrisoned a stately
castle on or near the scite of a military work, originally designed for the
protection of the West- Saxon kingdom. The strength of the new for-
tress is believed to have preserved this neighbourhood from those scenes
of war and desolation which afflicted almost every other corner of the
kingdom during the greater part of this monarch's reign. And when at
last the principal chieftains, tired of rapine, mutually agreed to settle their
disputes by treaty, our Baron cheerfully signed the instrument which
guaranteed the crown to Stephen during his natural life, but secured
the succession to Prince Henry on his decease. That part of the en-
gagement, however, which doomed Middleton Castle to destruction,
seems to have been cautiously evaded, as it continued to be the re-
sidence of this nobleman's posterity several generations afterwards.
On the accession of the new Monarch, Richard Camvil was constituted
sheriff of Oxon and Berks for the first two years of his reign, and re-
ceived a gi'ant of the lordship of Sutton in the county of Northamp-
ton ; but he had only enjoyed this acquisition two years when he was
arrested by the hand of death, and called to give up his final account.
This event happened A.D. 1157 ^. From the well-known piety of tliis
Baron, and the general features of the architecture of Middleton Church,
there is good reason to believe that edifice was built by his directions
about the same time with the Castle. He also founded Combe Abbey
in Warwickshire for the Cistertians *, gave two hides of land at Goding-

'' Leland'sItiiieraiy,vo]. vii. fol. n. p. 4. ' Par. Ant., vol. i. p. 158. ap. Dunk.

' Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 67. ' Dugd. Warwick., p. 1 15. ap. Dunk.

46 MIDDLETON STONEY.

ton to Missenden^ Abbey, and the Chapel of Leigh, county of Oxon, witli
two virgates of land within the same parish, to the Convent of Reading,
for the health and safety of himself, Milisent his wife, Robert his son, and
Robert Marmion, and for all their souls, that they might partake of all
the special benefits of the brethren of that house ^.

The advowson of the Church of Middleton was granted to the Abbey
of Barlings, county Lincoln, by Gerard de Camvill, the lord of the village
temp. Richard L, who thereby became patrons. The first Rector was
Gei-%'ase de Paveby, in 1217. He was presented to the Church by the
Bishop, at the petition of William Longspe and the Abbot of Barhngs,
between whom a dispute had arisen respecting their title to the
advowson y.

In 1334, the King, Edward IIL, grants licence to the Abbot and
Convent of Barlings to convey the advowson of this Church to Henry,
Bishop of Lincoln, and his successors ; and on the 17th Kal. June the
same year, on the death of the Rector, the Bishop collated Palmer
Francis de Florentia ^.

In 1816 an Act of Parliament was procured to enable the Earl of
Jersey to remove the parsonage-house from the immediate vicinity of his
park, to some higher ground near the entrance of the town, and add the
scite, as well as some adjacent land, to his demesne : this he has since
effected, and thereby enclosed the parish Church and cemetery within
the park.

Tlie scite of the Rectory, lands, meadows, and closes situated on the east
and west sides of the ancient road leading from Oxford to Middleton
conveyed to Earl Jersey, contained seventy-two acres, three roods, four-
teen poles, and were worth £106 13s. 5d. per annum: while those which
the Rector received in exchange comprised one hundred and six acres,
one rood, and fifteen poles, and wei-e of the yearly value of £125 14s. 8d,
besides the new Parsonage ^.

" Regist. de Messend., p. 129. b. ap. vol. ii. p. 63.

Dunk. ' Pat. 8th Edward III. dated 4th March

* Regist. Cart. Abbati.Ts de Readmg, Reg. Burgwersh. ap. Dunkin, vol.ii. p. 63.

c. 196. ap. Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 108, J). " Private Acts, 56 George III. cap.

y Rot. 9. Hugh Wells, ap. Dunkin, 39. ap. Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 57, 58.

WESTON ON THE GREEN.

PATRON. 5t. iWarg. DEANERY

THE EARL OP OF BICESTER.

ABINGDON. HUNDRED

OF PLOUGHLEY.

The former Churcli of Weston being dilapidated, a Grecian
structure was in 1743 erected upon its site at tlie sole expense
of Norreys Bertie, Esq., who died in ITGe''.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

That a Churcli existed in this village a few years after the Conquest,
is evident from the name of " Wakelin, priest of Weston," appearing
among the witnesses to a charter of Henry de Oilley, granting four
hides of land in Chesterton to the Abbey in Eynsham, temp. Henry II. ;
and that the advowson of the Church was also included in the grant
of the manor to Oseney Abbey, A.D. 1226, is equally clear, from the
Convent exercising the office of patrons from that time *=.

For some interesting particulars respecting the manor of Weston, and
its connection with Oseney Abbey, see Dunkin, vol. ii. pp. 206 — 216.

At a short distance from the Church is the Manor House, a large
building, two stories in height, erected about the latter end of the six-
teenth century, but much altered by its successive owners of the Norreys
and Bertie families. Of late years it has been the residence of the
steward only. Many of the family pictures remain ^.

b Skelton's Oxfordshire, Ploughley " Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 203.

Hundred, p. 8. "* Ibid., vol. ii. p. 198.

PATRONAGE

ST. JOHN'S COLL.

OXFORD.

KIRTLINGTON.

^t. i^tarjj.

DEANERY

OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED

OF PLOUGHLEY.

Piscina, East End of South Aisle, circa 1220.

FT. IN.

Chancel 35 0

Central Tower ... 18 6

Nave 48 0

North Aisle 48 0

South Aisle . ... 66 0

FT. IN.

Chancel — Norman, with Decorated cast window. Side Avin-
dows Norman, long and nan-ow. East window very plain, of five
lights, mullions crossing in tlie head without fohation. Arches
of Tower, east and west, early Norman, plain, square-edged, not

KIRTLINGTON. 49

recessed with Norman impost. North arch also Norman, filled
up. South arch. Decorated. Groined Norman ceiling, with open
circle in centre.

Tower itself destroyed, bells stand on the floor.

Nave — has three Early English arches on each side, pointed,
recessed, chamfered, with good labels; capitals on south side
have stiff-leaf foliage; north side have plain cap-mouldings.
Clerestory and roof Perpendicular. Side windows, square, plain.
At the east end of the south aisle a small good Early English
Piscina, with foliage under. South door, plain Decorated. West
door and window, plain Decorated. South porch. Perpendicular.

On the north side a sash window. At the east end corbie
steps ornamented with pinnacles at the angles.

At the east end of the south aisle is the burial-place of the
Dashwood family.

Pews and seats all high, modern, and bad. Galleries erected
by Sir Robert Dashwood in 1726, very bad. Pulpit probably
of the same age.

This Church is very much spoiled on the outside by rough-
cast, and inside by the galleries and pews.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In 977 a great Synod or Council was held at Kirtlington in this
county (Oxon), which had been a place of great eminence and antiquity,
a frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and the West Saxons,
and of great resort from the port-way that led through it, and had a
very ancient Church dedicated to St. Mary^. There has been much
doubt and controversy about the name and situation of this place of
council^.

Bishop Kennett thus sums up the reasons for believing this to have

^ Mon. Ang., torn. ii. p. 1007. ' Kennett, vol. i. p. 58, 59.

50 KIRTLINGTON.

been the place. " In short, from the continual preserved name s, from
the commodious situation, from all circumstances thereto agreeing, I
think it most certain that this micle jemoc, this great Synod, was held
at Kirthngton, within three miles of Burcester'*."

At the Norman conquest this village fell to the lot of WiUiam, Earl of
Warren*.

A. D. 1201, 2 and 3 K. John. Gilbert Basset, lord of Burchester,
nigh this time provided that his body should be buried in the Priory of
Burcester of his own foundation ; and to that end gave to those Monks
all the land which he had bought of Baldwin de Munz in the village of
Kirtlington, as also two mills in Kirtlington, paying yearly to the Monks
of Aulney in Normandy eleven shillings, and to the heirs of Inge ram
two shillings, for all service''.

An. 1271. Phihp Basset died possessed of the manors of Kerthng-
ton, Chefield, and Hunington, County of Oxford', which, with the
manors of Haselee, Ascote, and Peryton, passed to Roger de Bigod,
Earl of Norfolk, and Mareschal of England, who had married Aliva,
the sole daughter and heir of the said Phihp Basset"*.

K " In the Saxon Chronicle it is called ^ Kennett, vol. i. p. 60.

Kynrlint;rune, which the expert editor ' Ibid., vol. i. p. 7(j.

(Gibson, locorum explicatio) grants to be '' Ibid., vol. i. p. 225.

a mistake for Kypthnsrune, as Spelman ' Dugd. Bar., torn. i. p. 385.

does record it. (Concil. Brit. torn. i. "> R. Dods. MS., vol. Ixxxii. f. 10.

p. 493.)"— Kennett, vol.i. p. 59. b. ; ap. Kennett, vol. i. p. 387.

BLECHINGDON.

PATRONAGE
OF

QUEEN'S COLLEOE,
OXFORD.

5t €5(le!3.

DEANERY

OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED

OF PLOUGHLEY.

Spire-Turret on the Tower, circa 1600.

FT. IN.

Chancel 29 0 by

Nave 52 6 by

FT, IN.

17 6
22 0

Chancel — late and bad. Communion-table has tlie slab
detached.

South door, good Perpendicular, dripstone has particularly-
good returns. Interior, quite plain, plaster ceilings. Open seats,
with poppies and scroll-work of the time of James I.

52 BLECHINGDON.

Pulpit good old oak, James I. Font, very small plain octagon.
A square gallery-pew, battlemented.

Porch — tolerably good of its kind, 1695.

Tower — Perpendicular, with a square turret, surmounted by a
pyramid, rising from the middle of the west side of the tower,
and serving as a small spire : west door, Perpendicular.

W.G.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the parish of Blechingdon is dug a sort of grey marble used
for chimney-pieces, pavements, &c. The pillars of the porticoes of
St. John's College, Oxford, are built with it; also chimney-pieces at
Blechingdon Park, at Cornbury Park, and other houses in the neigh-
bourhood".

The early history of this parish being nearly identical with that of
Ambrosden, Bucknell, &c., it is not necessary to repeat it here.

A.D. 1339, 13 and 14 of Edward III. — An inquisition was taken
in these parts on the death of Joan, widow of Thomas de Muse-
grave of Blechesdon, wherein it appears that the said Joan held the
moiety of one messuage and one caracute of land in Blechesdon of the
King, by the service of carrying one shield of brawn, price twopence
halfpenny, to the King whenever he should hunt in his park of Corn-
bury ; it being understood that one shield of brawn so carried to the
King on his first day of hunting, should suffice during the whole of his
stay at his manor of Wodestocke °.

" Magna Britannia, p. 401. " Kcnnett, vol. ii. p. 73, 74.

PATRONAGE
OP

QUEEN'S COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

HAMPTON POYLE,

empi'i^

DEANERY
OF BICESTER.

HUNDRED
OP PLOUGHLEY.

East Windo^^r, circa 1270.

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 20 0 by 12 0

Nave 31 10 by 17 0

Aisles 31 10 by 9 6

A SMALL oblong Chm-ch, with aisles to Nave, and bell-turret
at the west end.

Chancel — East window, remarkably good Early English, very
late in the style, and transition to Decorated ; of three lights with

54 HAMPTON POYLE.

three circles in the head, filled up with tracery in a sort of
star form, leaving trefoils in each opening. The mullions have
shafts on the edge inside, with Early English caps ; one has
the tooth-ornament, another is sculptured foliage, the dripstone
terminated hy masks.

A plain bracket on the north side, with Decorated mouldings
on face ; on the south side, one quite plain.

South door of Chancel, small plain Decorated, with dripstone
and corbel heads. Windows on this side blocked up.

On the north side, a Perpendicular tall square-headed window,
has the symbols of the four Evangelists in stained glass.

Chancel-arch, Decorated, pointed, recessed, chamfered.

Nave — West window, Decorated two-light, with flowing
tracery — very good. On the north side, two pointed arches,
recessed, chamfered ; pillar, plain octagon, with the capital orna-
mented with half-length figures, the heads of which have close
round helmets ; abacus, the roll-moulding.

South side, two Decorated arches, pointed, recessed, cham-
fered, divided by a flat pier, the imposts consisting of a plain
bold roll-moulding.

North Aisle — East window, transition from Decorated to
Perpendicular, dripstone Perpendicular, but corbel heads more
like Decorated. North windows square-headed, tracery good
transition from Decorated to Perpendicular; one has a Deco-
rated dripstone, the other a Perpendicular. In this aisle a fine
Perpendicular sepulchral recess, with ogee canopy, crockets, and
finials, and panelling over it, under a square label : a curious
little Decorated Piscina, in the form of a hand supporting a
small basin.

Font, plain round, with octagon base.

SouTU Aisle — East window has a Decorated dripstone, three
lights, mullions crossing in the head very clumsy. The south
window and door modern. In this aisle he two fine monu-
mental effigies, separated from their tombs, of a knight in plate
armour, cross-legged, and his lady ; also a brass of John Poyle,
Oct. 21st, 1434, and Elizabeth his wife.

HAMPTON POYLE.

The Roofs, both of nave and aisles, are Perpendicular, good
open timber work.

Pews, modern, high and bad ; but old open seats, with carved
ends of a great variety of patterns, remain under them, being
built upon ; these might easily be restored.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

For a long account of this Church, see " Gentleman's Magazine,"
1806, p. 5-24.

In the 51st and 52nd of Henry III., 1267, Stephen de Hampton
held half a knight's fee in Burcester, who died this year, and left Alice,
his daughter and heir, fifteen years of age, married to Walter de la
Poyle, which family gave name to Hampton Poyle?.

In the year 1420, Robert Jordan, priest, was presented by John de
la Poyle to the Church of Hampton Poyle, void by the death of
R. Thorpe, the last Rector. In 1466, Ric. Colyns, A.M., was presented
by Sir Edmund Rede, Knight, and Catherine his wife, lady of Hampton
Poyle, to this Church, void by the death of Rob. Jordan^.

p R. Dods. MS., vol. xl. p.
ap. Kennett, vol. i. p. 376.

107.

1 Kennett, vol. ii. p. 242.

circa \3C0,

HAMPTON GAY.

The present Church is modern, and a very bad specimen of
the meeting-house style, which prevailed in the early part of
the present centmy.

Near this Church is a good Elizabethan house, of the usual
ground plan, two gables, and a recess, with a porch projecting
in the centre : some handsome chimney-pieces remain, and
several of the rooms appear to be nearly in their original state,
though much dilapidated. It is at present only partially occu-
pied by the superintendant of the adjoining paper-mill, belong-
ing to C. Venables, Esq.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The Church of Chesterton, with those of Weston and Hampton Gay,
&c., had been appropriated to the Abbey of Oseney, by Richard, Bishop
of Lincoln, in 1263. The said Church of Hampton Gay had been
appropriated by the patron, Robert Gait, in the time of Hugh, the
second Bishop of Lincoln, by letters of request to the said Diocesan ■■.

1 1 40. 5th and 6th King Stephen. — Nigh this time Sir Robert de Gait
gave to the Abbey of Oseney his Church of Hampton Gay by charter,
to which were witnesses Henry de Oily and Robert his brother. He
married Maud de Povre, and afterward, by consent of the said Maud
his wife, and of Phihp and Robert his sons, he confirmed the Church,
and gave the manor of Hampton to the said Monks of Oseney; who in
consideration thereof, gave ten marks of silver to the said Robert, one
bezantine to his wife, and a horse to his son Phihp, who confirmed his
father's donation in the 3rd of Henry III.*

A.D. 1138. — Sir Robert Gait, Kniglit, lord of the manor of Hamp-
ton, thence called Hampton Gait, now Hampton Gay, possessed a fourth
part of the village of Ottendun ; and going to Gilbert, Abbot of Waverlie,
he desired and obtained leave to build an Abbey of the Cistertian Order
in the said \nllage of Ottendun, which accordingly he raised at his own
charge, and endowed it with five virgates of lands, which made the
fourth part of a Knight's fee, and called it from the name of an adjoining
wood, Ottelei*.

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 579. Mon. Ang., torn. ii. p. 802 ; ap. Kennett,

' Ibid., vol. i. p. 1.32. vol. i. p. 126, 127.

' R. Dods. MS., vol. cxliii. f. H. et

KIDLINGTON.

VIEW OF THE CHDRCH FROM THE S.E

KIDLINGTON.

PATRONAGE
OP

EXETER COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

<St. iWarg.

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

This Church is a large and fine structure^ witli a lofty and
taper spire : the general style is Decorated, very good, with parts
Early English, the clerestory and some windows Perpendicular :
the ground-plan is a Latin cross, with an aisle on the south side
of the nave, and chapels north and south of the Chancel, not
extending the whole length of it : the tower and spire rise
from the crossing.

The Chancel is Decorated, of three bays : the eastern bay
has a good Decorated win-
dow of two lights on the
south side, with a piscina
under it, and three sedilia;
these are tinder a square
head, the recesses shallow,
with pointed arches, cinque-
foiled, and the mullions
chamfered ; they are plain
Perpendicular work. The
east window is Perpendi-
cular, inserted in the arch
of a Decorated one, the
dripstone of which remains

on the outside, consisting Sa^tEndofSonUaChapelclSM.

of the roll-moulding, terminated by heads : this window is
filled with stained glass, collected from various parts of the
Church, and unskilfully put together; some pieces are good

KIDLINGTON.

THE GROUND PLAN.

A. Altar Platform.

B. Chancel,

32ft by 17ft 4m.

C North Chapel,
28fU 4in. by 12ft

D, South Chapel,

27ft by 16ft lOin

E Tower,

10ft. 6iQ. by 10ft. 6iQ

F, North Transept.

31ft. 8in. by 16a. 6in.
G South Transept,

31ft. lOin. by 16ft. Sin
H. Nave,

69ft. by 29ft.

I, South Aisle.

69ft. by 12ft. Bin.
K. South Porch.

1-4-1 I i I I I I 1 t

Height of West End of Nave, externally
„ Tower . - . .

Mpire, With WeaUaercock -

Total height of Spire

39ft

9in

107

1-3

KIDLINGTON.

Poppie in the Chancel, c. 1500

Early English, and some Decorated ; tlie south window is also
filled with stained glass, but mostly modern shields of arms.
The masonry of this eastern bay is worthy of notice ; it con-
sists of small square stones, with layers of long thin stones, as
of tiles, between them. The two western bays of the Chancel
have Decorated arches on each
side ; these are plain, pointed, and
recessed, with the edges chamfered
off, dying into the piers, without
any imposts ; they have Decorated
labels : the piers are octagon, quite
plain, without caps or imposts ; in
the splay of the south-east respond
there is a Decorated piscina, with
an ogee head trefoiled, a narrow
stone shelf and basin. The Chan-
cel is enclosed with good Per-
pendicular screens, some of the
tracery in which is in Decorated
forms, but the cornice and mould-
ings are Perpendicular : there are
some Perpendicular stalls, with
carved finials, and with desks in
front of them, made out of good
bench-ends of the same style,
richly panelled with a variety of
emblematical designs, the "Peli-
can,^' the " I.H.C.," &c., and good
buttressets,some placed diagonally,
others not so; and some encaus-
tic tiles in the pavement, of vari-
ous patterns. The Chancel has a
high-pitched roof, but this is con-
cealed by a flat boarded ceiling,
cutting off" the head of the east
window.

■ in the Chancel, removed from the Ware,
c 1500.

KIDLINGTON.

North Door of the Nave, called Bachelor's Boor. c. 1220.

East Window of South Chapel . c. 1320

'«i!iiJfii>ii|iiiiSii!ii'

EaBt Wiudrw. Sec. in the North Transept. c. 1450.

KIDLINGTON.

On each side of the Chancel are good Decorated aisles, of two
bays, the eastern part of Avhich is enclosed by a screen, forming
a parclose, or chantry chapel. The south aisle has at the east end a
fine Decorated window of four hghts, of geometrical tracery ; the
labels are the roll-moulding, ter-
minated on the outside by half-
length figures, one of them with
a mitre on ; in the inside they are
whole-length figures, one a female,
with a chin-cloth, the other a man
with the hair and costume of the
time of Edward II, The south
windows are of three lights, with
flowing tracery and Decorated
mouldings ; under the south-east
window is a Decorated piscina,
standing out a little from the
wall, with an ogee head cinque-
foiled, and a crocketed canopy, PisoinamsoutbChapei.c. 1320.
and in the sill of the window a stone bench, evidently for tlie
purpose of seddia ; the Altar itself, under the east window, has
been destroyed. The roof is high-pitched and open, but rough,
and appears unfinished, the tie-beams and waU-plates only being
moulded. This aisle and some other parts of the Church
correspond exactly with the south aisles of St. Mary Magdalene
and St. Aldate^s, in Oxford.

The north aisle of the Chancel is very similar to the south,
but the east window has flowing tracery instead of geometrical,
and it has a Perpendicular boarded ceihng, nearly flat ; the
rafters and principals moulded, resting on good carved corbels ;
it has also a Perpendicular battlement and cornice. The arches
from these aisles into the transepts are similar to those on the
sides of the Chancel.

The tower-arches are Early English, pointed and recessed,
with the edges chamfered, resting on very massive piers ; the
capitals, or rather imposts, are boldly moulded; the label is

KIDLINGTON.

Mouldings of Ihe North Door, c 1220.

Mouldinjs of the South Door, o. 1330.

Label of Arches in Nave, Impost. Mouldings of the Tower

c. ,1320. Archesi o. 1230.

Label of Tower Arch,
c. 1220

lilouldiij^b of the Uuusr Coor of the Poich .
c. 1320.

Label aud Jamb of the East Window of South
Chiipcl c, 1320

KIDLINGTON.

simple, but of Early English character. Tlie first floor of
the tower is Early English, with thick walls, and in each
face a lancet window with a trefoil head. The belfry has a
Perpendicular window in each face, and squinches across the
angles. The spire is Perpendicular, octagonal, remarkably taper,
with a round bead on the angles, and a finial ; the spire lights
are plain, with trefoil heads ; there is a Perpendicular open para-
pet round its base which very much injures the effect. The
tower contains six bells, the five larger ones re-cast in 1715,
the smaller one added in 1800.

The north transept has two lancet windows
on the west side, and an Early Enghsh string
along the west and north wall under the win-
dows ; the north and east windows are Per-
pendicular, of three Hghts. The east window
has good niches in the jambs, and on each
side brackets, supported by heads; on the
south side an elegant piscina, with ogee head
cinquef oiled, crock eted canopy and pinnacles;
the crockets on this canopy are very good
specimens of the style. The clerestory is Perpendicular, with
small square-headed windows, of two lights. The roof good
Perpendicular open timber, with tie-beams and king-posts, and
springers supporting the tie-beams at each end, with foliated
openings; these and the rafters are aU moulded, resting on plain
stone corbels.

The south transept has Perpendicular windows of three
lights; under the east window has been an Altar, of which
the brackets remain; and in the north wall is a Decorated
piscina, with an ogee head and crocketed canopy ; by the side
of this is a Decorated recess for a sedile ; on the west side of
this transept is a small Perpendicular door, vdth a stone pent-
house over it.

The nave is lofty, with a Perpendicular clerestory and roof;
on the north side the waU is Early English, with tall buttresses
in three stages, a good Early English door, with a trefoil head.

Crocket on Piscina in North
Transepi;, c. 1450.

KIDLINGTON.

Nic

.ave, C.1450.

under a pointed arch, now blocked up, but still called the
Bachelor's door, a Decorated window, of
three hghts, with flowing tracery, and
a good Perpendicular niche. The cle-
restory is evidently an addition, and
the corbels of the old roof remain below
it : the present roof is Perpendicular, of
low pitch, with boarded ceihng; the
principals and rafters well moulded, and
the corbels good Perpendicular; the
springers are open, with Perpendicular
panelling. The west door and window
are late Perpendicular, but there are
remains of two Early English windows
in the west wall. On the soiith side
of the nave are five Decorated arches,
of unequal height and span, becoming gradually lower and
narrower as they approach the west end ; this appears to have
been, done for the perspective effect : the arches are plain, dying
into octagonal piers, without any imposts; the label is equally
simple, but difli'erent
from that of the tower-
arches, and is Decorated ;
there is a plain piscina
in the splay of the east
respond. The font is
plain round Decorated,
on a moulded base, late-
ly restored to its origi-
nal position under the
arch nearest to the south
door ; the pulpit, Eliza-
bethfin carved oak.

The south aisle of
the nave has three good
Decorated windows, with The Font, c. 132c.

x-ic...

KIDLINGTON.

, III III luiiMJ^-^—m \m

1|-^'

flowing tracery; the roof is a lean-to, nearly flat, with springers,
having foHated openings through
them; these appear, by the mould-
ings, to be of the fourteenth cen-
tury. The south door is Deco-
rated, with bold mouldings.

The south Porch is also Decorated,
with stone benches, and a plain

open timber

e?"

roof : the

The Roof.

fj I outer door is Decorated, richly moulded
with the ball-flower ornament ; over this

T/ door there is a good Decorated niche,
with a rich crocketed canopy, pinnacles,
and finials. The crockets are good
specimens of the form generally used
in this style, i.h.p.

Crocket ou the Porch.

The South Porch, c 13M.

GC) K I D L I N G T O N.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

At the Conquest the manor of Kidlington, in Domesday Book written
ChedeUnton, formed part of the grant to Robert de Oily, a follower of
the Conqueror^. He was appointed to keep Oxford, and built a castle
there, within which he erected a chapel, dedicated to St. George, and
established there a fraternity of secular priests, whom he endowed with
several rights and possessions in those parts. He gave them the
churches of Cudelinton {Kidlington), Weston'', &c. This grant conveyed
the appropriation of two parts in three of the tithes, together with the
advowson or right of patronage to this body.

Robert de Oily died A.D. 1090, and was buried at Abingdon, on the
north side of the high Altar. As he left no heirs male of his own body,
his brother Nigel succeeded to the Castle of Oxford and the honor of
d'Oily, which included the manor of Kidlington, and of which the capital
seat was Hook-Norton •=.

■Nigel dying about A.D. 1120, was succeeded by his son Robert de
Oily, jun."^, who at the solicitation of his wife Edith founded Oseney
A.D. 1129, for a priory of Canons Augustines, and twenty years after its
foundation transferred thither the church and college of St. George in the
castle, with all its endowments, including the advowson and appropriation
of two parts in three of the tithes of Cudelinton^. Thus the church of
Kidlington became annexed to Oseney, A.D. 1149. Robert de Oily the
younger died, A.D. 1 157, and was succeeded by his son and heir Henry,
who was sheriff of Oxford from the third to the sixth year of Henry II.
A few years later in this reign, upon an inquisition with a view to the
scutagc or tax, he is returned as holding 32 knights' fees, and an half of
the old feoffment, and one fee and a half part of a fee of the new feoff-
ment. Among these possessions Kidlington must have been included,
as appears from a grant which he made to Oseney A.D. 1192, of certain
property in Weston, with offer of exchange in the manors of Hook-
Norton or of Kidlington, in consideration that his body was to be buried

' Domesday B. Oxensrire Terra de '' Regist. Oseney, ap. Kennett, vol. i.

Oilgi. p. 119.

•> Diigd. Monnst., toiii. ii. p. IM. — « Carta Rob. de Oilii, jun., Dugd.

Leland's Itin., vol. ii. f. 17. Monast., torn. ii. p. 137.

' Kennett, vol. i. jjp. 97,98.

K I D L I N G T O N. 67

before the high Altar in Oseney*^. He dying was succeeded by his son
Henry, the second of that name, who confirmed the grant of his ancestors
to Oseney ; and among other grants of his own, which he added, is
mentioned " purprestura gardini sui (i. e. canonicorum) de KidelintonS."
On his death, A.D. 1232, he also was interred in the church of Oseney,
for which he stipidated in his charter of confirmation. He left two
sisters heirs, of which Margery, the elder, was the wife of Henry Earl of
Warwick, who had issue by her Thomas Earl of Warwick, who in the
17th of Henry HI. paid £100 and two palfreys for the relief of his uncle,
Henry de Oily's, (the second) lands, including the manor of Kidlington^.
From Thomas Earl of Warwick, Kidlington passed by marriage into the
family of de Plessets, the founder of which, John de Plessets, a Norman
by birth, and domestic servant in the king's court, raised himself by
marriage with Christian, daughter and heir of Hugh de Sandford, and
became sheriff of the county of Oxford, A.D. 1240'.

He was in great favour with Henry HI., and by the king's earnest
intercession obtained in marriage (on the death of his first wife) Margery,
the widow of John Mareschal, sister and heir of Thomas Earl of
Warwick, whose mother was Margery, eldest daughter and heir of Henry
de Oily, the elder. Baron of Hook-Norton ; by which means he came
into possession of the manors of Hook-Norton and Kidlington, held from
the king by barony, and afterwards had the title of Earl of Warwick''.
He was also made constable of the Tower of London, and had many
other honours conferred on him. He was buried in the choir of Missen-
den Abbey'. On his death, Feb, 26, 1263, he was succeeded by Hugh
de Plessets, son by his first wife, who in April next ensuing, doing his
homage, had livery of the manors of Hook-Norton and Kidlington,
paying for his relief £100. He married Isabel, daughter of J. de
Ripariis'", cousin and one of the heirs to Philippa Basset, sometime
Countess of Warwick. By a demise of land in Mussewell to Sir Richard
le Pouvre, dated Cudelinton, Saturday after Epiphany, the 7th of
Edward I., it appears that Sir Hugh de Plessets resided at the manor
house of Kidlington'^ ; to which a chapel was attached by the permission
of the Abbot and Convent of Oseney, who in the compact made on this

' Regist. Osen. ap. Kennett, vol. i. ' Dugd. Bar., p. 772.

p. 208, 209. '• Dugd. Bar., Kennett, i. pp. 327, 367.

E Carta Hen. de Oilii, Dugd. Mon., ' Kennett, vol. i. p. 367.

torn. ii. p. 139. '" Dugd. Bar. ap. Kennett, vol. i. p. 367.

'' Dugd. Bar., toni. i. p. 461. " Kennett, vol. i. p. 414.

68 KIDLINGTON.

account with the said Hugh Baron of Hooknorton, stipulated that the
capellane should not pretend to any parochial dues or jurisdiction, but all
should be adjusted sine prsejudicio matricis ecclesise". He served in the
first expedition of Edward into Scotland?. He died A.D. 1292, and
was succeeded by his son and heir Hugh, then twenty-five years of age,
who on doing his homage had livery of the manors of Hook-Norton
and Kidlington^.

This Hugh de Plessets appears in the roll of the summons to Parlia-
ment among the Barons of the realm in the 25th of Edward I., and in
the following year served in the expedition into Scotland. He died
A.D. ISOl"". The manor of Kidlington was settled by Hugh de Plessets
before his death on his son Thomas S and it continued in the same family
at least till the middle of that century. In the inquisitiones post mortem,
there occurs mention of two Hugh de Plessets after this, the former of
whom died A.D. 1338', possessed of Kidlington ; the latter A.D. 1350",
who at the time of his death, besides Kidlington and Water Eton, held
22 other manors.

From this Hugh de Plessey it passed probably in the female line to
John Lenneysey, who in the inquisition held after his death, A.D. 1361,
is returned as having died possessed jointly with Eleanor his wife of the
manors of Hook-Norton and Kidlington^. He was succeeded by his
son Sir John, who died A.D. 1380, also possessed jointly with Elizabeth
his wife of the manors of Hook- Norton and Kidlington^.

The next owner of the manor of Kidlington that has been discovered
is Thomas Chaucer, supposed to be a son of the great poet, in whose

"* Regist. Osen. ap. Kennett, vol. ii. bcr, holding a half virgate* or virgate of

P- 281. land, the rent for which is uniformly at

P Like other powerful barons of the the rate of 5s. a virgate, but then they

time, he exercised nearly an absolute were bound to certain feudal services,
sovereignty within his domain, as appears i Inquisit. post mortem, vol. i. p. 113.

from the following extracts from the — Rot. Hundred, ii. 46. — Kennett, vol. i.

Hundred Rolls, vol. ii. p. 873 :— " Hugh p. 450.— Dugd. Baron., vol. ii. p. 773.
de Pleci holds of the king in capite the ■• Dugd. Summons to Parliament,

manor and village of Cudelington of the Barony, Inquisit. post mortem, i. HJ9.
fee of Doyly, for military service, and ' Kennett, vol. i. p. 502.

has view of Frankpledge over his own ' Inquisit. post mortem, vol. ii. p. 78.

men, without the sherifi' and other bayliffs " Ibid. 1 pars Edw. II.

of the crown, and husgaHows on his land, '^ Inq. post mort. 34 Edw. III.

by what warrant we know not," &c. Then ^ Ibid. 3 Rich. II.

follows a list of the villanes, 41 in num-

* A yard land, an uncertain rjuautiiy, vaniiig fnim I.') to 40 acres, according lo cuslom.

K I D L I N G T O N. 69

possession it appears to have been by an inquisition held at the time of
his death, A.D. MSC'. From him it passed to WilHam de la Pole,
Earl of Suffolk, by his mamage with Alice, daughter and heir of the said
Thomas Chaucer. He was afterwards created Duke of Suffolk, and
acted a very conspicuous part in the reign of Henry VI. He was the
founder of the Hospital of Ewelme, where he sometime resided. He
was afterwards attainted, and being intercepted in his passage into
France, he was beheaded. His remains were conveyed to the Collegiate
Church of Wingfield in SuiFolk, and there buried. Ahce his widow was
buried at Ewelme, on the south side of the high Altar. There is an en-
graving of her monument, which is very splendid, in Skelton's Oxford-
shire, as well as of that of her father, Thomas Chaucer''.

By an inquisition after the death of the Duke of Suffolk, he was found
to have died possessed in Com: Oxon: jointly with Alice his wife, of twelve
messuages, fourteen virgates of land, and twenty acres of meadow, with
their appurtenances in Thorp, CudeUnton and Sulthorne, now Thrup, Kid-
lington and Souldern'^. All which, with many other large possessions, con-
tinued to Alice his widow, in her own right of inheritance, who lived to a
good old age in her mansion-house at Ewelm, and, died there, A.D. 1 475 ^.

She had issue by her last husband, the Duke of SuiFolk, one son and
heir, John, who married Elizabeth, sister to King Edward IV., and for
this honourable alliance was, by letters patent, dated March 23, 3rd of
Edward IV., restored to the title of Duke of Suffolk''. He inhe-
rited, among other possessions from his mother, the meinor oi Kidlington,
which must have continued in his family to the Reformation, as certain
manorial payments to the Duke of Suffolk and his heirs, are stated
among the perpetual reprises to which the Rectory of Kidlington was
liable, at the time of the surrender of Oseney^.

In the last century it belonged for some time to a family of the name
of Smith, of whom was Dr. Joseph Smith, Provost of Queen's, A.D. 1730.
It is now the property of the Duke of Marlborough ; but the manor-
house was detached from the manor some few years since, and belongs
to Thomas Robinson, Esq.

The Church is named in honour of the Virgin Mary, and the feast-dav
of dedication is the Sunday after the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. O.S.

' Kennett, vol. ii. p. o2'2. •■ Dugd. Baron., vol. ii. p. 18,9; Kemiett,

» Dugd. Baron., vol. ii. p. 189. vol. ii. p. 380.
*> Dugd. Baron., vol. ii. p. 189. ' Valor. Eccl.

'= Kennett, vol. ii. p. 380.

70 K I D L 1 N G T O N.

The following few scattered notices respecting the Church are sub-
joined. The presentations are chiefly taken from the Registry at Lincoln.

A.D. 1226. The Abbey of Osney presented in this year to the
Vicarage.

A.D. 1300—1320. Bishop D' Alderby. Johannes de Ottington Capel-
lanus ad Vicariam per Abbatem et Conventum de Osney prsesentatus per
mortem Guli. ultimi vicarii vacantem.

A.D. 1347 — 1363. Bishop Grindwell. Wilhelmus de Ottingdon per
Abbatem et Conventum de Osney ad vicariam praesentatus per mortem
Henrici Wylby vacantem.

During this century a considerable portion of the Church was rebuilt,
probably through the influence of Thomas de Cudlinton, a native of
Kidlinton, who died Abbot of Osney, A.D. 1383^ and was distinguished
as a builder. He built Hythe- bridge, and the Lady Chapel at Osneye.
The south aisle of the Church very closely resembles that of St. Mary
Magdalene, which was built A.D. 1338?.

A.D. 1405 — 1420. Bishop Repingdon. Mag''. Johan^ Welkes per
Abbatem et Conventum de Osneye ad vicariam de Cudlington, praesentatus
per mortem Willihelmi Odyngton ultimi vicarii vacantem.

A.D. 1431 — 1435. Bishop Grey. Willhelmus Bushell per Abbatem et
Conventum de Osneye ad vicariam praesentatus per resignationem Johan*.
Welkes vacantem.

A.D. 1435 — 1450. Bishop Alnwick. Johannes Bradstone, per Abbatem
et Conventum de Osneye ad Vicariam de Osneye praesentatus per resig-
nationem Willhelmi Bushell vacantem.

Item — Ludovicus North ad vicariam per Abbatem et conventum de
Osneye praesentatus per Johannis Bradstone resignationem vacantem.

During the incumbency of this last-mentioned vicar, a new endow-
ment of the vicarage was made by the Bishop. The parishioners com-
plained that the parish, which is very long, wide, dispersed, and large,
was not duly served, and the vicar, that the portions of the said vicarage
were so scanty, that they weie insufficient for the proper sustentation
of him, and the su])port of the charges imposed upon him. Whereupon
the Bishop, having heard the various parties by their proctors, totally
annuls the existing endowment, and ordains a new and more sufficient
one, assigning to the vicar the ])rcscnt vicarage house, and certain

' Lcliind's llin. >■■ I'tsliall, p. 22 k

K I D L I N G T O N. 71

portions of the abbey land, tithes, offerings, &c., and binding the vicar to
serve and minister continually to the said church by himself and one
fit chaplain, who, at his own cost and charge he shall have continually
dwelling with him.

A.D. 1471 — 1480. Bishop Rotherham. Johannes Lane, presbyter, prse-
sentatus per discretum virum Leonellum Wydeville Archidiac. Oxon. ad
vicariam perpetuam Ecclesise parochialis de Cudlington Line. Dioces. per
resignationem Mag' Ludovici North ultimi vicarii in manus Reverendi
Patris Line. Ep. vacantem.

A.D. 1495 — 1514. Bishop Shiith. Mag"". Rogerus Sandeford, in utroque
jure baccalaureus presbyter preesentatus per religiosos viros Abbatem et
conventum monasterii de Osneye per mortem Johannis Lane ultimi vicarii
quam per liberam renunciationem Magr. Ricardi Inglesent, vacantem,
21mi April, 1499.

Item — Mag"". Johan. Croston A.M. prsesent: per Abb. et Conven. ad
vicariam de Cudelynton per resign. Xtopheri Lathum 22 Sep. 1503.

The surrender of Osney bears date Nov. 17, A.D. 1540,. and on the
erection of the see of Oxford in the year following, the appropriation of
Kidlington became part of the endowment of the new chapter at
Osney, consisting of a Dean and six Canons, styled the Dean and
Canons of the Cathedral Church of Christ and of the Blessed Virgin ;
but within three years this foundation was dissolved, and a new one
erected at St. Frideswide's, as it now exists, under the style of the
Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford.

Kidlington then, with many other of the possessions of Osney,
remained in the hands of the Crown. In A.D. 1565, it was granted by
Q. Ehz. to Sir W. Petre, and by him given to Exeter College. By his
ordination, confirmed afterwards by Act of Parliament, the vicarage was
permanently attached to the headship of Exeter College, and the
Rectors of the College from that time have been the successive vicars
of the parish ''.

" At Gosford, in the parish of Kidlington, there was an house of
Sisters of the order of St. John of Jerusalem, who were removed about
A.D. 1180 to Buckland, in Somersetshire. The estate was given to
them by Robert de Oily and Henry his son, and continued in the hands
of the Hospitalers (who built an oratory or chapel here about A.D. 1234)

^ Tanner's Notiti;i, Q. Elizabeth's ^r.int to E.Kctcr College iu the Areliivcs of the
College.

KIDLINGTON.

till the dissolution. It was granted 34th Henry VIII. to Anth. Stringer
and John Williams'."

" Close to the Church at Kidlington, in the County of Oxford, is a
small hospital or alms-house, containing six rooms. Upon a tablet at
the north end, is the following inscription : —

" TO GOD, AND THE POOR OF KIDLINGTON, AND TO THE PIOUS MEMOUY OF
THE VIRTUOUS LADY, ANN MOKTON, AND HER DECEASED CHILDREN, SIR

WILLIAM MORTON, knight, late one of her majesty's justices of

THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, DEDICATED THIS FOUNDATION, ANNO DOMINI
1671."

Extract from the Founder's will : —

" Whereas I have built and erected an hospital at Kidlington, in the
County of Oxford, for the habitation, and maintenance, of three poor
men, and three poor women, that are impotent and decrepid, who are to
be single persons, and whose labour and work is done. And in remem-
brance of the piety and virtues of my dearly beloved wife, and my dear
and dutiful children, John Morton, George, William, Ann, and Mag-
dalen Morton, deceased, which I had by her, I will, and appoint, that
the said building, or Alms-house, shall be called, and knowne, by the
name of ' the Lady Anne Morton's Alms-house' for ever. And that the
poor people, that shall be ])laced, and put in, by me in my lifetime, and
for ever hereafter, shall be called the Lady Ann Morton's Almsfolke,
and shall be stiled, and incorporated, by that name''." j.l.r.

» Tanner's Notit. Monast.

k Stc -Mr. .Markland's llLinavks on vSc|)iilcliral Memorials, p. 225.

WATER-EATON CHAPEL.

FT. IN.

Nave 29 0 by

Chancel 16 9 by

FT. IN.

20 0
15 10

This is a remarkably good specimen of the revived Gothic, of
the time of James I., having at first sight the appearance of a
much earlier date ; it is a simple oblong Chapel, with a high-
pitched roof, open to the rafters, and of good plain character,
without tie-beams.

The windows are wide, of three lights, with foliated heads, but
without tracery, very much resembhng a window often found
in Decorated work, but the mouldings are quite late Perpendi-
cular ; the window arches are very much depressed, with a slight
point ; the door is late Perpendicular, with a square head over
it : the north wall is quite blank ; on the south side there are
three windows and a door, and one window at each end. The
pulpit and screen are of good Elizabethan work, and the pews
are all open, with poppy -heads of the same character. The bell-
gable is a modern imitation, and not a very happy one.

The house adjoining, and to which this Chapel belongs, is of
the same age and character; a remarkably good and perfect
specimen of the Elizabethan style, with its court-yard, en-
trance-gate, detached wings and chapel, all in their original
state, and all apparently built at once from the same design.

70*

WATER-EATON.

Water-Eaton House, from the Court-Tard . c. 1610.

A. The House.

B. The Chapel.

C. The Court yard.
D D. The Lodges, or detached

wings.

0 10 io

JLjIf Tc..t

WATER-EATON. 71*

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Eton, by which is to be understood Water Eton, is mentioned in
Domesday Book^ as part of the possessions of Robert de Oily. It was
given to Oseney by Robert de Oily the second, the founder. There is
also extant a MS. in English in the Exchequer, supposed to be about
the time of Edward IV., which contains a further confirmation of this
grant by Henry de Oily, and also by Robert Chesney, Bishop of Lincoln,
and Pope Eugene III.^ The words of this original endowment in this
MS. are as follow : " Eton all my towne the which long to hit, outetake
the mill, the which I haue gife to another Church." Within this hamlet
is Fryse's farm, lying between the Banbury and Woodstock roads. The
grant of this is included in the great charter of Robert de Oily the
second, and the words of the grant in his charter are thus rendered into
old English in the Exchequer MS. : "And the Chapell of Frees with
the mansion and londe against the Chapell towards the west with
Fedyngs and pastures and his other purtenances." Here, in Antony
Wood's time, was standing nothing but a shepherd's house and no
remains of the Chapel.

By an inquisition taken 23, 24 of Edward III., it appears that the
Abbot of Oseney held the manor of Weston and Water Eton by the
service of two knights' fees ".

By original letters patent under the privy seal and by authority of
Parhament, Henry VIII., on the 24th of September, 34th of his reign,
granted to Robert King, Bishop of Oxford, divers estates, parcels of
the possessions of Oseney Abbey, and among them, Water Eton, to
the said late monastery lately belonging.

It remained but a short time in the possession of the Bishop of Oxford,
and was resumed again by the Crown, and the King (Henry VIII.) by a
deed of exchange dated September 1, 37th of his reign, made between
him and William Burg, Merchant of the Staple at Calais, in consideration
of the manor of Calchill, in the county of Kent, gave to the said William
Burg all that his manor of Water Eton, in the county of Oxford, and all
that his Graces pastures, called Fryse, in Water Eton, &c.°

' Oxenscire terra de Oilgi. yq] j;_ ^ ^02

- Carta Rob. de Oilii, Dugd. Monast. o Valor. Ecclesiast. Extracts from

.1. 137, Chartulary Cotton. Libr. grants, Archives of Exeter College.
" Dods. MS. vol. Ix. f. 188. ap, Kennett,

72* W A T E R - E A T O N.

The manor is now in possession of John Saw\'er, Esq., of Way wood
Lodge.

During the civil wars the Manor House was the abode of the Lord
Lovelace, and evidently considered as a place of importance. It is now
only used as a farm house. Lady Lovelace was seized here by a party
of the Parhamentary troops from Banbury, forced into her carriage, and
driven to Middleton, where she was turned out and compelled to walk
back. " j.L.B.

SHIPTON-ON-CHERWELL.

PATRON. ^t, iJlarg. DEANERY

W. TURNER, ESQ. Qp WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 16 0 by 20 10

Nave 35 0 by 21 0

Tower 5 2 by 5 4

A SMALL plain Chiircli, tlie nave and tower modern, the
Chancel original : the Clmrcli stands in a very picturesque
situation on a cliff, on tlie banks of the Cherwell.

The Chancel is Decorated, late in the style ; the east window
is transition from Decorated to Perpendicular, of three lights,
cinqucfoiled, with flowing tracery, the dripstone returned hori-
zontally: the side windows are Decorated^ of two lights, trefoiled,
with a quatrefoil in the head. The Chancel-arch is equilateral,
pointed, with chamfered edges, and a Decorated label. In the
north wall is a sepulchral arch, cinqucfoiled, having a stone
coffin, witli a coped hd with a cross upon it.

In the Church-yard there is the shaft of an ancient cross,
siu-mounted by a cross fleuree.

There is a vignette of the old Chui'ch in Skclton's Oxfordshire,
Wootton Hundred, p. 21. B. Bevan, Ch. Ch.

PATRONS.

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

TACKLEY.

Bt, iatcl)0la5.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

FT. IN.

Chancel 29 4

Nave 51 0

Aisle 51 0

Tower, exterior ... 20 0

Tower, interior ... 13 0

FT. IN.

ill

74 T A C K L E Y.

A CRUCIFORM Church, of mixed styles, with a tower iu the
centre, mostly Perpendicular.

Chancel— Tlie east window is a very good Early English
triplet, three lancet lights combined into
one composition, with shafts attached :
on the south side are two Perpendicular
windows, with stone benches under them
in the recess ; and a good piscina in the
angle. The corbels of the old roof re-
main, and are good octagon Perpendicu-
lar; the present roof is modern, of low
pitch, and bad. In the north wall of
the Chancel is an Early English re- ji
cessed arch for a tomb, with a doorway i^^^l
by the side, and a detached shaft of
purbeck marble between; the label of
this arch is very bold, with a deep hoi- '■■. (D, ,
low under: the tomb is Perpendicular, Ksciaa m Nonn Transept c. hso.
with flat-arched panels and buttresses between, and an incised
slab, with a cross fleury, very simple.

Nave — The west window is good Decorated, of three lights,
the mullions intersecting, Avith foliations : on the
north side, an aisle, destroyed, two Norman arches
filled up, and a small Norman door, rebuilt, under
the western arch ; on the south side, three ]^]arly
English arches, the pillars with good caps, having
the stiff'-leaf foliage ; arches pointed and recessed,
the edges chamfered, w ith early labels and termina-
tions. The clerestory and roof arc plain and late.

Tlic Tower-arches are Early English, very plain and mas
sive, pointed and recessed, M'ith the edges cham
fered oil"; the piers semi-octagon, caps or im- _^
])osts phiin, the mouldings deep and undercut :
ill fill- spandril of the north arch of the tower
then; is a s(iuare-hcaded Avindow cut througli

the wall, with an iron grating in it; the use of

Impost, c, 1220.

Section of arcb of
West Window, o. 1350

TACKLEY.

this window is not very clear, but it seems to have been con-
nected with the rood-loft. The upper story of the tower is Per-
pendicular.

The North Transept and window are Perpendicular, early in
the style, the window-head rather of tran- ^-^--^Mf^MiMjjjLuu^
sition character. The roof is plain : there rfrll
is a good small piscina and a square mano-
rial pew, with Elizabethan carving, and the
date 1613 : The south transept is also Per-
pendicular ; the roof of the same style,
plain open timber work ; the south aisle
has Perpendicular windows, of late cha-
racter, one of which has a good termina-
tion of the labelj or dripstone. i.h.p.

Dripstone tertninatioo. c, 1520

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1226, 10, 11 Henry III., Genteschive le Povre presented a clerk
to the Church of Ottindon, and three years before had with Emma
de Podus, his wife, presented to the Church of Tackley*.

A.D. 1314. On the morrow after Michaelmas day, 8th of Edward II.,
John de Wyithulle, son and heir of Sir Walter de WyithuUe, by deed
dated at Kirtlington, did release and quit claim to Hugh le Duke of
Wretchwike, within the parish of Burcester, all his right and claim in
eighteen perches of arable land in length, and four perches in breadth,
in the field of Tackle, in a parcel of ground called Wyitstandelf, to
remain to the said Hugh and his heirs for ever'*.

This manor and estate belonged to Henry Lord Beaumont, an eminent
man in the reigns of King Edward 11. and King Edward HI., in whose
reign he died. He was in the 1 1th of king Edward III. constahle of the
king's army sent into Scotland, and in consideration of his great services,
obtained, among other things, a charter of free-warren in all his demesne
lands in this place. He left this manor, 14th Edward IIJ., to his son

^ Rog. Dods. MS. vol. cvii. p. 12. ap. Kcnnctt, vol. i. p. 282.
'' Keiinett, vol. i. p. -326.

76 T A C K L E Y.

John, Lord Beaumont; but he enjoyed it not above two years, and then
dying, left it to Eleanor his wife, who, 17 Edward III., procured another
charter of the king for free warren for her demesne lands in this place.
She left it to her son and heir, Henry Lord Beaumont, who being bom
beyond sea was legitimated by Parliament 25 Edward IIL As to the
Church here, we may observe that upon a vacancy of the vicarage, one
Mr. Rogers, who was then Rector of the said Church, affirming that the
vicarage was not regularly ordained, with the consent of all parties con-
cerned, did petition Ohver Sutton, then Bishop of Lincoln, that the said
vicarage might be consolidated with the rectory; whereupon the Bishop
having made a due inquisition about it, did so consolidate them, ult.
Octob. 1299'=.

George Powers Knight, who died 1424, was Lord of this manor.

1483, April 22. Oliver Sompnour resigned the living of Oddington and
accepted that of Tackley'*.

A.D. 1499, May 17. John Hulse was presented to the living of
Tackley on the death of Oliver Somner, on the presentation of Clemen-
tina Newere, widow of John Newere, gentleman ^.

Peter Ailworth, Esq., who died 1595, and was buried in the Church,
also possessed this manor ; subsequently it became the property of the
Harbome family, John Harborne built here a handsome manor house,
of which an outer gate of entrance is now all that remains. A mural
monument of the Harbornes is attached to the east wall of the north
transept. The advowson of the Rectory was purchased by St. John's
College, Oxford, in 1719.

The Register commences 1559. The manner in which it is preserved,
being substantially bound in russia, is worthy of general adoption '^.

' .Magna Ikitannia, vol. iv. p. 382. nelt, vol. i. p. ;j'2G.

•* Reg. llussel, Keniiett, vol. i. p. 4{)(). * Skelton, Wootton lliuidrcd, p. 21.

' Reg. Smith, Ep. London, ap. Ken-

ROWSHAM.

PATRON. <&t. iW;arS. DEANERY

C. COTTRELL DORMER, OF WOODSTOCK.

ESQ. HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

A PLAIN Church, mostly Decorated, but with parts transition
Norman. Plan oblong, with one aisle and a tower at the west
end.

The Chancel is Decorated, the east window bad, having
no foliations ; the north window tolerably good, of three hghts,
foliated 3 a good Decorated piscina. The Chancel-arch is tran-
sition Norman, pointed, very plain, and not recessed, with
Norman shafts in the angles of the square pier on the west
side.

The Nave — The western arch is transition Norman, with
good Norman caps, arch pointed, not recessed, but the edges
chamfered off; the other two arches are different, pointed and
recessed, with the edges chamfered, on octagon pillars, with
moulded caps of the Decorated style, but very plain. The
south aisle is Decorated, with a good west window.

The Tower is Decorated, the arch deeply recessed, cham-
fered, with moulded caps to round shafts : the windows on the
first-floor, lancets, small, and recessed; the belfry windows, on
the south side, of two lights, with octagon shaft, round-headed,
on the north side, pointed, on the west side, square-headed ; the
west door has a Decorated dripstone ; the buttresses are very
small, not more than foiu* feet high ; there is no staircase.

i.n.p.

78 R O W S H A M.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday survey, Rowesham formed part of the grant of
Robert de Oilgi, and of Roger de Iveris.

A.D. 1149, 14, 15, Stephen, in the charter of Robert d'Oily, of
asignment to Oseney, Rowlesham formed a part of the barony of Hoke-
norton.

A.D. 1227, Dec. 5, the king presented to one moiety of the Church
of Rollesham, com. Oxon.

A.D. 1229, we find the other moiety of the Church of Rollesham was
in the patronage of Walter de Fontibus.

Within the year 1280, Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, presented to the
Church of Rollesham (now Rowsham''.)

A.D. 1635. The manor of Rowsham with its appurtenances was con-
veyed by a deed bearing date 1st May, 1635, from the Hawtreys to Sir
Robert Dormer, of Dorton. By the will of General James Dormer, who
died 1744, or thereabouts, Rowsham descended to Sir Clement Cottrell,
Knight, Master of the Ceremonies, who took the name of Dormer. He
is the first bearing that name who is interred in the parish church at
Rowsham, as it was not the ancient burying-place of the Dormers.
There are many inscriptions to the memory of the Martens, who pos-
sessed a part of Rowsham. This part of the estate Was purchased, by the
present owner, of the late Renjamin IloUoway, Esq., of Lee Place, in this
county, A.D. 1828.

Near to the Church is the handsome embattled residence, in the
Elizabethan style, of C. Cottrell Dormer, Esq., of which there is a view
in Skelton's Oxfordshire.

" Kenuett, vol. i. p. 90, 91, 142, 284, >■ R. Dods. MS. vol. cvii. p. 141. ap.

21*1. Kennctt, vol. i. p. 418.

STEEPLE ASTON.

PATRONAGE
OF

BRASENOSE COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

5t. IBcUv,

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

A MIXED Church, with a tower at the west end.

The Chancel is debased Perpendicular. The east window is of
three lights, with two transoms, each light foliated, but no room
for tracery in the head : three side windows on the south side,
of two lights, with transoms. The Chancel-arch is Early Deco-
rated, pointed and recessed, with the edges chamfered, springing
from the caps of triple-shafts attached to the jambs : a good
Perpendicular Chancel-screen has lately been restored : the roof
is plain, low, and bad.

The north aisle of the Chancel has a fine Decorated east

STEEPLE-ASTON.

THE GROUND PLAN.

A. Altar Platform .
B Chancel.

28ft 6in. by 15ft

C. North Chapel.

28ft. Bin. by 12ft Bin

D. North Aisle.

36ft 6in, by 13fl.

E. Nave.

36ft 6m. by 13ft
P. South Aisle.

36ft. by 12ft.
G. Soutli Porch,

10ft. lOin. by 9ft, 6m.
H ToTjper.

16ft by 14ft 6in,

STEEPLE ASTON.

■''jmwi

aiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMii'ii'Vi'

The arch between this aisle

wiadow of three lights^ with flow-
ing tracery and a good label, with
singular terminations, and the
mullions are moulded. In this
aisle there is a small Decorated
piscina, with its drain perfect, and
a foliated circle in the head, the
cusps of which terminate in the
centre in a ram's head. The arch
between the Chancel and aisle is
Decorated, with good bold mould-
ings continuous to the ground.
The north wall of this aisle has
been rebuilt without windows, to
accommodate the monument of
Sir Francis and Lady Page, 1741.
and that of the Church is Decorated, springing from corbels :
this arch, as well as that on the side, had been built up for
many years, but were re-opened in the recent improvements :
the roof is still hid by a flat plaster ceiling.

The Nave is of three bays, with Early EngHsh arches, having
moulded caps and label, rather early in the style : the roof is
modern imitation of old work. A canted ceiling, divided into
panels : the work is well executed, and the design tolerably good.
A clerestory was removed at the time this was put on, in 1842 ;
but it was a late addition to the Church, and scarcely worth
preserving.

The north aisle is Perpendicular, lately rebuilt.
The south aisle is Decorated, the windows chiefly modern
imitation. It has a good Perpendicular boarded ceiling, with
moulded ribs, pierced springers, and stone corbel-heads.

The south door and porch are Decorated ; the door moulded,
with the roll-moulding for a label ; the windows of the porch
are rather singular, loops on the outside, widely splayed
within. The south porch, aisle, and Chancel, have Perpen-
dicular battlements, with cornice, having heads at wide inter-

STEEPLE ASTON.

vals, over which were formerly pinnacles, some portions of
which still remain.

The Tower is good Perpendicular, the lower part plain, but
with a good west door, very deeply recessed, with bold ogee and
hollow mouldings, continued nearly to the ground ; a window in
the first floor of two lights, plain, with an opening in the head
and a Perpendicular label; the upper windows of two lights,
with flamboyant tracery and Perpendicular labels : the parapet
battlemented, and cornice plain Perpendicular, with heads at
the corners, having spouts out of their mouths, and another
head in the centre of each front. The buttresses are placed
diagonally, and have oblong panels let into the face, engrailed
round the edges, with a shield in the centre.

The seats are all open, good carved oak, late Perpendicular

work, with a variety of pattenis on the ends ; those which had
been damaged have lately been restored in very good taste.
The font is round, with flat patterns of a diamond shape, of
various sizes; from the shallowness and character of the work,
it appears to be an imitation of the time of Charles II., but

STEEPLE ASTON. 83

may possibly be, as mauy persons consider it, genuine work of
the twelfth century.

In the parish chest in this Church is carefully preserved a
very valuable relic of the olden time, consisting of part of the
hangings of the Altar, of the fourteenth century, richly em-
broidered with the martyrdom of saints in small divisions; and,
considering its age, it is in a very perfect state. There are the
steps and base of a Perpendicular cross in the Church-yard.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1362, four acres of land in Stepelaston, and the advowson of the
church, were granted to Robert, by Divine permission, Prior of Cold-
Norton, by Ricardus de Abberbury (Adderbury) Chivaler, 1362; and
Thomas de Abberbury ', Lord of Steeple Aston, granted the same, at the
same time the convent engaging to find four canons to pray for the soul
of Thomas Abberbury, Gierke ^.

In 1366, 40, 41 Edw. III., William de Liwte, parson of Steple- Aston,
made a release of all claim to the manors of Borstal!, Musewell, &c.^

A.D. 1496. The Priory of Cold Norton escheated to the crown,
11 Hen. VII. 1496 ; and in the 22nd Hen. VII. (1506-7), Hugh Croft,
Esq., released to the king, for himself and his heirs, all right and title to
the Priory. The lands were then worth £50 per annum. It was given
the next year to the Dean and Chapter of St. Stephen's, Westminster.
Bishop Smith, the co-founder of Brasenose College, Oxford, and who
was Dean of St. Stephen's College in 1492, purchased in the 4th
of King Hen. VIII. of Thomas Hobbys, then Dean, and the Chapter,
all the lands, tenements, and revenues of the Priory, and gave the
whole to his College of Brasenose, in the 5th of Hen. VIII. The
lands so given have belonged to that society ever since. Wood says

• It is a reasonable conjecture that was removed with others to make room

this Thomas Abberbury, lord of Steeple for Sir F. Page, &c.

Aston and clerk, is the person described ^ Yate, p. 56 ; vid. Churton's Lives of

by Ant. Wood, as a parson out of reniem- tlie Founders of Brasenose College,

brance, whose monument of alabaster ' Kennctt, vol. ii. p. 143, &c.

84 STEEPLE ASTON.

that Bishop Smith had some thoughts of founding his College on the
site of this Priory.

A.D. 1596, 14th June, Joh. Buckfold, cl'ic. S.T.B. ad eccl. de Steple
Aston ad pres. Tho. d'ni Buckhurst prsenob. ord. Garter, mil. ratione
advocat. concess. per principal, et scholares aul. reg. et coll. de Brasen-
nose ^.

About 1622, some Roman tesselated pavement was dug up in this
parish.

Samuel Radcliffe, D.D., Principal of Brasenose College, who had
been Rector of this parish, endowed a school here in 1640. He like-
wise founded two Scholarships in his College, to be supplied, if possible,
from his school at Steeple Aston. He was ejected from the headship
of Brasenose College by the committee of the Lords and Commons, for
the Reformation of the University, on the 20th of January, 1647. He
died 26th of June, 1648, and was buried in the chancel of St. Mary's
Church. He likewise endowed an almshouse for the poor in this parish,
but the building which bears his name was erected by the College.
Dr.RadcliiFe, having left a sum of money for the purpose, his heirs-at-law
disputed the bequest, and according to an arrangement made, two-thirds
only of four hundred pounds was retained by the College for building,
endowing, &c.

Daniel Greenwood, D.D., uncle to the Rector of Steeple Aston of the
same name, is buried in the Chancel of the Church by the side of the
grave of his nephew. He was voted Principal of Brasenose, in the
place of Dr. Radcliife, by the Parliament committee, and was put in
possession of it by the visitors in 1648. He was Vice Chancellor of
Oxford in 1650, and was ejected by the King's commission in August
1660.

"' Keiinutt, vol. ii. p. 416.

NORTH ASTON.

PATRON. 5t. JHarg. DEANERY

C. O. BOWLES, ESQ. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.
FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 37 6 by 13 10

Nave 27 0 by 21 0

Tower 9 6 by 8 2

North Aisle of Nave. . . 27 10 bv 8 6

South Aisle of Nave ..292 by 110

South Aisle of Chancel . 20 2 by 110

A MIXED Church, with a tower at the west end.

The Chancel is of the Decorated style, with a modern east
window : on the north side are three windows, of two lights,
trefoiled, with a quatrefoil in the head : on the south side is
one similar window, and an arch opening to the south aisle :
westward of this arch is a square opening through the wall,
di^dded by a thick mullion, and more splayed towards the east
than the west. The Chancel-arch is blocked up above, and a
Grecian screen inserted, painted in perspective".

The Nave is of the Decorated style, having plain arches
on octagonal pillars, with moulded capitals. The south aisle
and the sepulchral chapel on the south side of the Chancel °, are
Decorated, with good windows. The north aisle is also Deco-
rated, with two windows of that style, and a Perpendicular one
inserted. The roof is formed of plain oak beams and rafters,
and is almost flat : there are two small clerestory windows on
each side.

The pulpit is of verjr fine oak, with the Howard coat of arms
well carved in front, being the gift of Lady Howard about 1720.

" As soon as the requisite funds can open ; and to substitute a pointed stained
he obtained, it is contemplated to take window in lieu of the present round-
down the present plaster ceiling of the headed unsightly-looking light.
Chancel, which now comes down far below " Called the Lord's Aisle in MSS.
the apex of the Chancel-arch, to remove collections in Colonel Bowles's library,
the Grecian screen, and throw it quite

86 NORTH ASTON.

There are some good open seats^ of oak^ with carved ends. The
Font is of the time of Charles II.

The walls of the mansion-house approach to within a yard
of the tower : no \'iew whatever can be got either of the
tower or of the Church till you come near to the church-yard
gates. The tower, overgrown on all sides with ivy, is a beau-
tifully picturesque object : the tower-arch is lofty, of the Per-
pendicular style, with well-moulded capitals. b. bevan, ch. ch.

Under the arch, on the south side of the Chancel, is an altar-
tomb of alabaster, supporting the recumbent figures of a knight
in armour, and his lady, in fine preservation. The knight has a
collar of SS. arms : party per pale : dexter, argent, on a bend
sable three martlets of the first, a crescent of the second for
difference; sinister, gules, tliree lions passant argent. These
arms occur also in the east window of the south aisle. As
weepers round the tomb, there are "fourteen little statues in
monastic habits, carrying staves, beads, &c., and three plumed
figures, supporting shields, within Gothic niches." These sur-
round three sides of the tomb. This monument has no name
upon it, but is thus described at p. 67 of " The Gathcringcs of
Oxfordsher A". Dom. 1574," by Richard Lee Portcullis, MS.
Wood 14. D. in the Ashmolean Museum. "In North Aston

Church

a mail in armour w"* a woman
in a baron's robe very ancient
Johns Ann & Alicia uxor ejus,
ob. 141(5."

The arms are tricked as above, together with another impaled

shield, which perhaps then also existed on the monument''. At

p. 66 of the same MS. these coats appear among the shields of

alliances which Lee gives as being "in the ancient house of

Anne'i in Northaston."

P Ant. Wood repeats Lee's account of in Yorksliire, who took the name of Tas-

this monument. MSS. E. 1. fol. 113. bm-gh in 1810. Their anus were gules

^ This is the surname of the very three bucks' heads caboshed arg. attired

ancient Catholic family of Anne of or— but in the family chapel there was

Frickley, in the parish of llooton Pagncl formerly a stone with three martlets on

NORTH ASTON. 87

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday Survey, Aston (Etone) formed part of the grant of
Robert de Oiley.

The next mention of Aston is in 1262, 46, 47 Hen. III., when the
name of Wilham de Montacute occm's as Lord of the manor "".

In 1295, the advowson of the Church of Aston Cantehia, was given
by John de Hastyng to the Prior and Convent of Stodley, together with
certain lands in that parish s.

In 1336, Sir John de Molins, lord of the manors of Brill and
Ludgarshale, did now obtain licence from the king to make a castle of
his manor house at Aston, and to impark his woods in Ilmere, with one
hundred acres of pasture in Bekkenesfeld, Burnham, and Chippenham ;
and to have free warren in Bekkenesfeld, Chalfhunt, &c., being now
engaged in the wars of Scotland of the retinue of William de Montacute'.

In 1425, Sir William Molins, died July the eighth, seized of the manors
of Henle, Aston, &c. &c., leaving WiUiam, his son and heir, 19 years of
age. Of which manors, Laurence de Scaccario held two carucates of
land in Abbeford, within the parish of Aston, com. Oxon, in ] 3 Edw. I.,
by the serjeanty of being marshal to the justices itinerant through all
England, and to the justices of the King's Bench, and barons of the
Exchequer".

In 1411, this manor, with others, became the property of Robert
Hungerford, Esq., as part of the lands of inheritance of Ahanore,
daughter and heir of Sir Wilham Molins.

This estate and manor were left to Mrs. Henrietta Fermor, sister of
Mr. Fermor of Tusmore, by Madam Brooke, who died in France in
1716^

a bend, and this inscription, " Hie jacet " God save Martin Anne and Frances his
Alyss de Anne, qua obiit xx die Febru- wife 1572." — Vide Hunter's South York-
arii, Ao D"' millesimo cccc, cujus animse shire, vol. ii. p. 148.
propitietur Deus." Dr. NathanielJohn- ' R. Dods. MS. vol. xxix. p. 103. ap.
ston, who describes the mansion at Frick- Kennett, vol. i. p. 366.
ley in his topographical collections, says, ' Pat. 24. Edw. I. Nov. 15. ap. Ken-
that over the door entering into the court nett, vol. i. p. 461.

before the house is a shield, with three ' Diigd. Bar. torn. ii. p. 100. ap. Ken-
martlets on a bend, which tradition says nett, vol. ii. p. 33.

are the arms of the family from whom " Blount's Antient Tenures, p. 72. ap.

Frickley came to the Annes. On an old Kennett, vol. ii. p. 247.

stable-door the same, quartering an eagle ^ Dr. Hutton's MS. Collections in Bibl.

displayed. Over the door, carved in wood, Bodl.

NORTH ASTON.

Lady Howard, the great benefactress to the church, was the widow
of a Sir Robert Howard, afterwards the wife of Dr. Marten, sometime
rector of Somerton. She held a hfe interest in the estate by virtue
of a lease from one of the Fermor family, about 1716.

It appears to have come into the possession of a Mr. Oldfield about
1746; from him into the present family. 1st. Charles Bowles;
2nd. Oldfield Bowles ; 3rd. Charles Oldfield Bowles.

DUNSTEW.

PATRON.
SIR G. DASHWOOD, BART.

FT. IN.

Chancel 39 0

Nave 50 6

North Aisle .... 57 0

Tower 13 0

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

FT. IN.

14 0

18 G

9 6

13 0

A PLAIN Church of mixed styles^ with tower at the west end.

The Chancel has a Perpendicular east window of three hghts,
with brackets for images on each side of it; on the north
side is a lancet window ; on the south side are two plain square
windows and a door. No piscina or sedilia. Chancel-arch
Decorated, plain, with moulded imposts ; arch into north aisle
also Decorated, quite plain, with roll-moulding for impost; no
other capital, and the recess and chamfered edges of arch are
continued to the ground in both these arches. Across the
Chancel-arch a screen, of Early Perpendicular work, the pattern
quite Decorated. In the jamb of the Chancel-arch on the west
side is a Decorated niche.

DUNSTEW. 89

The Nave on the north side has three Decorated arches, on
tall octagon pillars, with moulded caps, ornamented with heads.
The south side has two windows, and a small plain round-
headed door, with Decorated mouldings. The north aisle is
Decorated, Avith two windows of this style, and a door, stopped
up ; the other two windows square Perpendicular. The roof
is plain, and not original. The font is a clumsy imitation of
Norman, probably of the time of Charles II. There is a cross
on the east gable ; no parapet to either nave or Chancel.

The south porch is Perpendicular.

The Tower is Perpendicular; the west door very deeply
recessed, and well moulded, with ogees and hollows ; the win-
dows are square headed, of two lights ; buttresses, diagonal,
in stages ; parapet, plain, with pinnacles at the angles, and a
stair-turret at the north-west angle.

This Church is much overgrown with ivy. i.h.p.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday survey, Duns Tewe (Tewa) is enumerated as part of
the land of Robert de Oilgi. It formed part of his gift to Oseney Abbey,
confirmed by his nephew in 1 149 ^.

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, temp. Hen. VIII., it is described as a
Vicarage of the annual value of viij/. xiijs. iiijrf., belonging to the priory
of Merton, John Andrewes being then vicar. The priory of Merton was
in Surrey ; how this living came to be taken from Oseney, and given to
this distant priory does not appear. At the Dissolution it passed into the
hands of lay impropriators, and in 1690 was the property of Sir John
Read, Bart. ; in 1746 of Dorothy Dashwood, widow ; and in 1768 of Sir
Henry Dashwood, Bart; the certified value being then £75. 125. The
present value, according to the returns to the Ecclesiastical Commission-
ers, is £237.

y Kennett, vol. i. p. 90, 142. and Dugdale's Monasticon Aug., vol. ii. p. 138.

SANPFORD,

PATRONS.
DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH,

AND
MRS. MARSHALL HACKER.

(NEAR WOODSTOCK.)
St. iWavttn.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

A MIXED Churchy with a Perpendicular tower at the west

end.

Chancel — the east window is transition from Decorated to
Perpendicular, of three lights, fo-
liated, with a Decorated label, the
tracery a curious mixture of the two
styles : on the north side are two
small lancet windows, recessed and
chamfered externally, one of them
blocked up in the inside : on the ;
south side are two plain square-
headed oblong windows, and a small
round-headed door ; the walls are of \
rubble, with ashlar dressings, without
buttresses : close to the west end of
the south wall is a low side- window, '"-^t-
now blocked up ; it has been a plain
square-headed opening like the windows. There is a plain round-
headed small piscina, with part of its basin, of late Decorated work,
and a stone seat in the sill of the south-cast window : in the north
wall is a plain oblong locker : there are three steps to the Altar.
The roof is poor, and not original. The Chancel-arch is Early
English, with plain shafts attached to the jambs, having
moulded caps. The screen is Perpendicular, Avith some good
panels on the lower part. The space above it in the arch

East Window.

SANDFORD. 91

is boarded up, and painted with the arms of Ehzabeth, and
the date 1602 upon it. The painting is curious, the ground
being a sort of ermine pattern; the screen itself has retained the
paint of the same period, blue, red, white, and yellow.

The Nave has on the north side three transition Norman
pointed arches, recessed and chamfered, on octagon piers, with
rude Norman caps, very plain, with thick abacus ; on the south
side are three plain Early English arches, on round pillars,
with moulded capitals. The clerestory windows are good Per-
pendicular, of two lights, square-headed : the roof of the nave
is plain Perpendicular, open timber. The font is octagon, cup-
shaped, on an octagon shaft, the upper part ornamented with
zigzags, and some other Norman ornaments.

The north aisle has plain square-headed windows and door.

The south aisle has an east window of three lights, pointed,
with curious tracery, transition from Decorated to Perpendicular ;
near it is the head of a very rich Decorated piscina, almost hid
behind a deal pew : the side windows are of two lights, also
transition from Decorated to Perpendicular, as is the south
door, which is well moulded, and the dripstone terminated by
heads ; the south porch is of the same character, having a plain
groined vault, very low, with a room over it ; and a plain niche
for a stoup, with part of the stone basin : the outer door of
the porch is plain, with a Perpendicular dripstone. The pews
are mostly plain old oak. The pulpit is Perpendicular, with oak
panelling, having a stone foot, which is Decorated, ornamented
with the ball flower. The reading desk, of Perpendicular
panelling, is probably made out of part of the screen.

The Tower-arch is plain, chamfered, dying into the walls :
the west door of the tower is Perpendicular : the west window,
of three lights, with good tracery, is transition from Decorated.
The upper part of the tower is Perpendicular, with belfry
windows of two lights, and a battlement.

The parapets of the nave and aisles are plain Perpendicular,
with a cornice moulding, but no ornaments.

92 S A N D F O R D.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday survey, Sandford formed part of the grant of "Terra
Epi' Baiocensis in Levecanol Hund.^"

A.D. 1 104, 4th and 5th of Henry I., Nigel de Oily, constable of the
castle of Oxford, and lord of the barony of Hooknorton, held at this
time in feudatory service from the abbot and monks of Abingdon, one
meadow at Oxford, one hide at Sandford, and one hide in Ernecote, or
Amcot, vpithin the parish of Ambrosden, which had been aU given to
that Abbey by Robert de Oily his brother and predecessor*.

A.D. 1264, 48 and 49 Henry HI., Roger de St. John, lord of Staunton,
slain in the battle of Evesham, had confirmed to the canons of Oseney that
gift which his father had made to them, of a mill and five yards' land in
Weston, near Burcester, called Simeon's land. He hkewise confirmed
the grant of the church of Great Barton, with the chapels of Sandford
and Ledwell*^.

A.D. 1273, 1 and 2 Edw. I. On July 12, Reginald, Bishop suffragan of
Gloucester (who was substituted by Richard, Bishop of Lincoln, to visit
these parts of the diocese of Lincoln, and to consecrate new churches),
consecrated the Chapel of St. Martin's, in Sandford, belonging to the
parish of Great Barton*^.

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, temp. Hen. VIIL, it is described as a
Vicarage of the annual value of vij/. xjs., belonging to the abbey of
Oseney, Robert Draycote being the vicar. At the Dissolution it passed
into private hands, and in 1 G95 belonged to Alice Croker, widow ; from
1731 to 1750 to Joseph Taylor, Esq.; and in 1784 to the Duke of
Marlborough. The certified value at that time was £25 ; the present
value, according to the return to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, is
£200.

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 91. nett, vol. i. p. 371.

" Kennett, vol. i. p. 102. " Kennett, vol. i. p. d'J'S, 395.

'' Dug. Bar., toni. i. p. .539. ap. Kuu-

WESTCOTT BARTON.

PATRON. 5t. lEtitoarli. deanery

REV. S. Y. SEAGRAVE. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

The exterior of this Church presents the appearance of a neat
little Perpendicular building, with a tower at the west end of
the same age and style, but in the interior there are portions of
Norman work.

The Chancel has a Perpendicular east window of three Ughts,
with a pointed arch ; the side windows are of two lights, Per-
pendicular, square-headed, with good jamb mouldings, tracery,
and labels; there is a small Perpendicular door on the south
side ; a very small Perpendicular piscina, and a stone seat in the
sill of the south-east window. The Chancel-arch is transition
Norman, acutely pointed, square-edged, not recessed, with plain
square jambs and Norman imposts : there is a good Perpen-
dicular screen across the arch, but much mutilated ; the lower
part is perfect, with the door, consisting of good panel work,
with remains of the old painting, red, blue, and yellow.

The Nave has on the north side three Perpendicular windows,
the same as the side windows of the Chancel, the remains of
the rood-loft staircase and the arch of a doorway ; on the south
side two plain Norman semicircular arches, with labels, the
central pillar round, with a square scolloped cap and a square
base, the responds plain, square, with imposts only.

The south aisle has also Perpendicular windows, the east
window has good curling terminations to the dripstone; the
porch is neat Perpendicular, the south door is also Perpendicu-
lar, with ogee and hollow mouldings, but the old oak door

WESTCOTT BARTON— STEEPLE BARTON.

'■"(''

has been preserved, with hinges of
the Norman C form, and other old iron
work. The font is plain round, on a
square base, probably Norman, but of
no marked character. The seats are
mostly old oak benches, but some have
deal pews built upon them. The pulpit
and desk modern and bad. The roofs
are all concealed by plaster ceilings.

The Tower is plain Perpendicular, ter-
minated by a battlement ; the belfry win-
dows good Perpendicular, pointed, of two
lights, with transoms, and the heads foliated
good plain Perpendicular, but has a singers' gallery built across it;
one of the bells is broken, and lies on the ground in the tower.

There are the steps and base of a Perpendicular cross in the
church-yard.

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, temp. Hen. VTIL, this living is described
as a rectory of the yearly value of vijZ. xs. vijc?., D. Fever, rector. In
1712 and 1749, it belonged to John Welchnian, Gent.; in 1760 to
Constance Welchman and others ; in 1 7G3 to John Welchnian and Samuel
Seagrave ; being then of the certified value of £75. The present value,
according to the return to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, is £179.

'iiiiiil!H"''l,;[;:'|(|!!|i'i|i'
Door Handle

the tower-arch is

STEEPLE BARTON.

PATRONS. Sbt. i^arg. deanery

W. AND M. MISTER. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED OF WOOTTON.
FT. 1\. FT. IN.

Chancel 20 4 by 18 6

Nave 49 1 by 39 0

South Aisle .... 49 0 by Of)

Tower 13 10 by 13 10

A PLAIN Church, of mixed styles, with a square tower at the
west end : Chancel has been patched in a Debased style, but the
walls are Decorated. The cast window has a Decorated arch iiv

STEEPLE BARTON.

V-'

"^^^ff/

W'J !:''''-i;.

,,„!

iii

Oak Corbel in Chancel

the inside, but the window itself is a plain square-headed insertion
of three lights, with flat segmental heads not foliated. The two
windows on the south side are similar, but they all have Deco-
rated dripstones of the roll moulding. The north window is
original, two lights, with ogee heads trefoiled, the eyes open and
foliated ; it is transition from Decorated to Perpendicular, and
has also the roll moulding for a dripstone. The roof is modern,
flat, and poor. The corbels of the
old roof remain ; they are good Deco-
rated masks, cut in oak. The com-
munion-table and rails, plain. Seve-
ral monuments in the Elizabethan
style to the famihes of Blundel, Hum-
frey, and Dormer.

The Nave has on the north side two Decorated square-headed
windows, one of which is partly
blocked up ; two modern windows
and a small plain door blocked up.
On the south side are five good
Decorated arches, pointed and re-
cessed, with the edges chamfered
off", and the labels united by heads.
The pillars octagon, slender, with
good Decorated caps, ornamented
by heads, resembling those at
Woodstock and Hampton Poyle.
The Chancel-arch is Decorated,
with a label; the jambs quite
plain. This arch is boarded
up, and the arms of James II.,
supported by curious figures with
wings, are painted on this board-
ing, with the date, 1686, and this text under them in Black letter :
" £Slr) son fcare tijou tl)e llorU anti {\)C Iting nnO mcDic not toili^
tf)cm tf)at arc gibcn lo CTIjangc."
This boarding might be better removed from the arch, but the
painting should be preserved and placed against the blank wall.

•"■ftHQTrCDEL. isn'-'^^

Window, on the TSTorth side.

96 STEEPLE BARTON.

The roof of the nave is plain and bad, not original ; the cor-
bels of the old roof remain, and are Decorated. The south aisle
has an east window of four lights, transition from Decorated to
Perpendicular, the head of which is filled up. On the south side
are two square-headed late Decorated win-
dows, of two lights, with good dripstones,
the terminations of which consist of half-
length figures of animals ; the west Avin-
dow is also Decorated, but filled up ; the
roof flat and poor; the south door is \
Decorated, with a well-moulded arch, the
dripstone terminated by heads, shafts in
the jambs, with a fiUet on the face, the 'iSIf llfili'''

caps moulded. The south porch is also Onpstone lerminalioa.

Decorated; the outer arch bricked up, and a square door in-
serted; there is a trefoil-headed niche for the stoup; the
wooden door is the old one cut down and patched, with the
old iron-work preserved. The tower is plain Perpendicular,
with tolerably good west door and window ; diagonal but-
tresses in stages, and a plain battlement. The inside is finished
with ashlar-work, and the tower-arch has evidently been open to
the Church, though now boarded up, and a singing gallery built
across it. The font is plain, round, but the sides are fluted with
very shallow flutes ; the base moulding is Decorated. The pew-
ing consists partly of open seats, some old, some of the time of
James II. ; all the enclosed deal pews are of quite modern date.
The pulpit and reading-desk are modern and bad. The walls of
this Church are sound, but the roofs are in a very bad state ; it
appears to have been principally built in the fourteenth century,
and to have had new roofs and other alterations in the time of
James II.

Steeple Barton manor-house is situated about a quarter of a mile east
of the Church, a part of this building is yet remaining ; it was built, accord-
ing toWood's MSS., E. 1. p. 100,Ash.Mus., by John Dormer, circa 1.524.
The Dormers were merchants of the staple, and the arms of the staple
merchants were to be seen in Wood's time in two or three places on the

STEEPLE BARTON. 97

walls of the court before the house. Over the door leading to the
stables and to the house, were written, " Thinke and Thanke, ann.
1570." In the upper part of the house were several rooms of large
dimensions, which were perhaps formerly used as dormitories ; but there
was one about 92 feet long, which appears to have been the ball or ban-
quet room, as the walls were ornamented with paintings in fresco,
chiefly of allegorical designs, but better drawn and executed than most
specimens of that period. In 1678, and 1679, Ralph Sheldon made
considerable alterations within the house. Many adjoining remains prove
the whole to have been an extensive estabhshment. There is a vignette
of that part which is now standing in Skelton's Oxfordshire, Wootton
Hundred, p. 3.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The name Berton did signify a granary, or store place for corn^.

In 1082, Barton, part of the possessions of Rogerii de Iveri^,

In 1360, Simon, son of Walter de Wodeham, in Surrey, released to
Nicholas de Loveym, Knight, and Margery his wife, all his right in the
manors of Staunton St. John, Barton, &c., com. Oxon^.

Roger de St. John, lord of Staunton, slain in the battle of Evesham,
had confirmed to the canons of Oseney, that gift which his father had
made to them of a mill and five yards land in Weston, near Burcester,
called Simeons land. He likewise confirmed the grant of the Church of
Great Barton, with the Chapels of Sandford and Ledwell s.

The hving is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at
7/. 9s. 4|rf. At the time of the Dissolution it belonged to Osney Abbey,
and then passed into lay hands; in 1712 it belonged to John James,
Esq. ; in 1729 to the Earl of Godolphin ; in 1772 to the Duke of Marl-
borough, in turns with Francis Page, Esq., and Dr. Taylor, being then
of the clear yearly value of 31/. According to the late returns to the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the present value is 78/.

<• Kennett, vol. i. p. 37. « Dug. Bar., torn. i. p. 539 ; ap. Keii-

« Kennett, vol. i. p. 91. nett, vol. i. p. 371.

' Kennett, vol. ii. p. 126.

WOLVERCOT.

PATRONS.

MERTON COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

5t. ^etcr.

DEANERY

OF OXFORD.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

■Wolvercot Churgli.

A SMALL plain Church, mostly late Perpendicular, witli a
tower at the west end.

The Chancel is of two bays, the east window modern Per-
pendicular, not good. On the north side
the wall is blank; on the south side are|
two small Perpendicular windows, square
headed, of two lights, foliated, and a
small door. The roof is ceiled; the
Chancel-arch is transition Norman, point-
ed, the edges slightly chamfered, spring-
ing from Norman imposts, on plain jambs,
across it are the remains of what has been
a good Perpendicular rood-screen. There is an hour-glass stand
by the side of the pulpit. The font is plain, round, ornamented
with a diamond pattern, cut very shallow, and nearly effaced.

The Nave is of five bays ; on the south side are two
square-headed Perpendicular windows, of three lights, cinque-

Impost of Channel-arch . with the
Hourglass Staud.

WOLVERCOT.

N -i -^^^».•* V ^ \ ^' ^ -"^ ■

THE PULPIT (Restored).

Tbis fine Pulpit is of the time of Henry VIII.. and is at present in a sadly mutilated
condition: the stem and haae entirely concealed by deal boarding, and the upper
part equally hidden by modern velvet hauginfes.

WOLVERCOT.

foiled, under a square dripstone, and one bad modern imita-
tion: the south door is good Perpendicular, it has a pointed
arch, under a square head, with foliated circles in the span-
drils; the oak door is old, and has good iron hinges of the
fifteenth century; the north wall is blank, except the arch into
a chapel. The roof is late Perpendicular, open timber, rather
flat, but with the springers pierced with open-work, resting on
good stone corbel-heads, these are Decorated, rudely carved, but
of good character.

The arch into the north chapel is Decorated, pointed and
recessed, with the edges chamfered off, having shafts attached
to the jambs, with Decorated moulded caps and bands; this
chapel has square Perpendicular windows on the east and
west sides, and two small round windows on the north side, to
throw light under the canopy of a splendid marble monument, in
the style of Charles II. ; on a raised tomb under this canopy
are three recumbent effigies, of a judge, in his robes, with a
collar of SS., and his two wives; at the head are three daughters
kneeling, and at the feet three sons; these smaller figures are
kneeling on the slab of the monument; the whole has preserved
its original painting and gilding. The
judge is John Walter, Lord Chief
Baron of the Exchequer, and Groom
of the Chamber to King Charles II.
The Tower is Perpendicular, of

three stories, terminated

by a battlement, but it is

evidently built partly of

old materials : the belfry

windows are Decorated,

of two lights, trefoilcd,

with a quatrefoil in the

head, preserved from an

older church, and built in ;

'/^A

tiT' I-

BatUfment.

Corbel of Tower Arch.

the tower-arch is Decorated, with ogee

and hollow mouldings, and good corbels : the west door is

100

WOLVERCO T— G O D S T O W.

.s^*s^^ =!i^.

Perpendicular, having a pointed arch, moulded under a square
head and dripstone, the spandrils sunk and ornamented with a
flower of four leaves : the west
window is of three lights, late
Perpendicular, with a flat arch :
the buttresses are placed diagon-
ally. The roof is of stone, sup-
ported by stone ribs, forming a
pointed vault, but not groined;
the ribs are square, springing
from plain corbels : this roof ap-
pears to have been rebuilt of the
old materials: from which it may
be gathered that the original

tower, bunt m the foUl^teenth Part of Roof of Tower

century, had a saddle-back roof, and when it was rebuilt in the
fifteenth century, this was partly preserved, but concealed by a
battlemented parapet, according to the fashion of that period.

This Church is much encumbered by galleries, and conse-
quently very dark, and the tower-arch is boarded up, which
shuts out the west window. The pewing is partly square and
high, partly open seats with plain poppies cut out of solid oak,
but not moulded; these are of the time of Charles II., or later.
Tlie west gable of the north chapel is lofty and well propor-
tioned, with the shaft of a cross upon it ; the parapet and cor-
nice of the nave are late Perpendicular.

GODSTOW.

The remains of the Nunnery of Godstow consist of a consider-
able part of the boundary wall, and at one corner the ruin of
a domestic building of the fifteenth century, with a Perpendicular
window of three lights, having a flat obtusely pointed arch,
two small squai'c-headed, and two small round-headed ones : the

WOLVERCO T— G O D S T O W.

101

wall is of considerable extent,
and great part of it has Per-
pendicular basement mouldings.
By the side of a modern barn, is
a small bridge, of the fifteenth
century, consisting of one pointed
arch over a ditch. In another
part of the wall is a Perpendi-
cular gateway, with a four-cen-
tred arch, recessed, with hollow
mouldings, and a good dripstone,
at a short distance from the ruin, has two arches, one pointed,
the other round; part of it is ancient, but much altered by
modern work.

The bridge over the river.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The village of Wulvercot is written in old evidences Wlgaricot, having
been without doubtthe habitation of Ulgarus.or Wolgarus,a Saxon, (temp.
Saxonum.) The said village, by the name of Wlgaricot, was given to God-
stowe nunnery (much about its dedication, an. 1138) by Bernardus de
S. Walerico, for in the reg. book of the said Nunnery (cited by Dugdale,
Monast. Anglic, vol. i. p. 526) it appears y* Thom. de S. Walerico did
confirme the gift of his father made to Godstow nunnery concerning the
village of "Wlgaricot, whether aU the village, or some part of it I know not.,
because in the confirmation charter of K. Rich. I. of all the gifts before his

102 WOLVERCOT— GODS TOW.

time made to the said Nunnery, is confirmed the said village of Wlgaricote
given to that Nunnery by his father K. Henry. The church or chapel
of Wulvercote is a chappell of ease to the church of St. Peter in the
East, Oxon *>. King Heniy HI. gave the Rectory of St. Peter, with the
chappel thereto belonging, to the House of Walter de Merton, an. 1266,
by virtue of which gift, the warden and Scholars of y*^ house became
rectors of this chapel. In the year 1292, the said warden and scholars,
with leave from the V., C. Oliver, Bp. of Lyncoln, did appropriate the
said Rectory to their house. By virtue of w'^^' appropriation, this ch. or
chapp. of Wulvercote was appropriated also. So y* thereupon the said
church of St. Peter being made a vicarage (served by Merton coll. Fel-
lows) the vicar of y* place, or his substitute, served here at Wulvercote,
and had the lesser tithes for his paynes.

In the principal foundation charter of Osney Abbey by Rob. de OUeyo,
the founder, he does give to y* Abbey tota decima de Wlgarikote.

Robert de Oiley, this founder, had the patronage of St, Peter's Church
in the East, .... so consequently the chapp. of Wulvericote with it '.

Edith, an eminent and devout matron, at her own proper charge built
the Monastery of Godestow, near Oxford, which, at the latter end of
December, 1138, in the 4th King Stephen, was dedicated by Alexander
Bishop of Lincoln, to the honour of the Virgin Mary and St. John
Baptist. King Stephen, and his Queen Maude, with their son Eustace,
were present at laying the first stone, and were each a benefactor to it.
John de St. John gave the site of the Abbey, and one mill of £4. in
Wulvercot, and two houses and a parcel of land before the gate of the
Church, in the island between the two rivers ; and half a meadow, called
Lambey, of which the other half was given by Robert de Oiley. Various
other benefactions are recorded in the Monasticon, vol. i. p. 525, and in
Kennett, vol. i. p. 129.

This Edith, the foundress, seems to have been the same with Edith,
wife of Robert de Oiley; she being called " Memorabilis Matrona Deo
devota," and was buried in Oseney Abbey, in a religious habit, as
Mr. Leland, an eye-witness, reports. " There lyith an Image of Edithe
of Stone in th abbite of a Wowes holding an Hart in her right Hond on
the North side of the High Altare'^."

A.D. 1171. 17, IS, Henry II. Bernard de St. Walery, Lord of the

Manor of Ambrosden, seems now to have fallen into the King's dis-

'■ Vide Dugdalc, Bar., vol. i. p. 459. b. >< Leland, vol. ii. fol. ID.

' A"'. Wood's MS. E. 1. p. 72.

wo LVER COT— GOD STOW. 103

pleasure, and to have his lands seized, and the rents paid into the
Exchequer ; for Hugh de S. Germans, sheriff, accounted for £50. of the
fee of Bernard de S. Walery. But he soon made his peace, and it seems
a condition of it, that he gave to the King the manor of Wulvercotte,
near Oxford, and his right of advowson or patronage of the Nunnery of
Godstow. The which village of Wulvercote, and site of the abbey, the
King gave to those nuns by a charter wherein he acknowledges to
have received them from Bernard de St. Walery, who seems to have
become possessed of them in right of his second wife, Avoris, daughter
of John de St. John, lord of Stanton, and to have brought in frank
marriag-e the advowson of Godstow and the manor of Wulvercote, in
which place some lands and the site of their house were at the founda-
tion given by her father '.

King Stephen, by his charter, granted to these nuns [of Godstow] a
fair to be kept for the space of three days' space, at St. John Baptist.
Multitudes of people resorted thereunto.

Walter Ld Clifford gave to this nunnery, for the health of his sovl, and
for the souls of Margaret his sometime wife, and Rosamund his daughter,
the mill of Frantom (Frampton) in com. Gloc, and a little meede laying
near it, called Lechson, and a salt pit at Wychi. — W^alter his son, con-
firmed the gift of his father. — Rosamund his sister, was in the flour of
her youth concubine to K. H. II., and afterwards a nun here, and dying
about the yeare 1175, was buried in the church here, over whose grave

was this written.

Hie jacet in tumba Rosa mimdi, non rosa munda,
Noil ridolet sed olet, qu» redoleri solet"".

The story of her being poisoned by Queen Eleanor is of modern date.
Brompton, Kington, and Higden, say she died a natural death soon after
she was enclosed in her bower. Her parents buried her before the high
Altar, at Godstow, her royal lover lavishing great expense on her tomb.
About twenty years after, Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, visiting this nunneiy,
took offence at the immoral tendency of this, and ordered her corpse to
be removed into the Chapter-house. Here it was again disturbed at the
Reformation, as we read in Dugdale's Monasticon Anghcanum, vol. i.
p. 528. " Rosamunde's tumb, at Godestowe Nunnery was taken up a late ;
it is a stone with this inscription — 'Tumba Rosamundae.' Her bones
were closid in lede and withyn that bones were closid yn letter (leather).
When it was opened there was a very swete smell came out of it."
' Kennett, vol. i. p. 175, 176. "> Ant. Wood, MS. E. 1. p. 74.

YARNTON.

PATRONS. 5t. 25artl)olomcb}. deanery

SIR G. DASHWOOD, OF WOODSTOCK.

AND HUNDRED

WARDEN AND FELLOWS OP WOOTTON.

OP
ALL SOULS' COLLEGE.

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Nave 45 0 by 15 9

South Aisle .... 48 0 by 14 0

Chancel 23 9 by 13 0

Chapel 31 0 by 18 9

An Early English Churcli, with late additions : the plan is
singular; a nave and Chancel with a south aisle; this south
aisle has a tower at the west end, and a chapel, called the
Spencer Aisle, at the east end, and a south porch, built in 1616,
as appears by the churchwardens' accounts, sub anno.

The pillars and arches are good Early English: the roofs
of the nave and south aisle are open Perpendicular work;
and there arc some Perpendicular benches. The Chancel-arch
has for its support three slender detached shafts, with bands:
on the north side the arch has sunk considerably, by reason
of interments on that side : the grooves and mortices for the
insettion of the rood-loft beams are perceptible in and about
the archivolt ; the Chancel-roof was plastered about thirty years
ago ; the east window is of three lights, each lancet-shaped, the
middle one being the highest, but all without any sort of tracery.
The late Mr. Alderman Fletcher, out of his stores of painted
glass, composed the east window, as also all the other painted
glass windows of the Church : the large figure in the centre of
the east window was, with its inscription Stus Bartholomaus,
inserted at the same time : some few pieces of the original
painted glass of this Church escaped the fury of the Puritans in

YARNTON. 105

1645, when tlie Parliament array was quartered in the neigh-
bourhood: two Benedictine monks, remarkably well designed
and coloured, a bishop, with the name Nicholaus on a label
below, and an archbishop, in hke manner subscribed Tlionias, are
still safely lodged witliin the mullions of the tracery- work at the
top of the large north Perpendicular window, and serve to shew
the old connection of this church with the Benedictine monas-
tery of Ensham, to which it belonged, and whose cure was
always supplied by the monks of that abbey. The side windows
of the Chancel consist of two on the north side, both small, one
pointed, the other round-headed, and both deeply recessed
from within, and splayed; there are also two round-headed
windows, of the same sort, in the south wall near the tower ;
externally they are pointed.

William Fletcher, Esq., mayor of Oxford, gave some Scripture
pieces in sculptured alabaster", of the early part of the fifteenth
century, representing — 1. The Wise Men's Offering; 2. The
betrayal with a kiss ; 3. The Bearing of the Cross ; 4. The
crucified Saviour in the lap of the Virgin Mother ; they are over
the Altar.

The tower-arch was built in 1611, when the tower, into which
it opens, was erected by Sir Thomas Spencer. In the chapel is
deposited the old Norman font, rescued by the present vicar,
thirty years ago, from the adjoining farm-yard; in the south
aisle is the Perpendicular font, now in use, with a modern foot ;
it is said to have come from St. Michael's church, Oxford, and
was presented by Mr. Alderman Fletcher.

Sir Thomas Spencer did not only erect the tower, (the masonry
of which is remarkable for the exactness of its courses and the
truth and finish of the work,) but he also built the chapel
before-mentioned (the burial-place of his family, hence called the
Spencer Aisle), and contributed to the south porch, which has
within it a plastered cornice of scroll-work of the date of James I.;

" This sculpture was discovered some East, in Oxford, near St. Edinund's Hall,
years since secreted under the floor of a purchased by Alderman Fletcher, and
house in the parish of St. Peter's-in-the- given to this Church.

106

YARNTON.

the inner doorway is late Norman. Sir Thomas did so much to
the Church in other respects, as to make it difficult to say, in
many parts of the interior and exterior, what are the dates of
their architecture respectively. It seems probable that all the
Early English work was completed in the time of that great
instaurator of churches and church discipline, Bishop Grosthead,
who came to the See of Lincoln in 1235, and who soon after
compelled the abbey of Ensham to convert their capella de
Erdynton into a Vicaria perpetua. The Institution Rolls at
Lincoln will shew, not only Grosthead's interference at Yarntou
with the monks of Ensham, but that it was his practice to make
all the monasteries do their duty by their churches.

The Spencer aisle contains, besides mural tablets, a bedstead
monument of Sir William Spencer, the first of the Spencers of
Yarnton, being third son of Sir John Spencer, of Althorp, who
bought this manor of the Durants, of Cottesmore, Rutlandshire,
for the settlement of this son : it also contains a monument of the
last of the family, the second Sir Thomas Spencer, exhibiting the
statues of Sir Thomas and Lady Spencer, their only son AYilliam,
and four daughters, who, by
the death of that son, be-
came co-heiresses, and ulti-
mately possessors each of a
fourth share of this estate,
from whom the property was
purchased by the Dashwood
family, one -fourth share
(that of Jane, who had mar-
ried Robert Spencer, Earl of
Tiviot, brother of the Earl
of Sundcrland,killcd at New-
bury fight, 1643) not having
been sold with the rest of %.
this property.

There is a curious Early '^^'^iM^^^i^^^
cross in the chui'ch-yard, -^^"'' "- '^^Ui»Si i-J^j,,

Cross Yarnton Chiirch-yard

y A R N T O N.

107

which may be cited in further evidence of the ancient connection

between this church and the abbey of Ensham^ for at Ensham

there is a cross of the same form and

character, and sculptured much in the

same manner : the upper half of the

shaft at Yarnton is missing, that at^

Ensham is complete. Between the,

crosses at Ensham and Yarnton there

were, within the memory of man,

others at and near Cassington, (Cas-

sington, like Yarnton, having formerly

been a capella and afterwards a Vicaria of Ensham Abbey,)

at each of which crosses, on solemn processions, the abbot and

monks were wont to perform the appointed services.

Plan of Cross.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Yarnton, a village four miles from Woodstock, and nearly the same
from Oxford, was originally called Eardungtun, a name which Somner in
his Dictionary translates dwelling town, and illustrates by Eardung-hus,
dwelling-house, — Eardung-stow, dwelling-place. This name has been
variously moulded in different records into Erdintune (as in the
Ensham abbey charter), Eardington and thon, Aerdinton, Ardington,
Hardintone, Yearingtone, Yarington, Yarnton. It is singular that the
name of the village of Erdington, in the parish of Aston, juxta Birming-
ham, has also, by the same sort of process, been changed into Yarnton.
Its capital mansion-house, the property of the able, upright, and benevo-
lent Earl Howe, is called in the Index Villaris (ed. 1751) Yarnton Hall ;
it also bears its old name of Erdington Hall. The farmers of Yarnton,
Oxfordshire, in turning their cattle into the meads of the parish, distin-
guish them by the letter E and not Y, that is, by the initial of Eardung-
tun and not of Yarnton.

With respect to the descent of the manor and landed property of the
parish, it will be best to throw events into chronological order.

A.D. 1005. King Ethelred confirmed the grant of Ethelmar, or
Ailmer, earl of Cornwall, to the abbey of Eynesham, which grant, inter

108 YARNTON.

alia, consisted of 10 mansions of common field at Erdintune. It is added,
that for these mansions Ailmer had given his kinsman Godwin 5 man-
sions at Stodeley and 10 at Cestertune.

A.D. 1072. Upon the death of Wulwin, bishop of Dorchester, Remi-
gius, a monk of Fescamp, and follower of the Norman William, succeeded,
and thinking Dorchester too insignificant a place for his See, determined
to transfer it to Lincoln.

A.D. 1091. Remigius, having eff'ected his purpose, wished to obtain
Slatford (Sleaford) of the monks of St. Mary, Stow, near Gainsborough,
for his residence, where he afterwards built a palace ; he therefore gave
the monks of Stow, Ensham abbey, and, inter alia, Yarnton, as a compen-
sation for what they had surrendered, or rather he incorporated them, being
Benedictines, with their Elder Brethren of Ensham. To efi'ect all this,
Remigius (being one of the king's commissioners under the Inquisition
to take an account of the Saxon property in these parts) contrived to
insert his own name into the Doomsday record, as owner of Yamton
{Hardintone), and then dealt with it as his own, and consequently as
land which he had a right to exchange in this way ; he died soon after-
wards.

A.D. 1092. Robert Bloet succeeded to the bishopric of Lincoln, a
firm friend of the monks of Ensham, in whose abbey he ordered his
bowels to be buried. By his powerful patronage the monks of Ensham
again became possessed of Yarnton, and aU their other property ; they
were restored, A.D. 1109, by the grant of King Henry I.
A.D. 1123. Bishop Bloet died.

A.D. 1154. Henry II. seized the manor of Yarnton, and gave it to
Bernard de St. Valery (de Sancto Valerico), who, like Remigius, was a
Norman and a king's favourite. He attended Richard I. to Palestine,
and fell at the siege of Acre.

A.D. 1 190. Thomas de St. Valery succeeded his father, but not with-
out opposition from the monks of Ensham.

A.D. 120G. There was a trial by jury whether Yarnton was the lay-
fee of Thomas de St. Valery, or the Frank Ahnoigne of Ensham abbey.
The abbey gained nothing by the verdict, as appears by the sequel.
A.D. 1219. This Thomas died.

A.D. 122 1. The earl of Dreux, a French nobleman, of the blood royal
of France, had livery of Yarnton, as having married Annora, daughter
nf Thomas de St. Valery.

Y A R N T O N. 109

A.D. 1227. All the earl of Dreux's property was forfeited to king
Henry III., as adhering to his enemies heyond seas ; he died soon after
in France.

A.D. 1229. Henry HI. having seized the earl's property, gave it to
his brother, the earl of Cornwall, first for custody, but afterwards by
donation; the grant is dated A.D. 1229.

A.D. 1272. The earl of Cornwall died in this year; he was a firm and
faithful crusader, and afterwards made king of the Romans.

A.D. 1281. Edmund, son of the earl of Cornwall, succeeded to Yam-
ton, and the rest of his father's possessions, and soon after, in fulfilment
of his father's intentions, founded the Cistercian monastery of Rewley,
near Oxford, and endowed it, inter alia, with the manor of Yarnton.

It is to be observed, that in all these successions to the property of
Yarnton, the rights of the abbey of Ensham had been constantly dis-
regarded. Although every fresh transfer had produced new appeals to
justice, and although abbot after abbot had prosecuted the cause of his
convent, still the property continued to descend wrongfully, and no
sooner had Yarnton been annexed to the neighbouring abbey of Rewley,
than the abbot of Ensham again had recourse to the king's court at
Westminster. Without entering upon the pleadings before the Justices
in Eyre, at Oxford, 13 Edward I. (A.D. 1285), it will be enough for the
present purpose to state the end of this long litigation, or rather of this
system of violence and oppression. The abbots of Ensham and Rewley
at length came to terms, and entered into a composition. The deed of
agreement is dated A.D. 1294. By virtue of this compact, Rewley was to
continue in possession of all the Yarnton land, but was to pay great tithes
throughout its extent to the abbey of Ensham, and small tithes to the
vicar of Yarnton ; an important concession, when it is remembered that,
as a Cistercian monastery, Rewley was exempt from all such payments.
After this the property experienced no more vicissitudes, and continued
peaceably in the possession of the Cistercians, till the suppression of their
monastery under Henry VIH.

A.D. 1536. The Cistercian abbey of Rewley was dissolved.
A.D. 1338. The manor of Yarnton was in the hands of Henry VIII.,
in which year the king's accountant returned a statement of his receipts
and disbursements to the Augmentation Office, together with a list of
the tenants, and their respective rents and holdings.

A.D. 1540. The manor is found in the hands of Geo. Owen, Esq.,

110 YARN TON.

of Merton College, the king's physician, in consideration of his pro-
fessional services, and of the sum £676 by him paid into the Court of
Augmentation.

A.D. 1544. John Durrant, Esq., of Cotsmore, Rutlandshire, bought
it for his son.

A.D. 1575, 1579. In each of these years there are entries in the
parish registers of Yarnton, shewing the residence of the Durrants in the
parish.

A.D. 1584. In and from this year the baptisms, burials, and mar-
riages of the Spencers begin, after which the name of Durrant ceases.
Yarnton was probably bought of the Durrants, by Sir John Spencer of
Althorp, for his third son. Sir William Spencer, sometime between 1579
and 1584. The Spencers possessed the property from 1584 to 1714,
about 130 years.

A.D. 1684. The second Sir Thomas Spencer, Bart., died, his only son
having died before him, when (as before stated) three out of his four
daughters agreed to sell their three-fourths of the property to Sir Robert
Dashwood, Bart., Lady Spencer their mother enjoying it for her life ; the
remaining quarter was sold by the representatives of the fourth daughter.
Lady Teviot, to Benjamin Swete, Esq.

A.D. 1712. Lady Spencer died, when the above purchasers respec-
tively came into possession, the one of three-fourths, the other of one
fourth of the property which belonged to the Spencers.

A.D. 1813 This ancient estate still continues three-fourths in the
hands of the Dashwood family, and the remaining fourth in the heirs
and successors of Benjamin Swete, Esq. The descent of the manor has
been thus traced from 1005 to 1843, nearly 840 years.

Vaughan Thomas, Vicar.

BEGBROKE.

5t. micf)atl

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

PATRONS.

SIR GEORGE DASHWOOD,

(three turns.)

BRASENOSE COLLEGE,

OXFORD,

(one turn.)

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 21 4 bv 14 9

Nave 33 0 by 17 9

Tower 10 10 by 11 10

Walls 3 0 thick

A SMALL Church, consisting of Nave and Chancel, with a
western tower : originally Norman, with many modern altera-
tions. Considerable improvements were made about the year
1820 ; the windows in particular were all enlarged, or renewed,
and those on the north side of the nave first made. There is
some good stained glass.

The Chancel is Norman, has a small modern Norman east
window, filled with stained glass by Williment, and two on the
south side : one has a round moulding to the arch and shafts, the
capitals of which are sculptured with rude foliage ; this is filled

112 BEGEROKE.

with shields of arms. The Altar platform is raised one step, and
there is a modern Norman arcade of wood as a reredos : the
roof is concealed by a flat ceiling with ribs.

The Chancel-arch is Norman, with zigzag and embattled
mouldings ; on the west side are two ornamented shafts under
a plain tablet, which is continued to the side walls. A beam
seems to have crossed the arch below the soffit to support a
rood. This arch is horse-shoed from a settlement in the foun-
dation, commencing probably at an early period ; the courses of
stone are not level, and there are considerable fissui-es in the
arch, though concealed by plaster.

The Nave has modern windows, in imitation of a good Per-
pendicular example in the cloisters of Christ Chm'ch, Oxford. The
roof is of high pitch and open, with a tie-beam and collar-beam.
The south door is good Norman, with zigzag mouldings round
the arch, supported by a recessed shaft on each side, one orna-
mented with the spiral moulding, the other with the chevron ;
the abacus on the capitals is continued for some way along the
walls, as a string or tablet.

The Font is plain, octagonal. Perpendicular, no ornament re-
maining but three or four quatrefoils on the stem : it now stands
in the tower, but was several years in the rectory garden, ha\ing
been removed there to make way for a modern Norman basin,
which stands in the Chancel, and is still used. The old font was
removed from its proper position opposite the door, at a restora-
tion of the Church, about the year 1828.

The Tower is of three stages, diminishing with a saddle-back
roof; it seems to be originally Norman, with some Decorated
windows inserted ; it has no staircase and no tower-arch ; the
door is plain, round-headed. The three gables of tower, nave,
and chancel, have a very good effect together.

Near the south door there is a stone coffin with a coped lid,
said to be the Founder's tomb. There is the base of a cross in
the Church-yard ; it is octangular, on a square plinth.

W. T. Parkins.

BEGBROKE. 113

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

This parish is memorable for a fortification, commonly called Round
Castle, which is situate indeed near Begbroke Church on the west,
but is in the parish of Bladon, and Lineham Barrow, between it and
Pudlicot, a seat of the antient family of Lacies. On what particular
occasion they were made we have no history to inform us, but in general
we think it probable that they were made by the Danes, because they
are both in figure round. The Annals of Morgan tells us that there was
a fight in this place, A.D. 1069, but mention not between what parties °.
At the time of forming the Doomsday survey, Bechebroc, as it is there
written, was held under Roger de Laci, and was valued at £4. From
the Rotuli Hundredorum it appears, that in the time of Edward I.,
Richard de Lions held the fourth part of the township of " Bekebrock
of Richard of Wylamscote ;" he also held in demesne half a caracute of
land with the advowson of the Church p.

RECTORES ECCL'I/E DE BEGBROOK COM. OXON.

[Ap. Kennett, vol. ii. p. 415.]

1231. Serlo capellanus ... ad pres. Rog. de Leonibus. Rot. Hug.
Well. pont. 23.

1249. Will, de Bathon capellan ... ad pres. Rog. de Lenns laici.
Rot. Rob. Grosthead, anno 15.

Nich. de Lyonns acol. pres. per Joh. de Lyonns . . . vac. per mort. Hen.
Rot. Dalderby, pont. 4.

2. non. Mart. 1320. Will. Malesovres p'b'r pres. per Joh. de Lyonns
. . . vac. per resign. Nich'i de Lyonns nomine permutationis quam idem
Nich'us cum eccl'ia de Foxcote quam prsefatus Will'us titulo institutionis
prius tenuerat. Reg. Burgwersh.

4. kal. Jun. 1334. Will, de Pershore cl'icus pres. per dom. Joh. de
Lyonns . . . vac. per resign, d'ni Tho. de Stoke, ibid.

7. id. Maii 1336. Adam de Assheby canonicorum p'b'r pres. per
dom. Joh. de Lyonns . . . vac. per institut. Jacobi de Kyngeston ad
eccl. de Rothewell. ibid.

1409. Joh. Chetwode miles fuit patronus eccl'ise de Begbroke.

Reg. Repyngdon.

1431. Tho. Chetwode miles fuit patronus eccl'ise de Bekkebroke. ibid.
22. Sept. 1447. Tho. Chetwode miles patronus eccl'ise de Bekkebroke.

Reg. Alnewyk.

20. Apr. 1499. Dominus Ric. Sutton p'b'r pres. per Fulconem Wode-
hall arm. . . . per mort. mag. Galfr. Tydder. Reg. Smith.

° Beauties of England. '' Skelton's Oxford, Wootton Hundred, p. 3.

BLADON.

PATRON. 5t. iWactin. deanery

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

The Church was rebuilt in 1804, and is an attempt at Gothic.

In this parish are the remains of a house of the 15th century,
wdth two bold round chimneys, which appear to be of the same
age, although the tradition of the village assigns them to a much
earlier period.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Bladon, a village famous only for their loyal parson, Dr. Matthew
Griffith, who for his zeal to the established Church, and regal preroga-
tive, endured seven violent assaults, and five imprisonments, but lived to
the restoration of Charles II., and having recovered his living of St.
Magdalen, Fish-street, and his rectory here, died at this last, Oct. 14,
1665, setat 68. He fought in defence of Basing-house, and his daughter
courageously lost her life there i.

A vignette of the demolished Church of Bladon is given in Skelton's
Oxfordshire, Wootton Hundred, p. 5.

1 Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 377.

WOODSTOCK.

PATRON.
DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

A CHAPELRY TO
THE RECTORY OF BLADON.

Sbt ittacg.

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

Chancel .
Nave . .
South Aisle
West Porch
West Wall
Wall of Porch

The West Porch
FT. IN.

39 0
VO 0
70 0

9
3
1

0
2

by
by
by

FT. IN.

19 10

26 0

9 0

8 2

The Chancel is originally Decorated, the east window of
five lights, with mullions crossing in the head; the Altar-screen,
of Grecian wood-work : the north wall, modem, with no win-
dows : the south wall has two good small Perpendicular but-
tresses, and a good three-light Perpendicular mndow, with a flat
arch : there is a stone bench on each side. The roof is Elizabe-
than and bad.

The Nave on the north side was rebuilt by public subscription
in 1785. It is modern plain work, with three large plain round
arches and windows, and a large gallery ; it exhibits a melancholy

116

WOODSTOCK.

and most ungainly contrast to the south side, which forms the

,..|iil'l'',iii.,i-*ji;'"I|ti

original part of the building. On
the south side are five Early Eng-
lish arches on plain round pillars,
with good caps, ha^dng fohage and
heads intermixed, the bases octa- %,
gon. The clerestory windows are i^r^j^ip.
Perpendicular, of thi'ce hghts, '^

square-headed.

The pewing, both in the galleries capital on soutu side of Nave.

and body of the Chapel, is as bad as can be. In 1678, Lord
Lovelace erected a gallery for the Corporation upon the scite of
the rood-loft. The old half of the roof on the south side is good
Perpendicular work : the pulpit has some Perpendicular panels.
The font is a modern marble pillar and basin. The old font,
which is a good Decorated one, is at present in the garden of
Mr. North, but it is hoped that it will speedily be restored to
its proper place in the Church.

The western gallery has some Elizabethan cai'ving in front,
and the posts have caps of that age. The west door is Decorated,
with a good suite of mouldings, the roll, ogee, and hollow, the
labels terminated by heads, partly cut off by the porch. The
west window is Decorated, of five lights, with quatrefoils in the
head ; the arch fiat, segmental, pointed, with a plain label ter-
minated by heads.

In the south aisle are two Early English windows of two lights,
foliated, with a quatrefoil in the head; the ,.
mouldings inside very good, the outside
plain; the dripstone is at some distance
from the head of the window : there are
the remains of a rich Norman doorway.

The Porch is very low under the west
window; it has a wide fiat Perpendicular

^ UouMings of a.Window,

outer door, with a small niche over it in the parapet; the
buttresses diagonal, with good terminations ; the roof is of stone,
quite plain, without ribs or groins; it has two Perpendicular
windows of two lights on each side. The Tower, modern, i.h.p.

WOODSTOCK.

117

wmmrniSMMMi

Interior.

■WINDOW ON THF. SODTH SIDE

Exterior.

THR FONT

118 WOODSTOCK.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Saxon Vubej-coc, q. d. woody place ; where King Ethelred A.D. 1009,
held an assembly of the states and enacted laws. Here was a magnificent
royal mansion built by Henry I., who added to it a spacious park, en-
closed with a stone wall, and according to John Ross, the first in Eng-
land ; several villages were destroyed to make it, and it was seven miles
round, and made the 14th of Henry I. The king had here a menagerie
of wild beasts sent him by foreign princes •".

Through the park runs the Akemanstreet, entering it at Wotton gate,
and going out at Mapleton well. Its course is from Alchester to Bath ;
it passes near Stunsfield pavement and Wilcot, and is very fair for near
a mile through a long lane, south-w^est from Ramsden, through Wiche-
wood forest.

A.D. 1123. King Henry I., at Christmas, held a council at Woodstock,
where, three days after the Epiphany, riding out with Robert, Bishop of
Lincoln, at a distance from all other company, the bishop fell from his
horse, and being carried home speechless, died the following day.

Our historians relate that Henry II., was enamoured of Rosamond Clif-
ford, a lady of such exquisite beauty as to drive all other women out of
the prince's thoughts, whereby she acquired the common name of " Rosa
Mundi," the rose of the world. In order to conceal her from his jealous
consort, he built in this palace a labyrinth with the most intricate turn-
ings and windings backwards and forwards, now entirely gone ^ (See
the account of Godstow, p. 103.)

A paved bath, or large clear beautiful spring, under an old wall, goes
by the name of Rosamond's well, and a spot in the park, on the south-
west side of the palace, is still called her bower, which literally signifies
only a chamber.

Henry H. was frequently at Woodstock. Edmund, second son of
Edward L, was born here and took his name from it, and so was his
brother, Edward the black prince, and Thomas, duke of Gloucester ; the
latter was also surnamed from it *.

A.D. 1163. Henry H. The king held a great council at Woodstock,
where he confirmed the foundation of Nun-Eaton, com. War. Henry II.

' Malmsb. v. 91. Woodstock, see Kennett, vol. i. p. 63,

• Camden, vol. i. p. 286. 117, 119, 120, 124, 13.3, 164, 175, 179,

' For a variety of minute particulars 182, 199, 238, 309, 311, 321, 3,54, 410;

respecting the residence of the kings at vol. ii. p. 16, 113, 405.

WOODSTOCK. 119

here received Rhys, Prince of Wales, when, in 1163, he came to do
homage.

A.D. 1170. Prince Henry, by his father's order, crowned king at
Westminster, on the 1 1th of the calends of July, kept his Christmas at
Woodstock, to which place, Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, was
coming to him ; but was stopped by express messengers at Southwarc,
on the 15th of the calends of January.

A.D. 1178. The old king was this summer at Woodstock, where, on
the 8th of the ides of August, he knighted Jeffrey, his younger son, duke
of Britain.

A.D. 1186. In September the king was at Woodstock, where, in his
royal chapel within the park, William, king of Scotland, with great so-
lemnity married Ermengard, daughter of the Lord Beaumont, on Friday,
the nones of September.

A.D. 1207. King John was at Woodstock in this 9th of his reign,
where, on the 5th day of August, he confirmed several donations to the
abbey of Neth, in the county of Glamorgan.

A.D. 1235. Henry HI. The king spent a great part of this year at
Woodstock, where, on the 24th of July, he confirmed the endowments
of the nunnery of Tarente in com. Dorset. And on November 3rd. he
ratified the charters and privileges of the priory of Daventre in com.
Northamp.

A.D. 1238. Henry HI. The king was at Woodstock about the feast
of St. Matthew, where a pretended priest, feigning himself mad, got in
by night at a window of the king and queen's bedchamber, with an
intent of murder, but a discovery and noise being made by a devout and
noble woman, Margaret Byset, the fellow was apprehended and torn in
pieces by horses at Coventry, or at Oxford.

A.D. 1256. At the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the
king came to Woodstock, and invited thither Alexander, king of Scots,
and most of the English nobility, whom he entertained there with great
variety and pomp.

A.D. 1330. Edward HI. This country was perhaps no less afi*ected
with that patent of the king, which granted that a flagon of wine in
Oxford should be sold but one halfpenny dearer than in London. But
they were most concerned in the honor and the joy for the birth of the
king's eldest son Edward, at Woodstock, on Friday, June 15, at ten in
the morning, whose nurse was Joan de Oxford, to whom the king after-

120 WOODSTOCK.

wards gave a pension of £10 yearly; the rocker was Maud Plumpton,
to whom was given an annual pension of 10 marks.

A.D. 1354. These parts were much concerned in the joy and solem-
nity occasioned by Queen Philippa's delivery of a 7th son, born at Wood-
stock, on January 6th, who being at the font named Thomas, bore the
simame of this his place of nativity, afterwards earl of Bucks, and duke
of Gloucester. The king to express his joy and affection had solemn
justs and tournaments at Woodstock, to which the nobility resorted in
great numbers.

A.D. 1459. Henry VI. The king by letters patent granted to George,
Archbishop of York, in consideration of his many faithful services,
the manors of Wodestocke, &c., &c., with their several members and
hamlets, as also the hundred of Wotton, and the chattels of all felons,
fugitives, condemned and outlawed persons, within the said liberties to
hold during his life.

THE CUSTOME OF THE MANOR OF WOODSTOCKE.

First, the sayd Mannor of Woodstocke, with all the Members there-
unto belonging, is an auntient Demaine, and so hath been knowne re-
puted, and used, time out of man'^s remembrance.

And there belongeth to the sayd mannor seaven severall Villages, or
Parishes, which are commonly called The Demaines of Woodstocke,
viz., Ilordeley, Wootton, Combe, Stonisfield, Hanborough, Bladon, and
old Woodstocke.

Which sayd Mannor, and other aforesaid Members thereof, have such
Lyberties and Priviledges as other auntient Demaine Lands have used,
and by the Lawes of this Realme ought to have ^.

Elizabeth, when princess, was imprisoned here, and when queen re-
sided much here, and was a considerable benefactress to the town. The
town of Woodstock was chiefly supported by the resort of our kings
and queens, on failure of which a statute was passed, 18th of Ehzabeth,
to make it a staple of wool. The old mansion-house was demolished
in the civil wars ; it stood on a flat spot, just within the park gate,
opposite the great water, and now planted with sycamores and other
trees.

There is an old house in the lower part of the town, which is com-

» Out of Bishop Barlow's MSS. in Bibl. Bodl. num. 9, p. 12.5. ap. Leland's
Ilin., vol. viii. p. W.

WOODSTOCK.

121

monly said to have been part of the palace,
but neither the situation nor the appear-
ances agree with this vague tradition ; it is
situated in that part of the town called Old
Woodstock, but the site of the palace was
within the boundary of the park ; part of
it is, however, of the fourteenth century, and
it has retained one of its old fire-places, with
a plain segmental arch, and the roll-mould-
ing over it, and its chimney, which is a very|S^
elegant one, having a spiral termination, and
openings for the smoke in the sides.

^ ° Cbiumisy, Old Woodstock,

The park and manor continued in the crown till the 4th of Queen
Anne, when she by act of parliament granted the honour and manor of
Woodstock, and hundred of Wootton, to John, Duke of Marlborough,
and his heirs, as a reward of his eminent and unparalleled services,
as they were deservedly styled by the voice of the nation in parliament,
and for perpetuating the memory thereof. The field of this glorious
victory being at or near Blenheim, that magnificent house, erected at the
public expense by Sir John Vanburgh, within this manor of Woodstock,
" as a monument of his glorious actions," to use the words of the act
of parliament, is called the house or castle of Blenheim, in which his
conquests are further recorded in beautiful tapestry. It is to belong
to one of the Duke's descendants, male or female for ever, who are to
bear the arms of Marlborough, and by way of homage, present the
sovereign every year with a standard, in commemoration of the battle of
Blenheim, August 2nd '^.

Woodstock is a chapelry to the contiguous parish of Bladon ; the ori-
ginal place of worship was a chantry, founded in honour of our Lady
by King John. At the dissolution, Henry VIII. granted the Church to
the corporation of the town ; but the patronage is now in the gift of the
Marlborough family. In the tower there are eight bells, with mellow and
pleasing chimes, which go every four hours, and have a different tune
for every day in the week y.

I Continuation by Gough to Camden's Britannia, vol. i. p. 296, 297.
y Beauties of England, vol. xii. p. 383.

WOOTTON.

PATRONS. Bt ilKarg. deanery

WARDEN AND FELLOWS OF WOODSTOCK.

OF NEW COLLEGE. HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

A PLAIN Church, with one aisle on the north side, and a Per-
pendicular tower at the west end.

The Chancel is of the Decorated style, but very plain and
poor ; the east window of four lights, with a segmental head ; the
Chancel-arch pointed, plain, with shafts, the caps of which have
the roll-moulding.

The Nave has four arches on the north side, very plain and
clumsy Avork, Early English, pointed and recessed, the edges
chamfered, with plain lal)els : on the south side the windows are
of two lights. Early English, with pointed trcfoil-hcads ; two of
them have square Perpendicular dripstones inserted over them.
The doorway of the porch is good Early English. The clerestory
and roof are late Perpendicular.

The Tower is plain Perpendicular.

The Font is plain octagon. Early English.

The Aisle has Decorated windows and a door, tolerably good,
but rather clumsy ; the side windows are of two hghts, with a
quatrefoil in the head ; the east window is of three lights, with
rather peculiar tracery.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1226. 10, 11, Henry HI. Ela, countess of Sarum, widow of
William, earl of Sarum, did within this year present a clerk to tlie church
of Wootton, county of Oxon '.

A.D. 1291. 19, 20, Edward I. The general" taxation of Church
dignities and benefices was this year completed and registered : the

'' Rnfr. Dods. MS. vol. cvii. p. 1. ap. the king the tenth of all spiritualities for
Kennett, vol. i. p. 282. six years in subsidium terra: saiictce.

* On occasion of the pope's granting

W O O T T O N.

123

abbot of Oseney and prior of St. Catherine's, appointed collectors for this
diocese of Lincoln, deputed Ralph, rector of Wotton, and Richard, rector
of Gilling, to be taxers in the archdeaconries of Oxford, Bedford and
Bucks, excepting the deanery of Rotland ^.

A.D. 1310. 3, 4, Edward II. An inquisition was taken, July 19, in the
neighbouring parish of Wendlebury, wherein it appeared that Laurence
de Preston held two knights fees in Preston, Hacklington, Horton, Pid-
ington, Quenton, and Wootton ''■.

A.D. 1396. 19, 20, Richard III. John Clompe of Borstall, and
Agnes his wife, daughter of John Howes, granted to Thomas Palmer of
Wootton, and Joan his wife, one messuage to curtilage adjoining, in the
village of Borstall, which fell to them on the death of John Howes '^.

A.D. 1440. By patent, dated 2nd August, 18th Henry VI., p. 3. the
king gave the abbot and convent of Bruern, the advowson of the parish
church of Wootton, by Woodstock, with licence to appropriate it ^.

A.D. 1459. 37, 38, Henry VI., the king, by letters patent, granted to
George, archbishop of York, in consideration of his many faithful ser-
vices, the manors of Wodestocke, Handburgh, Wootton, and Stonesfeld,
with their several members and hamlets, as also the hundred of Wootton,
and the chattels of all felons, fugitives, condemned and outlawed persons,
within the said liberties, to hold during his life ^.

A.D. 1 647, the advowson of this hving was settled upon New College,
by Robert Pinke, warden of that society ; the person presented to be a
fellow of the CoUege, not holding a benefice at the time of presenta-
tion g.

^ Kennett, vol. i. p. 445.
" Kennett, vol. i. p. 512.
•i Kennett, vol. ii. p. 180.
<= Kennett, vol. ii. p. 241, 404.

f Rog. Dods. MS. vol. Ixxv. p. 152.
ap. Kennett, vol. ii. p. 405.

s Skelton's Oxford, Wootton Hundred,
p. 25.

GLYMPTON.

PATRON. ^t. iWarg. DEANERY

E. WAY, ESQ. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

The greater part of this Cliurcli is modern, and very bad, but
the Chancel-arch has been preserved, and is good transition
Norman, pointed, with shafts in recessed nooks, having cushion
caps and the star-moulding on the abacus. The tower-arch at
the west end is also transition Norman, but the tower itself is
late Perpendicular. In the Chancel a fine monument of Maude
Tesdale, 1616, two figures kneeling at a faldstool ; it retains
some of the old painting and gilding. The roof of the nave is
plain Perpendicular. There are some good old pews with
panels; they have Decorated patterns, but the mouldings are
late ; some of them are turned into enclosed pews by being
built upon, and having doors of deal inserted.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Thomas Tesdale, Esq., resided here, and by his last will, dated 30
June, IGIO, bequeathed £5,000 to purchase lands and tenements for the
maintenance of certain fellows and scholars, to be chosen from the free-
school at Abingdon, into any College in the University of Oxford ; Arch-
bishop Abbot, and other great men, with the mayor and burgesses of
Abingdon, being made trustees, who, after some difficulty, settled them
in Pembroke College ^.

The said Thomas Tesdale was hberally beneficial to Pembroke Col-
lege, and to the free-school at Abingdon, and his wife Maude, who
survived him six years, was a woman of a very charitable disposition,
and is said in her epitaph to have lovingly anointed Jesus Christ in his
poore members at Glympton, Charlbury, Ascott, and other places '.

There is a very curious spring, which riseth in a wood about a mile
south-west of the Church, in a place where there are stones in the form
of cockles. The ebullitions of it are three, and the most southern makes
a humming noise, like that of an empty bottle held with the mouth
against the wind ^.

^ Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 180. p. 456.

' Beauties of England and "Wales, k Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 380.

KIDDINGTON.

PATRON. 5t. 4EicJ)oIa0. deanery

VISCOUNT DILLON. OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.
FT. IN. FT. IN.

Chancel 18 4 by 14 4

Nave 45 0 by 23 0

South Chapel ... 15 6 by 14 4

Porch 8 4 by 7 6

This Cliurcli consists of a Cliancel, Nave, and south Cliapcl,
or semi-transept, a western tower, and a south porch ; it is
mostly Decorated, with some Norman portions.

The Chancel has been longer; it has a Norman Chancel-
arch at the east end, filled up with a Perpendicular window
under it : the present Chancel-arch is Decorated, with short
shafts springing from square piers, which have good mouldings,
and a hollow moulding filled with hall-flowers as a stringcourse ;
on the south side of the Chancel-arch is a small Decorated
trefoil window, with a low seat under it. In the north pier of
the arch a Decorated piscina, with a trefoil head : the walls of
the Chancel are Norman, with a bold corbel-table.

The Nave on the north side has the walls mostly blank, but

there is a good Decorated square-

, ^ ^ . Ililllliilllllllii'iliiiliiiiill,rl''i;|l''l 'I.'

headed window. On the south side

is a Decorated arch, opening into a ^.^Jillllilili' ,:!llllililllllliillllllllliliiili.liii

large chapel or semi-transept; and ^^ ^-e*. ,iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!:

the south door, which is plain, but
well moulded, with a plain porch at-
tached to the west side of the chapel ;
also a Decorated square-headed win- '^^^^°^^^i

-*■ Moulding of the South Doorway.

dow. There is another small Decorated piscina and bracket
on the west side in the north corner of the nave, where an Altar
has stood. The rood-loft stairs remain under the north window,

126

KIDDINGTON.

Roof ot the South Chapel, c. 1350

The Font.c 1360

KIDDINGTON. 127

on the west side of the Chancel-arch; and part of the rood-
screen remains, with good Decorated mouldings in oak.

The Font is good Decorated, hexagon, with panelling like
patterns of the tracery of Decorated windows on each face, an^
good mouldings.

The south chapel has a Deco-
rated open timber roof, but of very jiji

plainwork; there is aboldDecorated ||^^^
stringcourse, with ball-flowers, all stringcourse, c 1350.

round this chapel, and a Decorated square-headed window on
the east side.

The Tower is Decorated, small, and
very plain, looks as if intended for a
spire : the arch is small and plain. '

At the west end of the nave are two
small triangular Decorated windows, *
widely splayed within, and with a
segmental inner arch.

TMDdow at the west end of the Nave

EXTRACTS FROM WARTON'S HISTORY OF KIDDINGTON, 4to. 1783.

Kiddington, or Cuddington, anciently and properly according to its
British etymology written Cudenton or The Town among the Woods, is
a small village pleasantly situated on the river Glym, twelve miles from
the city of Oxford to the north-west, four from Woodstock, and seven
from Cheping-Norton, market towns in this county. It is divided by
the river Glym into the upper and lower town, or Over-Kiddington and
Nether- Kiddington : the first is in the Hundred of Chadlington, the
second in that of Wootton. Both parts contain not more than forty

houses.

The Church, situated in Lower Kiddington, is said by Browne Willis,
not always successful in his laborious investigations of patron-saints, to
be dedicated to St. Nicholas : but the annual wake is celebrated on the
Sunday following the festival of St. Peter.

The seating of the body of the Church is probably the same that was
there before the Reformation ; consisting, as was antiently the fashion,
of a regular arrangement of plain benches, low and open, without dis-
tinction, and on one plan, running at right angles from cither side.

128 KIDDINGTON.

Moveable stools were sometimes used. Pews, according to the modern
use and idea, which destroy the beauty of our parochial Churches, were
not known till long after the Reformation. They would have obstructed
processions, and other ceremonies, of the Romish religion.

This Church, in common with most other parish Churches, retains
marks of the sordid devotion of its possessors under the dominion of
Cromwell. But many of those disgraces to divine worship which
Calvinism had left behind, have been lately removed by a generous
benefactor, with the addition of new improvements and ornaments.
When a country Church has been beautified, to use the technical phrase
on this occasion, it is customary for the grateful topographer minutely
to display the judicious application of some late pious legacy, and to
dwell with singular satisfaction on the modern decorations of the com-
munion-table, consisting of semicircular groups of bloated cherubs,
tawdry festoons, gingerbread pilasters, flaming urns, and a newly-gilded
decalogue, flanked by a magnificent Moses and Aaron, in scarlet and
purple, the work of some capital artist, who unites the callings of painter,
plumber, and glazier, in the next dirty market-town. I do not regret,
that the present edifice, which yet has not been without its friends, can
boast none of these embellishments.

Just within the entrance of the great south door, which has a spacious
porch, there is a brass plate on the floor, the only ancient monument in
the Church, exhibiting the effigy of a priest habited, with this inscription
in the Gothic character.

ipix^ic pro nnima mngtstri CCtaltcri C^iootfcvc qitonDnm rrcfoiis tstitts CFccIcsic, qui
obiit ticcimo octabo Scjptcmbvis "anno IDom. iH)IS).X313i3. CCujus animc proiJitiftur
IDcus.

Above the head, on a brass tablet also, are his arms almost obliterated,
which I think I have seen in some drawings from the windows of the
stately old mansion house, now destroyed, of the family of Walter, at
Sarsden, in this neighbourhood, viz. Gules, a Fess between two Cheverons
vairy. Argent and Blue. Near it are the marks of another brass plate,
which has long ago disappeared. Monuments of brass in our Churches,
notwithstanding the boasted proverbial durability of such memorials,
have proved far more perishable than those of stone. But these losses
are not so much owing to time, as to fanaticism, a more powerful, at
least a more furious destroyer.

A catalogue of the Rectors of the Church, from 1232 to 1782, is given
by Warton, pp. 9 — 1-'3.

KIDDINGTON. 129

In that division of the parish, called the upper town, is the ruin of an
old parochial cross, containing part of a shaft and base, built of stone.
It is still known by the name of the cross, I know of no county which
has more frequent or more curious remains of parish crosses than
Oxfordshire. To this circumstance, the plenty of stone, with which the
whole county abounds, greatly contributed.

Among the fields and woods of this parish, detached at almost half a
mile's distance from Over-Kiddington, to the south-west, is a single
farm-house called Asterley, which also denominates a manor. Here was
once the parish of Asterley, of which the memory now scarcely subsists
in tradition. But there is a large field, called Chapel-breke, now covered
with bushes and high trees, in which the Church, long since decayed or
destroyed, may probably be supposed to have stood. The inequalities of
the ground seem also to denote the site of an ancient and considerable
mansion-house. Here have been dug up pieces of the mouldings of
lancet windows, and other fragments of antique masonry in stone. Other
buildings, or houses, seem also to have been once standing hereabout.
The Church, called the parochial Church of Asterley in the Registers of
Lincoln, was dedicated to St. Peter. It was a Rectory, and was valued
in 1291 at seven marcs and a half, and is recited under the Deanery of
Cheping-Norton.

In the year 1466, and on the twenty-second day of October, John
Chedworth, bishop of Lincoln, judicially seated in the monastery of the
Dominican friers at Oxford, united and incorporated the church of
Asterley with that of Kiddington.

A catalogue of the Rectors of Asterley is also given by Warton,
pp. 21—25.

An interesting account of the ancient British, Roman, and Saxon re-
mains, in this parish and neighbourhood, and of various military trans-
actions on this ground, from the sixth to the eleventh century, will be
found in Warton, pp. 46 — 71.

King Off"a, about the year 780, gave Kiddington, together with the
neighbouring village of Hethrop, to the episcopal priory of Worcester,
from which, within a few years, they were both taken away by the Danes,
nor were they ever afterwards restored. . . . The Monastery of Winch-
combe, in Gloucestershire, also founded by King Offa, had lands or
tythes in this parish before the Conquest. ... At the Conquest, among
other fees of Roger de Iveri in this neighbourhood, was a part of the

130 KIDDINGTON.

village of Kiddington. . . . Some lands at Kiddington were of the fee
of Earl William Fitzosborne, Earl of Hereford, as appears by Domesday.
. . . Soon after the Conquest, about the year 1130, and in the reign of
King Henry the First, the Norman family of De Salcey, or Saucey,
seem to have become proprietors of the manors of Kiddington and
Asterley, with other large estates in the neighbourhood. They presented
to the Churches of both places, as early as the years 1221 and 1 232, and
it is perhaps from the defect of the Lincoln registers, that we do not
find much earher presentations from that family to those benefices.
They probably built the old Church of Kiddington : and I am of
opinion, that they had a large capital mansion at Asterley, the marks of
which yet remain. . . . About the year 1220, Kiddington and Asterley
became (by marriage) the inheritance of the family of De Williamscote.
... In the reign of King Henry VI., the family of Babington (a branch
of the Babingtons of Chelwell, in Nottinghamshire), acquiring these
estates, appear to have been established in the capital seat at Kiddington.
. . . In the year 1613, or thereabout, the Babingtons sold their estate here,
that is, the manors of Upper and Lower Kiddington, and the manor of
Asterley, with the advowson of the Church of Kiddington, to Sir Henry
Browne, Knight, third son of Antony Browne, the first Lord Viscount
Montague.

The family of Browne have constantly resided on their estate here,
from the beginning of the reign of King James the First. The present
mansion-house was for the most part built, or rebuilt, by Sir Henry
Browne, the first Baronet, in 1673, on the foundations of the old one, to
which belonged a walled park. The situation is remarkably pleasing, on
the summit of a gentle semicircular slope, with great advantages of wood,
water, and crossing declivities. On altering the windows of an old
fashioned dining-room on the west side of the house, about the year 1 750,
some beautiful armorial shields in painted glass were removed ; perhaps
the same that were once in the Church. In this house are preserved
many valuable and capital portraits of the family of Browne, and their
honourable intermarriages, by Cornelius .Jansen, and other eminent
masters of the reigns of Mary, Elizabeth, James, and Charles the First.

The property in 1840 changed hands again, and is now possessed by
M. Ricardo, Esq., who has altered and iiiipioved the house both internally
and extcrnallv.

PATRONS.

DEAN AND CANONS

CHRIST CHURCH,

OXFORD.

CASSINGTON.

5t. iNtct's.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

'-UZ.- A ^-^^■

^IMfWn^ "-''''

FT. IN. FT. IN.

Nave 51 6 by 24 4

Tower 21 9 by 16 7

Chancel 18 10 by 16 7

An oblong Church, without aisles, the tower and spire in the
centre. The general appearance at first sight is Decorated, but
the main structure is Norman. The Chancel has Norman walls
and a stone vault groined, with bold round ribs springing

132

CASSINGTON.

Capital of a Shaft in the
Chancel.

from Norman shafts, with plain cushion caps: the window on the

north side is original small Norman ; on the

south side a Perpendicular square-headed win-!

dow is inserted : the east window is Decorated,

of two lights, e\ddently inserted in a Norman

wall. On the south side of this window, but still

in the east wall, is a Decorated double piscina,

with a stone shelf and one basin only ; on the

north side a Decorated bracket. On the outside

of the Chancel is a good Norman corbel-table,

with masks on some of the corbels. The high-pitched roof

remains above the vault.

Tower — The lower part is Norman, with a plain Norman
doorway on the north side : the arches east and west are good
Norman ; the western arch is richly ornamented, the flat soffit
being covered with painting ; the eastern arch is plain. A good
Decorated spire has been built upon the Norman tower, and an
upper story added to the tower itself, the Norman corbel-table
being raised to the top of the new part at the springing of the
spire. There were some curious paintings on the Avails in the
inside of this tower and on the timbers of the roof previous to
the improvements in 1842; these are now whitewashed over,
but sketches of them are preserved among the Society's di-aw-
ings'.

' DisTEMPF.R Painting, as it appeared
in 1842.— "On the solfit of a Norman
arch a series of circular wreaths, from
which spring leaves, filling up tlie exter-
nal spaces. Within the one in the centre
is the Holy Lamh, bearing the cross and
banner ; then one on a shield, containing
the cross of St. George, and another con-
taining the cross of St. Michael ; the ad-
joining ones on each side the monogram
I.H.C. ; and next to them, at the lower
part of each end of the arch, two keys, in
saltere, as the emblem of St. Peter, to
whom the Church is dedicated. The face
of the arch towards the west has been
painted witli a representation of the last

judgment, and on the jamb of a window
adjoining, on the south side, is ratlier an
elegant figure of a female, holding in her
right hand a cross, and in her left what
appears to be the battlements of a tower.
This may be intended for a representation
of St. Barbara. On the upper part of the
south door inside are painted the cross,
ladder, spear, and other implements of
the Passion, above which are the remains
of an angel, with expanded wings, on one
side of which are the letters I.H.C, and
on the otlier M.I. A. There are some
very imperfect remains on the south wall
of the Chancel, which appear to have re-
presented tlie Annunciation. No part of

CASSINGTON.

133

The Nave has Norman walls, and three of the original win-
dows ; the other three windows are Decorated insertions. The
roof has been lowered, and has a flat plaster ceiling : there is a
good Norman corbel-table, with a projecting parapet, on both
sides. The north porch has an open wooden roof, the outer doorway
is transition Norman. The south porch is turned into a vestry ;
on the inner door in the Church are painted the emblems of the
Crucifixion. The west window is Decorated. The font is plain
round, probably Norman. On the floor of the nave is a good
brass, a cross to the memory of Roger Cheney, and a brass fixed
in the wall near the pulpit to Thomas Neale, Professor of
Hebrew at Oxford, 1590. There is the base of a Perpendi-
cular cross in the Church -yard. i.h.p.

Gro\aiid Plan of Cassiugton Church

A curious ancient paten is used in the Communion service of this
Church. The figures of Adam and Eve are embossed, projecting
in high rehef in the centre : an embattled wall is introduced as the
wall of paradise, within which they are exhibited as partaking of the
forbidden fruit. An inscription, now nearly obliterated by frequent
rubbing, ran upon a scroll above the figures, the letters V. B. O.
are all that can be satisfactorily made out. A remarkable style of letter
is introduced in the inscription which encircles the figures ; the character
of it appears to be Gothic, but so strangely ornamented, that the mean-
ing rests in conjecture. The same letters or words are several times

the painted decoration appears to be of and the figure in the window-jamb, all is

earlier date than the latest part of the fif- now too imperfect to make its preserva-

teenth century. With the exception of tion desirable in the repair of the Church."

the sofRt of the arch, the back of the door, Communicated by T. Willimeut, Esq.

134 CASSINGTON.

repeated, and probably are Deus Creavit e., the last word eus being
abbreviated. The metal of which this plate is composed is brass [or
rather latten] , and the little value of the material may account for its
preservation. It is fourteen inches and a half in diameter'".

There is also preserved the centre of another sacred vessel, which pro-
bably was an oiFertory basin, ornamented with two figures, carrying a
bunch of grapes on a pole, in allusion to Numbers xiii. 23. It appears
to be of the fourteenth century.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.
A.D. 1155. Geoffry of Clinton, chamberlain to Henry II., (son of Geoffiy
of Clinton, chamberlain and treasurer of Henry I., founder of the monas-
tery and castle of Kenilworth, and lord of Cassington,) built the
Church of Cassington, on his own fee, at the request of Robert de
Chesney, bishop of Lincoln, and of the abbot of Eynsham, about 1155.
It was consecrated by the Bishop, and dedicated to St. Peter. The
abbey of Eynsham was to find a chaplain or minister, with the advice
and consent of Geoffry, the archdeacon. Cassington was before in the
parish of St. Mary at Eynsham, and the new Church was given to
Eynsham abbey. At the same time it was ordained, that as often as
Geoffry de Chnton resided at Cassington with his family, the chaplain
of this Church should receive half the oblations coming from his family,
" contra capellanos ipsius Galfredi." The said Geofiry also endowed
his new Church with one yard land at Cassington, and all the tythes of
the village in corn and cattle". Of this Church much of Geoffry 's
original building still remains, particularly a noble Norman arch on
which the tower stands, and the roof of the choir yet retains four inter-
secting Norman ribs. In the register of Eynsham abbey is another
particular relating to this Church. " Galfridus de Clinton, concessit
ecclesie S. Petri de Chersington unam \nrgatam terre in eadem Cher-
sington quam Gulielmus de Clinton eidem ecclesie dedit pro restaura-
tione turris ipsius ecclesie quam propter imminentia et suspecta sibi
pericula dejecit, &c. Teste Agnete uxore ejus." cap. 108. Agnes, the
witness here mentioned, and wife of the second Geoffrey, was daughter
of Roger, earl of Warwick °.

■" See Skelton's Oxfordshire, Wootton " Register Abbat de Eynsh. MS. ut

Hundred, p. 5, where there is an engrav- supr. cap. 19.
ing of this paten. " Warton's Hist, of Kiddington, p. 45.

CASSINGTON. 135

A.D. 1318. Sir William de Montacute, son and heir of Simon
de Montacute, ancestor of the Montacutes, earls of Salisbury, high in
favour with Edward II., obtained licence of that monarch, to make a
castle of his mansion house at Kersynton, or Cassington in Oxford-
shire P. And the manor of Cassington was a part of the dowry of his
wife, lady Elizabeth Montacute i. Sir "William Montacute had two acres
of land in Cassington, by the gift, I suppose an exchange, of Maud de
Upton, Abbess of Godstow, in 1318 '^. Cassington appears to have been
granted to his father Simon, by Edward I., in 1290 ^ The arms of
Montacute formerly were in the western window of the Church of
Cassington. They also were in a window of the neighbouring Church
of Bladon.

The mansion house of the Montacutes, at Cassington, perhaps stood
where is now a large farm house, with a moat, and other marks of an
antient manorial edifice. Here, however, originally lived the noble
family of Clinton.

A.D. 1450. Carsington, Chersington, or Cassington, was the estate and
demesne of Wilham de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, at his death, which hap-
pened 2 May, 28 Henry VI., after this manner ; he was a great favorite of
Queen Margaret, and had by his imprudent management of royal favours,
incurred the odium of the nobility and people, insomuch that a general
insurrection being feared by the king, he ordered his banishment, and
accordingly the Duke, putting to sea at Ipswich, in Suffolk, with a pur-
pose to sail into France, was taken by a ship of war, belonging to the
Duke of Exeter, then constable of the tower, and had his head cut off
upon the side of the cock boat he was in. His body and head were
after found by one of his captains, and being conveyed to the collegiate
Church of Wingfield, in Suffolk, was buried there. John de la Pole,
then but seven years old, was left his heir.

The Church here is a vicarage, for an augmentation of which. Dr.
Jasper Maine, archdeacon of Chichester, who died in 1672, gave by
his last will £100 to purchase land with for that end. The parsonage,
before the dissolution, belonged to the priory of St. Frideswide, Oxford ;
but being then seized by King Henry VIII., was settled on his newly
erected college, Christ Church, to which it now belongs *.

P Pat. ii. Ed. II. ann. 11°. P. i. m. 24. 13(j.

1 Esch. 28°. Ed. II. n. 39. • Cart. 18°. Ed. I. n. 73.

' Register Abbat. Eynsham, MS. cap. ' Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 377.

136 CASSINGTON.

Thomas Neale, Batchelor of Divinity, sometime fellow of New Col-
lege, succeeded Dr. Bruerne as Hebrew professor, 1559; he died at
Cassington in 1590, having then at the age of 71, erected his own
monument with a brass inscription ".

FROM A. wood's MSS. IN THE ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM.

On the S. E. side of this Church is an house, with a moat round all or
most part of it, situated.

This house hath a fair homestall & 6 yard land belonging to it.

Wh. house & land were owned for about 2 or 3 generations by the
names of Coventry.

The last of that name there, sold it Edmund Rainolds M. of Arts of
Glocester Hall, about the latter end of Q. Elizab.

This Ed. Rainolds was a younger son of Rich, Rainolds of Pinhawes
near Exeter in Devon, educated in C. C. Coll. of which he was fel-
low, but leaving that house because he was popishly affected, retired to
Glocester Hall, where being a noted tutor, for sixty years or thereabout,
grew very rich.

This said Edm. died (in Glocester Hall I think) 21 Nov. 1630, aged
92, and was buried in Wolvercot Chancel. He then left to Matthew
Cheriton his nephew a farm at Wolvercote joining to the Churchyard

there.

To Richard Reynolds eldest son of his younger brother Nicholas a
farm at Einsham, who having onlie a daughter or daughters, that name
there is worn out.

To Will. Rainolds 2nd. son of the said Rich, he left his chief farm in
Cassington of 6 yard land mentioned before.

Wh. William having had three wives, left the said farm to Christo-
pher his onhe son by his 2. wife (for he had none by his first) who now
enjoyes it — and 'tis esteemed to be worth £100 per an.

The said William Rainolds who was bred in Glocester Hall under his
uncle Edm. before mentioned was a R. Cath. & dying at Cassenton on
the 5. Novemb. 1661. was buried in the middle of the Chancel there.
Some years after his widdow a simple woman put a blew marble
stone over his grave, whereon she caused to be engraven an inscrip-
tion, but false according to time, viz. that he died 6 Nov^ 1662 ".

" Wood's Annals, P. ii. p. 849. For Hundred, p. 4.
the inscription see Skelton, Wootton x A. Wood's MS., E. 1. folio 160.

ENSHAM,

PATRON.

NASH SKILLICORNE

SKILLICORNE, Esq.

3t- Seonarl).

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

A FINE Church, mostly Perpendicular, with a Decorated
Chancel, a nave with two aisles, and a tower at the west end of
the south aisle.

The Chancel is Early Decorated, the east window of three
lights, with the foliations cut out of the head, and the lower part
concealed by a wooden Altar-screen in the Dutch style : the side
windows are of two lights, with geometrical tracery ; the three
on the south side are perfect, with fragments of the original
stained glass in the head. There is also a small south door.
On the north side are two windows, one of which has the tracery

138

E N S H A M.

A. Altar platform.

B. Chancel 38ft. by 17ft.

C North AisleSlft. by 6ft.7in.

D. Nave 68ft. by 24ft. ICin.

E. South Aisle 68ft. by 14ft.
F Porch lOft, 3in. by 6ft. Sin ,
G. Tower 10ft lOin. by 10ft.

lOin.

THE PLAN.

ENS HAM.

139

'8HIIII||llil|l[lli!|l['

Mouldings of Capital of
Chancel-Arch.

cut out. The walls are three feet thick, and
have no buttresses; the roof is of a good
high pitch, with part of a cross on the east
gable ; the timbers are concealed by a coved
plaster ceiling; the Chancel-arch is Deco-
rated, springing from corbels, richly mould-
ed; there are the remains of a Perpen-
dicular screen, but the upper part is all cut
away.

The Nave is Early Perpendicular, of five bays, the arches
on each side pointed and recessed, with hollow mouldings
on octagonal piers, with each face hollowed, and octagonal
shafts attached, with moulded capitals to both piers and shafts;
the form of these is unusual,
but there are similar exam- i| |\Mlil
pies at Chipping Camden in
Gloucestershire, and in some
other places. The clerestory
on the north side has six Per-
pendicular windows, of two
lights, square-headed ; on the
south side there are only
three small single lights, fo-
liated, with square dripstones
over them : the west window
is of five lights, the head
much subdivided with Per-
pendicular tracery. The roof
is of plain open timber, with
corbel-heads. The parapet
is plain, not battlemented.

The north aisle is Perpendicular, with good windows, of three
lights, the dripstones of which have curling terminations : the
roof is a lean-to : the parapet plain Perpendicular, with a rich
cornice, having flowers inserted in a hollow moulding : the north
door and porch are plain Perpendicular, with a battlement.

Capital of Kllax, c. UOO.

Section of Pillar.

140

E N S H A M.

Window, South Side o. 1290.

Buttress, aouth Side, c. 1J90.

»Miimw^VBsf/^^

WW''~'''Wlf'7i?!''

lA^''"''

The Font, c. liao.

ENS HAM.

141

t^^

The south aisle is mostly Decorated, with
a very good Early Decorated window at the
east end, and another on the south side
next to it ; there are three other Early Deco-
rated windows, of two lights, not foliated,
with the roll-moulding for a dripstone, ter-
minated by masks ; between them are low
flat buttresses, dying into the wall at about
half the height of the windows; a good
Decorated stringcourse along the wall under
the windows continued round the buttresses;
a fourth window is also Decorated, but shorter Dripstone Termination, c. 1290
than the others, and with the lights foliated ; the westernmost
window on this side is Perpendicular, of three lights ; the south
door is also Perpendicular, with bold mouldings and a square
head over it, the dripstone having shields for terminations.

The Font, placed at the west end of the nave, is good Per-
pendicular, raised on three steps, and has been carefully re-
stored; the seats are mostly open oak benches, with good
carved ends, but there are some high deal pews, and the aisles
are spoiled by galleries.

The Tower is situated at the west end of the north aisle ; it
is good Early Perpendicular, with battlement and cornice; the
belfry windows are large, of three lights ; the stair-turret
attached to the north-east angle is square below and octagon
above ; there are arches opening into the Church on the south
and east sides, but now plastered up, and small diagonal but-
tresses on the two western angles.

Opposite the Church are the shaft and base of a good Early
Decorated cross, with figures under canopies round the shaft,
and a foliated capital.

Cornice of the North Aisle, c. 1450.

142 E N S H A M.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In this part of the country the Britains did long resist the encroaching
Saxons. After the kingdom of the West Saxons was established in the
persons of Cerdic and Cynric, A.D. 519 y, they made several attempts
to enlarge their conquests in these parts, and after the death of Cerdic,
A.D. 534, Cynric had a greater progress to his arms, and from 551, for
five following years gave several defeats to our midland Britains, who in
the year 556, united all their strength, and at Beranbyrig, now Banbury,
in this county, they fought with king Cynric, and Ceawlin his son, to
regain the honour they had lost in five succeeding years ; where they
were so numerous as to divide their army into nine battalions, placing
three in the front, a like number in the flank, and as many in the rear,
with their archers and horsemen disposed according to the Roman disci-
pline ; by which conduct they sq well received the fury of the Saxons,
that when the night parted them, the victory was still depending ^, and
though the Saxon historians conceal it, the event seems to prove a suc-
cess to the Britons, who kept their fortified places in this county to the
year 571 ^, or as some writers say, to 580, when king Ceawlyn, and
Cuthwulph his brother, fought with the Britons at Bedford, and after a
defeat, took from them their strongest garrisons, of which three were in
these parts, Egelesburh, Eilesten', now Ailsbury ; Benmington, Bene-
singtun, now Benson ; and Eymesham, Henesham, now Ensham. From
which time, though this whole county was reputed within the district of
Mercia, yet most of it was subject to the kings of the West Saxons ^.

[There are still considerable remains of an ancient British earthwork
on the brow of a hill, near Ensham, at a short distance from the Oxford
road, and plainly visible from it, about half a mile from the bridge. This
was probably the fortress here mentioned.]

In G26 the Britons were still powerful in these parts, the West Saxon
kings had their frontier garrisons at Cirencester and Ensham, and there
were continual conflicts.

The Isis having received the Windrush flows on to Einsham, Saxon
Ei;^neiham, antiently a royal rill among very pleasant meadows. It was
first taken from the Britains on their defeat by Cuthwulf the Saxon, and
embellished with a monastery (for Benedictines,) by a nobleman named
Ethehnan. His foundation was confirmed by Ethelred, king of Eng-

y Saxon (,'luoiiicle. " Saxon Chronicle.

' Henry of Huntingdon, ed. Savile, '' Kennett, vol. i. p. 33.

p. 534.

E N S H A M. 143

land, A.D. 1005, who, in the words of the original, "signed the privi-
lege of liberty, with the sign of the holy cross "."

The monastery is said in the charter of king Ethelred, to be founded
" in loco celebri juxta fluvium qui vocatur Tamis constituto, quod ab
incolis regionis illius Ennesham nuncupatur vocabulo'^."

Here king Ethelred, by advice of Alphege and Wulstan, archbishops
of York and Canterbury, held a council in 1009, wherein many decrees,
both ecclesiastical and civil, were enacted. Spelman^ calls the place
where this council was held Eanham, but does not determine where it
was -.

A.D. 1109. In the charter of renewal of Henry I. to Ensham abbey,
among the possessions are enumerated the town of Ensham, and all that
appertained to it in meadows, and waters, and woods s.

A.D. 1184. A general council was held at Ensham, at which Hugh of
Grenoble was elected bishop of Lincoln, and several other solemn elec-
tions of bishops and abbots were made in the presence of the king and
the archbishop ^.

A.D. 1230. Upon a grant of the bishop of Lincoln, for observing of
processions and other solemnities of Ensham Church, in obedience to
the mother Church of Lincoln, in Whitsun week many of the Oxford
scholars, repairing thither to see jovial doings, were assaulted by the coun-
try people, who killed some, and wounded others, and made the rest fly
home in fear and danger of their lives. The bishop hearing it, excom-
municated the authors and abettors of this sedition, in all the Churches
of Oxfordshire, excluding them the society of all Christians, and depriv-
ing them of the benefit of confession till the feast of St. Bartholomew ;
the scholars also resented this injury so highly that they intermitted all
lectures, and would not resume them till the offenders had undergone the
severest punishments ; and when they did, the bishop procured of the
Pope a permission for the doctors and masters of Oxford to become lec-
turers and regents in any other University without any examination '.

Numerous benefactions to the abbey are recorded in Dugdale, Ken-
nett, &c., which it is not necessary to repeat here. There is a catalogue

' Camden's Britannia, vol. i. p. 285. p. 295.

'' Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. i. p. 259. sr Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. i. p. 265.

= Spelman's English Councils, vol. i. '' Chron. Gervas., p. 1480. Kennett,

p. 510. vol. i. p. 199.

' Gough's add. to Camden, vol. i. ' Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 380.

144 ENS HAM.

extant of the abbots, twenty-eight in number : Miles Salley, the twenty-
sixth abbot, was honoured with a visit at the abbey in 1501, from prince
Henry, afterwards king Henry VHI. ; this abbot was subsequently bishop
of LlandafF, and held the abbey in commendam. The last abbot was
Anthony Kitchen, who with his prior, sub-prior, and thirteen monks
subscribed to the king's supremacy, and surrendered the abbey in 1539,
30th Henry VHL, upon the promise of an allowance of £135 6*. 8rf.
per annum. He was soon afterwards promoted to the bishopric of
Llandafi".

At the time of the suppression the revenues of the abbey were valued,
according to Dugdale, at £441 12s. 2c?., equal to about £9,000 per
annum of our money. The site of the abbey was granted in the 35th
of Henry VHL, to Sir Edward Northe, knight, and Wilham Darcye.
In the 37th of Henry VHI. it was again granted out to Edward, earl of
Derby ; after passing through a younger branch of that family, it came
to a nephew. Sir Edward Stanley, K.B., one of whose coheirs was
Venetia, wife of Sir Kenelm Digby, celebrated for her beauty and ac-
complishments. Subsequently it passed, in 1626, to James Lord Strange,
son to William, Earl of Derby, who married Charlotte, daughter to
Claude Tremoville, Duke of Tours, who had with her £24,000 in por-
tion, in consideration of £6,000 of which sum his father settled the
manor of Ensham on Phihp, Earl of Pembroke, Sir Ralph Crew, and Sir
Thomas Posthumous Hobby, in trust for the said Charlotte. It was
subsequently purchased by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and has
continued in that family to the present day ; the Duke of Marlborough
is the lay impropriator.

Of this once magnificent abbey the last remnant was pulled down by Mr.
Druce, in 1843 ; it was a small but elegant doorway, with an ogee head.
Decorated mouldings and dripstone. A part of the foundations may
still be traced under the greensward of a meadow at a short distance
to the west of the Church. A considerable portion of the buildings
appears to have remained, though in ruins, up to near the end of the
last century : there is an engraving of the west end, with two towers, and
a large Decorated window of seven lights between them, and part of a
Norman cloister, in the Description of England and Wales, 1769, vol.
vii. p. 245.

HANDB0R0U6H.

PATRONAGE
OP

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

5t. ^ettt anil 5t. i^aul.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OP WOOTTON.

A FINE Church, mostly Perpendicular, with good tower and
spire, plan oblong, with two aisles.

The Chancel is originally Early English, but the east window
is an insertion of debased Perpendicular work, square-headed,
with a transom, four lights, not foliated. There is a round-
headed niche in the north side which was probably an aumbrye.

146

HANDBOROUGH.

On the south side are two lancet windows, with the roll mould-
ing as a string under them ; and a sepulchral recess, under
which has been inserted the brass of Alexander Belsyre, the first
president of St. John^s College, with an inscription in Latin
and English.

The Chancel-arch is Early EngHsh, with three engaged shafts,
ha\-ing round capitals well moulded. The roof is nearly flat,
with purlins, and horizontal tie-beams. The aisles of the Chancel
have square-headed Perpendicular windows ; in the south aisle
there is also a plain round-headed narrow light, and a piscina,
with an ogee head, trefoiled. The rood-loft is perfect across the

^^^^*^5?5fg^?«y«v

^'•'i ton
1 ]

\»:»%t.% v^\o» «•■

The Rood-loft. e. 1460.

aisles, with a staircase still open in the outer wall of the south
aisle; across the Chancel-arch the rood-screen only remains,
with a crest of the Tudor flower, and mouldings enriched with
foUage; the portion across the north aisle is older than the
others, which are rather debased imitations of it; the whole
retains a good deal of the ancient painting and gilding.

HANDBOROUGH.

14:

The Nave is Perpendicu-
lar, and has three arches on
each side, the pillars slender,
octagonal, and hollowed on
the alternate faces; caps
plain moulded, arches re-
cessed, hollowed. The clere-
story has three square-
headed three-light windows !f
on each side. The roof is of
low pitch, with horizontal tie-
beams and pendants resting
on corbels.

The Font is good Perpen-^
dicular, octagonal, with qua-
trefoiled panels; one con-
taining a cross, with the
emblems of the Crucifixion,
the others a square flower in
the centre of the quatrefoil :
two of the sides are plain, one
has been so originally, the
other has been repaired : the
shaft is plain, with good
base-mouldings.

The Pulpit is good Per-
pendicular, of oak, panelled;
it is placed at the south-east
corner of the nave. The
seats are mostly good old
open oak benches, but a few
enclosed pews have crept into
the south aisle of the Chan-
cel, and a few doors to the
old pews have been intro-
duced at the west end of
the nave.

The Font, c 1460.

_----p'_=-^^^^>^fc \-<

The Pulpit c 1169.

148

H ANDBOROUGH.

The outer walls are Norman, and have retained their original
doorways, and some of the small Norman windows, but most
of the windows are square-headed Perpendicular insertions. One
of the Norman windows, near the north door, is a very small

lly^Tii!. '! ' iliii I .N'l I I'l ■ ■ . ...■■"

iipl;

Exterior.

N OEM AN WINDOW,

Tnterior

II. Ill .

narrow round-headed light, widely splayed to a flat trefoiled
inner arch.

On the east side of the south door is an elegant Perpendicular
niche, with a battlemented moulding
along the sill of it. The outer doorway
of the north porch is Early English,
with three engaged shafts on each
side, of which the centre ones are
gone; the arch thrice recessed. The
inner doorway is Norman, round-
headed, with massive engaged shafts ;
the edge of the arch has a bold round
moulding, and over that the zigzag.
The tympan is filled with a rude sculp-
ture of St. Peter sitting with a key
in his right hand ; on his left is the
Lamb and Cross, on the right a lion.
The inner doorway of the south porch
is Norman, round-headed, with roll-moulding and large engaged
shafts, the head filled up with an obtuse triangular door-head,
the tympan plain. The vestry is at the east end of the north

Niche

HANDBOROUGH.

149

Chancel-aisle, entered by a pointed door from the Chancel :
there are the remains of a square-headed Perpendicular window
at the east end, under which a door has been formed.

The Tower is square, and has three stages : the west window
is Perpendicular, of three lights, cinquefoiled : the west door
has a square dripstone, with trefoils in the spandrels : in the
upper stage are four windows of two lights, trefoiled. The spire
is octangular, with round mouldings on the angles : at the
bottom, on the cardinal sides, are four ogee-headed windows of
two lights, trefoiled : on the other sides are four small lancets,
half way up the spire : the bells are five in number. The tower-
arch is Early English, with the ringing-loft open to the Church,
serving also as a western gallery.

The Plan

FT. IN.

B. Chancel 27 G

C. North Chapel .... 17 10

D. North Aisle 50 0

E. Nave 34 0

F. South Aisle 50 0

G. South Porch !> 8

H. North Porch II 0

I. Tower 1+ 0

J. Vestry 10 0

FT.

150 HANDBOROUGH.

In the north-west corner of the Church-yard stands the ruin
of a mausoleum of the Boucher
family, built about the beginning
of the last century, which now
belongs to the Duke of Marl-
borough ; it is without a roof, and
in a dilapidated state. In the
Church-yard, near the principal
entrance of the Church, there is a
small stone cross, used as a head-
stone to a grave ; it appears to be of the fifteenth century, and
is a valuable example for imitation : these small crosses are said
to have been generally used in former times, but they are now
very rarely to be met with.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Doomsday survey, " Haneberge" is enumerated as part of the
land of Gisleberti de Gand — " Hanborough '."

The Church of Handborough was given to the abbey of Reading, by
Simon de Sen Liz, earl of Northampton, in 1 147.

Symon de Sen Liz comes Norhamtonise ep'o Line, archid. baronibus,
justiciariis, vicecom. ministris, clericis, laicis et omnibus sanctae ecclesise
filiis per Oxenefordsyram constitutis salutem. Sciant omnes tarn prse-
sentes quam futm-i me dedisse et concessisse et in perjietuse possessionis
elemosinam confirmasse Deo et ecclesise S. Marian de Rading pro salute
anime mee et parentum meorum ecclesiam de Haiiebergha cum terris et
decimis et omnibus ecclesise pertinentibus sicut rex Henricus dedit et
concessit in vita sua. Unde volo et precipio quod ecclesia de Rading et
monachi eam in perpetuum possideant, et in pace teneant. Hii sunt testes
hujus cartse. Ricardus de Camvil, &c."^

Handborough, according to a patent of the 5th of Edward II., contained
a messuage and carucate of land, which were held by the service of
keeping the gate of the manor-house of Woodstock for the space of
forty days in the year in time of war ".

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 92. " Skclton's Oxfordsliire.Woottoii Hun-

"■ Kennett, vol. i. p. 1 10. died, j). 8.

HANDBOROUGH. 151

The living of Handborough was given to St. John's College by WiUiam
Sandys, Esq., at the instance of Archbishop Laud. It is valued in the
Liber Regis, temp. Hen. VIIL at £11 6s. ; the present value, according
to the return to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, is £353.

Handborough is noted for the Selenites, or moon stone, which have
been found in great plenty in digging of wells near this place °.

THE FOLLOWING MONUMENTS WERE IN THIS CHURCH IN WOOD S TIME.

Against the north wall of the Chancell a marble tablet to Margaret Clarke,
wife of Humphrey Clarke, Esq., of Woodchurch and Kingsnoth, in Kent,
who died September 18, 1542. This Monument was erected by Sir Simon
Clarke of Salford, in Com. Wavw., in memory of his grandmother, a°. 1632.

On the S. wall a Monument to the memory of Jane Culpepper, widdow of
Walter Culpepper, Esq., 1636.

On a brass plate on the ground under the former, Anne Culpepper, obiit
3° Aprilis, 1580.

On another by the former, Walter Culpepper, obiit 13 Aprilis, 1616.

On another brass plate by this last, Mary Culpepper, died 19 Aug" 1593.

Within a arch in the S. wall of the Chancel is a brass plate affixed : thereon
the pictm-e of a man lying along in his winding sheet, and under him this,
Obiit Alexand. Belsire, 13 die Julii, Anno Dni 1567. (See p. 152.)

On a brass plate on the ground in the same Chancel, Johanna Mericke
uxor Mauritii Merick Generosi, obiit 17 Apr. 1617.

In the body of the Church in the middle, is a brass plate upon the ground,
whereon is a woman between 2 men, under them 3 boys and 4 girls, between
them this inscription : Pray for the souls of Chr. Ford and Jane his wife, and
for the soul of Thomas Wlieeler, her first husband, and for all her children's
souls : on whose souls Jesus have mercy.

In a Chapell on the S. side of the Church, in a window thereof, are the pic-
tures of 3 men and 3 women : over them this inscription ; Orate pro bono
statu Ricardi Snareston ceterorumque qui reparaverunt istam fenestram, An
dni 1453.

In the same window the pictures of 3 men and their wives, under them these :
Willm Bayly ... uxor ejus. Richard Snareston ... Margaret uxor ejus. Thomas
Roch ... Tibott uxor ejus.

In a S. window of the Church, the picture of a man praying; under it.
Orate pro Johanne Sprot ''.

" Magna Britannia, vol. iv. p. 380. these monuments, whether of brass or

'' Wood's MS. E. 1. fol. 65. Most of of glass, are now alike destroyed.

152 HANDBOROUGH.

INSCRIPTION IN LATIN AND ENGLISH ON THE SEPDLCHRAL BRASS
TO ALEXANDER BELSYRE.

Hoc quod es, ipse fui, mortalis, uterque perinde

Mortuus, ac fate tu moriere tuo.
Sic ergo vivas, ut cum moriere, superstes

Vita sit in coelis non moritura tibi.

That thou art now, the same was I ;
And thou likewise shall suer dye :
Live so that when thou hence dost wend
Thou mayest have blysse that hath no end.

ON THE SOUTH WALL OF THE CHANCEL IS PAINTED THIS INSCRIPTION ;

M.S.

Sanctissimi Regis et Martyi-is Caroli

Siste viator

Luge. Ohmutesce. Mirari.

Memento Caroli illius

Nominis pariter et Pietatis insignissimi Primi

Magna; Britannia; Regis

Qui Rebellium Perfidia primo deceptus

Dein Perfidorum Rabie perculsus

Inconcussus tamen Legum et Fidei

Defensor

Schismaticorum Tyrannidi succubuit

Anno

Salutis humanaB MDCXLVIII.

Servitutis nostra; '

■jPri:

, _ nmo
Foclicitatis sua;

Corona terrestri spoliatus Ca;lesti donatus

Sileant autem peritunc Tabella;

Perlege Reliquias, vere sacras

Carolinas

In Queis

Sui Mnemosynem, a;re perenniorem

Vivacius exprimit

Ilia lUa.

EIKnN BA2IAIKH.

COOMBE.

ATTACHED TO THE

RECTORY

LINCOLN COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

<St. Sabrcncc.

FT. IN.

Chancel 32 10

Nave 48 0

Tower 14 6

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

FT. IN.

16 12

27 10

11 0

A GOOD Perpendicular Church, with a tower at the west end
covered with ivy.

The Chancel is Perpendicular; the east window very wide,
with a flat arch, five hghts, with Perpendicular tracery, some
good bits of old stained glass in the head, and good dripstone
terminations; the side windows are
square-headed, and on the south
side there is a small Perpendicular
door with a square label : the roof
has a j)lastered ceiling, coved with
ribs and bosses. The sedilia are
good Perpendicular, with ogee cano-
pies, the shafts detached, with tre-
foiled arches connecting theni with
the wall. A Perpendicular piscina,
trefoil-headed, has the drain and
basin very perfect. The rood-arch
is plain but good, springs from
plain corbels ; on the north side of
the rood-arch is the rood-staircase.

The Chancel door, AD. 1395

154

C 0 O M B E.

with its two doors ; on the south side a good Decorated niche
with the ball-flower in the mouldings and an ogee head • this
appears to have been built in, from an earlier building. The
rood-screen has some good tracery remaining of Decorated
forms, but is Perpendicular.

The Nave has
three Perpendicular
windows on each
side, all of three
lights; most of them
have remains of
stained glass in the
heads: the roof is of
very low pitch, but
open to the timbers
and boards, covered
with lead, the re-
mains of old work,
Imt much decayed
and patched; one of
the corbels has a
shield,with the letter
T upon it. On the
north side of the
nave, under the ^^ „ t, , . . t, „

' The atone Pulpit A D 1395

easternmost window, is a good stone pulpit, springing from a
corbel-head; it is panelled and rich. The font is Perpendicular,
panelled.

The Tower is Perpendicular, with square pinnacles on the
angles; the windows have good dripstones, terminated by heads;
the tracery of these windows is bold and well defined, the
jambs recessed, and the mouldings deep, and more than com-
monly well wrought. They form a striking contrast to the
windows of the chapel of Lincoln College, which arc superficial
and meagre. The doorway and door are good Perpendicular,
with a square dripstone over, having good returns : the return is

ni-uiuvT^rrvtuti

C O O M B E.

155

in a diamond form, like tliat over the entrance into the common-
room of Lincoln College, and such a return as is to l)e found in
Eton College, all built in the reign of Henry VI. The tower-arch
is fine, though now boarded up ; it ought to be re-opened. The
north porch is Perpendicular, with a stone roof, and arched
ribs ; the south porch is turned into a vestry.

On the east gable of the nave is a sanctus-bell turret, of a
peculiar but not very elegant form; the finial is gone, and

Sanctus-'bell turret.

Cross ou EasT Gable

it does not appear to have had crockets : there is a good Per-
pendicular parapet to the nave, panelled, with quatrefoils.

On the east gable of the Chancel is an elegant cross of early
Perpendicular work.

The Tower has a battlement and pinnacles ; the windows are
good Perpendicular. The Church is much covered with ivy, the
situation and the general effect very good : in the Chiu'ch-yard
is an Altar-tomb, with quatrefoils.

Adjoining to the Church is the rectory-house, which has a
battlement, and bay windows with foliated heads, in the style of
the fifteenth century. The frontage towards the south was built
by the late, and has been embattled towards the east and west
by the present rector : it is of considerable extent, and the build-
ings towards the north and west are coeval, if not prior to the
foundation of Lincoln College, of which Society the rectory of
Coombe is not only an appropriate benefice, but part of the dota-
tion of Uothcrham, the second founder, and is subject to the

156 COOMBE,

foundation statutes. The chaplain's house, in common with the
rectory-house, is contiguous, and opens into the Church-yard ;
and the Chiu-ch of Coombe, together with the rectory of Twyford,
Berks, and the rectory of All Saints and St. Michael's, Oxford,
and that of St. Mildred, Oxon, constitute the rectory of the
Blessed Mary and all Saints, Lincoln.

There is a view of the Church and rectory-house of Coombe
in Skelton's Oxfordshire, Wootton Hundred.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The word Cwmm in the British, signifying vallis or convallis, as doth
also Cumbe and Combe in the Saxon, as at Combe in this county of
Oxon., though the Church be now upon the hill, yet was the Church
first built in the deep adjoining valley, at the east end of the water-mill,
in a ground called Bury Orchard, where the foundations of buildings, and
hmits of the Churchyard are still visible, (in the time of Kennett,) from
which place the materials were removed, and the present Church erected
on the hill, A.D. 1395, which Church of Cumbe was given by Maud
the Empress, to the monks of Eynesham, in this county P.

In digging a grave, May 17, 1823, were found some coins of Queen
Elizabeth's reign, and a beautiful ring of pure gold, with a large ruby set
on the top, weighing nearly a quarter of an ounce. It is in the posses-
sion of the Rev. C. Rose, then chaplain i.

" Kennett, vol. i. p. 119. ■» Skelton's Oxford, p. 6.

STONESFIELD.

PATRON.
DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

5t. Samc0.

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK

HUNDRED

OP WOOTTON.

FT, IN.

14 0

20 0

7 11

11 8

FT. IN.

Chancel 25 0

Nave 23 4

South Aisle ... 24 0

North aisle of Nave, modern.

N. aisle of Chancel 22 4

Tower 9 0

Thickness of wall . 3 3

Chancel — The east window is Decorated, of three Hghts,
good, with modern stained glass; on the south side are two
good small Decorated windows,
of two lights, with quatrefoils
in the head, widely splayed
within; one is of the regular
Decorated form, the other has
Perpendicular lines in the head, ■
but is Decorated, and the labels
of both are the same, consisting
of a good Decorated roll-mould-
ing, with short returns dying
into the wall. There is a small
piscina, with an ogee head, foli-
ated. The Chancel-arch is Early
English, pointed, trebly recessed,

hollowed, with ShattS m the WmaowontheSoiithsideoftheChancel.c, iseo.

jambs, two attached, the middle one detached ; the caps orna-
mented with the stiff-leaf foHage.

158

STONESFIELD.

The Nave has on the south side two Early English arches,
doubly recessed, pointed, chamfered, the central pillar massive,
clustered, with plain moulded caps and bases; the western
respond is the same ; the eastern has the mouldings continued
to the ground; the label is plain, chamfered, terminated by
heads. The south aisle has two small Decorated windows, and
a small trefoil-headed piscina. The north aisle is modern, the
old arches having been cut away. The west window is a small
oblong loop, widely splayed. The south door and porch are modern,
and very bad. The roof of the south aisle is a plain lean-to,
not original ; the roofs of the nave and north aisle are concealed
by a flat plaster ceiling ;
the roof of the Chancel
is also ceiled, but tlie
high pitch is preserv^ed.
The pulpit is Eliza-
bethan. There is a good
piece of screen-work
plastered up between the
Chancel and aisle. The
north aisle of the Chan-
cel is Early English, now
parted off" as a school-
room. The cast window
is a good triple lancet,
with clustered shafts on
the edges of the slips of
Avail which divide them,
and are widely splayed;
the caps and bases have
good plain Early English
mouldings. The north
window is of three hghts.
Decorated, square-head-
ed, with w(!ll-moulded

North 'Wiuc'.cw. Tuteiior.

North Window, Exterior.

)nullions ; on the inside, this window has two segmental arches on

ST ONES FIELD. ir)9

a detached Early English shaft ; it has been a two-light Early
English lancet window : the slip of wall cut away, and a Deco-
rated window inserted on the outside, but the inside preserved.
The roof of this aisle or chapel is plain Perpendicular.

The tower-arch is Early English, with a square-headed trefoil
door to the staircase. The walls are Early English, with late
Perpendicular windows inserted, and a Perpendicular upper
story added, with good windows and a battlement.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The most remarkable antiquity of this place is the Roman tesselated
pavement, discovered in 1711 and 12; a description of which was pub-
lished in 1713, by the Rev. John Pointer, chaplain of Merton College,
who gives the following account of the discovery and situation. " On
the 25th January 1711-12, as a country farmer, one George Hannes,
was ploughing his land, his ploughshare happened to hit upon some
foundation stones, amongst which he turned up an Urn, which made the
farmer have the curiosity of searching further, whereupon he discovered
a large and entire antient tesselated Roman pavement, 35 feet in length,

and 20 in breadth, not above two feet under gronnd That part

of the field where it was discovered is called Chest-hill-acre in some old
leases of this land, being a rising ground about half a furlong from the
old Roman Akeman street way, and about three furlongs off Stunsfield
town." There is an engraving of the outlines of the chief figures in the
pavement, as a frontispiece to Mr. Pointer's tract, which he concludes to
be the youthful Bacchus, crowned with ivy, with his panther. Hearne
has a long dissertation on this pavement, prefixed to the eighth volume
of his edition of Leland's Itinerary; he imagines the figures to be Apollo,
with his lyre in his hand, and a wild beast at his feet. [No remains of
this are at present to be found, unless the Roman villa in the adjoining
parish of Northleigh is that intended.]

In the time of Henry III., according to the Testa de Neville, the
living of Stonesfield belonged to the king, and was valued at ij marcs.

In the time of Henry VIII., according to the Valor Ecclesiasticus, it
was a Rectory valued at iiij/. xns. viijrf. ; Philip Apprice being then
Rector. In 1731 it was in the patronage of the Duchess of Marl-
borough, and in 1771 of the Duke, being then valued at 401. per annum.
The present value, according to the returns to the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners, is £139.

WILCOTE.

PATRON.

MRS. PICKERING.

Bt. i^etcr.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

FT.

FT. IN.

Chancel 13 9

Nave 31 8

Porch 8 ()

A SMALL Decorated Clmrcli or Cliapcl, without aisles or tower ;
it has had a bell-turret^ or gable at the west end, Avhich is now
destroyed.

The Chancel is very wide, and the walls low, with a high gable;
at the east end is a small Decorated window of three lights, with
the heads foliated, and the spandrils pierced under one arch,
obtuse, with the roll-moulding for a dripstone on the exterior ; a
plain string along the wall under the window ; the walls are of
rough stone, the dressings ashlar : in the interior this window

WILCOTE. IGi

has a flat segmental arch with a deep hollow in the head. The
south window is a small lancet, widely splayed through a very
thick wall. The south door is small, with a flat trefoilcd head.
The Chancel-arch is small, pointed, doubly recessed, cham-
fered, springing from Decorated corbel-heads ; one has the chin-
cloth, the other the hair spread out and curled round in the
style of Edward II.

The Nave has at the west end, two Decorated windows of
two lights, with a quatrefoil in the head, the eyes not open ; the
windows are of very good proportions, not much splayed, with a
sUght hollow in the head. The side windows, one only on each
side, are of two lights. Decorated, with the eyes pierced on the
sides of the quatrefoil. On the south side there has been a
chapel, of which the arch remains ; the window under it having
been rebuilt. On the south side also is a Norman door, plain,
with cushion caps and billets under the label : the north door
is Decorated, with plain mouldings, two ogees, with an early
label, almost Early English.

The Porch is quite plain, but original Decorated work, with
stone benches : the exterior of the west end is very good, it has
a buttress in the middle, and the base of a bell-turret, the
upper part of which has been destroyed.

The Font is a modern marble basin and pillar, placed under
the arch of the Norman door, which is blocked up. The pews
are modern, partly open and parth'^ plain enclosed ; there is a
raised place for singers, but no gallery. The roofs are con-
cealed by coved ceilings, which, with the walls, are thoroughly
whitewashed. ih r-

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The manor formerly belonged to the ancient family of Wilcotes ; sub-
sequently, to Sir William Pope, who was created a baronet by James I.,
by the style of Sir William Pope of Wilcot "".

In the time of Henry VIII. the Rectory of Wyvelcote was valued in
the Valor Ecclesiasticus at liij^. m]d ; John Leversage being then Rector.
In 1682 the patronage belonged to John Gary, gent.; in 1733 to
Richard Cary, Esq. ; in 1761 and 1774 to Elizabeth Wellington, widow.

"' Skelton's Oxford, Wootton Hundred, p. 6.
Y

PATRONAGE

OF
THE CROWN.

NOIITHLEIGH.

5t. iWarj).

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OF WOOTTON.

A MIXED Church with two aisles and two chapels, and a tower
at the west end.

The Chancel is modernized in
the Italian style, with an Altar-
screen painted and gilt. The east
window is good Decorated, but en-
tirely concealed by this modern work ; ,
two good Decorated shafts of the old ]
Chancel-arch are preserved, but the
Chancel is now extended further
westward, and parted from the nave
by a Grecian wooden screen ; it has
early ridge tiles, and a good Deco-
rated cross on the east gable.

The Nave has two transition Nor- 1iK7i!}:ii;ii;ii;i;i;ii;ii;iiii!iiii!;B5;;i;;i:i:i;r
man pointed arches on each side, the '^""'^ window

edges merely chamfered off; the two central pillars are round,
with Norman caps and bases, but the responds are quite plain.

NORTH LEIGH.

163

The old Norman Font, with a square basin, is in the Church-
yard, on the west side of the porch, serving as a tvater-butt.
The present font is of wood, square and panelled, with a
Grecian cover, under which is a marble mortar, and inside of
that a blue and white basin.

The south aisle has Perpendicular square-headed windows,
one with good tracery, the others plain : the south door is
good Norman, with a bold
round bead, and the billet-
moulding, and shafts with Nor-
man caps and bases; under
this round arch is a Perpendi-
cular arch, with the ogee and
hollow mouldings, and reversed
chamfer terminations in the
place of imposts; the jambs
plain and square edged.

The north aisle has a plain
Perpendicular door, and a
modern chapel of rich Italian
work added on the north side, rij^^:^ ; >•

filled with monuments of the soutb Door,

Perrot family ; at the east end of the north aisle is a very rich
Perpendicular chapel, with a fan-tracery vault; the windows
late Perpendicular, with considerable remains of stained glass :
there is a small Perpendicular piscina marking the situation
of the Altar. On the south side of this chapel, under the
arch, between it and the Chancel, is a very fine Perpendi-
cular tomb, with two recumbent figures in alabaster, a knight
in armour, with the collar of S.S.S. ; the lady with a rich
turban and reticulated head-dress, and also with the collar of
S.S.S., &c.; the canopy over the tomb is a fine Perpendicular
ogee, with bold crockets, pinnacles, and finial ; the weepers are
destroyed, but the niches remain, though mutilated ; the figures
are Lord and Lady Wilcot. Attached to this monument are
two small figures of Angels, holding shields of arms; on one is

164

NORTHLEIGH.

a spread eagle, on the other three cockle-shells, with an en-
grailed band.

The Tower has very massive walls of rubble, and seems of early
character,with arches pierced through
the walls under it at a subsequent
period ; there is some long and short
work, but concealed by rough-cast ;
the western arch is fine Early Eng-
lish, richly moulded; the side arches
are plain, many times recessed ; the
west window under the tower is
Decorated, of two lights ; on the
first floor the windows are plain
Norman loops ; the belfry windows

(||ll!f!iw|||ti|^ill(f!|f;-,,;:p-

Beltry Window,

are Norman, of two lights, with a balustre, supporting a long
stone through the wall, corresponding Math the imposts; the
arches are of rough stone. This tower is by some supposed to
be Saxon, but appears to agree with other Norman work. The
roof is modern, and there is a Perpendicular battlement : the
tower contains four bells, and on each side of the tower is a
small penthouse, as if for a bell, but long disused. On the east
side of the tower are the weather -mouldings of the original high-
pitched roof, and on the west side the same, shewing that the
Church must formerly have extended further in that direction ;
the impost of a Norman arch in the wall also shews that this west-
ern part had an aisle. iiw i-h.p.

CrOM on the East GaW?.

NORTHLEIGH. 165

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Doomsday survey, Lege, or Northleigh, formed part of the
grant of Roger de Iveri s.

In 1149 we find Northleya mentioned as part of the barony of Hoke-
norton, transferred by Robert de Oiley to Oseney *.

A.D. 1227. 11 and 12 Henry III. Robert earl of Dreux in right of
his wife baron of S. Walery, and lord of the manor of Ambrosden,
presented to the church of North Leigh com. Oxon ".

A.D. 1277. 5, 6. Edw. I. Ricardus Line, ep'us rehgiosis viris
abb'i et conv. de Hegles, ord. Cisterc. salut. Cum nobiUs vir d'n's
Edmundus com. Comub. cujus predecessores domum vestram fundave-
runt et bonis propriis dotaverunt divine pietatis intuitu numerum mona-
chorum ad augmentum divini cultus augeri desiderans in eadem nobis
humilime supphcaverit ut de Hamelhamstede et de Northle n're dioc.
eccl'ias cum capeUis de Bovendone et Slaverdene dicte eccl'ie de Hamel-
hamstede spectantibus, quarum advocationes vobis liberaliter concessit
ut adjectione decern monachorum vestri conventus sacer numerus ampli-
etur, domui v're appropriare curaremus — prescriptas eccl'ias vobis et
succ. v'ris in pios et proprios usus — concedimus — salvis archid'o Hunt.
5. sol. annuis pro eccl'ia de Hemelhamstede et archid'o Oxon. 4. sol.
ann. de eccl'ia de Northle — pro recompensatione juris sequestri sui in
eisdem. dat. 7 kal. Mart. 1277. pont. 20^.

Joh. Line, ep'us confirmat 6. id. Jun. 1303. Ordinatio vie. de Northle
sequitur. Reg. Dalderby.

Mr. Price, of the Bodleian Library, had a very ancient seal in brass, one
inch broad, inscribed Sigillu Thome de Wylcote Armigeri, with his arms,
viz., an eagle with wings, which had long been preserved at Wilcot-
house. The same coat occurs in the neighbouring Church of North-
leigh, where is a beautiful chantry Chapel belonging to the family, con-
taining an Altar- tomb highly embellished. Both Chapel and tomb appear
to have been executed about the reign of Henry YlJ

There is a plate of " The Wilcotes' Effigies" in this Church, in Skel-
ton's Oxfordshire.

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 91. p. 281.

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 142. ^ Keniictl, vol. i. p. lOS.

" Ex. llegist. Line. ap. Kennett, vol. i. >' Warton's History of Kiddington, p.;>8.

166

NORTHLEIGH.

THE PLAN.

FT. IN.

A. Altar Platform.

B. Chancel 36 0

C. Nave 21 2

D. Wilcote Chapel 18 10

E. North Aisle 24. 2

F. Perrot Chapel 23 11

G. South Aisle 25 5

H. South Porch 8 8

I. Tower 18 0

FT. IN.

I'y

SOUTHLEIGH.

A CHAPEL ANNEXED TO STANTON HARCOURT VICARAGE.

PATRON.
BI8H0P OF OXFORD.

5t. ^am^.

DEANERY
OF WOODSTOCK,
HUNDRED
OF WOOTTON.

Head of the Chancel door.

A NEAT Perpendicular Cliureh, with some portions of early
work in the Chancel; an aisle on the north side only, and a
tower at the west end.

The Chancel walls are transition Nor-
man, and one window of that character
remains on the north side of the Altar ;
there are also Norman strings on all the
walls; a transition Norman piscina on
a column, and plain brackets for the
Altar. The east and south windows are
late Perpendicular insertions; there is
a small door on the south side, over
which are some singular Norman orna- ;
ments, cut on the face of the stone. The
south window is Perpendicular, of three piscma.

lights, the heads not fohated, with a square dripstone, under

168

SOUTHLEIGH.

which is a curious aud rich piece
of workj resembhng a Decorated
parapet of wavy lines, fohated ;
it seems probable that this win-
dow is imitation Gothic, of the
time of James I. The Altar plat-
form is raised two steps : on the Head « Scutn W.ndow m Chancel.

north side there is a Perpendicular arch opening into an aisle.
The Chancel-arch is Early English, plain, pointed, with moulded
imposts. The staircase to the rood-loft remains.

The north aisle of the Chancel is Perpendicular; the east
window of three lights, pointed ; the north
window square-headed, of three lights,
cinquefoiled, with fragments of stained
glass, consisting of stars, in the cusps;
there are also some fragments of stained
glass in the east window of the Chancel,
and a Perpendicular screen across the en-
trance to both the Chancel and the aisle ; Head of a h^ht m the n. window
over it is an Italian cornice, put on in 1710, and the arms
of Queen Anne stuck up in the arch. The Chancel was ceiled
at the same date. A poors'-box still remains near the font,
with two locks.

The Nave has on the north side three good Perpendicular
arches, recessed, with deep hollow and ogee mouldings, and
shafts, with octagon caps and cases. There are two south win-
dows. Perpendicular, of three lights ; one has the tracery cut
out. The south door and porch are good plain Perpendicular;
the doorway has hollow mouldings, and the tiripstonc is ter-
minated by heads ; the door is of old oak, with Perpendicular
hinges and iron-work, and a large wooden lock, with a curious
key ; the porch has a plain open timber roof, with the cornice
moulded and embattled. In the porch are the remains of a
niche or stoup for holy water.

The north aisle has three good Perpendicular square-headed
windows; the cast window pointed. Perpendicular, of three lights.

S O U T H L E I G H. 169

The roof is original Perpendicular work, a lean-to, with moulded
beams, and good corbel-heads. On the south side of the nave
is a good Perpendicular bracket. The roof of the nave is flat,
put on in 1812.

The Font is good Perpendicular, panelled, with two steps;
it stands under the middle arch, opposite the south door. The
seats are partly good old oak, and open, and partly modern en-
closed deal pews.

The Tower is Perpendicular, the arch plain, pointed, and re-
cessed, with the edges chamfered, the chamfers continued to the
ground, without shafts or bases : it is open to the Church, and
has a very good eflFect: the tower contains three bells and a
sanctus, and is surmounted by a battlement, with good Perpen-
dicular cornice, and gurgoyles at the angles ; there is a square
stair-turret on the north side ; the side walls have also Perpen-
dicular battlements and cornices : there is a cross on the east
gable of the Chancel.

The old manor-house, near the Church, has a good Perpen-
dicular fire-place, some oak panelling, with good mouldings, and
barge-boards to the porch. On the green, near the Church-yard,
the remains of a cross are still visible, consisting of three steps.

John Wesley preached his first sermon in this Church. His
friend, John Gambold, was the Vicar of Stanton Harcourt. The
Wesleyans of the present day make frequent visits to the spot
which was the first scene of his multifarious labours.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Doomsday survey. Lege, or South Leigh, formed part of the
grant of Roger de Iveri ^.

A.D. 1 147. 12 and 13, King Stephen. The Chaple of South Leigh,
in com. Oxon., was granted by Richard de Camvil, to the abbey of
Rading ^.

* Kennett, vol. i. p. 91.

" Cartular. Abbat. de Radinges MS. b. 169. ap. Keunett, vol. i. p. 140.

STANTON HARCOURT.

PATRON. 5t. i^icljad.

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD.

DEANERY

OF WOODSTOCK.

HUNDRED

OP WOOTTON.

FT. IN.

Chancel .... 44 0

Harcourt Chapel . 27 0

North Transept . 24 0

Tower 17 o

South Transept. . 24 0

Nave 48 0

Porch 9 8

FT.

(;

I'y

1()

STANTON HARCOURT.

171

This Church is cruciform in plan^ the Nave is of the twelfth
century, the Chancel and transepts, with the tower-arches, of the
thirteenth, but the upper part of the tower added in the fifteenth,
and the Harcourt chapel, or aisle, attached to the south side
of the Chancel, about the same period. The walls are of rubble
or rag-work, with quoins of ashlar.

The Chancel is a good specimen of the style of Henry III.,
with a fine triple lancet window at the east end ; this is united
within into a single window of three lights, with triple shafts
on the edges, connecting the splays; the window-arches, the
capitals and bases of the shafts are boldly
and well moulded; the two central caps
are ornamented with foliage : on the out-
side the three lancet lights are detached,
the centre one being the highest ; the
dripstones are, however, connected and
continued along the wall as strings, ar-

° ^ Window-shaft in the Chancel

ranged something like corbie steps; there are small original
buttresses at the angles, reaching only up to the lower string
beneath the window s ; larger and higher ones have, however,
been found necessary and added at a later period : the wall
having been much cracked and the arches of the two side
windows having given way.

On the north side there are six lancet windows divided into
two very elegant triplets, but one of the lights is blocked up to
receive a monument ; on the exterior the two triplets are very
distinct, though the lancets, as at the east end, are united in the
inside only ; there is a small round-headed Early English door
on this side, now blocked up. On the south side one of the
triplets also remains perfect, the other has been destroyed in the
fifteenth century to make room for two Perpendicular arches
opening into the Harcourt chapel, but now closed with a plastered
partition. The strings along the walls, both inside and out, are
good and bold Early English mouldings. Under the window,
on the south side of the Altar, is a very elegant Early Englisli
piscina, with a stone shelf, and a shaft from the ground to carry

172 STANTON HARCOURT.

the basin : there are two small brasses on the floor, near the
steps to the Altar.

On the north side of the Altar is a small monument, about
four feet long, by two wide, with a tall and very rich Decorated
canopy over it, on the cornice of which are shields, with the
arms of several noble families ^ : much of the original colour-
ing remains on this canopy. On the Altar-tomb itself are
the emblems of the Crucifixion, and five shields, which are
now blank : three of these are carried by figures with scales,
or feathers, having small crosses on their heads, and the hair
dressed in the fashion of Edward I. This structure is supposed
to have been used for the Easter sepulchre, and it is stated in
the Gentleman^s Magazine (1841) that there are other examples
in Germany of the same form. There has evidently been some
alteration here, and there are remains of some previous structure
in the wall. Westward of this, under an obtuse arch in the
wall, is the monument of Maud, daughter of John Lord Grey,
of Rotherfield, by his second wife Avice, daughter of Lord
Marmion, and wife of Sir Thomas de Harcourt, deceased 17th
Richard 11. In the westernmost window on this side are re-
mains of the original stained glass, of the thirteenth century.
The roof of the Chancel retains its original high pitch exter-
nally, but within it is concealed by a plaster ceiling.

The Chancel-arch is good Early English, pointed and recessed,
the edges chamfered off"; with shafts, having small fillets on the
face, and well-moulded caps and bases; and a bold roll-moulding
for the label.

The rood-screen is perfect, and original oak-work, of the
same age with the arch, the mouldings corresponding exactly
with the stone-work ; the lock is also original, and wortliy of
notice. This is the earliest wooden rood-screen that has yet
been noticed in England.

The other tower-arches are similar to the Chancel-arch ; their
points are, however, cut off by a plaster ceiling : the first story
of the tower is of the same age, and the approach to it is by a

*' See a further account of this in the Historical Notices.

STANTON HARCOURT.

173

ROOD-SCEEEN.

\:__jiSI!iiiii;!«ii''''''

BASE OF SHAFTS.

.jiilftSSi'Si^^

'liiiii

CAPITAL OF SHAFTS

ARCH.

174 STANTON HAR COURT.

very elegant stair-turret iu the angle of the Chancel and north
transept : this has its original pyramidal roof and finial, and is
an excellent model for imitation. The original door into it
remains in the inside; the present door is external^ and was
made in 1789. The upper story of the tower is an addition of
the fifteenth century, with a battlemented parapet ; it contains
five hells.

The north transept retains its lancet windows on the sides, with
two moulded arches, supported by good shafts, four good heads
as brackets, a piscina, and the platforms of two Altars on the
east side; the north window is an insertion of the fifteenth
centmy, but the string is perfect on the outside ; that on the
inside has been almost destroyed, but the remains of it, with
those on the side walls, are good Early Enghsh, and there is a
small acutely pointed door of the same period at the north-west
corner, which, from immemorial custom, is used by the men
only; the wooden door has Early English iron hinges, with
scroll-work, but rather plain for that period ; it has a stoup just
within it: the roof is plain Perpendicular, of low pitch, but open;
in this transept there are some early seats, with poppies of the
fleur-de-lis form.

The south transept has two lancet windows on the west side,
and one Early English arch on the east side, the other having
been removed when the Harcourt chapel was added, and a Per-
pendicular arch opening into it was made through this wall.
The south window is Perpendicular, and the roof plain open
timber, of low pitch : the strings are Early English, and
there is a small door, similar to that in the north transept, but
blocked up.

The Nave is Norman, and has still the two original doorways,
north and south ; these are simple, having semicircular arches,
with a sort of rude zig-zag moulding, and attached shafts with
])old capitals. By the side of the north door is a small Norman
stoup ; this door is used by the women only ; the south door is
not used, but the old wooden door remains and has Early
English iron liinges, with scrolls; there are also four small

STANTON HARCOURT. 175

Norman windows, single lights, deeply sunk in the wall on the
outside, with a bold round moulding continuous round the head
and down the jambs, without capitals, and there are no labels.
The west window is Perpendicular.

On the north side, close to the tower-arch, is a small low
Perpendicular window, under a recessed Early English arch, in
which there appears to have been another Altar. The dripstone
of this window is ornamented with a four-leaved flower. On the
south side of the Nave are two Early English brackets, and on
each side of the arch are two others. There is a plain porch
of wood and plaster over the north door.

The Font is good Perpendicular, tall octagon, panelled, with
buttresses at the angles, with the Tudor ornaments, and the
emblems of the Crucifixion on one of the panels, IHC on
another, and the arms of Byron on another*^. This Font was
carefully restored in 1833, but the original ornaments with their
painting were preserved and placed on a tablet under the west
window.

The Pulpit is plain; the seats in the Nave are good specimens
of the old style, with solid square ends and moulded rails.
The roof of the nave is very good open timber of the latter
part of the fourteenth century, with tie-beams and king-posts,
and springers to support the tie-beams, resting on good cor-

si^-;-- ■ II, ,,,--^'1 I jiiii?

bel-heads, the spandrels filled

with open tracery : there are

two struts on each side of the |||--e:--— ^^r'^^^n^-^-^/.r'^H;";:*^^

king-post to the rafters; these

and the principals are engrailed:

it is altogether a fine example ^^^^^****'^"''^-"^^^'^'^

of an open timber roof. The paxapet of the Nave.

parapet is plain, of the same age as the roof.

The Harcourt aisle is rich but late Perpendicular work,
with an open quatrefoil parapet, and square-topped pinnacles;
it was erected in the time of Henry VII., when the mansion
adjoining was built, and it is filled with monuments of the

<= See Historical Notices.

176 STANTON HARCOURT.

Harcourt family extending from tliat period down to the present
time. Near the east end there is an elegant Perpendicular
piscina.

In the Church -yard there is the base of a cross.

The remains of the mansion of the Harcourts are highly
interesting; the description of them by Simon, Lord Harcourt,
which follows, is so full and satisfactory that it is only necessary
here to refer to it. The recent publication by our Society of a
complete set of drawings of this Church by Mr. Derick, also
renders it unnecessary to repeat them here.

EXTRACTS FROM "AN ACCOUNT OP THE CHURCH AND REMAINS OF THE
MANOR HOUSE OF STANTON HARCOURT IN THE COUNTY OF OXFORD." BY
GEORGE SIMON EARL HARCOURT. NUNEHAM-COURTENAY, Nov. 1, 1803.

The manor of Stanton Harcourt has continued six hundred years in
the Harcourt family. Queen Adeliza, daughter of Godfrey, first duke of
Brabant, and second wife to king Henry I., granted the manor of Stan-
ton to her kinswoman, Mihcent, wife of Richard de Camvil, whose
daughter Isabel married Robert [Richard ^ ?] de Harcourt ; and from the
time of that marriage it assumed the name of Stanton Harcourt.

The said Robert was sheriff of Leicester and Warwickshire in the years
1199, 1201, 1202, and the above-mentioned grant was afterwards con-
firmed to her and her heirs by king Stephen and king Henry H. *

In the Chancel, on the north side of the Altar, is a small but beautiful
altar-tomb, with a rich canopy over it, which the arms carved and em-
blazoned upon it prove to have been erected to commemorate some per-
son of the ancient family of Blount ^. [Camvil }']

^ Isabella filia Ricardi de Camvill pp. 34, 46, and p. 856.

uxor Ric. Harecourt de Bosworth in Com. ' Wood describes this monument as

Leic'. 4 R. I.— Dugd Bar., vol. i. p. 628. that of Isabel, daughter and heiress of

^ It was held of the crown by military Richard de Camville before mentioned ;

service for some particular customs, for and has preserved sketches of the shields

which see Lord Harcourt's Account, pp. as they remained in 1622, which have all

5, 6, and Rot. Hund. Oxon. 4th Ed. I. been ascertained, excepting one : these

STANTON HARCOURT.

177

On the south side of the Chancel is a large plain altar-tomb, without
any inscription, but with the impression of a cross still remaining upon
it ; the brass has been torn away. [It is of the fourteenth century; the
end that is visible is richly panelled ; but it is almost concealed by the
partition, as it stands under the eastern arch between the chancel and
the Har court aisle.]

The ancient monument, under an arch in the south wall of the Chancel,
is that of Maud, daughter of John lord Grey, of Rotherfield, by his second
wife Avice, daughter and co-heiress of John lord Marmion, (which Maud,
with her two brothers, assumed the name and arms of Marmion,) wife of
Sir Thomas de Harcourt, son of Sir William and of Johanna, daughter of
Richard lord Grey of Codnor ; she died in the seventeenth year of Richard
II. She has the reticulated head-dress, with a narrow gold binding
across the forehead, a scarlet mantle, lined with ermine, and a deep cape
of the same, scolloped at the edge, on either side of which are two small
gold tassels, a broad band of ermine, with a narrow gold binding across
the breasts ; the upper part of the sleeves of the same ; the lower part
light blue and reaching to the knuckles, like mittens. On the surcoat
the arms of Harcourt impaled with those of Grey, Those parts both of
the arms and of the dress which are blue, are damasked : at her feet
a small dog. On the front of the monument four shields with the
following arms: namely, Harcourt; Harcourt impaling Grey; Grey;.
Marmion.

On a brass in the pavement is the figure of a priest in his vestments,,
in memory of Sir Henry Dodschone, vicar of the parish.

seem to shew that Lord Harcourt waf?
•wrong in ascribing it tooneof tlie Blount
family, and it seems probable that this
monument may have been erected to her
memory, though not until long after her
death, as the monument itself is clearly
of the time of Edward I. The extensive
connections of the family may account

for the number of shields of arms upon it.
This is not inconsistent with the idea of
its having been used for the Easter sepul-
chre also, as it was a common practice to
use actual tombs for that purpose, and
was considered a very high honour.

" These amies on the Monument of the
daughter and heire of Camville.

1. Caravile.

2. Harcourt.

3. Harcourt impal-
ing Camvile.

4. Marmion.

5. Hovenden.

6. Lovell.

7. Lovell, withbeud
for difference.

9. Bohun.
10. Brotherton.
IL Estotevil.
12. England.

13. EarlofGloster..

li. Percy.

1.5. E. Warren.

16. Lo. Dacres."^

Wood's MS. E. I. f 36. c. 1022.

A a

178 STANTON HARCOURT.

In the north transept, on a small round blue marble, inserted in the
pavement, is a brass which is worthy of notice from the manner in
which the arms of Beke are united with those of Harcourt. Sir Richard
de Harcourt, son of William and
Hilaria, daughter of Henry lord Hast-
ings, married Margaret, daughter
and co-heiress of John lord Beke of
Eresly, which said lord devised by /
his will, made twenty-ninth of Ed- j
ward I., the remainder of his arms \
to be divided between Sir Robert de \
Willoughbyand Sir John de Harcourt;
and the above-mentioned stone is
probably in memory of Sir John, son
of Sir Richard Harcourt and Margaret Beke ; he died 1330. [This brass
is curious also from its consisting only of the outline of the shield and
arms let into the marble in thick lines, and not a brass plate engraved.]

In the south transept is an altar-tomb, the monument of Sir Simon
Harcourt, son of Sir Christopher and Johanna, daughter and co-heiress
of Sir Miles Stapleton. He was knighted in the twenty-first year of
Henry VII., and married Agnes, daughter of Thomas Darrell; he
died 1547. At the head of the tomb the arms of Harcourt, and on
either side three shields, with the following arms : Harcourt and
Darrell ; Harcourt and Stapleton ; Harcourt ; Harcourt and Darrell ;
Harcourt and St. Clair ; Darrell.

The Font is octagonal; on the front is a cross, with letters in the
Gothic character on either side of it. In each of the compartments are
spread quatrefoils, except that on which there is a cross : within two of
the large quatrefoils are two smaller, and more enriched ; within the two
others, a rose; and the remaining three contain shields, with the follow-
ing arms : Byron; Francis impaling Harcourt; Harcourt. By a strange
error, to have been committed in an age when the science of Heraldry was
held in high estimation, the arms of Francis are placed on the dexter in-
stead of the sinister side. Sir Thomas Harcourt, who died in 1460, mar-
ried Joan, daughter of Sir Robert Francis ; but no female of the former
family married into the latter. It is probable from the style of the orna-
ments carved upon the Font, and from the arms of Byron being placed
upon it, that it was erected by Sir Robert Harcourt, who married Mar-
garet Byron, and was son of Sir Thomas, [and died in 1471.]

STANTON HARCOURT. 179

The Harcourt Chapel. Under the east window, where the Altar
formerly stood, is a large monument of marble and alabaster, gilded, to
the memory of Sir Philip Harcourt [who died in 1688], and his first wife
Anne, daughter of Sir William Waller, the parliament general, by the lady
Anne Finch, daughter of Thomas, first earl of Winchelsea. It consists
of a pediment supported by two columns of black marble of the Corin-
thian order : at the top the crest of Harcourt, and on either side two boy
angels holding a drapery, in the centre of which are the arms of Har-
court impaling Waller : below the cornice are two oval niches, containing
the busts of Sir Philip and his wife, and under them two tablets on which
are inscriptions in Latin to their memory.

The monument on the south side is that of Sir Robert Harcourt, son
of Sir Thomas and Joan, daughter of Sir Robert Francis, and his wife
Margaret, daughter of Sir John Byron, and widow of Sir William Atherton.
Sir Robert was sheriff of Leicester and Warwickshire in 1445, governor
of Vernon, &c., in Normandy, 1446, and elected High Steward of the
University of Oxford the same year; knight of the garter in the third year
of Edward IV. ; commissioner with the earl of Warwick and others for the
treaty between England and France in the year 1467 ; slain by the Stafibrds
of the Lancastrian party 1471. He is represented in his hair, a gorget
of mail, and plated armour strapped at the elbows and wrists ; a large hilted
sword on the left, and a dagger on the right ; belt charged with oak leaves,
and hands bare, and a kind of ruffle turned back at the wrists ; shoes of
scaled armour; order of the garter on the left leg, and over all the mantle
of the order, with a rich cape and cordon ; his head reclined on a helmet,
with his crest, a peacock ; at his feet a lion. His lady is in the veUed
head-dress falling back ; has a mantle and surcoat, and cordon ; long
sleeves, fastened in a singular manner at the wrists, and the garter, with
the motto in embossed letters, above the elbow of the left arm, embla-
zoned upon it ; her feet partly wrapped up in her mantle. On the front,
four spread six foils, containing shields with the following arms : Har-
court impaling Byron twice, and twice Marmion ; which Maud Grey,
his grandmother, bore in right of her mother, heiress of the Marmions.
At the head of the monument two shields ; on one, Harcourt and Byron
encircled with the garter; on the other, Harcourt single. The figure of
this lady is extremely curious, from her being represented with the garter,
and is one of the only three known examples of female sepulchral effi-
gies having been decorated with the insignia of that order. According to
Mr. Ashmole, Constance, daughter of John Holland, duke of Exeter,

180 STANTON HARCOURT.

first married to Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, and secondly to Sir
John Grey, knight of the garter, and earl of Tankerville in Normandy,
was thus represented on her tomb. The other similar example is the
effigy of Alice, daughter of Thomas Chaucer, wife of William de la Pole,
duke of Suffolk, on her beautiful monument at Ewelme, in the county
of Oxford, still in perfect preservation, but on the last-named figure the
garter is worn above the wrist, and has no motto. Of the three above-
mentioned monuments, fine and accurate engravings have been given in
Mr. Cough's magnificent and instructive work on the Funeral Monuments
of Great Britain. [And of the one in the Harcourt Chapel a separate
engraving was published by R. Wilkinson in 1813.]

Opposite the monument of Sir Robert Harcourt and his lady, is that
of Sir Robert his grandson, son of Sir John and Anne, daughter of Sir
John Norris. He was standard-bearer to king Henry VH. at the battle
of Bosworth ; knight of the Bath, 1495 ; knight banneret, 1497. On the
front of the tomb are four monks in black, holding their beads, and two
angels holding each a shield ; at the head a red rose, the cognizance of
the house of Lancaster. He is in his hair, plated armour, gorget of
mail, collar of S.S., a large hilted sword, hands bare : his head reclines
on a helmet, with the crest, a peacock on a ducal coronet.

On a stone in the pavement are the figures of two men engraved in
brass, and two shields ; on the one, Harcourt impaling Atherton ; on the
other, on the sinister side, the arms of Atherton only, the impalement on
the dexter having been torn off". Underneath are inscribed the names of
ITiomas Harcourt, who died the third of February, 1460; and of Nicholas
Atherton, who died the twenty-sixth of October, 1 454. And under them
the figures of three children, George Harcourt, Alys Harcourt, Isabel
Harcourt. Thomas Harcourt was third son of Sir Robert and Margaret
Byron, and it appears from the arms of Atherton being impaled with his,
that he married one of that family.

On one side of the Chapel is a large mural monument of marble, or-
namented with flowers, to the memory of Simon, only son of Simon,
first viscount Harcourt, on which is an inscription in Latin, composed by
Dr. Friend; and below it the well known lines by Mr. Pope, which however
differ in some respects from those published in his works. Near the head
of the monument of Sir Robert Harcourt and Margaret Byron [is a good
Perpendicular piscina with ogee canopy, pinnacles, crockets, and finial.]

This Church, besides its several ancient and curious monuments, is
distinguished by two epitaphs by Mr. Vo]w, and one by Mr. Congreve,

STANTON HARCOURT.

181

viz., that inscribed on a tablet on the outside of the south wall, to the
memory of the lovers killed by lightning ; that on the monument of
the Hon. Simon Harcourt ; and that on Robert Huntingdon and his son,
Esqrs., by the last.

THE MANOR HOUSE.
The Porter's Lodge. The front of which towards the road remains
in its original unaltered form. The arms on either side of the gate, in
both fronts, Harcourt impaling Darrell, shew that it was erected by Sir
Simon, who died 1547.

Tope's Tower, &c.

The House, The principal apartments, the great hall, the great and
little parlour, the Queen's chamber, (so named from its having been
occupied by Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, when she made a visit there,)
with other chambers, filled the space between the domestic chapel and
the kitchen, and remained entire [until near the end of the last century.]
Some upper rooms in the small remaining part of the house, adjoining
the kitchen, and now occupied by a farmer, are nearly in their original
state, and bear evident marks of antiquity. [In one of these rooms there
is a plain stone fire-place, with a four-centred arch, and a good chimney
of the fifteenth century.] But the time when they were erected is not

182

STANTON HARCOURT.

known, nor the date of that curious and remarkable building, the kitchen,
[the whole, however, appears to have been built about the reign of
Edward IV.]

The Kitchen. In its form and general appearance it bears much
resemblance to the abbot's kitchen at Glastonbury ; and yet it differs con-
siderably from the latter, which is an octagon, inclosed within a square,
with four chimneys in the angles ; whereas the lower part of this building
is square, both inside and outside ; [the upper part is octagonal, with
squinches across the angles.] Moreover it is larger and much more
lofty, and has no chimney ; a winding staircase in a turret leads to a
passage round the battlement ; and beneath the eaves
of the roof, which is octagonal, are shutters, to give
vent to the smoke, according to the quarter from
whence the wind blows. The height of the walls
to the bottom of the roof, which in the centre rises
twenty-five feet more, is thirty-nine feet : and the
griffin on the point of the cone is eight feet. The
turret that contains the steps is square, and rises
nine feet above the other walls, which are three feet
thick, and measure on the outside, from east to
west, thirty-three feet, and from north to south
thirty-one feet.

STANTON HARCOURT.

183

The abbot's kitchen at Glastonbury is said to have been erected so
late as in the reign of Henry VIII.

The Domestic Chapel, with a chamber over a part of it, and the tower,
contaming three chambers, one above the other, each thirteen feet square,

The Domestic Chapel.

remains in good repair, and the uppermost retains the name of Pope's
study : the pane of red stained glass, upon which he wrote the following
inscription, having been taken out of a casement in this chamber, and
preserved as a valuable relique at Nuneham Courtenay. " In the year
1718, Alexander Pope finished here the fifth volume of Homer." That
great poet passed a part of two summers at Stanton Harcourt for the
sake of retirement, where he was occasionally visited by Mr. Gay, from
the neighbouring seat of lord Harcourt, at Cockthorp. And the former
has recorded the story of the lovers, who were killed by lightning, in a
letter dated from the place where that event occurred. The height of
the tower is fifty-four feet six inches, and the turret that contains the
steps is raised two feet nine inches higher. The part immediately under
the tower, where the Altar stands, is twelve feet square, and fifteen feet
ten inches high in the centre. Below the springing of the arch on one
side are the arms of Harcourt emblazoned on a shield, on the other those
of Byron. [This part is vaulted with fan tracery, and a small circular

184 STANTON HARCOURT.

opening in the centre ; the ribs spring from good corbels in the angles.
The arch between this and the outer Chapel is good Perpendicular, four
centred, with a square head over it, retaining much of the ancient red and
blue colouring.] The outer part of the Chapel has a flat wooden ceiling,
composed of squares with red and yellow mouldings, and a blue ground,
with gilded stars in the middle of each compartment. It is 1 7 feet 5 inches
by 14 feet 8 inches wide, and 11 feet 8 inches high. From the arms of
Harcourt and of Byron being placed where they are, it may be conjectured
that the tower was erected by Sir Robert in the reign of Edward IV.
The house was never inhabited by any of the family since the death of
Sir Philip, an. 1688, when his widow, who had been his second wife, and
on whom the estate was settled in jointure, disposed of the furniture by
sale, and suffered the buildings, from neglect of the necessary repairs,
to fall into decay, and they were afterwards demolished by the late earl.
The description given by Mr. Pope of this once large and curious mansion,
in a letter written from thence to the duke of Buckingham, although it
be ludicrous and witty, is in almost every particular very incorrect ; the
situation of the several buildings being exactly the reverse of that Id
which they really stood, as is demonstrated by a still existing plan.

At a short distance from the village are three large monumental stones
known by the name of the devil's coits ; these stones Mr. Thomas War-
ton, in his account of Kiddington, conjectures were erected to comme-
morate an engagement fought near Bampton in the year 614, between
the British and Saxons, when the Saxon princes, Cynegil and Cwhicelon,
slew more than two thousand Britons. The adjacent barrow has been
destroyed. [The stones are of the sandstone of the country with red
veins interspersed.]

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, temp. Henry VIII., Stanton Harcourt is
described as a vicarage belonging to the Abbot and Convent of Reading.
John Pereson being then Vicar, and the value of the Vicarage was xvi/.
xiijs. iiijrf. In Bacon's Liber Regis, 1786, it is valued at £34, and in the
returns to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1831, at £136.

MARSTON.

PATRON. 5t. Kic|)oIa5.

REV. T. WHORWOOD.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDON.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

SjecJ.

Ground Plan of the Church.

A PLAIN Church, oblong, with aisles to the nave only;
well-proportioned chancel, and a low tower at the west end.

Chancel. — The east window
is late Perpendicular, of three
lights, with good dripstone ter-
minations of octagonal form,
and a piece of foliage sculptured
at the point, in the hollow of
the dripstone; this is an un-
common feature, and a very
elegant one. The side windows are of two lights, late Per-
pendicular, square-headed, with cinqucfoilcd heads to the lights ;

B h

-.''■>!

Sculpture over the East Window.

186

MAR ST ON.

the dripstones have bold square termina-
tions, enclosing ornaments, some of which
are the monograms IHS and IHC. There
are some good quarrels of painted glass
in the heads of these windows. The re-
cess of the first window on the south side
is carried down to a stone bench, which
served as the seat for the priest ; eastward of
this is a small square piscina, with the basin Dripstone Terminaticn.
and drain perfect. On the south side is also a small door, square-
headed within and quite plain,
but ornamented on the outside
with a pointed arch, carved
spandrels, and a dripstone with
square terminations. There is
a late Perpendicular basement-
moulding all round the walls
of the chancel. The roof
seems to consist of good arched
timbers, but is concealed by a
plaster cciHng just above the
springing. The stall-desks are chauceiDoor.

late, but preserve the old arrangement, having returns at the
west end. The chancel-arch is transition Norman, pointed,
square-edged, with plain imposts ; by the side of it there is an
opening into the south aisle, or
liagioscope; this is now boarded
up at the west end, but might be
re-opened with advantage.

The Nave has four bays, the
arches are transition Norman,
pointed and recessed, with the
edges chamfered, with labels over
them, those on the south side dif-
fering from and of rather earlier
character than those on the north. ^ , v, , r^

Arcb, south Bide of Nave.

MARSTON. 187

The pillars are round, with moulded caps, having thick abaci,
but not all alike, the bases are Norman ; the clerestory windows
are late Perpendicular, square, of two lights. The roof is of
the same age, of poor work, and nearly flat. The walls of both
the aisles are also late Perpendicular, with square-headed win-
dows, of two lights, without labels. The roof of the north aisle
is a lean-to ; that of the south aisle is very high pitched, open
to the rafters, with tie-beams, and queen-posts, and cross spring-
ers; these and the cornice are moulded, but the mouldings are
late Perpendicular, and of quite a debased character. The north
door is late Perpendicular. The south door is transition Nor-
man, but quite plain. The porch is late, but with stone benches.
There is a good iron strap and scutcheon on the south door.
The Font is modern imitation of Gothic. The seats are mostly
good old open benches, but many of them have sloping book-
boards added, which would be better taken away again, and
others have modern deal boxes built upon them.

The Tower is late Perpendicular, square, with a good three-
light window and arch, open to the nave, but partly hid by the
singers' gallery, which should be removed. The belfry-windows
are square-headed, of two lights; the parapet is battlemented
with a Perpendicular cornice, and gurgoyle heads at the angles.

In the Church-yard there was formerly a cross, Avhich was
taken down to mend the wall with in the year 1830; and in
the village another cross, which was used about the same period
to mend the roads with ! ! i.h.p.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1082. The manor was given by the Conqueror to Miles Crispin s.
A.D. 1132. It was granted by charter of Henry I. to the priory of
St. Frideswide •*.

A.D. 1156, 2nd Henry II. About this time Hugh de Plagenet

•-' Kennett, vol. i. p. 93. >- Reg. S. Fiid. in C.C.C. ap. Dug. I. 174.

188 MARSTON.

granted to the priory of St. Frideswide the tithes of his own demesnes
and of his tenants in this manor'.

A branch of the Croke family had a seat here, which seems to have
been acquired by the marriage of Unton Croke, Esq., serjeant-at-law,
to Anne, daughter and heiress of Richard Hore, Esq., of Marston.
Unton Croke occupies a conspicuous place in the history of the civil
wars, as a staunch supporter of the Parliament. In Thurloe's State
Papers there is a letter of the 2nd of October, 1655, from Dr. John
Owen, the Dean of Christ Church, to the Protector, in which he strongly
intercedes in Serjeant Croke's favour, that he might be made a judge :
it seems however that the recommendation was not attended to. But
in 1 65 6 he was appointed one of the Commissioners under the authority
of an act of parliament for the security of the Lord Protector, with
power to try offenders for high treason without the intervention of u
jury. He acted likewise as a justice of the peace, and there are some
entries in the parish register of marriages performed by him in that capa-
city during the Great Rebellion. He resided chiefly here, and died in
1671, at the age of seventy- seven. His wife had died a few months
previously, and they were both buried in the chancel, where there are
inscriptions on a flat stone and on a brass plate to their memory. They
left ten children. In May 1646, this house was made use of by the
Commissioners for the King and the Parliament army in the treaty for
the surrendering of Oxford ''. This house was pulled down in 1843.

The vicarage was valued in the time of Henry VIII. at 40s. In the
last century it was valued at 26/.; the present value is 195/. Popu-
lation, 364.

The advowson of the vicarage has been in the possession of the family
of Whorwood since about the year 1600, when Sir W. Brome of Holton,
whose daughter and heiress married a "Whorwood, exchanged land at
Haseley and Albury, for the advowsons and parsonages of Headington
and Marston, and the manor of Headington, Marston, and Bolshipton.
In 1685 Dr. Edward Masters presented as trustee to Thomas Whor-
wood, in 1705 Robert King presented (hac vice), and in 1718 the Bishop
of Oxford collated.

' Kennett, vol. i. p. 475. Book I., p. 481 ; Kennett, vol. ii. p. 488.

^ Wood's Annals of Univ. Oxfortl, Croke's History of tlie Croke Family.

WOOD EATON,

PATRON. V-l^^U i^OOD.

RICHARD WEYLAND, ESQ.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF BULLINGTON.

North-^eet view of tlie Church

rian of the Church.

190 WOOD EATON.

The Church is situated about four miles from Oxford^ in a
very picturesque spot, and indeed the whole village is quite like
what all English villages used to be, for the Church is made the
chief feature, standing out in an open space svirrounded by a
low wall and shaded by trees, and on the north side of it lies the
green, with a fine old tree in the centre, under which stand the
stocks, and near to it the old cross raised on its three steps,
though the shaft is now deprived of the sacred emblem of our
holy Faith; in another part of the green is the common well
with its sweet crystal water ; on the east side lies the rectory
hard by, with its gable ends and porch, and massive chimneys ;
on the west is the manor-house, well shaded by stately trees,
with its usual companion, the rookery, and all around are
scattered the neat cottages, each with its garden bright with
gilly-flowers : but the Church is the building of Avhicli an
account is here to be given.

The present structure is Early English, though different in-
sertions and additions have been made.

In the Chancel, the east window has been destroyed, and a
modern Perpendicular one of tln-ee lights has been inserted very
high up in the wall ; in the north wall are two lancet windows,
three-foiled ; in the south a large Perpendicular one of two
lights, five-foiled, has been inserted towards the east end; there
is a small Early English priest's door of elegant design, on the
Avest of which, lower than the other windows, is a low side
window, being a small lancet window, about four feet from
the ground, but commanding hardly any view of the interior,
on account of the straightncss of its splays, and the thick-

ness of the walls. The chan-
cel-arch appears to be Early ,,^(
English; in the south wall
is a piscina with iDrojecting
liasin, and three-foiled arch.
The ascent to the Altar is
by two steps, and on the
south side is a small and
curious stone seat, with a

l|!ili|lg||jl!|liii|!|i|!j|l!l|!|j||ij|iy^^

WOOD EATON.

191

carved elbow on the east side ; a similar stone bench, but with-
out elbows, is carried from the Altar-steps some feet towards
the west : these were the sedilia for the officiating priests. The
roof is flat and ceiled, but covered with lead.

The Nave has two Early English windows in the north wall,
one a large one of two lights, the other a lancet, three-foiled ;
there is a north doorway, now blocked up ; in the south wall,
two lancet windows, three-foiled, and a large square-headed
Perpendicular one of two lights, five-foiled and transomed,
towards the east end : there is also a Decorated doorway and a
modern porch; in the west wall there have been two lancets
with a buttress between them, one of which is now blocked up ;
originally, no doubt, there was a bell-turret, but a small Perpen-
dicular tower of one stage, with a window of two lights on each
side, has been added, and two pillars with north, south, and east
arches support it inside, but tliey are all shut out from the
Church, and the north and south ones have given way consider-
ably, and wooden centerings have been constructed under them
as supports, but apparently it will all come down soon ; the roof
is of a good high pitch, but plastered off flat inside; it is
covered with stone tiles. A stringcourse of the roll-mould-
ing runs round the nave and north wall of chancel, under
the windows. The Font is Early English, plain round. The
pulpit is slightly carved, Grecian, and painted. In the nave,
the seats are old with one or two poppy-heads remaining, but
doors have been added to turn them into
pews, and they are all painted : there is
a great unsightly gallery, (as indeed all
galleries are,) shutting out all the west end.
The rood-screen is remaining, but is of
late Perpendicular work. In the chest is
an old altar-cruet, which is not now used; it
appears to be made of bell-metal, and in
shape, is something like the one in the
Chapel of St. ApoUine, Guernsey, figured
in " Specimens of Antient Church Plate,

&C.'' S. ROOKE, ORIEL.

Altar Cruet.

192 WOOD EATON.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In a charter of K. Athelstan, given at Dorchester, A.D. 938, this
village is called Wdetun^ In a deed of gift to the abbey of Egne-
sham, executed by Thomas de S. Walery in A.D. 1196, we find men-
tion of W'deaton™. And in the inquisition made into the state of the
forests of Shotover and Stowode, at Brehul, (Brill,) A.D. 1363, it is
named Wodeton. Hence came the present name.

John Whytton, who was rector of this parish about 1380, was a
benefactor of Merton college, and seems to have been the intimate friend
of John Bloxham, the seventh warden ; they were both buried in Merton
college chapel, and the brass plate, with their effigies united under one
canopy, still remains, with an inscription, stating that the brass was
executed at the expense of John Whytton, who appears to have survived
his friend.

This village was formerly the estate of the Taverner family. It be-
longed to Sir Rd. Taverner", High Sheriff for this county, A.D. 15G9,
who built the manor-house in 1554. He died there July 15th, 1575.
This Richard Taverner, although a layman, obtained a special licence
from K. Edward VI. to preach in any part of his dominions. He was
the author of the Postils, lately reprinted at the Oxford University Press.
A short account of him and his works is given in the Beauties of England
and Wales, Oxfordshire, p. 263, and a more complete one in Wood's
Athenae Oxoniensis, by Bliss, vol. i. p. 419. From the Taverners the
estate passed to the Nourse family, and from them, by marriage, to its
present possessors, the Weylands. The old manor-house was pulled down
in 1775, and the present one built.

In 1676 some ancient British coins were found here, one of Cunobe-
hnc, coined at Camulodunum, (Maldon in Essex,) as appears from the
inscription, on one side is the figure of a horse and the ear of corn, and
caynu, on the reverse ; another has a chalice and a crooked lineation,
under which is a forked kind of figure and a small crescent. Some
Roman urns have likewise been discovered in this neighbourhood °.

The rectory was valued in the time of Henry VIII. at 10/. Os. 9d. ;
it is now valued at 1G9/. The population is 86.

' Konnctt, vol. i. p. 217. " Vide Skclton's Antiq. Oxfordsliire.

'" Ibid., vol. ii. p. MO. " Mag. Brit., vol. iv. j). 512.

ELSFIELD.

PATRON. St. ^Domas a iJccfecf,

LIEUT -OOL. J. S. NORTH.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

~*^^^~,,if~'itit±s^c^

MS^^S?-

SouthWest View of the 'Jhurch.

This village is prettily situated upon a hill about three miles
from Oxford, and commands an extensive view. The Church is
an interesting specimen of the Early English style, but is in bad
repair.

The Chancel has an open roof of tolerable but not the
original pitch. The east window lately repaired, is Decorated,
of three lights. The Altar is plain oak, raised on two steps

c c

194

E L S F I E L D.

above the level of the chancel, which descends with two more
into the nave. Over the Altar is an
oblong tablet, Avitli a square dripstone
of Decorated date, probably for the re-
ception of some piece of sculpture now
destroyed. There is an Early English

piscina, of the point-
ed trefoil form, but
broken. On the
north side of the
Altar is a plain
bracket.

^*s.^

Dripstoce to Tablet in Chancel.

Section of East Wiudo^v.

On either side of the chancel
are three elegant lancet lights, with a
string-course running below them. The
south-west window had a low side-open-
ing under it, which is plainly visible on
the outside, and in the inside the sill is
brought down to form a seat, with a sort
of elbow or stone desk, for a book.

Exterior and Interior of tbe low Side Window.

The Chancel-Arch is pointed, transition Norman.

The Screen, Debased, about James I., painted stone colour.

ELSFIELD.

195

>-^

Hoof of Na'^e.

The Nave has a flat ceiling, which conceals an oak roof of
good pitch, and of early character, though plain ; it appears to
be of the fourteenth century.
On the north wall are two large
arches and a smaller one, which
formerly opened into an aisle
now destroyed. On the south
side are two square-headed win-
dows of three lights each. This
side is said to have been re-
built in the sixteenth century.
At the west end are two ele-
gant single lancets, now con-
cealed inside by an ugly gallery.
Near the west end, on the north side, is another lancet window
blocked up. The pulpit is of the same date, and in the same
style as the screen; the hourglass-stand remains. The seats
are mostly open, of plain oak ; there are a few large deal pews,
one of which contains a stove. The Font is plain Norman, of
good dimensions, with a circular basin ; I

it rests on one step. The porch, which
is on the south side, is late and bad; it
is surmounted by a plain Latin cross, and
entered by a square-headed door. At
the west end is a belfry of lath and plaster,
containing two bells, on one of which
is inscribed, in Lombardic characters,
" Sancta Maria ora pro nobis." The de-
sign of the west front with its two lancet
windows, divided by a tall buttress up the
centre, with two small buttresses at each
of the angles, has been often and justly
admired.

In the Church-yard is a fine elm tree.

G. S. MASTEU, B.N.C.

Section of South Door

SecLiou of Laocet Window.

196

ELS FIELD.

Ground Plan of the Church.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

From (he Gentlemans 3Iaf/azine, October, 1799, cnmiminicaled by Sir Henri/
Ellis, and here reprinted uith his kind permission.

EUesfield lies about three miles and an half from Oxford, on the
summit of a hill, and is remarkable for little else than the beauty of its
situation. In the Domesday Survey it is written Esefcld, perhaps from
the Saxon hej-c-pelb, as it overlooks its neighbourhood. Allowing this,
we have here a flagrant instance of the contempt with which the Norman
scribes treated the Saxon names of our towns and villages. With politic
and capricious views, they frequently miswrote them. In the Monasticon
Ang. it is spelt Helsefeld, and Elsefcld.

This church of Elsefeld had been consecrated in the year 1273, by
R, bishop of Cloyne, in Ireland, delegated by the bishop of Lincoln.

Universis presentes literas, &c. R. miseracione divina Clonen. episco-
pus, &c. Noveritis nos vice vencrabilis patris R. Dei gracia Lincoln,
episc. ecclesiam de Elsefeld septimo id. Julii, anno Dora, mcclxxiii. de-
dicasse, et recepisse a procuratore rectoris dicte ecclesie duas marcas
nomine procuracionis, racione dcdicationis ecclesie, &c.p

In ... . William, son of William de Stratford, vfiih consent of Benet
his wife, and William his son, gave to the priory of St. Frideswide the

'■ Ex Chartular. S. Frideswidae in Mie Christi, Oxon. ap. Kennett, p. 106.
Parochial Antiquities, vol. ii. p. lOI.

ELSFIELD. 197

thirds part of the village of Elsfield, and afterwards his whole possessions
in that manor, excepting one messuage, which he gave to the nunnery
of Stodley^ Henry the First confirmed^ in 1132 William de Strat-
ford's gift of a fifth of this manor, and granted to the priory the
chapels of Hedington, Marston, and Binsey to which the Empress
Maud added the chapel of Ellesfield. King John confirmed these *, and
his charter adds, "in Elsefeld unam virgatam terrse cum pertinentiis
suis, et de molendino ejusdem villse quatuor solidos." The chapel of
Elsfield, however, seems, by a deed here copied from Dugdale's Monas-
ticon", to have been originally given to St. Frideswide's by Hugh de
Ellesfield. " Omnibus, &c. Hugo de Elesfeld, salutem. Sciatis me
reddidisse, &c. Deo, & beatae Marise, et sanctse Frideswidse, de Oxene-
ford, &c. capellam de Elsefeld, quae ad ecclesiam beatae Frideswidse per-
tinet, &c. et ipsi canonici invenient mihi & capellse de Elsefeld imperpe-
tuum capellanum qui assidue ibi sit & capellse deserviat. lidem etiam
canonici concesserunt mihi et capellse de Elsefeld imperpetuum, ut pau-
perum quae in villa de Elsefeld moriuntur corpora in cimeterio capellee de
Elsefeld sepeliantur, & aliorum, qui ibi sepeliri voluerint de eadem paro-
chia. Testibus," &c.

Possessions at Elsefield were given, with other places, to the chapel of
St. George, in Oxford castle, by its founder, Robert de Oilgi, or Oilli,
the elder. But, in 1149, Robert de Oilli, his nephew, made a new as-
signment of his uncle's gifts, and what the elder Robert had given to the
seculars of St. George's, the younger transferred to the regulars of
Oseney^.

In 1240, Roger de EUendon was presented to this vicarage by the
prior and convent of St. Frideswide. The prior and convent presented
another vicar in 1251.

In the hundred rolls temp. Edward I. the following persons are
enumerated as holding land in Elsefield : — The prior of S. Frideswide,
the fifth part of the manor ; the prioress of Stodley, three farms ; Lady
Margaret de Rollright, part of the manor, probably the other four-fifths.
Among the names of tenants, which it is not necessary to repeat here,
occurs Roger le Despenser, holding under S. Frideswide's.

^ It was but a ffth, according to ' Alon. Angl. i. 175, 981.

Henry the First's confirmation, Mon. ' lb. i. 982.

Ang. i. 175. from the Register of St. " Ibid. i. 17G.

Frideswide's in the library of C.C.C. " Parochial Antiquities, vol. i. p. 142.

' Paroch. Antiquities, vol. i. p. 402.

198 ELSFIELD.

In the valor of 1291 (usually called Pope Nicholas's) the vicarage of
Elsefield is valued at viij marks y; and in the Liber Regis Henrici VIII.
at 61. 8s. l^d.

In 1295, the vicarage having suffered much depreciation in value, in
consequence of some years of scarcity, the prior and canons augmented
the portion of the vicar by a quarter and a half of bread- corn, and the
same quantity of barley, at the feasts of S. Michael Our Lady, and Pente-
cost, till the living should return to its old value.

Pateat universis, quod cum dominus Willielmus de magna RoUynd-
ritht perpetuus vicarius ecclesie de Elsefeld, quam rehgiosi viri dominus
prior et conventus monasterii S. Frideswide, Oxon. tanquam propriis
usibus appropriatam detinent, reverendo patri Domino Olivero Dei gracia
Lincolniensi episcopo super vicarie sue exilitate conquestus fuisset, tandem
inter dictum vicarium querulum ex parte una, et piefatos religiosos ex
altera, memorata querela in forma subscripta amicabili composicione
quievit. Videlicet, quod dicti religiosi cognito quod porcio dicte vicarie
propter quosdam annos steriles parochianorumque inopiam jam de novo
diminuta fuisset, compassionis et caritatis intuitu, tria quarteria bladi
apud S. Frideswidam Oxon. seu apud grangiam suam de Elsefeld, sine
contradictione vel impedimento quolibet exsolvenda subscriptis terminis
concesserunt, videlicet, ad festum S. Michaelis dimidium quarterium
frumenti, et dimidium quarterium ordei, ac tantundem ad festum beate
virginis, ita que tantundem ad festum Pentecostes, de bono blado ac
etiam competente sine fraude qualicunque. Ita tamen quod si contingat
dictam vicariam sic ad statum redire pristinum, ut ad ipsius vicarii con-
gruam sustentacionem sufficiat, ut solebat, occasione concessionis prefate
ad solucionem dicti bladi memorati religiosi nuUatenus teneantur. In
cujus rei testimonium sigilla dicti prioris et conventus et vicarii huic
scripto in modum cirographi confecto sunt alternatim appensa, et ad
majorem rei evidenciam sigillum domini archidiaconi Oxon. eidem est
procuratum apponi. Dat. Oxon. xv. kalend. Febr. an. Dom. millesimo
ducentesimo nonagesimo quinto^.

A.D. 1363. 37, 38, Edward III. An inquisition was taken at Brill
about the state of the forests of Shotover and Stowode, and the trespasses
committed in them, on the oaths of Robert Gannage, locum tencns for
John Appulby keeper of the forest, J. Thorlton, W. Doffcld, T. Man, &c.,

y MS. Ilatton in Bibl Bodl. LXXXIX. folio 142.

'■ Ex Cliartular. S. rrideswidae in JEdc Christi, Oxon. p. Iflfi.

ELSFIELD. "199

who say that William Wyke of Ellesfeld, came by night within the
bounds of the forest of Stowode, on Palm Sunday of the previous year,
with bow and arrows, for the purpose of poaching the wild animals
belonging to the king, and Henry Burstall forester, caught him. And
they say that certain villages, of which Ellesfeld is one, are out of the
forest, and have no right of common in the forest, but they take
their pigs into the woods of the king, in certain proportions, Oke (Noke)
12 pigs, price 18s. ; Islep 20, price 32s. ; Wodeton 6, price 9s. ; Elles-
feld 8, price 12s., &c. And they say, that where the foresters have been
accustomed of old to have their pasture on the manors of their lords, as
at Ellesfeld, &c., the value thereof is to be deducted from the value of
the manors. And they say, that in the time of Robert de Ildesle, the
trees were prostrated for the expences, and for the hospice for boys at
Abingdon, of the foundation of the king ".

In 1381, a dispute arose between the prior of St. Frideswide's and
the vicar of Elsfield. The vicar entered a suit against the prior and
convent, for keeping in their hands the whole right of the said church
of Elsfield. Upon this the convent made an exemplification of an agree-
ment made between their predecessors in the year 1295, by which the
prior and canons, appropriators of the church, agreed to augment the
portion of the vicar by additional allowance of one quarter and an half
of bread-corn, and the like quantity of barley, at three seasons yearly.

From Dr. Rawhnson's MS. Collections for an History of Oxford-
shire, I have extracted the following memoranda, which throw some
light on the history of property there. " EUesfield. — This place gave
a surname to an ancient family that sometime lived here, for I find
that one Gilbert de EUesfield lived here in King Edward the First's
time, who married Joan, the daughter of Sir William de Bereford, knt.,
living at Brightwell, in this county ; but it did not long continue in this
name, for William, a grandchild of the aforesaid Gilbert, dying without
male issue, it came to ... . who married Anne, co-heiress of the said
William; and Juliana, the other co-heiress, was married to one Thomas
de Loundrers (as appears by the descent), but I suppose that this lord-
ship by partition, came to Anne, who also dying without male issue, it
came to John Hore, of Childerley, co. Cambridge, who married Joane,
the daughter and heir of Anne. This John, and Gilbert, his son, resided
altogether there. Not long after this, about the beginning of the reign

a Ex Cartul. de Borstal), f. 111. ap. Kennett, vol. ii. p. 1 10.

200 ELS FIELD.

of Henry VII., their male line failed, and this lordship with other lands
came to the Pudseys, for Edith, niece and heir to the last Gilbert (being
the daughter of John Hore, his brother), residing at EUsfield, taking a
particular fancy (being then a widow without issue) to Rowland Pudsey,
a younger son of Henry Pudsey, of Barford and Bolton, in Yorkshire,
then a student at the University of Oxford, and a gentleman finely ac-
complished, married him, by which means their posterity have ever since
enjoyed it."

Of this family was Hugh de Puteaco, or Pudsey, bishop of Durham,
1153, who for 3000 marks purchased of Richard I. the earldom of
Northumberland for his life, but was, not long after, deprived of it, be-
cause he contributed only 2000 pounds in silver towards the king's ran-
som at his return from the Holy War. See Gibson's Camden, II. 960,
1104.

In 1645, Michael Pudsey, Esq., died here at the age of 84, and was
buried in the chancel, and there is an inscription on a brass plate to his
memory, with his coat of arms, inserted in the middle of an old grave-
stone brought from Ensham Abbey, round the margin of which are the
remains of this inscription in black letter : —

" l^tc : jacct : J"ratcr : 3of)anncs : ttc : cri)iltcnl)am : quonUam : ^libas : Intjus :
loci : cujus : animc : pvopiticlur : Dcus :"

John de Chiltenham was elected abbot of Ensham in 1316, and resigned

in 1330 ^

Sir George Pudsey, knt. recorder of Oxford in 1685, was the last of
the family who resided here. He sold the manor and estate, of about
1200/. per annum, to Lord North (father of Lord Guildford) for 25,000/.'^

Among the later vicars, Mr. Francis Wise, eminent as an antiquary
and a Saxonist, should not be forgotten, A short life of him may be
seen in the Lives of Leland, Hearne, and Wood, vol. i. part ii, p. 26.
Some additional anecdotes may be found of him in Mr. Nichols's Anec-
dotes of Bowycr ; and a singular account of Dr. Johnson's visit to
him at Elsfield, in Mr. Boswell's Life of the Doctor, 2nd 8vo. edit,
vol. i., p. 236.

In the last century it was in the patronage of the J'^arl of Guildford,
and still continues in the same family. It was certified to the Governors
of Queen Anne's Bounty to be of the yearly value of £20. In the re-
turns to the Commissioners in 1832 it is valued at £215, and the popu-
lation is reckoned at 185.

" Willis's Mitred Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 177. " MS. Rawl. in Bibl. Bodl.

NOKE.

PATRON.

DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

,^t. ffiilcs.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OP PLOUGHLEY.

30^.

Nave .
Chancel

36 0 by 16 0
14 0 by 14 3

This is a small Clmrcli, consisting of a Chancel and Nave^
with a small bell-turret at the west end. It was originally
Early English, but has been so much modernized that hardly
any of the Early English features are now visible.

Chancel — the cast window is square-headed, of two lights,
modern, but with the sill of the Early English window. In the
south Avail is a plain double lancet, under one square head in-
side. The chancel-arch is apparently Early English, ill pro-
portioned, and misshapen from the settlement of the side walls.
The roof is ceiled.

Nave — there is one obtusely-arched lancet window at the
west end. The bell-turret is square, built of wood, and plastered

D d

202 N O K E.

on the outside^ with a stone-tiled capping. There is a north
door stopped np^ and a sonth one with porch, of plain Early
English work. On the north side of the chancel-arch is a
Perpendicular niche, low down. The roof is of good construc-
tion, and appears to be early, though the timbers are roughly
finished off: it is covered with Stonesfield slates.

The Font is Early English, of a cylindrical form, larger in
circumference at the vertex than at the base, and it stands on a
round base, the upper edge of which is chamfered. Its position
is between the north and south doors, a little to the west ; it is
lined with lead, and has a drain, but a pewter basin is used.

The Pulpit is of carved oak, in the Italian style of James I.
Tlie seats are old, open, of oak, with square ends and good
mouldings, with book-boards. There is a great gallery shutting
out all the west end. In the splay of the north-east window is
an iron hourglass-stand.

In the chancel is a mutilated recumbent figure of a man in
stone, of the time of James I., which, together with a small brass
now let into the wall just above, used to be in a chapel which
formerly stood on the north side of the chancel, but of which no
vestige now remains, though an account of it is given below in
the Historical Notices. The brass is to Johanna Bradshawe and
her two husbands, William Manwayringe and Henry Bradshawe.
She rebuilt the chapel, and died A.D. 1598. In the chest is an
old Bible in black letter, not now used.

S. ROOKE, ORIEL.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Noke is usually spelt in ancient writings Oke or Ake. Within this
parisli was a considerable estate comprehended in the original grant
of the liberties or fee of Islip, made by Edward the Confessor to the
Church of St. Peter, Westminster, and those inhabitants did suit at the
Abbot's court.

The manor of Noke was granted by the Conqueror to WilHam Earl
Warren ; from liim it passed, tlu-ough a series of undistinguished pro-

NOKE. 203

prietors, to Sampson Foliot, in the time of Henry III., who was sheriff
of Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and one of the commissioners to enquire
into the tenure of all the lands in Oxfordshire. From him the
manor and advowson of the church descended to Henry le Ties, a
nobleman who had also obtained a grant of Sherborn, and was sum-
moned to Parliament 15 Edward II., but having joined in the northern
insurrection, he was taken prisoner and suffered death at London.
The hamlet of Noke, with his other estates, descended to his sister
and heiress, Alice, wife of Warine de Lisle. From this family it came
by marriage to Thomas Lord Berkley, who was married at the age
of fourteen to Margaret de L'isle, aged eight years, A.D. 1366, at Wen-
grave, Bucks. At his decease it passed to Elizabeth, his only child, the
wife of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick. On the division of his
estates, after his decease, Noke was sold, and passing through several
hands became the property of the Fermours, by whom it was sold to
Benedict Winchcombe, before mentioned, who, having no children,
devised it to his nephew, Benedict Hall, Esq. His descendants con-
tinued to enjoy these estates till the following century, when they were
alienated to Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, who pulled down the family
mansion, or manor-house.

In the 1st Edward VI., according to the Chantry-roll, Noke contained
" sixty houselying people," [or persons accustomed to receive the Holy
Communion, probably at that period about a third of tlie population,]
and that there were certain lands of the annual value of twopence, given
by some unknown person towards finding a lamp-light at the Altar within
the Church, but that no ornaments, plate, jewels, or stock, belonged
thereto.

In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Joan Bradshaw, a lady then resident
in the village, and the grandmother of the lord of the manor, repaired
the Church, and erected a chapel on the north side of the chancel, for a
burying-place for herself and her descendants of the Winchcombe family.
Here she was afterwards buried, anno 1598, and a sumptuous monument
was erected. In the same chapel was a fair raised altar-tomb of black
marble, on which was the effigy of a man lying on a cushion, for Bene-
dict Winchcombe, who died 102 3, bequeathing a sum of money for
the repair of the Church, leaving one sister, Mary, his heiress, who
married William Hall, Esq. This chapel being considered private pro-
perty, and neglected by the descendants of the Halls, after the alienation

204

NOKE.

of their estate in the parish, it fell into decay, and was taken down
by the consent of the feoffees of the Winchcombe charity. The
materials were used for the repairs of the chancel, and some parts of the
monuments affixed to the walls, where they still remain ; but the tomb
of Benedict Winchcombe was entirely done away with except part of his
effigy, the figure being broken off at the knees'*.

RECTORS.

— Walter, died 1272.
1272. John de Draycote.
1293. Richard de Scirehum.

Richard de Southampton, died 1320.
1320. John de Okele.

Henry de Emberton, died 1345.
1345. Richard de Engleby.
1511. Edward Halsall,

William Ashfield, died 1529.
1549. John Donyell.

Robert Warland, died 1636.
1 636. Hugh Holden.

John Gilder, died 1697.
1689. Richard Vesey, B.D.
1732. Charles Hall.

1739. Gilbert Stephens, died 1773.
1773. Alexander Lichfield.
1804. Edward Turner.
1840. J. Carlisle.

PATRONS.

Sampson Foliot.
Henry Ties.

Henry Ties.

Gerrard de L'isle.

Collated by the Bp. of Lincoln, by lapse.

Hy. Bradshaw,Esq., Attorney- General.
Benedict Hall, Esq.
Benedict Hall, Esq.

Martha May, of Kidlington.

Francis Earl Godolphin, and Duchess

of Marlborough.
Charles Duke of Marlborough.
George Duke of Marlborough.
George Duke of Marlborough.
George Duke of Marlborough'

At the general valuation of ecclesiastical benefices, 26 Henry VIII.,
the Rectory of Noke was valued at viij/. 2^. \0d. In Bacon's Liber
Regis, 1786, the clear yearly value is stated at 421. In the returns to
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners it is valued at 90/., and is in the
patronage of the Duke of Marlborough. The population is 187.

'' Alderman Fletcher's MBS., at Oxford, ap. Dunkin, vol. ii. p. 85.

BECKLEY.

PATRON,

THE REV. T. L. COOKE.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN,

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

Ground-Plan of Cburcli.

This Church is chiefly of the fourteenth century, but the
nave was rebuilt late in the fifteenth. The tower is placed
between the nave and the chancel, and the work is so plain that
it is diflicult to assign a date to it, but most probably it was
built at the end of the fourteenth century, the period of tran-
sition from the Decorated to the Perpendicular style.

The Chancel is good Decorated, very similar in style to the
south aisles of St. Mary Magdalene and of St. Aldate's churches
in Oxford, which were built about 1320. The cast window
is of three lights, of flowing tracery; the side windows of
two lights, in the same style. In the heads of these windows
are some beautiful remains of painted glass of the fourteenth
century. On the south side are two windows and a small

206

B E C K L E Y.

door, and a string, wliicli is carried over tlie liead of the
door, forming a dripstone. Near the east end is a small
plain piscina, with the pro-
jecting basin restored, and a
narrow stone shelf. The Altar-
platform is raised two steps ;
the Communion Table is of

Wall-plate in Ctiaucel

Koof in Chancel.

plain oak ; the enclosed pews have lately been cleared out of the
chancel, and re-placed by open seats against the walls, Avith
desks in front of them. The roof is i

of plain timber, of the canted form,
open to the ridge and ceiled to the
rafters : it has only one tie-beam, and
the wall-plates have Decorated mould-
ings. On the north side there is only
one window, and an opening like a
doorway, but not reaching to the
ground.

Tower — The chancel-arch and the
other three arches of the toAver are
quite plain, recessed, and chamfered,
the chamfers dpng into the piers.
The belfry Avindows are of two lights,
quite plain, but these, as well as the
masonry, appear to be Decorated
work. The parapet and cornice are
Perpendicular. The sanctus-bell hangs ' ..,,,,;„:-...':,; -■

n\ a small opening, with a foliated iunct Nonh.ast Angi.

BECKLEY.

207

head just below the cornice and above the level of the windows.
The staircase to the tower is in a very good round turret at the
north-east angle. This appears to be early Perpendicular work.

The Nave is Perpendicular, about the time of Henry YII. j
it has only two arches on each side, plain, on clustered pillars,
with moulded caps. The clerestory windows are square-headed,
of two lights. The roof appears to be original, but is partly hid
by a plaster ceiling. The west door is good Perpendicular ;
over it is a Decorated window of three lights, quite plain,
with mullions crossing in the head, but with a Decorated drip-
stone : this window appears to have been preserved when the
nave was rebuilt.

The Font is plain,
round, and massive ;
it is placed against the
north-east pillar of
the nave, attached to
which is a small stone
desk, supported by a
shaft of Perpendicular
work ; this appears to
have been made for
the purpose of carry-
ing the book for the
priest at a christen-
ing. There is also a
wooden desk attached
to the south-east pil-
lar, probably for pla-
cing the book of Ho-
milies upon.

The North Aisle is Perpendicular, but earlier than the nave,
the east window being in a style of transition from Decorated ;
and the roof is below the points of the arches ; the windows are
early Perpendicular, rather clumsy ; the north door, of the
same age, is now stopped.

Font and Stono Desk.

208

B E C K L E Y

The South Aisle is partly Decorated and partly Perpendicular ;
the two western windows are of the same style as the chancel ;
the two eastern ones are Perpendicular, of three lights, with the
heads nearly flat. On each side of the east window are corbels
for images, marking the site of an Altar. In the head of this
window are some good old painted quarries.

There has been an opening from each aisle through the wall
by the side of the chancel-arch in an oblique direction towards
the high Altar, of the kind called a squint, or lately a hagioscope ;
that from the south aisle is of the usual size and form, and about
level with the eye ; that on the north side is more remarkable,
the opening in the chancel being of the size and form of a door-
way, but not reaching quite to the ground, and there is a shallow
projection on the outside to make room for the squint ; the
opening from the aisle is an actual doorway, giving access also to
the tower staircase. Both these openings are blocked up, and
partly concealed.

The South Door and Porch are Perpendicular, with a good
small window on the
east side, and a niche
for a stoup, with the
square stone basin re-
maining perfect on the
east side of the door.
The Pulpit and Read-
ing-desk are of plain
oak, painted red ; this
paint should be clean-
ed ofl'. The hourglass-
stand remains. The
seats are mostly good
old open ones, of solid
oak, Init a few have
h;ul deal boxes built upon them, which ought to be removed.
There is a very ugly west gallery and staircase, with two
absurd wings to it, filling up half an arch on each side, for

South Door.

B E C K L E Y. 209

the purpose of keeping the singers warm and comfortable. The
points of the tower-arches are concealed by a ringing-loft, which
is so rotten that the ringers are afraid to stand in it, and obliged
to ring from the ground, and which is therefore merely a great
deformity to the Church, without being of any use whatever.

Few Churches could be restored to their original beauty at so
trifling a cost as Becldey. The chancel has already been done,
in a great degree, and in good taste, and the thanks of our
Society are due to the incumbent, especially for restoring to
view the valuable original timber roof, which may serve as a
useful model, i.h.p.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The village of Beckley is situated about five miles north-east from
Oxford, on the borders of Otmoor. The Roman road from Allchester
to Dorchester passed through this parish, and considerable remains of
it may still be distinctly traced, particularly across Otmoor and in some
arable land on the hill in a direct line from it, full particulars of
which will be found in Mr. Hussey's excellent account of the Roman
remains in the neighbourhood of Oxford, lately published by the Ash-
molean Society. The British saint Donanverdh'* is recorded to have
been buried at Beckley, which may be considered as proof that this
part of the country had become Christian before the invasion of the
Saxons. The parish of Beckley formed part of the hereditary posses-
sions of King Alfred, bequeathed by him to his kinsman Osserth, in
his will, which is still extant, and has been printed by the University
of Oxford''. In the time of Edward the Confessor it belonged to Wigod
de WaUingford. After the Norman conquest, Beckley being the capital
seat of the honor, which afterwards bore the name of its possessors,
De Iveri and De S. Walery, formed part of the grant to Robert de
Oily, on his marriage with the daughter of Wigod de WaUingford, and
was transferred by him to his sworn brother in arms, Roger de

" Kennett, vol. i. p. 30 ; and Leland, "> Will of King Alfred, 4to. p. 17.

Collect., vol. ii. p. ^6'.).

E e

210 BECK LEY.

Iveri*'. In the Domesday survey it is thus entered, as translated by
Bawdwen : — " The same (Roger de Ivery) holds Bechelie. There are six
hides there. Land to seven ploughs. Now in the demesne two have
ploughs and six bondmen, and eleven villanes, with six bordars, five
ploughs. There are twenty acres of meadow ; and pasture one mile long,
and two quarentens broad. Wood one mile long, and a half broad.
It was worth one hundred shillings, now eight pounds'^."

Previous to this transfer to Roger de Iveri, Robert de Oily had how-
ever given two parts of all the tithe of Beckley, and half a hide of land
in Stodeley, belonging to Beckley, to his new foundation of a college,
dedicated to St. George, in Oxford castle. This grant was confirmed
by Roger de Iveri, and they were considered as joint benefactors, the
whole foundation being afterwards merged in Osney abbey ^.

Roger de Iveri died in 1079, and the honor of Beckley became the
property successively of his three sons, Roger, Hugh, and Jefiery^, who
all died without issue, the last named Jeff'rey in 1112, and the property
then fell to the king, who granted it to Guy de S. Walery, who was
related by marriage to the family of the Conquerors. He died in 1141,
leaving his possessions to his son Reginald, a supporter of the Empress
Maud, for which he was deprived of part of his possessions by King
Stephen : but these were restored to him by Henry II.'' He was one
of the barons convened to the council of Clarendon, being an opponent
of S. Thomas of Canterbury, and was sent with other nobles to Lewis
King of France, and to the Pope, but without success. He died in
116G, leaving his possessions, including Beckley, to his son Bernard,
who being beyond the seas at the time of his father's decease, the king
issued a precept to secure his rights and properties till he should return,
which is printed by Kennett'. Reginald de S. Walery also left one
daughter, Maud, wife of William de Braose, a potent baron, who " for
her bold and resolute behaviour to King John, was miserably famished,
with her eldest son, in Windsor Castle," in 1210. ^

Reginald de S. Walery granted the church of Beckley to the Precep-
tory of Knights' Templars at Sandford, as appears by the charter which
is printed from Wood's MS. in Bibl. Bodl. 10. in Warton's History

■• Kcniictt, vol. i. p. 7.J— 77. e Kemictt, vol. i. p. 113.

•• Ap. Duiikin, vol. i. p. 102. h Jbid., p. ].5(i.

' Rcgist. Osney, MS. fol. I. i Ibid., p. 1G9.

' Domesday Hook, and Oseney Reg. J Matt. Westni., sub an.
ap. Kennett, vol. i. p. 85.

BECKLEY. 211

of Kiddington, p. 34, and again by Dunkin, vol. i. p. 95 ; but it seems
to have been speedily restored to his family, as in 1226 it was given
to the prioress and convent of Studley in this parish.

A.D. 1184, 30, 31. Henry II., Bernard de S. Walery founded a
nunnery at Stodley in this neighbourhood, which he endowed with half
a hide of land in Horton.

A.D. 1189, 1. Richard I., on the return of Bernard de S. Walery
from Normandy, his lands, which had been disseized, were restored to
him by the new king : who at Christmas, after his coronation, passed
over to Normandy, to prepare for his expedition to the Holy Land, in
which pious adventure he was attended by Bernard de S. Walery. For
the better success of his expedition to the Holy Land, in his passage
through France, he, with his wife Alianore, laid the foundation of a
monastery called Godstow, the name derived from that in this county,
built on the land which he gave for that purpose to Henry 11. His
new monastery was situated on the river Breston, between Picardy
and Normandy, in the duchy of Eu.

A.D. 1207, 8, 9. King John, Thomas de S. Walery gave to the
nunnery of Stodley, of his father's foundation, three shillings a year
rent in Beckley ; and by another charter he gave to the said nuns, in
every week, one carriage of dead fuel in his wood of Horton [in this
parish].

A.D. 1226, 10, 11. Henry III., Robert Earl of Dreux, [and ex-
duke of Lorraine,] lord of the honor of St. Walery, i. e. the manors of
Ambrosden, Horton, Beckley, &c. and Alianore [daughter of Thomas
de S. Walery] his wife, gave to the nuns of Stodley the church of
Beckley. After this date frequent entries occur of presentations to the
church of Beckley, by the prioress of Stodley*^. But the advowson
returned for a considerable period to the lords of the manor (see p. 213),
though the priory afterwards recovered it.

A.D. 1227, on the sequestration of the estates of Robert ex-duke of Lor-
raine, &c. for high treason, the manor of Beckley, together with the
whole honor of S. Walery, were committed to the care of Richard Earl
of Cornwall, the brother of King Henry III. ; and in 1230 the same was
granted to him in perpetuity, the king specially covenanting that if it
should so happen that it should be necessary to restore these lands to the
said duke, for the sake of peace, the earl or his heirs should have a

^ Mon. Ann., vol. i. p. 487.

212 BECKLEY.

reasonable compensation in proportion to their value at the expense of
the crown'.

In consequence of this charter it is probable that Earl Richard enlarged
or rebuilt the ancient mansion in this village, heretofore belonging to the
lords of S. Walery, in a style of magnificence corresponding to his princely-
fortune and the ideas of the age, as it is evident, from several charters
and other instruments dated from this place, that both he and his son
Edmund made it one of their principal residences. It is also probable
that at this period the extensive park eastward of the village was enclosed
or enlarged. A considerable tract of country is still known by the name
of The Park. — [Of the house here mentioned as the residence of Richard
King of the Romans, brother of Henry III., some portions were standing
within a few years, and the site may still be traced with tolerable clear-
ness by the moat and earthwork. The last piece of masonry which re-
mained was a round tower, long used as a pigeon-house, of which there
is an engraving in Mr. Dunkin's work.]

A.D. 1231, Richard Earl of Cornwall was married to Isabella Countess
of Gloucester, sister of William Mareschall, Earl of Pembroke "*.

A.D. 1253. The king passing over to Gascoign committed the
custody of his whole kingdom to Richard Earl of Cornwall and Walter
de Grey, Archbishop of York ; which Earl Richard granted to the monks
of Okeburry a release of suite and service within his honor of Waling-
ford, which charter has a seal appending, bearing an impress of the said
earl, armed on horseback, with a lion rampant crowned on his surcoat,
inscribed " Sigillum Richardi Comitis Cornubise."

A.D. 1256. Richard Earl of Cornwall was elected King of the Romans
on St. Hilary day, at Francfort. To secure this honour he had com-
pounded with the electors for large sums of money : the Archbishop of
Cologne 12,000 marks, the Archbishop of Mentz 8,000, the Duke of
Bavaria 1 8,000, and some of the other electors 8,000, computing each
mark at twelve shillings [making the enormous sum of £27,600 in the
money of that day, equal to nearly a million sterling of our money.]

A.D. 1257, 41, 42. Henry III., Richard Earl of Cornwall, lord of
tlte manors of Ambrosden, Beckley, &c., having been elected King of the
Romans in the preceding year, the Archbisliop of Cologne, the Bishop
(jf Liege, the Bishop or Utrecht, the Earl of Holland, and other nobles,
came over to conduct him to his new kingdom ; upon which he ti^ct sail

' I'lacit. (lu ijuo Wananl., l.'J E. 1. rot. 25. '" Lelaiul's Collectanea, vol. i. p, '1'25.

BECKLEY. 213

at Yarmouth, April 29th, with forty-eight ships, and May the 5th arrived
at Dort in Holland, thence to Aquisgrane, where on Ascension-day, May
the 1 7th, he was solemnly crowned, with Senchia his lady empress, hy
Conrade Archbishop of Cologne". An account of his voyage and coro-
nation is given in a letter from himself to Prince Edward, dated from
Aquisgrane, May 18."

A.D, 1258. Richard King of the Romans having his treasure this
year computed, was found able to expend a hundred marks a day for ten
years, besides his standing revenues in England and Almaigni'.

A.D. 1261, 45 and 46 Henry HI. At this period we find Richard King
of the Romans residing at his house in Beckley, and acting as umpire in
a dispute between Roger de Amory and the abbey of Oseney, respecting
the manor of Weston, which he settled by a compromise, the abbey
retaining the manor but paying 300 marks for it.

The same year, Nov. 9th, died Senchia wife of Richard King of the
Romans. About Candlemas there was a Parliament held at London,
where the king and barons referred their differences to the arbitration of
the King of France, and Richard King of the Romans. [From this
period the history of this great man is so much mixed up with that of
the country and of Europe, that it is not necessary for our purpose to
attempt to follow it. He was reported to be the wealthiest man in
Europe at that period. He died in 1272, at Berkhamstead, after a long
paralytic illness. He had been so great a patron of Walter de Merton,
that this munificent prelate, in 1274, founded his college in Oxford, "pro
salute animarum Henrici quondam regis Anglise nee non German! sui
Ricardi Romanorum regis inclyti et hBeredum suorum."]

A.D. 1268. There was now, by the king's assent, an aid imposed on
the inhabitants of Beckley, and all other tenants of Richard King of the
Romans, to raise the money he had expended for his redemption when
a prisoner to Montfort's party ; and this illustrious prince sailed over
again to his kingdom of Almaign, and there on June 16, married
[his ^third wife] Beatrice niece to the Archbishop of Cologne [and
daughter of Theodoric de Falkemontei.] On August 3rd he arrived
at Dover, where the nobility with great honour received him*'.

A.D. 1272. After his death, on Wednesday before Palm Sunday, an
inquisition was taken of his lands in these parts, and it was returned upon

" Chron. Thos. VVikes, sub an. P Kennett, vol. i. p. 358.

" Aiinal. Moil. Biutoii., p. 376, ap. '* Lelaiul's Collect, vol. ii. p. 119.

Kennett, vol. i. p. 356. Sandford 95. ■■ Kennett, vol. i. p. 378.

214 BECKLEY.

oath, that the manors of Beckley, &c. were held by barony of the honor
of St. Walery ; that the advowsons of the churches of Beckley and Am-
brosden belonged to the said manors ; and the advowson of the church
of Mixbury to the manor of Willarston ; (and indeed it was seldom seen
that the possession of the manor and patronage of the church were in
several hands, before the perpetual advowsons were given to the monks;)
.... that his son Edmund was next heir, and on the feast-day of S. Ste-
phen last past was of the age of twenty-two years. This Edmund Earl of
Cornwall having succeeded to the large possessions of his father, con-
tinued to make Beckley a frequent place of residence. He died at his
convent of Asherugge, on the 1st of October, 1300, without legitimate
issue ; his honours and lands fell to the king, Edward I., whom he had
before declared his heir. In his treasury were found infinite sums of
gold and silver, and great store of jewels.

The following account of the honor and village of Beckley is given
in the Hundred Rolls, 7 Edward I., A.D. 1279 :—
The honor of St. Walerie de Becklyee.

The jurors say, that the lord Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, holds the
honor of S. Walerie, which descended to him in hereditary right, after
the death of his father, Richard Earl of Cornwall, as his son and heir.
Of which honor the said Edmund holds several manors in the hundred
of Bolendon.

Beckley. Also the said Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, holds the
manor of Beckeley, with the advowson of the church in demesne of
the lord the king in capite, with all the appurtenances, by military
service, whereof he holds in demesne two carucates of land, with a certain
park, and one outwood, which is called Horhemewood. Also there are
holden of the same earl, in the said vill. three virgates and a half of
land, in villenage of the said earl, doing service yearly to the said earl,
at his will.

Also there are holden of the same earl, at the will of the said earl, nine
cottages doing service yearly to the said earl, at the will of the said carl,
and they are holden of the lord the king in capite.

Free tenants. Also there is holden freely of the same earl, one virgate
of land, paying yearly eight shillings suit to the court of Beckley, from
three weeks to three weeks, and royal service as much as pertains to the
same tenements. Also there are two carucates of land, and eight
cottages pertaining to the church, doing royal service, as much as per-
tain to the same tenements.

BECKLEY. 215

A.D. 1301, 29, 30. Edward I., the king presented to the church of
Beckle, as having the honor of S. Walery escheated to him^

A.D. 1308, 1, 2. Edward II.* Within the first year of his reign, the king
made a grant in fee of the whole earldom of Cornwall, the honour of St.
Walerie, with Beckley the capital manor, and all other lands which
Edmund Earl of Cornwall held at the time of his death, as well in rever-
sion as possession, to Piers de Gavestone, who held them for some years,
notwithstanding the strong remonstrances of the barons, who eventually
put him to death in -1312. On his death, the barony of S. Walerie
reverted to the crown, when the king immediately granted it to his new
creature, Hugh Despenser, senior, who accordingly obtained a charter for
the manor and park of Beckley, to be held upon the same services as
Edmund Earl of Cornwall had performed for them.

A.D. 1315, 7, 8. Edward II. Sir John de Handlo, of Borstall, pre-
sented a clerk to the church of Beckley, the head of the barony of St.
Walerie : which was granted to him by his potent friend and relation,
Hugh Despenser, senior". [From the style of the chancel and some
other parts of this church, it would appear to have been rebuilt during
the time that this Sir John de Handlo held it.]

A.D. 1337, 11 and 12 Edward III. Sir John de Handlo holding the
manor of Beckley during his life, William de Montacute, earl of Salisbury,
obtained now from the king a grant in fee of the said manor of Beckley,
in reversion after the death of Sir John de Handlo'^. This Sir John died
in 1346, leaving Edmund de Handlo his grandson (by Richard his eldest
son, who died in his father's life, and Isabel his wife) his next heir, at
this time seven years of age^ ; he died in his minority, in 1355, and his
manors descended to his sisters Margery and Elizabeth. Margery was
married twice, first to Gilbert Chastelein, secondly to John de Apullby.
Elizabeth was married to Sir Edmund de la Pole, younger son of Sir
William de la Pole, of Kingston-upon-Hull^ But several of the manors
of Edmund de Handlo were held for her life of Isabel his mother, daugh-
ter of Almaric de S. Amand, who attended the king at the battle of
Cressy, and did good service there. In 1357 we find this Almaric lord
of the adjoining manors of Beckley, co. Oxon, and Grendon, co. Bucks,
which having formed part of the possessions of Edmund de Handlo, were
probably held in trust by Almaric for his daughter Isabel and her chil-

s Kennett, vol. i. p. 494. " Ibid., vol. ii. p. 69.

' Thirl., p. 509. '' Ibid., p. 89.

" Ibid., p. 532. '' Ibid., p. 114.

216 BECKLEY.

dren. It does not appear that the grant to the Earl of Salisbury was
carried into effect.

A.D. 1352, the prioress and nuns of Studley procured licence to appro-
priate this church to their convent from John Bishop of Lincoln. A
vicarage was then instituted, and an annual pension allotted to the vicar,
while all oblations, Easter offerings, &c., together with all tithes in
Beckley, and in the hamlets of Horton, Studley, and Marlake, were
reserved to the prioress and convent^.

A.D. 1363, 37 and 38 Edward III. An inquisition was held at Brehull
(Brill), of the state of the royal forests of Shotover and Stowode. At this
period John de Appulby was keeper of the forest. The jurors say that
certain villages, of which Beckley is one, are out of the forest, and have
no common in the forest, but they take their pigs into the woods of the
king, in certain numbers, of which Becldey ten, price fifteen shillings.
And they find that where the foresters have been accustomed of old to
have pasture on the manors of the lords, as at Beckley, &c., the value of
their pasturage should be deducted from that of the manors.

A.D. 1379, 1 Richard II. From an inquisition taken at Woodstock in
this year it appears that this manor, with its appurtenances, was held by
Sir Nicholas Bonde, Knight, of Edward Prince of Wales, and Joan, his
wife, the father and mother of the king ; and that the said Nicholas
again enfeeoffed the said prince thereof, who, in 44 Edward III. enfee-
offed the king of England with the same''. This estate appears to have
then remained for a considerable time in the immediate possession of the
crowTi ; for in 1385, Richard II. granted letters patent to Richard
Forester of Beckley, empowering him to take customs of all wares that
shall pass through the north street in the parish of St. Clement, near
Oxford, to repair the highway between that city and Headington hill"^;
and in 1457, King Henry VI. presented Archbishop Chiclielc with
twelve trees from his park at Beckley, towards building All Souls
College'^,

From this period we have been unable to trace any particular notice
of this manor, until tlic time of Hemy VIII., when it became the
property of Lord Williams, probably by a royal grant, as he was one

* Appropriatio eccl'sie Ac Bckkclcgh No. 81.
priorissu ct coiivcntori de Stoddo 18 Kal. <= I'esliall's Oxford, p. 286.

Mali 13-52. Keg. Gynwell. ap. Dunkin, "* Spencer's Life of Chiclielc, vol. ii.

vol. i. p. !)7. p. I(j9.

^ liHiiiisit. post mortem, 1 Ric. II.,

BECKLEY. 217

of the courtiers of that monarch, and a tool of Thomas Cromwell.
From the inquisition taken at his death, it appears that he died in
possession of the manors of Beckley and Horton, jointly valued at £24.
9s. Id., with all reprisals, and that the same were held of the king, but
by what services the jury were ignorant.

This estate then became the property of Henry Norreys, in right of
his wife Margaret, the daughter and co-heiress of Lord Williams.

In the 40th of Ehzabeth, Lord Norreys, and Margaret his wife,
obtained licence of the queen to alienate the manors of Beckley and
Sydenham to Sir Anthony Powlett and others, for certain uses ; these, no
doubt, related to a settlement of the same upon Francis his grandson, to
whom his chief estates devolved on his death, A.D. 1601. The estate
at Beckley comprised the manor, with 20 messuages, 10 tofts, 20
gardens, 200 acres of land, 400 of meadow, 600 of pasture, 600 of wood,
4000 in fields and plains, and £3 in rents ^. By Bridget his wife, he left
one sole daughter and heir, named Elizabeth, who became the wife of
Edward Wray, Esq., of Glentworth, in the county of Lincoln. From
an inquisition taken during the lives of these parties, it appears that
this gentleman and his wife held the manor of Beckley of the king
in capite by military service, and the park of Beckley for the fortieth
part of a knight's fee. Their only daughter, Bridget, who inherited
the title of Baroness Norreys, married Edward Sackville, Esq., second
son to Edward, earl of Dorset : but the civil wars commencing, her
husband ranged himself under the banners of King Charles and was
wounded in the battle of Newbury, Sept. 20th., 1641. In 1646, ac-
companying a party to Kidlington, three miles from Oxford, he was
taken prisoner by the parliament forces, and afterwards cowardly stabbed
to death by a soldier at Chawley, near Abingdon, from whence he
was taken to Witham and buried : he left no issue. His widow Bridget,
by a second marriage, carried her numerous estates to Montague, earl of
Lindsay, another noted partisan of the king and one of his privy coun-
cil. He departed this life at Lord Camden's house, in Kensington,
25 July, 1666. By the before-mentioned Bridget, his second wife, he
had issue, 1, James Lord Norreys, 2, Edward, who died young, 3, Cap-
tain Henry Bertie, and a daughter, named Mary, who married Charles
Dormer, second Earl of Caernarvon, and died Nov. 29, 1709. In con-
sequence of a previous settlement, the hereditary estates of the baroness

' Lethieullier's MS., No. 4701, B. 0, Ayscough's Catal.

218 BECKLEY.

Norreys devolved to her children after her decease, and the greater por-
tion, including Beckley and Horton, became the property of James Lord
Norreys, created by King Charles II., Earl of Abingdon, in which
noble family the estate still remains ^.

In Pope Nicolas's taxation, A.D. 1291, the Church of Beckley was
taxed at lOZ. ; and in the Inquisitiones Nonarum, taken A.D. 1342 (15
Edw. III.) at 13/. 6s. 8d; and at the valuation of ecclesiastical benefices,
26 Hen. VIII., this Church was valued at 16/. 15^. lid.

The rectory impropriate, valued at £8., was granted by King Henry
VIII. to John Croke, Esq., and alienated by his grandson to William
Shillingford, alias Izode, or Izard, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, The
latter gentleman, a person of very considerable property, formed the
rectory-house into a commodious habitation, which continued to be the
principal residence of himself and his descendants for several generations,
one of whom sold the impropriate rectory of Beckley to the duke of
Bedford, whose successor again alienated it about 1 700 to Edward Bee,
Esq. The rectory devolved to the Rev. Dr. Leigh, Master of Balliol
college, Oxford, by his marriage with the daughter and only child of
Mr. Bee, from whom it descended to the Rev. T. L. Cooke, the present
proprietor.

In 1718 this Church was served for£10. 10s. per annum, being an im-
propriation, as appears by a letter from the Rev. Mr. Watkins, minister
there, quoted in Bacon's Liber Regis, but it was not certified into the
Exchequer, or to the governors of Queen Anne's bounty. It is now
valued at £112 ; population 776.

In this parish are the hamlets of Horton and Studley, which together
contained in 1811 sixty-two houses, inhabited by seventv-five families,
chiefly engaged in agriculture*^.

HOKTON.

The hamlet of Horton chiefly consists of some farm-houses and cot-
tages erected on the verge of a common or piece of waste land on the
border of Otmoor, and is two miles distant from Beckley.

At a very early period a church or chapel was built for the use of the

" Dunkiu, vol. i. ]>. 112, 4to. b Dunkin, vol. i. p. 124.

HORTON— STUDLEY.

219

township, which was given by Wachehne Hareng, who then held it of
Bernard de St. Walery, to the abbot and convent of Eynsham "=, in the
reign of Henry II.

From the endowments of this chapel the monks of Eynsham after-
wards reserved a pension of something more than four shiUings per
annum, as appears by the deed of confirmation granted by Hugh Wells
bishop of Lincoln.

How long it continued to exist as a place of worship is uncertain ; it
is not mentioned in the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, nor in the Valor
Ecclesiasticus, temp. Henry VIII. A tradition exists respecting its site,
which is said to have been in a field still called Chapel Close. The
inhabitants of the hamlet now usually attend at the chapel at Studley
House.

In the year 1764 Margaret and Stephen Wheatland gave by will
230/. 105. ll^d. 3 per cent, consols, for teaching ten children of Beckley
and Horton ; which sum in 1823 appears to have been vested in the
names of Thomas Nichols, — Stephens, and William LedwelH. This
is recorded in the Parliamentary Digest of the Reports of the Charity
Commissioners, published in 1841.

STUDLEY.

The Pjiory

Studley is situated on a hill, a short distance above Horton, and is
partly in the second division of the three hundreds of Ashendon, countv
of Bucks, and partly in the hundred of BuUington, in the county of

" Reg. Eynesham MS. cartg. 102. ap. '' Diiukin's Oxfordshire, Ajipendix,

Kennett, and ap. Dunkiii, vol. i. p. 125. No. 8.

220 S T U D L E Y.

Oxford : it is a chapelry of the vicarage of Beckley, and has been deno-
minated such ever since the erection of a chapel here by Sir George
Croke. The hamlet is fifteen miles west of Aylesbury, and seven miles
north-east by east of Oxford. In 1803 that part in the county of Bucks
was only assessed at 2s. Gd. in the pound, while the Oxfordshire portion
was rated at 5s. 8d.

In the reign of King Ethelred, Studley, or Stodileye, or Estodeley,
was the property of Ailmer, earl of Cornwall, said by Dugdale to be
a nobleman of " singular piety^," and given in exchange to his kins-
man Godwyne, A.D. 1005, for some lands in Eynsham, where he founded
an abbey of the Benedictine order, and was buried in the church of the
monastery''.

At the Norman invasion, it was included in the honor bestowed upon
Robert D'Oilly, who gave half a hide of land therein towards the endow-
ment of St. George's church in Oxford castle. This donation was subse-
quently transferred to Oseney abbey, with the other estates belonging
to that church, and confirmed by Jeffrey de Ivery, the superior lord, in
the fourteenth year of King Stephen.

About the middle of the reign of Henry II., Bernard S. Walery, lord
of this manor, and of the late barony of Ivery, founded a Benedictine
nunnery in this place, which he dedicated to St. Mary, and endowed with
half an hide of land.

For the histoiy of this priory our limits compel us to refer to other
works. It will be found in the Monasticon Anglicanum, vol. i. p. 48G ;
Tanner's Notitia Monastica, p. 426 ; Dunkin's Hundred of Ploughley,
vol. i. i)p. 130, 179; and in the History of the Croke or Le Blount
family, by Sir Alexander Croke, vol. i. pp. 408 — 437.

At the dissolution of the smaller religious houses, 26 Henry VIII.,
the excellent character of the inmates of this priory procured it the
special recommendation of the Commissioners to royal favour. This
averted its impending fate for a few years, but in 1540, 31 Henry
VIII., it fell in the common ruin. Sir Jobson Williams having obtained
from the affrighted sisters, assembled in common chapter, a deed of
surrender on Nov. 9. of that year : this deed is printed by Dunkin, with
a translation. The prioress and nuns were allowed pensions for their
lives; that of the prioress was £16. 5s. 8d., equal to at least £325 of
our money : those of the nuns varied from 26s. 8d. to 40s., and for

• Baronage, vol. i. p. ,3, 2.1 1. *> Mon. Ang., vol. i. p. 220.

STUDLEY. 221

shillings we may safely read pounds in reducing them to our present
standard. Of these pensions only one continued to be claimed fifteen
years after the dissolution.

In a little more than three months after the afflicted sisters had been
driven forth from their habitation, the king, by letters patent, bearing
date Feb. 26, in the thirty-first year of his reign, granted to John Croke
and his heirs (inter alia) the site of the priory of Studley, the manor of
Studley, the rectory of Beckley, and the advowson of the vicarage of
Beckley, as fally as the prioress of Studley held them at the time of the
dissolution.

Some fragments of the ancient buildings of the priory were dug up
a few years since by Sir A. Croke, who made drawings and etchings of
them, which he published in the History of his Family, vol. i. p. 437,
and also presented a copy to our Society ; they are chiefly of the thir-
teenth and fourteenth centuries, and were apparently parts of the
chapel.

The present appearance of Studley priory is that of a very picturesque
Elizabethan house, beautifully situated. The Chapel is attached to one
end of the house, and is quite of a domestic character, with square-
headed transomed windows ; it has a wooden bell-turret on the roof.
Some of the seats are open, with carved poppies of Elizabethan work,
among which is a cock : they are unusually tall, being five feet high.
The Communion-table is plain, of the same age, with the slab still
detached, according to the custom of that period : the pulpit with
its canopy is of the same character. The hourglass-stand remains
attached to one end of the reading-desk. At the west end of the
chapel is a gallery with a screen under it, with balustres both above
and below, all of the same style. This chapel has a flat plaster ceil-
ing, and there is a loft over it, which appears to be the original ar-
rangement. It was built in 1639.

The house may be generally described as a long range of buildings,
constituting a centre and two wings ; the latter divided into offices,
stables, and other conveniences. Some portions of the interior of the
building belonged to the old priory, as is indicated by the great thick-
ness of the walls, one of which is seven feet thick. The central division,
now formed into a handsome mansion, is considerably elevated, and the
front commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, com-
prising Beckley, Otmoor, &c.

On the eastern side of the priory two bay windows have been lately

2-22 STUDLEY.

added. The principal entrance is by a porch on the west side, orna-
mented with Doric pilasters, surmounted by others of the Ionic orders.
Four shields, exhibiting the armorial bearings of the several families into
which the first lay possessors intermarried, are placed above the arch,
inscribed with their several names, Croke and Cave ; Croke and Unton ;
Croke and Blount ; and Croke and Bennett. Over them is the motto
of the Crokes, Virtutis amore. Between the three first is the date 1587,
and under Croke and Bennett 1622. On the centre of the pediment over
the door is a rose under a crown, between the initials E. K., for
Ed. VI., and over it the following inscription : — "Fear this glorious and
fearful Name, the Lord thy God. Honour the King." Over this is
a book open between two cherubs' heads, and upon its pages the Greek
word eEOS.

The chapel was built by Sir George Croke in 1639. The stables have
the date of 1666, and the initials of Alexander Croke.

Without, and nearly opposite the park-gate, is a range of alms-houses,
erected by Sir George Croke, for four men and four women, A.D. 1636;
for the better regulation of which he drew up a code of orders, which
are now in full force, and the presentations made accordingly. He also
settled a rent charge of twenty pounds a year for a clergyman who should
preach once every Sunday, there, or in the chapel at Horton, [since de-
stroyed.] This was a great convenience to his own family, the poor
people in the alms-house, his tenants and neighbours ; the parish church
being at Beckley, at the distance of two miles'*.

One of these orders is, " That from henceforth public prayers shall be
read in the almeshouse in their several chambers by course, or in the
chappell belonging to the mansion house of Studley every monwige and
evenmge, at certain hours, and that the same prayers shal be the Confes-
sion of Sinners, and such other prayers now used in the Church of
England." Provision is also made for payment to the curate or school-
master, if any such shall be resident in Horton or Studley. The poor
men are to be called together by a bell, and any that are absent without
just cause are to be fined^.

"= Par. Antiq., vol. i. p. 141. «; Sir A. Croke, Appendix xxx., vol. ii.

'' Sir A. Croke, vol. i. p. 587. j). 8(J0.

STANTON ST. JOHN.

PATRON. 5t. %of)n 33apttst.

NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF BULLINGTON.

•Cvr*

View of the Church from the South-East.

This Church appears to have been built in the time of
Edward I. The Chancel is a fine and valuable specimen of that
age, the period of transition from the Early English to the
Decorated style. The Tower was added or rebuilt in the fif-
teenth century.

The Chancel, which is the most important feature of this
Church, is a composition of singular character and great beauty ;
the north and south side are each in two divisions with a buttress
between ; the two divisions on the north, and the eastern one on

224

STANTON ST. JOHN.

the south side, each contain two very
beautiful lancet windows with delicate
mouldings and trefoiled heads ; these are
widely splayed within, and with beautiful
suits of mouldings ; the interior arches
are depressed, and the arch-mouldings at
the corners cross in a very elegant man-
ner; the corbel-heads between are well
cut : the accompanying engravings wall,
however, explain better than a descrip-
tion. The south-west division consists
of a small door and one window, which ^^'^^ ^^^°r °^ f'""^"^^'

^ (Exterior. 1

is wider than the rest, but in other respects similar; the

Corbel Heads, North side of Interior of Chancel.

Female Head, South side.

dripstones over these windows are well moulded, and termi-
nated by the peculiar ornaments called
Masks, or Notch-heads. In the interior
the terminations are heads, elegantly
carved, among which are a king and a
bishop very similar to those of the east
window of Merton college chapel, and
female heads with the chin-cloth, very
characteristic of the period. The but-
tresses are of two stages, and bold pro-
jection ; the ta])lct-moulding under the
lower stage runs quite round the chan-
cel, and is remarkaljle for its singular
character, and the curious hollow, which
however does not add much to the eflFcct,

3 '^^■

,2i?-a?.3»*.v»

iiuttreases of Chancel.

STANTON ST. JOHN.

225

East Window.

Side Wiodow of Cbaucel (interior.)

Hecessfor Easter Sepulchie.

226 STANTON ST. JOHN.

in consequence of its small distance from tlie ground, tliat
under the upper stage runs round the buttresses and stops
against the Avail.

The east end is a very beautiful but singular composition,
remarkable for its window, which
is a large one of three lights,
the head is formed by a stright-
sided triangle inscribed in a lan-
cet arch, and straight lines drawn
parallel to these sides from the
summits of the two mullions, the
lozenge-forms in the tracery are
very beautifully feathered ; the
dripstone is good and charac-
teristic, terminated by heads ; the Mouldings of East window.
inside is still more beautiful, the arch-mouldings are the same as
those of the other windows, except that they are a trifle larger,
the mullions have small attached shafts terminating in heads
instead of the common foliaged cap ; the mouldings of the tracery
are very delicate and beautiful. This window was once evidently
filled with painted glass of the same date as the chancel ; some
of which yet remains in the tracery to attest its excellence;
the north-east window is still filled with it, of the common
geometrical character, and the arms of Clare occur in it ; two
more of the north windows are half full of painted glass, the re-
mainder are filled up with brick, and one whole window by a
large marble monument; in the south window there is a beautiful
remnant of painted glass, the subject seems to be two persons
carrying a shrine, which is censed by two angels, while two men
are prostrate in adoration before it ; the canopies in it are
of early Decorated character; on the north side there is the
arch of an Easter sepidchre; the crockets and bases of the
pinnacles have been cut away. On the south is a plain piscina.
The ceiling of the eastern division of the chancel, over the
Altar platform, is canted, and divided into square compart-
ments by wooden ribs, witii bosses at the intersections ; these

STANTON ST. JOHN.

227

Chancel Door.

are alternately square four-leaved flowers, and shields of
arms; they are painted blue,
red, and white, and on them
occur the arms of New College,
shewing that it was put up by
that Society after their pur-
chase of the Church, soon after
the Dissolution. The chancel
door has a good dripstone ter-
minated by masks, and united
at the top with the moulded
string, which is carried over it
so as to form a square head.
The chancel-arch is transition Norman, pointed and quite
plain : the arch not recessed, and the imposts square, not even
chamfered, and it has no labels.

The Nave is divided from the aisles by three arches on each
side, those on the north are of much ruder workmanship than
those on the south ; the piers are square and massive, and the
arches pointed with a mere chamfer ; they belong to the period
of transition from the Norman to the Early English styles,
having Norman imposts and labels : those on the south are
Decorated, having good labels, the roll-moulding terminated
by, and meeting in a head, the costume of which is the same as
those in the chancel ;
the caps have Deco-
rated mouldings of not
bad character. The cle-
restory windows are over
the piers, and not over '
the centre of the arches.
Some very good old pews, or as they are more usually called open
benches, remain, with very curious carved poppies, consisting
chiefly of small heads, two on each standard joined back to
back. Some of these are heads of horses, others grotesque
figures, but some are human heads, with costume of a very

Interior. Clerestory Window. Exterior.

228

STANTON ST. JOHN.

Poppy-heads in Nave, c 1530.

Bench-ei:ds and Poppy heads iu Nave c irao

STANTON ST. JOHN.

229

marked character of the time of Henry VIII. The exterior of
the nave is of Decorated character; the south aisle small and
low^ and the clerestory windows above are spherical triangles,
the interior mouldings cinquefoiled ; the entrance to the Church
is in this aisle ; a plain Decorated doorway, unprotected by a
porch.

The north aisle is much wider, with a high-pitched roof
almost as high as that of the nave ; this aisle is Perpen-
dicular, but the south-west window is Decorated, preserved from
an earlier structure, the rest square-headed Perpendicular;
there are some fine and large buttresses to
this aisle. On the east gable of this aisle is
a very good Perpendicular cross, canted and
ornamented with a four-leaved flower near the
extremity of each of the arms, the base ornament-
ed with trefoils on each face ; on the east gable
of the nave is the base of a sanctus-bell niche.
In the north aisle there is a chantry surrounded
with very beautiful oak open screen-work, which
retains many traces of its former brilliant
colouring ; there is a beautiful early Decorated
piscina on the south side, in a singular project-
ing mass like a buttress, and a locker on the north side: in
the eastern wall another water-drain,
like a piece of a stone spout through
the wall, this is on the north side of
the Altar, and low down, so as to be
convenient for pouring into. From
these remains it would appear that this
inclosure was most probably a vestry,
in which, according to custom, there
was an Altar for rehearsing the service,
with all its appurtenances. It is lamentable to see this curious
and interesting inclosure now filled up with new deal pews, of
the most approved box form. The Font is octagonal, quite
plain, and remarkably low, standing on the ground without any
steps. The wall above the Altar was covered with paintings.

Cross on East Gable.

Waterdraiu at East end of NorUi
Aisle.

230

STANTON ST. JOHN.

There is a current tradition tliat this aisle was built for the in-
habitants of Woodpery, in place of rebuilding their church
after it had been destroyed, with the whole village, by an acci-
dental fire in the fifteenth century. There was also a chantry
in the south aisle ; the piscina remains, as also some wood-
work, on which are some very good paintings of angels.

The Tower is of Perpendicular date, with a staircase-turret on
the south side, not at the angle, but nearer tbe south-east than
the south-west angle ; it contains five bells and a clock. The
tower-arch is of simple and bold character, and of good pro-
portions. In the west window there is a very curious small
circular panel of painted glass, on which is represented a man in
a fighting attitude, with sword and shield, in a remarkable costume
of the time of Edward I., so that this piece of glass must have been
preserved from an earlier window, as is frequently the case.

The old Rectory-house, which was standing until within these

Rectory -House , in 1835.

four years at the soutli-east corner of the Church-yard, was a
valuable sjjccimen of the domestic architecture of the fourteenth
century: its destruction is very much to be regretted. We are
indebted to the zeal and taste of the late Sir Alexander Croke,
of Studlcy, for this representation of it. x. simpson, oriel.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In Domesday Book, it is written Stantone, and was held by Ilbert de
Laci, of the Bishop of Baieux.

A.D. 1141, G, 7, King Stephen. This church was granted to the

STANTON ST. JOHN. 231

convent of St. Mary, at Reading, by the empress Maude ; the deed of
presentation, and the confirmations of it are printed in Kennett's Par.
Ant.^, Stanton St. John, so called because the family of St. John of
Lageham, in Surrey, were lords of it so early as King Henry HI.'s
days, and continued so to the 25th of Edward HI. and after, for we find
the Lord St. John of Bletsho, Earl of Bolenbroke, in possession of it
1st of EHz., as being a branch of that antient family of St. John of this
place ^.

A.D. 1181. A composition was made in the Church of Stanton, and
afterwards fully confirmed at St. Frideswide's, in Oxford, between the
Abbot and Monks of Ensham, and the Prior and Canons of Bicester re-
specting the tithes of Stratton ^.

1184, 30, 31, Henry H. Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, confirmed to the
Abbey of Ensham, the Church of Stanton ; the gift of John de St. John.

A.D. 1229, 13 Henry III. Roger St. John, of Stanton, did remit
and quit claim (as his father had before done) to a mill and five virgates
of land in Weston, adjoining to Burcester, called Simeon's land, which
had been granted to the abbey of Oseney''.

A.D. 1254, 39 Henry HL By the hundred Rolls^* of this date we
find that Lady Emma de St. John held the manor of the value of 20/.
[about 800/. of our money] as her dowry, with ten hides of land held
under the king by the service of the third part of a knight's fee.

A.D. 1290, aut circiter, temp. Edward L'" At this period John de St.
John held the manor of hereditary right, and had three plough lands
and two meadows- called Sideleme and Hildesden, and common pasture
in Menemers and Bernwood, also two woods called Hornle and Sidele,
and two mills which paid 22s. a year. The abbot of Ensham was patron
of the Church.

A.D. 1323, 16, 17 Edw. II. John de St. John, lord of the manors
of Staunton St. John and Great Barton, departed this life, leaving John
his son and heir fifteen years of age ; and Alice his widow, who after
married to Reginald de Pavely, lord of the manor of Wendlebury^.

A.D. 1340. Sir Richard d'Amorie assigned over fifty acres of land
in Staunton St. Johns, to Matthew Clyredon, with other property. In
trust for himself, and for Richard his son and heir, on occasion of his
joining an expedition in Flanders.

^ Kennett, vol. i. p. 132. '^ P. 38.

" Mag. Brit, vol. iv. p. 411. ' Hot. Hand., p. 713.

" Kemiett, vol. i. p. 201. ^ Kennett, vol. i. p. 563.
<< lb., p. 290.

232

STANTON ST. JOHN.

A.D. 1390. Simon, son of Walter de Wodeham, in the county of
Surrey, released to Nicholas de Loveyn,' knight, and Margery his wife,
all his right in the manors of Staunton St. John, Barton and Lageham,
com. Oxon ; from which family of Loveyn, the possessions passed to
that of St. Clare ; of whom Sir Philip St. Clare, knight, died pos-
sessed of the manor of Staunton, as demesne of the king in capite,
10 Henry IV., and left John his son and heir a minor in ward to
the king ^.

The manor and rectoiy were purchased by New College immediately
after the suppression of monasteries : we find that in 1534, 26
Henry VIII., Wilham Fleshmonger gave £200. towards the purchase of
the manor of Stanton St. John's; and in 1535, Thomas Milling also
gave 300 marks towards the same purchase'.

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus of Henry VIII. the manor with its appur-
tenances belonging to New College is valued at 22/. 4s. 2d.

The living was valued in the Ecclesiastical Taxations, A.D. 1291, at
6/. 135. 4d. ; in 1341 it was still valued at the same sum*', though
assessed at 61. : in the Valor Ecclesiasticus of Henry VIII.' it is
reckoned at IG/. 9^. 4^d., net value. It is now valued at 287/., and the
population is 470.

•> R. Dods. MS., vol. xxxvii. and xli.,
ap. Kennett, vol. ii. p. 126.

' Wood's Oxford, by Gutcli, vol. iv.,
p. 1S5.

J P. ;ii.
*- P. 134.
' P. 171.

Ground riau of the Cburch

WOODPERRY.

AN ECCLESIA DESTRUCTA.

This, which from long acquiescence, and in some degree per-
haps, from unity of possession in the hands of the same pro-
prietors during three centuries, has, for many years past, been
considered a hamlet or tithing of Stanton St. John, appears to
have been once a distinct parish or district, possessing a place
of worship and cemetery of its own.

For, in the Valor of Pope Nicholas, the abbot of Oseney is
stated to have a portion of tithes worth 6s. 8d. per annum, in
ecclesia de Wodepyrie indecimali. Tliis portion, as will appear
below, consisted of two-thirds of the tithes, which, having origi-
nally been granted by Robert de Oily the elder, to the secular
priests of St. George's chapel within the castle of Oxford, were
transferred by Robert de Oily, the nephew, to his new foundation
at Oseney in 1129. The only inference, however, attempted to
be drawn from the use of the word " Ecclesia'' in this passage, is,
not that there was then a church at Woodperry, but that there
existed in it a rectory, or property in tithes, distinct from those
of its neighbour Stanton ; and this is placed beyond a doubt by
the " Ecclesia de Staunton" being afterwards separately noticed
in the same record, and estimated to be worth £6 13s. 4d. a-
year. In the inquisitiones nonarum, in the 15th year of
Edward III., (1340,) the following entry occurs : — "Wodepirie.
Ecclesia Parochialis ejusdem cum omnibus suis porcionibus
taxatur ad xiii^. iiiif/. cujus nona pr?edicta assedetur ad xiii*.
iiii^. et non plus, per jurat ores et inquisitorcs praidictos." King
Henry VIII.'s commissioners, in their return of pensions and
portions due and unpaid to the monastery of Oseney, have

H h

234 W O O D P E R R Y.

under the title Woodpcrry, " De X5. de portione decimarum infra
parochiam ibidem per annura^ nil :" and in tlieir account of the
possessions of New College, they carefully distinguish the lands
in Wodbury from the manor, &c., of Staunton Seynt John.
Farther, the Studley chartulary expressly calls this a parish^.
" Fines et limites parochise ecclesise de Beckleye. Sepe vo-
catum Arnegravchegh quod est inter quondam campum voca-
tum Borstallfelde dividit parochiam de Beckleye a parochia de
Brehull. Et per illud sepe extendit se parochia de Beckleye, et
ducit idem sepe recte ad quondam rivulum Denebrooke nun-
cupatum, qui quidem rivulus pertendit usque ad clausum
Domini Richardi Damori. Qui quidem clausus dividit paro-
chiam de Beckley a parochia de Woodperrye." In the preamble
to the Stanton Inclosure Act, passed in 1777, it is mentioned,
and evidently with some doubt as to its proper description, as "a
certain farm, estate, or tithing, within the said parish, called Wood-
perry, which is free from tithes ;" and though now rated together
with that parish for the repairs of the church and support of
the poor, it still retains its own surveyors of the roads, does
suit and service to a different court, at which, previous to the
late change of the law, the tithingman was always appointed,
and came into the possession of its present owners by a title
altogether distinct from that of the other.

With regard to the existence of a church or chapel here,
there had always been a tradition in the neighbourhood to that
effect ; and it was added, that upon its being destroyed, the in-
habitants purchased for themselves the privilege of attending
divine worship at Stanton St. John, by building the north
aisle of the present church. Of the truth of the latter assertion,
there is not known to be any proofs. About twenty years
since, a labourer, felling a tree which stood near the S. E.

" F. 5. quoted in Sir A. Croke's His- account of the church of Woodpery

tory of the Croke family, vol. i. p. '1'32. brings it down to so late a period, and the

note. fragments discovered all belong to an

^ Circumstances seem rather to con- earlier period. It seems therefore, most

firm the tradition ; the aisle is unusually lu-obable, that the fire which destroyed

large, and has clearly been rebuilt and the village and church, took place early

enlarged in the 15tli century, while no in the fiflecntli century.

W O O D P E R R Y. 235

corner of the wall of the kitchen garden belonging to the
mansion-house, in a field called Upper Ashen Close, found
beneath the root of it the skull and part of the bones of a man.
The singularity of the circumstance attracted his attention; and
considering what chance, (for it could hardly be design,) had
placed these relics of mortality in such a situation, it occurred
to him that the spot on which he was at work, must be part of
the church-yard of which he had often heard, and subsequent
researches proved this to be the fact. As far as can at present
be ascertained, along the highest part of the mound below the
garden wall, stood the church, (or whatever it was called), and
around it, to a considerable extent, was the cemetery. The
hollow near it, running up to the garden wall on one side, and
on the other winding with a gentle curve towards the water, is
said to have been the " town road ;" and over the whole extent
of the field are scattered the remains of the village houses and
buildings, extending nearly down to the little stream below, and
reaching through the small close beyond it, up to the Horton
road.

In searching over the ground once occupied by the church
and church-yard, very numerous interments were found in the
latter of bodies lying side by side, in the usual direction, at no
great depth, which had apparently been buried in ordinary
wooden coffins. What had been the site of the body of
the church was still clearly distinguishable by the different
coloiir of the soil, or rather rubbish, found in it, and by the
absence of interments, three only excepted. But the walls of
the edifice had been entirely removed, save only a small por-
tion of the foundation of that on the south side, and another
not so large of what was possibly part of the church-yard
wall. These were purposely suffered to remain still undis-
turbed. The first of them is about eighteen feet long, by some-
what less than three in thickness, and seems to have had two
clumsy buttresses : the second is nearly 14 feet long by 2i
wide. The three interments already mentioned to have been
within the body of the church are further to the west, and are

236

WOODPERRY.

marked by three stones, lying side by side, two of which are
ridged en dos d' ane as it is called, having raised ornamented
crosses along the top ; the third, that to the south, is flat, scored

^eCtlOTTS

Fret

^^onumental 81at9.

down the middle with three lines, and crossed by similar ones
near the top and bottom. The two latter are broken across.
The bodies were found beneath, and had been buried in wood
only, but there was neither trinket or any thing else to
denote who these personages were, or at what period they
had been so deposited. Indeed, from the fashion of two,
at least, of the stones, it niiglit have been supposed their
corresponding stone coffins had disappeared, and they had been
used a second time to protect bodies to which they did not

WOODPERRY.

237

belong, were not such an idea at once disproved by the fact,
that the intervals between them were carefully filled up with
encaustic tiles (many more fragments of which kind were found
dispersed), shewing that no previous removal had taken place.
These tiles have been carefully preserved, and one of each
pattern deposited in the Ashmolean Museum, they are of the
thirteenth century, as indicated by the patterns, which present
remarkably good specimens of that age ; among them are the
badges of Richard, earl of Cornwall, and king of the Romans,
who resided principally at his mansion in the adjoining village
of Beckley, and was proprietor of this manor; they are a
lion rampant, crowned, his arms as earl of Poictou, and this
badge is found on his seal, as mentioned under Beckley,
p. 212, the other is the spread eagle of Germany, his badge
as king of the Romans. In the course of the search, some
portions of the building were brought to light, which, though
inconsiderable, are curious and interesting, as tending to shcAV

Fragtnenta of the aooieut Church.

its style and date. They consist principally of parts of a Nor-
man arch or doorway, and two mullions and jambs of windows,
and all the fragments seem to be either of the twelfth, thir-
teenth, or fourteenth centuries. There is also one perfect

238 WOODPERRY.

stone of an elegant Gothic canopy,
Avliich possibly may either be part
of a cross, or perhaps of a build-
ing over some holy spring, for it
was found away from the church,
in the close adjoining the Horton
road, and near the brook, the Fragment of anoiemoross.

source of which is not far off.

No endowment of the church having been traced, and one, at
least, of the fragments of the building indicating that it was of
early date, it may not be unreasonable to hazard the conjecture
that its authors were the abbot and canons of Oseney.

There remains, however, one question which will naturally
suggest itself, which is, why a spot so pleasantly situated, and
once apparently so populous, should have been deserted. Tradi-
tion says, this was owing to an accidental fire, which burnt the
whole village, and compelled the inhabitants to take refuge in
Stanton ; and undoubtedly the quantity of charred wood found
amongst the ruins, with the paucity of slates, shewing that the
general covering was of thatch, Avould seem to give weight and
authority to the suggestion. On the other hand, the builder of
the mansion, which is of the early part of the last century, may
have thought his neighbours too many and too near, and trans-
ferred them, as in the case of Nuneham, elsewhere. But inquiry
has failed to throw light on the real circumstances of the case ;
and the bviildings having been originally constructed for the
most part of flat stones uncementcd by mortar, their remains
have offered a most convenient stone quarry, which has been
used probably in the first instance for constructing the walls of
the garden and pleasure ground, (not those of the house,) and
for many years past in the repairs of the roads, till every thing
which could furnish a date has disappeared, and, what is more
to be regretted, almost every thing has been disturbed. In
clearing and levelling the ground in the course of the last few
years, a well has been found still in good preservation, aljout
twenty feet deep, the water flowing through it and not standing

W O O D P E R R Y. 239

in it j and a number of keys^ which must have been tied together^
with a heap of cinders near them, seemed to indicate the site of a
smiths shop. But the most curious fact which these researches
have disclosed, is the indubitable evidence which they have
afforded as to the inhabitants of the spot at a remote period, — of
a previous settlement or villa of the Romans. Traces of that
extraordinary people may be found over the whole neighbour-
hood, but nowhere more abundantly than here. They consist of
fragments of pottery in great variety of patterns, and many
similar to those preserved in the museum at Bonn ; of the fine
red ware called Samian, both plain and elegantly embossed with
figures; of pieces of cinerary urns, yet bearing distinctly the
marks of fire, and in one case containing what appear to have
been the burnt ashes of a human being ; together with an almost
inexhaustible store of the coarse tiles used for supplying warm
air to apartments'^. Added to these, a few trinkets in bronze,
arrow-heads, and other instruments in iron, and brass coins of
Domitian, Hadrian, Maximian, Constantino, and Claudius
Gothicus, have been dug up.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Woodpery, Wodpary, Wode-pire, pirie, piry, or pyri, (for it is found
spelt in all these forms,) would seem to denote a town or village in a
wood. But in the great charter of Robert de Oily to Oseney abbey,
we find him granting a portion of tithes " de Wode Pire et de Pyria,"
which words so connected almost imply that the epithet Wode was used
to distinguish it from some other Pire or Pyria, in which the etymology
of the name must be sought.

The notices respecting it are scanty. There were originally a manor
and lay rectory here, and the former was a part of the barony of S.
Walery. Robert de Oily the elder, after founding his chapel of St.

c In some instances they are found to mortar by the succeeding inliabitants of
have been pounded and nsed to make a hiter period.

240 W O O D P E R R Y.

George, afterwards made a parochial church, within the precincts of
Oxford castle, endowed it (amongst other things,) with two thirds of
the tithes of this place. From this time it formed part of the honor of
S. Walery, (for which see Beckley, p. 210) and is frequently mentioned
as such ; it occurs in inquisitions of the 39th Henry III., 7th Edward I.,
28th Edward I.

1296. 24-25 Edw. I. Robert Bell de Wodepirie appears as a witness
to a deed of grant and quit claim '^.

Circa 1303, 32 Edw. I. Robert de Wodepyri is one of the jury upon
an extent of the manor of Ambrosden, taken on an inquisition^.

1315. In a return of the limits of Bernwood forest, made upon oath,
Wodeperie wood is stated to belong to Richard de Aumarie^ This
must have been as tenant only.

1317, May 24, 10 Edw. II. The king grants to Richard D'Amory
and his heirs, free manor in all his demesne lands of Bokenhalle, Blech-
edon. Stoke de ITle, Wodepiry, and Bix Gibwyn, co. Oxon, with other
lands in Somerset and BucksS.

4 Edw. III. Richard D'Amory died possessed of Woodpary manor''.

1330, 4 and 5 Edw. III. John de Eltham, second son of Edw. II.,
having been advanced to the title of Earl of Cornwall, has now a
grant from the king, his brother, of the manor of S. Walery, &c.',
but dying unmarried without issue in 1336, it again reverts to the
Crown k.

1360, 34-35 Edw. III. The king grants to John Chaundos the
manor of Wodepery, co. Oxon, to hold by the accustomed service.
This was said to be the celebrated Sir John Chandos', slain ten years
afterwards in France, whose death is mentioned with so much interest
and feeling by Froissart. He was of kin to Sir Richard de Amerie'",
which may have been one reason of the grant.

2 Henry IV. February 1 1 . The king grants to William Willicotes,
Esq., and his heirs, free warren in all his demesne lands of Willicotc,
or Alvescote, in the county of Gloucester, and in the manors of Ipwell,
Walcote, and Wodepary, in the county of Oxon" ; and in the 12th Henry

<> Kennett, vol. i. p. 4G6. ^ Kennett, vol. ii. p. 157.

•^ Ib.,ii. p. 411. ■" P. 1.'54.

' lb., i. p. 529. " Cat. Rott. Chartt, p. 195. His name

« P. 5;57. 1 Rott. Chartt. sub anno. was not derived from Wilcot, co. Oxon,

^ Inquis. post mort., vol. ii. p. 30. but from a property in Gloucestershire,

' Kennett, vol. ii. p. 15. ibid.

^ Pp. 32. 159.

W O O D P E R R Y. 211

IV. he is returned to have died seized of ness 'tur et reddit' in Noi'thlye,
Weahcott, Wodeparye, and Ypwell, co. Oxon°.

24 Henry VI, EHzaLeth Blaket is found to have died seized of this
manor'', and also to have held Madecroft, and Horley's close''.

Early in the sixteenth century, the estate was purchased by the
Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford, from Sir John Brome,
of Holton, an ancestor of the Whorwood family, and was conveyed as a
lay rectory, with lands appurtenant to it, a peculiarity not easily to be
accounted for, but by supposing that the manor had become extinct for
want of the requisite number of tenants to support it.

It may not be uninteresting to add that this spot is noticed by the
celebrated antiquary, Thomas Hearne. In his diaries preserved in the
Bodleian Library, he gives us the following particulars in his account of
a walk which he took to Studley, on Saturday, March 31st, 1716.
" Having done at Borstall, I returned homewards, and stopping at the
Royal Oak, at Stowe Wood, (on this side Beckley,) Master Haynes, the
tenant of the house, told me that his mother was living (somewhere
about Woodbury Farm, I think,) being about 1 02 years of age.

" The said Woodbury Farm is above a quarter of a mile from Stowe-
wood, and Haynes gave several reasons to shew that it was formerly a
town. He says many foundations of buildings appear continually, and
that in a plain below the farm houses many human bones have been dug
up at different times, and that this was the Church-yard, and that there-
fore the Church stood there."

He also gives some account of the building of the mansion-house in
his diary for the year 1732, vol. 137, p. 100, saying that " Woodbury
house was built by Mr. Morse, a bachelor of 74 years of age, that he
was worth £300,000 and was purchasing estates. I have heard that he
was a partner in Child's house." That respectable firm, upon being
applied to, confessed their belief that they had once had a partner of the
name; added to which, " Mr. Morse's exors." are found rated in the
parish books of Stanton for the year 1750"". And in the iron-work on
the gate in front of the house are the initials I. M. or T, M. with the
crest, a battle-axe, which probably may have been the crest of the Morse
family, as Edmondson blazons their arms thus : — Argent, a battle-axe in
pale gules, between three pellets.

° Cal. inq. p. mortem, vol. iii. p. 334, i P. 306. No. 55.

No. 41. ■• Constable's Book. The rate is uijon

P Vol. iv. p. 226. No. 33. property in Stanton.

I i

PATRON.

MISS BISCOE.

HOLTON.

5t. 33artl}oIomcb.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

Northe<ast view of Church.

FT.

IN.

FT.

Chancel .
Nave ....
North transept .
South transept .
Tower
N.B. Both nave and chancel arc narrower at the east end tlian tlie west.

A SMALL cruciform Churcli without aisles, the tower at tlie
west end. It appears to have been originally built towards the
end of the twelfth century, but the chancel rebuilt in the four-
teenth, the nave remodelled, and the tower added in the fif-
teenth.

H O L T O N.

243

Chancel. — The east window is Decorated, of three lights, with
flowing tracery : on the north side is a Decorated window of a
single light and a small door : on the south side are two win-
dows in the same style, and a small round-headed piscina.
The Roof is ceiled, but the wall-plates
have good Perpendicular mouldings ;
the chancel-arch is transition Nor-
man, pointed ; the upper doorway to
the rood -staircase has lately been
opened, over it is a Decorated sanctus-
bell turret, surmounted by a cross,
and with the roll-moulding as a

'-' Wall-plate in Cbancel.

string under it ; on the east gable is a good Decorated cross.

The arches of the transepts are transition Norman, pointed ;
the north transept has one Norman and one Decorated window.
The south transept was rebuilt, and probably the nave re-
modelled, by William Brome about the middle of the fifteenth
century, as appears by the following inscription, formerly
existing in the south transept, and preserved in Wood's MS.
E. I., and also in the parish register, but destroyed previous to
1819 : — "Hie jacet Willielmus Brorae, qui banc capellam fieri
fecit et multa bona huic ecclesiee erogavit, obiit 17 die mensis
Decembris, An. Dom. 1461. Cujus animse propitietur Deus."
It has one Perpendicular window,
and a modern one.

The Nave has square-headed
Perpendicular windows of three
lights. It has lately been refitted
with plain open seats. Tlie roofs
are allceiled,butthc moulded Avall-
plates of the fifteenth century still
remain. The Font is Perpendicular,
octagonal, plain, unusually large,
and solid. The north door is tran-
sition Norman, with very good ^

mouldings, the zig-zag and tooth North Door m Nave

244 HOLTON.

ornaments^ and has shafts with Norman sculptured caps ; it
has recently been carefully cleaned from the whitewash with
which it had long been choked up.

The Tower is Perpendicular, plain, with a good small west
door, and a good tower-arch, pointed and recessed, the inner
arch resting on good corbel-heads. This had been long con-
cealed, and has lately been re-opened and exposed to view.
It is much to be regretted, that at the same time the western
gallery was rebuilt and enlarged to such an extent that it was
found necessary to introduce a window under it within the west
door, and to build a staircase on the outside of the tower with a
square-headed door. Fortunately, however, the fabric itself has
not been injured in these alterations, so that the original design
can be restored at any future time. There are no buttresses to
any part of this Church.

In this Church is the burial-place of the family of Schutz, of
Shotover-house, and also those of the families of Brome and
Whorwood.

In the Tower are three bells thus inscribed: — 1. Richard
Wise, William Willins, C.W., 1662. 2. "Sancta Anna ora pro
nobis," in letters of the fifteenth century. The third having
been recast, the inscription is not legible.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1084, Holton, is in Domesday Book, written Eltone. It is
there reported, in the Hundred of Peritune, and held by Godfrey of
Roger de Iveri, to whom it was given, with several other lands in this
neighbourhood, by Robert de Oilgi his sworn brother in the service of
the Conqueror. It thus became part of the district afterwards called the
Honor or Barony of St. Walery, an account of which will be found in
the Historical Notices of Beckley the head of that Barony.

A.D. 1166^ Bernard de St. Walery paid to the king two marks for

a Reg. Dods. MS., vol. ii., et Rot. Pip. .ip. Kcimctt,

HOLTON. 245

livery of his lands in " Haltona Oxenfordscire," as accounted for by-
Adam de Catmer, sheriff of Oxon and Berks.

A.D. 1319, Roger, uncle to Richard d'Amorie lord of the manor of
Bucknell, havhig married Elizabeth, third sister, and one of the co-heii-s
to Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester, niece to King Edward II., had
a grant from the king to him and his said wife, and their heirs in general,
entail of the manor of Halghton in com. Oxon, late the possession of
Edmund earl of Cornwall, which grant was confirmed in the parliament
held at York, 13 Edw. II., by which means the said manor of Halghton
passed to their eldest daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married 10 Edw. III.,
to Thomas Lord Bardolf ; and so in 45 of Edw. III., to their son and
heir, William Lord Bardolf; and in 13 Rich. II., to Thomas Lord
Bardolf; who having joined in rebellion against King Henry IV., with
the Earl of Northumberland and others, and being attainted in parlia-
ment, his lands were given by that king to Thomas Beaufort his brother :
howbeit. Sir W. Clifford, knt. in right of Anne his wife, and Willjam
Phelip in right of Joan his wife, daughters of the said Thomas, represent-
ing to the king that King Henry II. had by his letters patent given to
Thomas Bardolf, ancestor of their father, and to the heirs of his body,
many of the said manors, the inheritance of them did of right belong to
them, the king being convinced of the justice of their claim, granted
them the reversion of the said lordships, and so they and their posterity
came at length to have this manor divided between them, and we find
Joan the wife of William Phelip died possessed of a moiety of it 25
Henry VI., leaving it, and her other estates, as her husband (which was
styled the Lord Bardolf in her right) had done, to Henry the son of
John Viscount Beaumont, by Ehzabeth their only daughter and heir'',
and 6 Henry IV. to Anne his daughter and heir, married to Sir William
Clifford ^

A.D. 1538, in the Ecclesiastical Survey of Henry VIII. the rectory is
valued at 12/. 195. It is now valued at £390. The present number of
inhabitants is 277.

In Wood's MS. E. I., is the following information respecting the
Church and the later history of the manor. " At the upper end (under
the sanct. bell- cot) of the Church, without side are the arms of Balding-
ton, quartered with a chevron both cut in stone, whether the chevron

'' Magna Britann., vol. iv. p. 108, 0.

<= Reg. Dods. MS., vol. xl. p. 159, ap. Kenuett.

246 HOLT ON.

was chai'ged with three sprigs of Brome I cannot perceive, because
weather has worn away the stone. This Church at the foundation, as
the inhabitants say, was dedicated to St. Bartholomew, because his

picture is painted on the door thereof, with a saltier or

his armes. This door did stand, when I took a copy of the monument,
in the belferey.^ '1 have been told here that this lordship was formerly
in the possession of the Baldingtons whose heiress was married to
Brome, and the heiress of Brome was married to Sir Thomas Whor-
wood of Sandwell in Staffordshire." It remained in that family until
ISOl, when the estate, manor and advowson, were sold by Henry
Mayne Whorwood, Esq., of Headington, to Ehsha Biscoe, Esq., in
whose family they now remain. The old manor-house was a large
stone edifice surrounded by a moat ; this was taken down, and the
present house built on another site in 1815. The feast of dedication is
held on St. Bartholomew's day, old style.

In the parish register of Hoi ton, is the following remarkable entry : —

WEDDINGES,

Henry Ireton, Commissary General to Sir Thomas Fairfax, and
Bridget, daughter to Oliver Cromwell, Lieut. Genl. of the horse to the
said Sir Thomas Fairfax, were married by Mr. Dell, in the lady Whor-
wood her house, in Holton, June 15, 1646. alban bales, rector.

IlECTOKS OF THE CHURCH OF HOLTON.

A.D. 1263, Nov. 19. The Lord Bishop admitted John Chaplain of
the King of Almaign, to the Church of Halghton, at the presentation of
the same king, by the death of Ada, and it was given him to hold law-
fully together with the Church of St. Nicholas of Sandcrdon, in the
Archdeaconry of Bucks. — (Roll of Richard Gravesend, Gth year).

A.D. 1319, July 20. William de Luteshull, priest, by Sir Roger
Damory, Knt., to the Church of Halghton, vacant by the death of Philip
de Waltham. — (Reg. Daldcrby).

A.D. 1323, March 29. Will, de Carleton, clerk, presented by the
king to the Church of Halghton, (by reason of lands which were the pro-
perty of Roger Damory, being in his hands), vacant because Will, dc
Luteshull has entered into the order of Minors. — (Reg. Burgwersh).

A.D. 1345, March 4. Stephen dc Bretham, ])ricst, presented by Lady

HOLT ON. 247

Elizabeth de Burg, Lady de Clare, to the Church of Halghton, by death
of Sir William atte Halle. — (Reg. Beke).

A.D. 1418, July 9. An exchange between Sir Nich. Byllyngdon,
Rector of the Church of Halton, in the Deanery of Rysbergh, of the col-
lation and immediate jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and
Michael James, Rector of the Church of Wendilbery, at the presentation
of Rob. Andrew. — (Reg. Reppingdon).

A.D. 1479, Sept. 27. Master John Coldale, priest, presented by
Sibilla Quatermayne, relict of Richard Quatermayne, deceased, to the
Church of Halton, by death of Master Edw. Byrt. — (Reg. Rotherham),

A.D. 1494, March 19. Sir Robert Occulshawe, priest, presented by
Johanna Fowler, widow, to the Church of Halton, by resignation of
Master John de Coldall. — (Reg. Smyth).

A.D. 1508, March 30. Sir John Kale, Chaplain, presented by
Richard Fowler, Knt., to the Church of Halton, by death of Sir Robert
Okilshawe.— (ib.) '\

1534. Sir Richard Loste, Rector"*. 1723. Rev. Edmund Whorwood.
1633. Rev. John Normansellf. 1735. Rev. Thomas Finch.

1645. Rev. Alban Eales. 1751. Rev. James Whorwood.

1665. Rev. Edward Rogers. 1758. Rev. John Coxe.

1684. Rev. William Master. 1768. Rev. Freeman Gage.

1702. Rev. Dr. Thomas Dunster, 1794. Rev. William Stratford.

presented by Mr. Whorwood. 1819. Rev. George Thomas Tyn-

1720. Rev. James Birt. dale.

J. B.

•^ Kennett, vol. ii. p. 18. ^ Valar Ecclesiastic us. ' Parish Reg.

WATEll-PERY.

5t. iWarg tl)e Tivgtii.

PATRON.
J. W. HENLEY, ESQ.,
M.P.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
(JF BULLINGTON.

I '•

Decorated Cross in the Church yard.

This Church is of mixed styles, and is so covered with lux-
uriant ivy that its external features are considerably obscured.

The Chancel, level with the Nave, is Early English, of about
A.D. 1200, with a Decorated east window of three lights, in
which are some confused fragments of stained glass, and the head
probably of the patron saint. The lancet windows at the sides
are small, and of long proportion, unequally placed, three being
on the north, and on the south side originally fovir, of which

ENCAUSTIC TILES, W'OODPERRY.

ENCAUSTIC TILES, WOODPERRY.

WATER-PERY.

249

Corbel-heads ic Chancel.

the two easternmost have been removed to make room for
a monument and a modern window. In the lancet windows
are some fragments of stained glass of simple Early English
design. The priest's
door, now stopped, was
on the north side. Two
heads fixed into the wall
on this side were the
terminations of a Deco-
rated hood -moulding,
one represents a bishop
of the fourteenth cen-
tury, the other a religi-
ous lady, or benefactress.
The roof is of high pitch, covered with slates, but ceiled within.
The walls have been so altered by plaster and battening, that
in many parts their former features are completely obscured. The
mouldings of the chancel-arch terminate in Decorated corbels.

The Nave is Decorated, of about A.D. 1300, it has three
bays opening into the south or
Lord's aisle, one supported on an
isolated transition Norman column
and cap, a similar impost-moulding
to that on the cap is continued on
the other piers : the arches above
have no mouldings whatever on their
soffits. The roof of this part of the
Church is of oak, open, flat, Per-
pendicular, and covered with lead.
It was probably constructed at the
beginning of the sixteenth century.
On the east gable is a simple sancte-bell cot, much mutilated.
The Font is quite plain, and of difl'erent dates. The lower
part or present stem is of about A.D. 1300, and appears originally
to have been the Font, on which has been placed during the
Perpendicular period an octangular basin, lined with lead. The
marks of the staple-bolts remain.

K k

Transition Norman Cap in Nave.

250

W A T E R - P E R ^'

The Pulpit is of the time of Charles the Second, with arabesque
panelling of the period. The date, A.D. 1077, is carved on the
sounding-board. The letters G. M. surmounting the date are
explained by the fact that George Measey was churchwarden
that year. The Reading Pew is similar but earlier ; in front is
cut the date 1632. A Perpendicular bracket is unevenly set
in the north wall, between the windows.

The Rood-turret, with the staircase leading from the nave to
the loft, remains nearly perfect.

The south or Lord's aisle was remodelled at the beginning of
the sixteenth century, but must have been built long before that
date. Formerly the only entrance into the Church (unless a
door existed where is now a modern vault on the north side) was
through a Decorated doorway, remaining in this aisle. The
mouldings of the arch die rather curiously on the face of a larger
moulding, forming the jambs. Another door at the west end of this
aisle was made about 1820.

The west window, of three
lights, is Perpendicular,
about A.D. 1 520. It bears
marks of having been once
filled with stained glass,
but it is impossible from
what remains to form any
idea of the original design.
On the north side of the
nave are two very good and
boldly cut Decorated win-
dows, precisely similar in
architectural features, ex-
cept that one of them has
been removed and unskil-

lUJly replaced. Intheuppcr Early Decorated Window. North side of Nave.

part of that towards the west is a small medallion of Decorated
glass, representing our Saviour sitting on a couch or throne,
the left hand holding a book, the right hand raised in the
attitude of blessing ; beside the throne is a kneeling figure :

WATER-PEIl Y.

251

the rest of the window appears to have been filled up with
painted quarrels, chiefly oak-leaves and acorns, of which a con-
siderable number remain : in the lights below are two figures of
worshippers, one a male the other a female, both in dresses of
the fourteenth century. The corresponding window near the
pulpit contains glass of a monumental character, inserted at a
later date ; in the light to the right hand is a man in armour
kneeling, on his surcoat a bendlet between six fleurs-de-lis, which
are the arms of the Fitz-Elys family; on his breast is the
minute effigy of a stag lodged or recumbent. In the centre
light was the figure of the Virgin Mary, now completely
destroyed''. In the remaining light is depicted the lady of the
knight, also kneeling, and behind her kneels their only daughter.
The former has several rings on her fingers, and has a cross
pattee attached to her necklace ; the latter has also rings, and
wears the sacred monogram I ^} ®. The fragments of arms
recorded as formerly existing may still be distinguished. In the
spandrels formed by the arches of the lights are the letters
E. F. which are the initials of Robert Fitz-Elys. Robert was
a favourite name among the descendants of William Fitz-Helias,
Elias, Elye, Elys, &c., but the cos-
tumes of the above figures belong
to the latter half of the fifteenth cen-
tury and it is certain that the person
here depicted with his wife and daugh-
ter is " Robert Phisseles," reported as
deceased A.D. 1470. In Legh's Visita-
tion of Oxfordshire, 1574, wherein are
traced the arms then existing in Water-
pery Church, the annexed coat is as-
cribed to Robert Fitz-Elys, Esq. ^'™=^ °f Robert fuz Eiys. Esq

On the opposite side, in the south aisle, is another obituary
window. It is square-headed. Perpendicular, of three lights.
The glass here is sadly mutilated and misplaced, but with the
help of the MSS. referred to the original design may be
understood in all its detail''. On the left is Walter Curson

« Wood's MS., E. I.

" Had. MS., 4170; Wood's MS., E. I. and D. 14.

252 WATER-PERY.

clad in armour, and in a kneeling posture; behind liim are
his eight sons, also kneeling : before him in the centre light,
but originally in that to the right, is the mutilated figure
of his wife Isabella, daughter of Robert Saunders, Esq., of
Harrington, Northamptonshire ; behind her are their seven
daughters, also kneeling. In the remaining light may be per-
ceived remains of the figm'e of the Virgin Mary displaced from
the centre; one hand embraces the Holy Infant, the other is
offering the fruit of promise; her purple robe is semee, with
her appropriate monogram. Below are the arms of Curson and
Saunders. Under all is the following inscription in the glass : —

Pray yee for the soule of Walter Curson and Isabel hys wife, whose goodys
as well the roofe of this Church and the roof of this Lordys He and the cover-
ing of leed of all the same, as also this window were made, whose bodys rest
in the Augustin Freers Church yn Oxford, which Walter died the 7th day of
Apryle yn the year of our Lord God MCCCCCXXVII. On whose &c.

Between the west and south doors is a square-headed Deco-
rated window, partly blocked up, but formerly reaching nearly
to the ground on the exterior.

On the soutliwallof the chancel the monument of Sir Francis
Curson, who deceased A.D. 1610, Oct. 31, is a good specimen of
the mural style which prevailed in the time of James I. He was the
son of Vincent, the son of Richard, the son of Walter. His son
Sir John Curson, was married to Magdalen, the second daughter
of Sir Robert Dormer, of Wing, Bucks. This lady is the sub-
ject of the quaint epitaph on the opposite tablet, above the two
corbel-heads already noticed.

AN EPITAPHE.

She tliat lyes heere w"' in this gloomy grave
Enioyd all virtves that a minde covlde have
Let this svffice thee then in brcife to know
She once was svch as thov mayst reade belowc.
Lord Dormer's daughter, Sf John Cursons wife
To whome foure sonns & daughte" twoe she bote
Belou'd of all she liud yet cbang'd this life
For such a life as neuer shall cliangc more
A MAGDALEN by name, a Saint by grace
Dy'de much bewaylde & buried in this place.
Then happye she who svcli a life did Icade
As she nowe lives anewe tbovgh slie is deade.

WATER-PERY.

253

■•"'■^'l^.':',

.J'

■7-TI777T -^iTW

|-||l|l" -^I'll'l,!'

^ I

^lf||■L i' i.;.'m',

'•/I/,,., r

?'F-3gi«mif^i3agrtv@lM

1m iJ

iam

■'■' i.l'.VtA/'^v^

Brass. A.D. 1527, fcrroerly in the AugusUue Friars' Church, Oxford.

254

WATER-PERY.

In tlie centre of the north wall is an exquisite piece of sculp-
ture by Sir Francis Chantrey, to the memory of Mrs. Greaves,
only daughter of Joseph Henley, Esq., who succeeded the
Curson family in the OAvnership of Waterpery. On the floor
of the chancel is a grey marble stone with an inscription
roughly cut, of which the following words remain : — Exaudivit
Dominus deprecationem meam.

At the entrance of the chancel is a brass in good preservation,
representing Walter Curson, and Isabell his wife, with their
arms and children (see previous page), as in the south window
before described, but the plate containing the seven girls is lost.
Near this stone in the year IGGO was a brass monument of a
female figure bearing the following inscription : "Isabell Beaufo
ja dis la femme .... nolin gist icy : dieu sal." Legh in his
Visitation of Waterpery Church, A.D. 1574, writes upon a blank
shield " Her lietli Beaufo, sometyme the w^yfe of Sir Bertholme."
There is a loose fragment of a brass of the fifteenth century still
preserved in the Church, which may possibly be a part of the
monument thus noticed.

The brass in the Lord's aisle was hopelessly mutilated before
A.D. IGGO. It consisted of a knight in plate armour, Avith his
lady, their arms and children, eight boys and nine girls. Under
a Perpendicular canopy in this aisle, is the recumbent effigy of a
knight in plate armour (see opposite), of about the year 1420.
The figure is well proportioned and the carving good. There
can be little doubt that the person
liere represented was one of the
Fitz-Elys family, as he formerly
bore on his shield three fleurs-de-
lis on each side of a bendlet. His
name has been stated as Ledwell,
but this may have arisen from his
having lived in a part of the parish
so called, and which is said at one time to have contained
several houses. This monument is particularly noticed in

^ Wood's MS S. D. \i.

Fitz-Elys.

Ibe wyffe.'

WATER -PER Y.

255

Legli^s Visitation, who calls it very ancient, and gives a sketch
of "the hound" behind the upper corner of his shield. The arms
which he attributes to the lady are the same with one of the
shields still remaining in the upper part of the Curson obituary
window. In the wooden tower of the Church are two bells, one
of which in letters of the beginning of the thirteenth century,
bears the inscription, "Ave Maria Gracia Plena Dominus

Specimen of InsciipUon on Bell.

Tecum." The other, "E. Hemings, fecit. Thomas Rippington,
churchwarden, 1733."

JOSEPH CLARKE, ARCHITECT, 1, Lhicolii' s- Inn- Fields.

EfEJy of a Knight in Plate Armour, Lords Aibla

256 WATER- PER Y.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The name of this place is in Domesday Book written PEREIVN<^. It
was soon abridged of its termination, and at an early period received its
present prefix. The name itself has undergone almost every variety of
change in its vowels as transcribed in ancient documents. In these it
is found written Peri, Perya, Pery, Pirie, Pire, Piiy, Pyrye, Pori, Pury,
but the doubling of the r appears to be a variation of modern days
for which there is no early precedent.

In Domesday Book PEREIVN is reported as part of the land of
Robert de Oily, and in the hundred of Peritune. For the general his-
tory of the honor of de Oily to the year 1350, and also of Oseney abbey,
to which the church of Water Pery became attached, the reader is
referred to the Historical Notices of Kidhngton in the Deanery of
Woodstock.

1190 (circa). William^, son of Elias, by the wish and entreaty of
his wife Emma, daughter of Fulk Lovel, gives the church of Water
Pery to Oseney abbey. This appears to be the same William Fitz-Elias,
who in the year 11 99 gave the neighbouring church of Wormenhall, with
consent of Emma, to the prior and canons of St. Frideswidc in Oxford,
was received into their fraternity, and directed his body to be buried
in their church ^ It is also recorded that Ledehale grange was given
by William, son of Elye, and Emma his wife, to the abbey of Stratford
Langthorne, Essex, which was founded A.D. 1136. To this last-named
abbey was also given Thomele by Jordan and his brother Rualdus'^.

1195. William Fitz-Ehas, as the agent of Emma de Pery, puts in a
claim against William Basset for one knight's fee in Corfton, and another
in Acleia (Oakley), as the right and inheritance of the said Emma, which
descended to her from Luvet de Brai her grandfather, who held that
land in the time of Hen. I., and after him Fulk, son of Luvel, her father,
who held that land in the time of Hen. II.''

1198. William de Pori, son of Emma de Pori, appears on bclialf of
his mother to resist the claim of John Morell, heir of R. Morell, who liad
married the daughter of Lupellus de Brai*. This appears to be William
Fitz-Ehas II., who confirmed his father's grant of the church of Water
Pery to Oseney.

'' Bp. Kennett, Par. Aiitiq., vol. i. p. 90. b Dugdale Mon., vol. v. p. 588.

•^^ Oseii.MS., Bp. KeiineU,vol.i. p.3i)k ^ Kennett, Rot. Cur. Reg., vol. i. p. 22.

' WyrUy'-s MSS. ap. Lipscomb's ' Placitor X. Ric. 1. ap. Kennett.
Bucks, p. 578.

WATER-PERY. 257

1205. Ric. de Bellofago'^ gives to King John 20 marks and 1 palfrey,
and finds a surety in order to take possession of lands in Peri, given him
by his brother Henry, and of which he had been dispossessed on account
of the disaffection of the said Henr\^

1209. Hugh Wells, Bp. of Lincoln, orders an endowment of Water
Pery and other chm-ches belonging to Oseney'.

1222. William Fitz-Elye, Umfry de Rokele, Richard de Greinvill, and
other knights, required to furnish timber for repair of the king's house at
Brill'". About this time Emma confirms her husband's grant in the following
form : — " Notum sit fidelibus Sanctse Ecclesiee quod ego Emma de Pery,
filia Fulconis Luvell, postquam dominus meus Willielmus filius Helise ad
religionem transiens a me ex toto discessit, cum liberam et plenam potes-
tatem hereditatis mese haberem, et donaciones inde faciendse ad me solam
pertinerent, ratam habeo donacionem predictam &c. Teste Willielmo
de Mesinherm fratre meo, Willielmo filio meo"."

1227. On July 13th, Wilham, son and heir of William Fitz-Elias, did
his homage and paid 100 shilHngs for his relief of one knight's fee in
Oakley, held of the honor of Wallingford".

1236. A suit arose between William, son of William Fitz-Elias H.,
and John Leech, abbot of Oseney, concerning part of the advowson, and
issued in the surrender of the whole to Oseney. This William Fitz-
Elias HL afterwards gave a messuage and curtilage for the use of the
vicar P.

1246. Ric. de Bellofago reported as seized of Pirie and Ledhallei.

In the time of Hen. HL, Richard de Bello Fago, and William, son of
William Fitz-Elye, hold in Pirie and Ledhale two knights' fees of Regi-
nald Fitz- Herbert, and he of the heirs of Hen. D'Oyly, and he of the
king in capite*".

1273. The town of Wat' pri' with the hamlet of Ledehale held for
two knights' fees of Reginald Fitz-Peter, of the honour of D' Oylli, held
of the king in capite by Hugh de Plessets.

Ric. de Bellifago hath a third part of said town and hamlet. Robert,
son of Thomas Fitz-Elye, holds 1 manor with 4 carrucates of land, and
a wood within Bernwood called Ledehalewood.

^ Rot. de obi. et fin. temp. Johan., p. o R. Dods. MS., vol. 68. f. 10!), ap.

219. Keiniett.

1 Ducarel's Repertory of Vic. and f Reg. Oscn. MS., List of Abbots of

Lincoln Reg. Oseney, Dugdale Mon.

" Close Rolls, Hen. III. i Inquisit. post mort., vol. i. p 4

" R. Dods. MS., vol. 39. f. 97. ■• Testa de Nevill., p. 105.

258 W A T E R - P E R Y.

The abbot of Oseney hath the church of Wat' pir' by gift of ancestors
of Ric. de BelHfago, and of the ancestors of Robert, son of Thomas
Fitz-Elye ; who also holds two parts in Wat' pir' and Ledehale : and
one messuage and three cottages of the abbot at will.

Richard de BeUifago does service for the whole. Reginald Fitz-Peter,
and Robert, son of Thomas Fitz Elye, are in Wardship to Ric. de BeUi-
fago, and are under age. The abbot of Dorchester held messuages and
lands in Thomele by service of presenting a rose to Robert, son and heir
of Elye de Thomele^, who held this town of the Earl of Lincoln.

1273. On July the fifth of this second year of Edward I., Reginald,
Bishop suffragan of Cloyne in Ireland, acting as the substitute of Richard
Gravesend, Bishop of Lincoln, consecrated with suitable honours the
church of St. Mary the Virgin at Water Pery, with the altars thereof.
The charter of dedication is ti'anscribed at length in the Oseney Register.

1284. Oliver Sutton, Bishop of Lincoln, in a charter issued at Lud-
dington, recites and enforces the ordination of vicarages belonging to
Oseney, which had been made by his predecessor, Hugh Wells, in 1209,
and of which the following is the purport : " Every vicar presented by
the said abbot and convent, and instituted by the bishop, was to have
two marks yearly for his clothes, every second legacy or mortuary to
the value of sixpence, and one half of it if beyond that value : and out
of all oblations to the altar at every mass one penny, if the oblations
were worth a penny : and whatsoever else by devotion of the faithful
should be reasonably conferred upon him. As also a sufficient exhibition
of victuals at the table of the canons whenever they staid within his
parish : and the canons should find a clerk to serve and obey him, who
should take an oath of fidelity to the vicar, saving his fealty to the said
canons, who should likewise find a boy to wait upon him, and maintain
the boy in all expenses. And when the canons were not resident, then
the clerk, who as before appointed should attend the vicar, was to have
the key of the canons' house, therein to provide for the diet of the vicar
sufficiently and honourably. The canons should further furnish the said
vicar with a horse, whenever he should have occasion to travel upon the
concerns of the convent or the church, as well to the meetings of the
rural deanery as to others : and should finally bear all burdens, i. e. first-
fruits, tenths, procurations, and all taxes whatsoever'."

1291. The Taxation Book of Pope Nicholas contains the following

Hundred Rolls, Ed. I. ' Bp. Kcnnett, vol. i. p. 428-9.

WATER- PER Y. 259

entries: p. 31, Abbatis Oseneye Ecclesia de Wat. Pyrie 61. 13s. 4d. ;
p. 44, Abb' Osen. h't in Wat pir' in t'rris redd' mol. 1/. 18s. Od.

1314. About this time numerous writs were issued to Richard de
Bellafago and Robert Fitz-Elys, joint owners of Purie and Ledehalle.
They were both summoned to perform military service in person against
the Scots, and, by general proclamation, to attend the Great Council at
Westminster on Wednesday next after Ascension Day, A. D. 1324.
The latter, who held the title of Banneret or Knight, was also appointed
Conservator of the Peace, Commissioner of Array, and Leader of the
levies in the counties of Oxford and Berks. The oath of office was ad-
ministered to him by the Bishop of Lincoln and Abbot of Oseney, who
were also directed to assist him in his duties".

1341. (circa.) In the Nonarum Inquisitiones, Ed. III., is the follow-
ing : — Waterpirie. Ecclesia parochialis ejusdem cum omnibus portio-
nibus suis taxatur ad 7 lib. cujus nona predicta asseditur ad 6 lib. 13s.
4d. et non plus, per juratores et inquisitores predicta que gleba valet. 10s.
nee sunt ibidem catallarii ut dicunt, &c.

1343. Robert Fitz-Elys, Sheriff of Oxford and Berks ^.

1350. Hugo Plascy died seized of this manor and 23 others''.

1376, 1382. Margaret, wife of Robert Fitz-Elys, is reported as
possessed of Wormenhall, Ocle and Waterpyrie manors, and one messuage
in Thomleye^. Also in the latter year, of " Beaufo manor," by which it
appears that the possessions of Ric. de Bellifago had passed to Fitz-Elys,

141 3. By a deed dated at Waterpery John Fitz-Elys grants to Thomas
Chaucer and others his manor of Oakley, on condition they should enfeoff
Joan his wife in the premises during life, with remainder to Maud his
sister, then to Robert James,°of Borstall^, who married first Catharine de
la Pole, secondly the said Maud Fitz-Elys, and deceased A.D. 1431,
leaving the manor of Oakley ui possession of Maud, who retained it till
her decease A.D. 1437. By this and other notices it appears that John
Fitz-Elys was a friend, if not a kinsman, of Thomas Chaucer, (son of the
poet), M.P. for Oxon, and one of the heroes of Agincourt, and if asso-
ciated with him in the service of Henry V. is probably the person repre-
sented by the stone effigy in the Lord's aisle.

1470. Margaret, who was wife of Robert Phisseles, alias Fittyelis,

deceased, is reported as possessed of Waterpery and Ledehall manors ^

with possessions in WoUampton, Inglefield, Aldermaston, and Redyng.

" Parliamentary Writs, vol. ii. div. 3. p. 36.

' Clark's H. of Wanting. '■ Chartulary of Borstall, ap. Kennett,

" Inquisit. post mortem. vol. ii. p. 222.

-' Inquisit, vol. ii. p. 341, and vol. iii. " Inq-, vol iv.

260 W A T E R - P E R Y.

The Robert and Margaret Fitz-Elys here mentioned, are the persons
depicted in the north window of Water-pery Church, near the pulpit, and
whose arms are engraved p. 249. Margaret was the daughter of Wilhara
Fawkener of Kingsclere, knt., and in her right Robert Fitz-Elys received
from certain trustees the above possessions in Berkshire. Their only
daughter Margeria did not survive her mother, for upon the decease of
the said Margaret, the above Fawkener as well as the Fitz-Elys posses-
sions descended to Sibilla, daughter of Margeria, who at the time of the
Inquisition, being six years of age, was betrothed to George Ingleton'',
who became Lord of Thornton, Bucks, about the year 1472, and was after-
wards High Sherifi'for the counties of Buckingham and Bedford '^. The issue
of this marriage was an only son Robert, who upon his father's decease
in 1494 succeeded to the Ingleton estates, his mother retaining in dower
those of her own inheritance. In 1503 Robert Ingleton deceased, leaving
an only daughter Jane, of the age of nine months ^. The wardship of the
infant heiress was by King Henry the Seventh committed to his favourite
Sir Richard Empson, on whose attainder at the accession of Hen. VIII.
she was entrusted to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, who in the
year 1514 assigned the wardship of her to John Bradbury, of London,
and James Bodley, of Walden, Essex, which Bodley in the year 1519,
married her to his kinsman Humphrey Tyrrell, son of William Tyrrell, of
South Ockingdon, Essex. This Humphrey, the fifteenth in descent
from the well-known Walter Tyrrell, on making proof of the mar-
riage, had hvery of the lands of his wife's inheritance, and died 1550,
leaving an only son George, twenty years of age®. After three years of
widowhood, Jane Tyrrell, contemplating a second marriage, with Alex-
ander St. John, Esq., by a deed bearing date May 17th, in the fourth
year of Edward VI., secures to her son George, upon payment of
certain sums, all her manors and estates, reserving to herself the issues
and profits during her life^ The union which followed upon the execu-
tion of this deed was of short continuance ; for it appears that Jane St.
John died A. D. 1557, leaving Sir George Tyrrell, her son, her sole
heirS, He is reported to have "impaired the family estate very much,
and squandered away several manors," among which were Waterpery
and Lcdall, which, by a deed bearing date May 20th, 1562, he conveyed
to Thomas Typping, Esq., of Shabbingdon, on consideration of receiving

" Inq. p.m. 11. F.,A.D.1170.ia Tower ^ b. Willis II. ol' Buckiiigiiam and

of London. Lipscomb's Bucks.

<= Fuller's Worthies. f MSS. of J. W. Henley, Esq., M.P.

■' Inq. at liolls Chapel, 73, 7i. « Thornton Brasses.

WATER-PERY. 261

four hundred pounds " at the seahng of these presents," and a residue of
fourteen hundred at the Feast of Pentecost or Whitsuntide next ensuing,
to be paid in or near the porch of the parish church of Thornton. On
the seal appended to this document, are the initials G. T., with the arms
of Ingleton, viz., 3 tuns, with flames issuing from their bung- holes.

In the parish church of Thornton are still preserved two very fine
brasses, one of Jane Ingleton, and the other of her ancestor, Robert,
the first of his family at Thornton, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer
in the reign of Edward IV. These are accurately described by Browne
Willis in his Hundred of Buckingham, and, with the exception of the
bells and the effigies of John and Isabella Barton, are the only remains
visible of the ancient church and chantry of Thornton. Neither Sir
George Tyrrell or his mother seem to have borne the arms of Fitz-Elys,
but they appear in the quarterings of Sir Edward Tyrrell, who was
member for the town of BuckinghaiTi, and who was the eldest son of
Sir George by his first wife, Ellen, second daughter by a third wife of
Sir Edward Montague, Lord Chief Justice of England and of the
Common Pleas in the time of King Henry VIII., and Edward VI.

1527. April 7th died Walter Curson, the first of his family at Water-
pery. He held a lease of the estate of Waterpery and Ledall, granted
four years previously to this date, which is mentioned " as enduring for
several years yet to come" in the time of his grandson Vincent. He was
descended from the ancient and honourable house of the Cursons
of Derbyshire'^, being the third son of Walter Curson of Kedleston.
He married Isabella, daughter of Robert Sanders, Esq., of Harington,
Northamptonshire, by whom he had eight sons and seven daughters.
At his death was erected, in the Church of St. Mary-the- Virgin,
at Water Pery, the monumental window described above. He seems
to have been a considerable benefactor to the house of Augustine
Friars, in Oxford, which stood on the present site of Wadham College.
Like their founder. Sir John Haadlo, he was interred within their
chapel, where was laid down to his memory the handsome brass monu-
ment, also described above, which was " piously removed to Waterpery
at the Dissolution'."

1534. In the Ecclesiastical survey of Henry the Eighth, are the follow-
ing returns : —

Waterpery^. £,. s. d.

Sir Roger Watkyn, Vicar there, viij — xvj

^ Queen's Coll. MSS., Harl. MS. ' Dugdale Moii., in August. Friais, Ox.
4.170, Wood's MS. E. I., Legli's Visit- >• Val. Ec, ii. 171.
atioii, Wood's MS. D. 14.

262 WATER-PERY.

p. 217. Waterpery , Thomley, cum Ledall.

Rectory, with demesne lands, meadows, feedings, pastui'es, let on lease
to John Brown, Knt., is worth, per annum \jZ. xiiJ5. iiijrf.

In quit rent of the same John for certain lands in Ledehaull to the
amount of vijs. vjd. per annum,

The Abbot prays to have the following payments allowed : —

Portion to the Prioress of Goring and her successors for ever, for
tythes in Thomley per annum xs.

Perpetual pension to the Vicar of Waterpery, for a certain tythe per
annum, as per account xxvjs. viijrf.

Procurations paid tothe Archdeacon of Oxford, yearly vijs. vijfc?.

And the clear value is iiij/. ixs. — ^d.

The Abbot and Canons of Oseney had also lands and tenements in
Ledehall, of the yearly value of 51. '2s. 6d.

1538. When Henry the Eighth seized the possessions of Oseney',
he granted the Rectory of Waterpery to Chamberlayne and Andrewes.

1543. Richard Curson, son of Walter, purchases the Rectory from
Chamberlayne and Andrewes.

1562, July 1, Vincent Curson, grandson of Walter, purchases the
manor and estate of Waterpery and Ledall from Thomas Typpinge, Esq.,
of Shabbington, who had bought them of Sir George Tyrrell, on the
20th of May previous.

The Cursons continued to own the estate, and in most cases to present
to the Vicai'age, till the close of the eighteenth century.

In Bacon's Liber Regis, p. 797, it is stated that Sir John Curson
presented in 1682 ; Thomas Rowney, Esq., 1716 ; the King, 1719 ; and
the clear yearly value was £35. In consequence of a munificent gift
by the late Joseph Henley, Esq., an augmentation of £23. 15s. 2d.
per annum was obtained from Queen Anne's bounty. The present
value is £60 a year, and the population 243.

The last of the Curson family, in 1787 devised the estate, manor, and
advowson, to the Honourable Francis Roper, uncle to the then Lord
Teynham, who took the name of Curson"". From the family of Roper-
Curson, they passed by purchase to the father of the present proprietor,
Joseph Warner Henley, Esq., M.P.

The feast-day of dedication is the Sunday after the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin, old style.

' MSS. of J. W. Henley, Esq., M.P. "• British Topog., vol. ii. p. 362.

WATER- PER Y. 263

The blazoning of the earlier arms in Waterpery church" is as follows : — A.
a bend between 6 fleurs-de-lis G., Fitz-Elys. S. a mullet between 3 falcons
A. belled, beaked and membered O., Fawkeneb. Per pale G. S. an eagle dis-
played A. heahed and 'membered. O. S. a f esse dancette A. Erm. 3 chevronelh
G. Among fragments of early glass in the cinquefoiled arches of the lights of
the Curson obituary window, Per saltire A and B., Pipard. 3 fusils in fesse
G., Montague. O. 3 piles in point B. Those in italics have entirely dis-
appeared.

An extract from the will of Walter Curson o is subjoined, as an inter-
esting document relating to this church, and not generally accessible.
" IN THE NAME OF GOD. AMEN.

" The xxiiij day of the moneth of Nouembre the yere of oure Lord God
Mcccccxxvj I Walter Curson of Waterpury in the countie of Oxforde
gentilman hoole and pfyte in mynde and vnderstonding make by the
suifrance of AUmyghty God my last will and Testament in maner and
forme fol owing / First I bequeth my soule vnto AUmyghty God his blessed
mother Saint Mary and to all the holy company of heuen my bodie to
be buried wiil y^ church of eny suche pisshe or other religiouse house
where I shall fortune to be at in the houre of my depting or deth. Also
I will and gyue to the Church of Lincoln xvj'^ Also I Woll to be gyuen
to the rode light of Waterpury Church \'f \\\f- And to the helpe and
mayntenuce of other lightes win the same church iij^ iiij'^ Also I Woll
and gyue to the iiij orders of Freers in Oxforde for iiij Trentalls to be
doen and had for my soule and my frends soules xP equally to be
deuyded that is to Wit to every one of them x^ Also I woll that Isabell
my wife and Richard my sonne doo and cause to be doon all suche
Werkemanshipp and Coste as shallbe by theire discretions bestowed
vpon the taking downe of the leade and Tiles of the rofe of Waterpury
church and the same Rofe to repaire in all places fawtye and couer it
ageyn as they shall thinke necessarie by theire discrecons Also I woll
that Isabell my wife and Richard my Sonne for theire tymes shall pay
cotinually eueiy yere to the prio? of the Augustyne freers in Oxforde for
the tyme beying for the soules of me and my Wife my Father and
Mother and all my Kynsefolks to be prayed for foreuermore x^ for the
which x^ I woll that there be iij coletts sayed euery day yerely for euer
at and in the high masse that is to Witt the Colet of Deus qui Charitatis
dona pgram &c The colect in the secrets of the masse and the colect of
Deus cui pprm And the saied Prio? for the tyme beying to bestowe iij^
iiij'^ pcell of the said x^ vppon the Brithern of the said house in a repaste
yerely and the other y'f viij'' residue to be to thuse and supportacon of
the sayed house of Augustyns for eu. And if it happen the sayed memo-
riall prayers and Coletts not to be sayed informe aforesayed Than I woll
that all suche psons as hereafter I have assigned to be charged w* the
doying thereof shall bestowe the sayed monney in the house of the Blake
Freers in Oxforde the sayed prayers and Coletts there to be doon for the
sayed monney in maner and forme afore sayed Also I woll Isabell my
wife and Richard my sonne do cawse one honest preste to sing for me
and for my frends immediately after my decease, and to continue so by
the space of one hole yere."

The following charters relating to this parish are extant in the Oseney
Register.

" Wood's MS. D. 14. ° In the Prerogative Comt of Canterbury.

264

WATER-PERY.

Bailiwick of Pyrye, Ledhal, Thomle, Draycot, Stoke.

1 . A chart by which Wilham son of Elye, by the wish and entreaty
of Emma his wife, gives the Church of Watcrpyrye to Oseney with its
appurtenances.

2. A confirmation of the above by William son of WiUiam Fitz-Elye
with one virgate of land.

3. Final concord upon a dispute with John Leech, Abbot of Oseney,
respecting part of advowson in the 20th year of Hen. III. The party
executing this deed is William, son of William, in the presence of his
mother Roesia de Rokele, and he speaks of Emma as his grandmother.

4. Final concord together with a virgate of land, free passage and
commonage in field of Pyrye. Same date and same witness.

5. A charter of Richard BeUifago concerning certain islands near
Stokes, alias Stokesham.

6. A charter concerning a certain messuage with a curtilage for the use
of the Vicar of Pery, for building his house, by the last mentioned
William and his wife Margery, for the benefit of his own soul and the
souls of his wife and children.

7. The consecration of the Church at Waterpyrye.

N.B. The Chartulary or Register of Oseney Abbey, in the Archives
of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, was compiled in the
time of William de Sutton, abbot of Oseney, about 1275, i. e. between
1267 and 1284. It was given to Christ Church in exchange for the
Annales Burtonienses, by Sir Robert Cotton, as appears by a note in
Sir Robert's handwriting on the first page. This valuable relique could
not have been consigned to better keeping, for, while it has been pre-
served with all the care it deserves, great courtesy has always been
shewn in afi'ording an inspection of it for the purposes of antiquarian
research, as may be seen by the large extracts and acknowledgments of
Bishop Kennett and others. j. bakon, vicah.

G roiiEd Plan of Waterpery Cburch,

WATERSTOCK.

PATRON. ^t. SconarD. deanery

W. H. ASHHURST, ESQ. OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF THAME.

The present Church is a modern structure of the year 1792^
with the exception of the north aisle and tower, which are of
Perpendicular character. The west window of the tower appears
by its mouldings to belong to the Decorated period. Rising
from the eastern battlement of the tower, an unusual position,
is a bell-cot of singular shape. The Font is early, cylindrical,
and quite plain, remaining apparently in its original position,
as the drain when cleared of the obstructions in the upper
part in 1829 was found to carry off the water readily, and
has been regularly used to the present time. Affixed to the
south wall of the Chancel is the monument of Sir George Croke,
who died A.D. 1641. It is figm-ed in Skelton's Oxfordshire.
Copious notes of the arms and stained glass in the old Church
and manor-house, taken about 1660, will be found in "Wood's
M.S. E. I. in the Ashmolean Museum. From these the follow-
ing are extracted as those which are principally interesting, and
because some mutilated remains of the figures referred to may
still be perceived in a window of the north aisle.

" In the nortli window two clergymen (perhaps one a laic) all in blew
kneeling before deskes. Over these, pictures of Saints, with their names under
them, Ignatius, St. Maria, St. Swithin. — Under these, " Orate pro animabus
Magistri Johannis Browne quondam rectoris istius ecclesiae et Thomse Browne
et — His uxoris ejus, parentum ejtis qui me fieri fecit."

" In a north window pictures of St. Barbara, St. Trinitas, St. Anna. Under
these a man between two women praying, and the arms of Danvers quartering
Bruly. Under all, "Orate pro animabus .... filiaeJacobi Finys .... qui istam
ecclesiam (fecerunt?) anno gracife, MCCCCLXXX."

" In a south window, under the portraits and arms of Archbp. Nevill and
Bp. Waynflete, " Orate pro animabus Georgii quondam Archiepiscopi Ebor. ac
Willielmi Waynflete Winton. Episcopi, et Thomse Danvers."

M m

206 AVATERSTOCK.

George Nevill was Arclibisliop of York from 1464 to 1476,
and was translated thither from the see of Exeter. He held the
office of Chancellor of the University of Oxford as early as 1456%
and Avas a j^onnger brother of the Earl of Warwick surnamed
the King-Maker''. The remains of the portrait of an Arch-
bishop, habited in his pall, the right hand holding the crozier,
the left in the attitude of blessing, may still be distinguished in
the north window.

In the Tower are four bells bearing ^r ^ ."-^

the following inscriptions and dates : "7 :

1. Sancte Niccolae, and a stamp, of : , i, iji

Avhich a cut is annexed. % f

1--

'-')£■

2. Henry Knight made Mee 1615, ; J

G C. Probably the initials of Sir ^^

asii!*;!

George Croke, as the donor of the '^^'\>^W 'sj/-

bell, soon after his accession to the liijijijifi wl r ' '^i

estate. '^''■'''''''^■^^''wwsl:.:.-

3.1664. 4. I. W. 1736. stamp ob BeU m Tower.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

For a detailed history of the manor of Waterstock, and memoirs of
distinguished persons connected with it, see Sir Alexander Croke's His-
tory of his family, Bp. Kennett's History of Chilton, and Skelton's
Oxfordshire. It was formerly one of the fees belonging to the Bp. of
Lincoln. In the reign of Henry III. Henry de Colevill held half a
knight's fee in Waterstock'^, the remainder was held by Bartholomew
Foliott, into whose family the whole appears to have passed. In 1279
Henry Bruilly held Waterstock of the Bishop for one knight's fee, paying
scutage and making suit to the hundred court''.

••• Kennett, vol. ii. p. 401. "^ Testa de Nevill., p. VIO.

" Sir Alex. Croke's Hist., vol. i. p. 564. '^ Skclton.

Godwin's Prelates.

W A T E R S T O C K. 267

The changes in the ownership of the estate are indicated in the follow-
ing list of Rectors^, who seem in all cases to have been presented by the
lord of the manor, " as was usually the case before the perpetual advow-
sons were given to the monks."

1235. Master John of Hadenham, subdeacon to the Church of Water-
stock, at the presentation of Bartholomew Foliot. Roll of Robert
Grosthead, anno 1.

1241. Master John of Hadenham, to the Church of Waterstoke, at
the presentation of Bartholomew Foliot ; witnesses Sir John de St.
^gidio, Archdeacon; Master R. de Campeden : Sir John de Dyam,
canon, &c. Roll of Robert Grosthead, 7 .

1268. Sept. 20. Alexander of Waterstock, subdeacon, presented by
Sir William Foliot, knt., to the Church of Waterstock, vacant by death of
Master John. Roll of Richard Gravesend, 10.

1326. Nov. 16. Thomas Breuly, clerk, presented by Sir John Breuly
to the Church of Waterstock, vacant by death of Sir Richard.
Reg. Burgwersh.

1411. Thomas Taylor, presented by William Bruly of Waterstoke,
to the Church of Waterstoke, by death of John Umfrey, Jan. 30, re-
signed March 6, same year, and Sir Thomas Derecors succeeded.
Reg. of Reppingdon, Bp. of Lincoln.

1422. March 16. John Kent, priest, presented by John Danvers, Esq.,
to the Church of Waterstoke, by death of Thomas Derecors. The inqui-
sitors say that the said John Danvers hath the right of presentation, in
that turn to the said church, by reason of his feoffature in the manor of
Waterstock with the advowson of the said church, by gift and conces-
sion of Will. Bruly, which William presented last time to the same.
Reg. Flemmyng.

1467. Aug. 18. Master John Parys, " deer, bacc." presented by
Walter Mauntell, Knt., and Joan his wife, to the Church of Waterstoke
by death of John Kent. Reg. Chedworth.

1499. March 14. John Chapman, priest, presented by Thomas Dan-
vers, Esq., to the Church of Waterstoke, by death of Master John
Browne. Reg. Smith.

1501. Sept. 15. Robert Wright, priest, presented by Thomas Danvers,
Esq., to the Church of Waterstoke, by death of Sir John Chapman,

1534. William Wylmoll, Rector.

'' Kennett, vol. ii. p. 389,

268 WATERSTOCK.

1580. Sept. 14. John Rider, clerk, to the Church of Waterstock, at
the presentation of Edw. Cave of Bampton, Esq., resigned 1581. Reg.
Grindall, Archbp. of Canterbury.

1609. John Stayning signs a terrier as Rector.

1616. Charles Croke, D.D., presented by Sir G. Croke in June, re-
signed in October.

1627. Henry Croke, D.D., presented by Sir G. Croke, died 1642.
Robert Turner, minister, died 1658.

1664. John Quarne, Rector.

1677. Charles Hinde, Rector, presented by G. Croke, Esq., buried
1725.

1725. Edward Lewis, presented by Sir Henry Ashhurst.

1784. Robert Bertie Broughton Robinson.

1827. Gibbes Walker Jordan.

The entry in the Book of Henry VHI.*^ is as follows : —

WAT'STOKE. £ s. d.

Sir William Wylmott, rector there xj vj viij

Deduct for synods and promotions — x vijj

Remainder x xvj — .•

The tenth — xxj vijj

It is now valued at £58. Tlie number of inhabitants is 142.

J. B.

1 Valor. Eccles. Hen. VIU.

ALBUEY.

PATRON.
EARL OF ABINGDON.

Bt ^den.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF BULLINGTON.

The old Church.

The old Churcli was picturesque, though without any very
remarkable architectural features. The present Church is a
modern building, in imitation of the Gothic style, with a bell-
gable at the west end. The ancient Font has been preserved,
and is a good specimen of Norman work, with some rather
curious ornament upon it.

The Chapel of Rycote is situated in the park, at about half a
mile from Albury, but is in the parish of Haseley. An account
of it will be found in Mr. Weare's Memoir of Haseley Churcli
and Parish, published for the Society.

270

A L B U R Y.

The Fonc.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

ALDBURY OR ALDBURG.

The name signifies the old borough or town. It stands on the same
ground where the ancient Roman station Isurium was. Dr. Plot will
have Henley to be the ancientest town in this county, and grounds his
conjecture much upon the derivation of it from the British word hen,
which signifies old, and ley, a place ; but vulgar tradition runs " that
Aldbury was the mother of Henley, and consequently is older," which
the Doctor thus far allows : that it is probable that Christian Henley
may be younger than Aldbury in respect of a church built first here, but
upon no other account*. In Domesday Book it is written Alwoldesberie
and Aldeberie, and formed part of the fee of earl William. Walter, son
of Pony and Rainald, at the time of the Norman survey, held land here.

A.D. 1255. In the Hundred Rolls, 39 Henry III. p. 714, the village
of Aldebur is held of the Countess de I'lsle by the service of half a
knight's fee, and Sampson Foliot holds the manor in the name of the
award which is between the countess and Roger Foliott ; and the same
Sampson held five virgates and a half of land belonging to the lordship.
There are twelve tenants in servitude.

A.D. 1474. An inquisition was held respecting the advowson of
Aldcbury, from which it appeared that GeoflVey Gate had acquired
the right of patronage by marriage with Agnes Brown, widow of William
Brown, gentleman, and daughter and heiress of Thomas Baldynton, Esq.'',
the rightful patron.

" Magna Brit., vol. iv. p. 421. '' Kennett, vol. ii. p. 41 ■J.

ALBURY. 271

The following list of Rectors is taken from the Lincoln registers by
Kennett, with some corrections and additions by Sir Henry Ellis, from
the same source. It serves at the same time to shew the successive
changes of the property of the manor : —

RECTORS OP ALBURY.

1225. John de Clavely or Claxeby, subdeacon, presented by Roger

Fohot^
1227. William de . . . ., chaplain, presented by Roger Foliof^.
1238. John de Cambes, subdeacon, presented by Peter Foliot"^.
1278. Rad. de Bungeye, subdeacon, presented by Sampson Foliot^

Hugh de Langele.
1298. Wilham le Despenser, clerk, presented by John de London^.
1327. Ric. de Babeham, priest, presented by John le Despenser^.
1411. Thomas Thame, upon whose resignation in 1411, Richard

Seddon, presented by Walter de Walkestede, Rector of Charlton-upon-

Otmoor, by concession of William Baldyngton, Lord of Albuiy^
John Byllyng, resigned in 1431.
1431. John Anneys, priest, presented by William Baldyngton k.
1459. John Kendale, priest, presented by William Brome^
1474. John Bowes, chaplain, presented by Geoffrey Gate, knight, and

Agnes his wife'".
1595. Richard Wightwick, S.T.B., presented by Lord Henry Norris of

Ricott".
1670. WiUiamMore.
1712. Dr. William Tilly.
1739. Dr. William Bertie.

1758. — Harrington.

1759. Christopher Robinson.
1804. George Wasey.
1813. John Curtis.

1813. The Honourable Frederick Bertie.

The Rectory was valued in the time of Henry VHL at 10/., with pay-
ments out for synodals, &c. 10^. 1\d., and to the prioress of Studley
6s. 8d., leaving the net value 9/. 2^. S^d. It is now valued at 2761.,
and the population is 239.

c Reg. Hugh Wells, an. 16. ' Reg. Repyndon.

" Ibid., an. 18. '' Reg. Gray,

f' Reg. Rob. Grosthead, an. 4. ' Reg. Chedworth.

' Reg. R. Gravcsend, an. 20. '" Reg. Rotherliani.

'i Reg. 01. Sntton. " Reg. Wliitgift.

h Reg. Burgliwersh. " Parish Reg.

FOREST HILL.

PATRON.

LINCOLN COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

<§t. Ktcljolas.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

The Cturcb.

A SMALL oblong Cliurclij without aisles, witli n, bell-gable at
the west end; it is chiefly transition Norman work, probably
built about A.D. 1200.

The Chancel has two lancet windows on each side widely
splayed, and round-headed in the inside, with good simple Early
English dripstones over them, and stringcourses under them :
the east window is modern and very bad, Avith wooden tracery.
The Chanccl-arch is round horsc-shoed, square edged, and not

FOREST HILL.

273

recessedj the imposts are plain Norman with the edges cham-
fered off.

The Nave has one Norman window remaining on the north
side^ round-headed and plain, and a similar one on the south
side, the other is modern. The west window is late Perpendicular.
On the north side is a small transition Norman doorway with a
pointed arch, with a good bold dripstone and imposts. The
south doorway has a plain segmental head, with the edges merely

*^ i^^i-

Tbe Porch.

chamfered off. The outer doorway of the porch is good transi-
tion Norman, approaching near
to Early English, having shafts
with capitals ornamented with
the stiff-leaf foliage, but with
square abacusses, the arch is
also square in section.

The bell-gable at the west
end is a remarkably picturesque
object, and from its situation
is visible from a considerable
distance, it has openings for section of Door.

two bells, and a smaller opening above; it appears to ])c part

N n

274

FOREST HILL.

of the original building of transition Norman work, but lias bad
two tremendous buttresses attaclied on the west side to support
it, projecting one 14 feet, the other 11 feet 4 inches : this great
irregularity arises apparently from the nature of the ground,
this part of the Church being close to the brow of the hill ; the
buttresses are of comparatively late work, although not modern,
the mouldings are of Italian character; there are also smaller
buttresses at the angles, these are of Perpendicular work of
the same age as the west window, which is evidently an insertion.

I.H.P.

Ground plan of the Church

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1273, 1 and 2 Edward I. On July 6th, the Chapel of Forest-
Hull was dedicated to St. Nicholas the Confessor, by Reginald Bishop
Suffragan of Cloyne in Ireland, substituted by Richard Bishop of
Lincoln, to visit these parts of the Diocese of Lincoln, and to consecrate
new Churches".

A.D. 1285. The Abbott of Oseney held one knight's fee in Forest-
HulP.

The estate and Chapel of Forest Hill formed part of the grant of
Robert D'Oiley to the Church of St. George in Oxford Castle, after-
wards transferred to the Abbey of Oseney, and is mentioned in the
foundation charter of that Abbey '^.

' Kcimctt, vol. i. p. -132. ' Dugdalc, Mon. Ang., vol. ii. p. 138.

" Ibid.

FOREST HILL. 275

It remained part of the possession of that Abbey till the Dissolution.
Since that period, the manor-house, with a considerable part of the
estate and the patronage of the church, have become the property of
Lincoln College.

The Poet Milton married his first wife from this place. The register
of her baptism is yet preserved, and is as follows; " Maria Powell, the
daughter of Richard Powell, baptized the 28th day of January, 1625."
The house in which Mr. Powell lived has been in part destroyed, but
there are yet existing against the west ends of two out-houses some very
curious remains of ornamental plastering, which seem as old as the time
of Milton, one of them is an allusion to the subject of Paradise Lost.
An anchor is represented as an heraldic device on the other wall.

Another celebrated poet, William Julius Mickle, was yet more inti-
mately connected with Forest Hill. He married the daughter of Robert
and Ehzabeth Tomkins of this place, and lies interred on the north side
of the Church, without any memorial over his grave. There are several
tombstones in the Churchyard to individuals of the Tomkins' family,
having upon them engraved lines in verse, some of which appear to be
written by Mickle himself.

HEADINGTON.

PATRON.
REV. T. WHORWOOD.

5t. Slnlirclo.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF BULLINGTON.

■ :o';J'P?77T

Soutb-eaat View of the Church

A PLAIN Clmrch of mixed styles, but with good portions,
particularly the Tower and Chancel-arch.

It consists of a Chancel, a Nave with south and north aisles,
and a Tower at the west end of the south aisle.

The Chancel, which is the oldest part of the Church, is
rather large in proportion to the Nave; the walls are Nor-
man, and on the outside of the north wall are the remains
of a Norman doorway, the imposts of which yet remain, but the

HEADINGTON.

277

stones of the arch have been built into the wall, so as to make
it square-headed. Near this is a large semicircular arch of rude

(1 1 *^

Doorway. Mortt side of Chancel,

stones; eastward of this is a small foliated lancet window,

which from its mouldings appears

to be of the commencement of the

fourteenth century, or end of the

thirteenth ; the quarries of glass in

the upper part of this window, still

retain their original painting.

The gable at the east end has
evidently been raised since the Nor-
man times, and has on the point the
base of a cross, the upper part of
which is broken off. The greater part
of this end has been taken down,
the original window removed, and a
modern round-headed one inserted,
which very much injures the effect.
In the south wall, two Perpendicu-
lar windows have been inserted :
these windows are divided by a mullion, running up to the
point of the head ; they are without labels, and are widely
splayed within. In these windows are portions of stained glass,
which have belonged to earlier windows, and there are also a

WiDdow, North side of Cbauutji,

278

HEADINGTON.

few painted quarries of the same date as the windows. The
Altar platform is approached by three steps^ and the Chancel
itself by one. In the south wall is a projecting moulding,
which marks the place of a piscina now filled up, and near
this in the sill of the adjoining window, is a sedile for the
priest. There has evidently been a good arched timber roof,
which is now plastered over except the ends of the transverse
ribs, and the pendants or wall-pieces on which they rest : these
and the corbels have Perpendicular mouldings ; two on the
north side are supported by angels, one of which has a book ; of
the corbels on the south, one has a plain shield, another a head
with long hair and beard, the third a bishop's head, and the
fourth a shield charged with three escallops. They appear, as
well as the roof, to be early in the fifteenth century, and are
most probably of the same age as the windows.

CUaacel arch, Ibo IVwa removed

The Chan GEL- ARCH is plain on the east side, but on the west

HEADINGTON.

279

Section of Chaacel-arcb..

it is recessed, and ornamented
with a double zigzag with a
bold round moulding between

them, which rises from a shaft
on each side. The zigzag is
carried down the jambs ; the
shaft on the south side is
plain, but that on the north
is twisted for about a third
of its length, and the remain-
der richly sculptured in beaded
interlaced work. The capitals are slightly varied from the
cushion-shape, and the abacus and im-
posts are cut with the beaded star-orna-
ment. It is much to be regretted, that
a great part of the lower part of the
chancel-arch is entirely concealed by
unsightly pews^ and that a portion on
the north side has been cut away to
make room for a sitting.

Over the chancel-arch, both on the
east and west sides, is a pointed arch,
which seems evidently to have been
formed as a discharging arch, to bear
off the superincumbent weight from
the Norman arch when the chancel
was raised, and the Early English
nave added : such arches being seldom so well built, as to
bear much weight. Numerous instances may be seen in which
the pressure from above has had the effect of depressing
the arch, and widening the jambs, and consequently throwing
them out of the perpendicular, and this is the case with the
present one.

The Nave and south aisle are Early English, and are divided
by three arches, supported by massive round pillars, with good
moulded capitals and bases. In the south wall are two lancet

Shalt of Cliancel-aich

280

HEADINGTON.

windows, plain on the outside, but widely splayed within, with
a hollow in the head. The east window of this aisle is rather
singular, it consists of three trefoil-headed lijjjhts, with the head
solidj and on the outside a label, enclosing all three. The label
is a plain round moulding, and the edges of the lights simply
chamfered. Near this window in the south wall, is a plain
Early English piscina with a credence-shelf, but almost covered
up by a pew. No trace of an Altar can be seen under this
window, but in the north-east angle are the remains of an ob-
lique opening, and also of the stairs to the roodloft, Avhich have
been cut through the solid wall. The south door is Early
English, plain, but with good mouldings. The original door has

lately been replaced by a new one, copied
from the old, and the oi'iginal iron-work
retained. Over this doorway, is a late
plain porch. The west window is a good
Decorated spe-
cimen : it con-
sists of two
cinqucfoiled lights with a quatrefoil
in the head. The label is a plain
round, terminating in a head and
a knop of foliage, and the jambs
are plainly chamfered. The roof
is of the fourteenth century, having
a tie-beam supported by braces,
and a king-post with base and
battlemented capital, supporting
longitudinal and transverse struts,
and apparently with cross rafters ;
but this part is covered with a
plaster ceiling. It may be here
remarked, that all the roofs retain
their original pitch ; as may be
seen on the outside, where the weather-moulds and gables still
remain as originally built. On the gal)le of the nave, is a

Scutcheon. Soutti Xjoov

"■Diinmiiiiiili"
West Window.

HEADINGTON. 28 1

small sancte-bell cot, and that of the south aisle is finished with

King-post to Roof,

Sertiou of West Window

^^^^

a cross partly mutilated. In the nave are a number of plain open
seats^ with good mould-
ings; but the rest of the
nave and chancel are filled
with pews of all sizes and
heights. The Font, which
is a modern one of paint-
ed wood, stood till lately
at the west end of the
nave, but is now removed
to within the altar-rails.
The north aisle is modern,
and in a style not easily
to be described : three
arches have been cut through the solid wall, in imitation of
those on the south, but badly executed.

The Tower is placed at the west end
of the south aisle, and on the cast and
north sides has Early English arches open-
ing into the Church; these arches are
plainly chamfered, but the capitals and bases
of the pillars are well moulded, similar to upper Moulding of open seats
those in the nave : across the eastern arch of the tower is a

piece of oak screen- work, good for its period, on which is

o o

OpeD Seats in Nave

282

HEADINGTON.

the following date : (

DA : IC : 1635
M W

). At the south-west angle is

a square stair-turret^ which rising above the battlements^ very
advantageously varies the outline of the tower. The lower story
is Early English, the second apparently the same; the upper
story, and the outer casing of the whole are Perpendicular.
On the south-east side of the turret, a stone is inserted with
initials, (r c-w'"^^) "^^'l^ich mark the date and the name of the
churchwardens when some repairs were made to the tower.

In the churchyard, a little to the south-east of the porch,
stands a Cross raised on three steps ; it consists of an octagonal
pedestal, each side of which is ornamented with a quatrefoil
enclosing an open book ; and an octagonal shaft, up the angles of
which run slender shafts, or round mouldings. The head is square
and heavy, and evidently of later date than the rest ; but on the
Avest side are the remains of a crucifix, with the letters I N E, I
over the head, and a rose on each side, the whole enclosed in a
square border. The head is surmounted by a small modern cross.

^^ . o. J.

:*';,

North west View of the Cross.

HEADINGTON.

Grouud-plan of the Church.

3ft'.6M

Plan of Oross.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The old Roman road passes toward Headington Quarry pits".

A.D. 1009. King Ethelred kept the greatest part of his residence in
this county, chiefly at Hedington and Islip, and concludes a charter
granting privileges to St. Frideswide's here**.

[The site of King Ethelred's palace is said to have been partly in
Court Close, and partly in Mrs. Finch's garden, the present road to
Marston running through it. There was certainly some old building of
considerable extent on this site, part of which was pulled down about
1820, near Mrs. Finch's barn, and some remains of foundations may still
be traced in the orchard, or Court Close, on the opposite side of the
road.]

10G6. Basset had the Lordship of Hedington,

1132. 32 and 33 Henry I. The King granted to the prior and canons

■1 Kcnnett, vol. i. p. 23.

'' Mnn. Ang.,tom. i. p. 259, ap. Kennett, vol. i. pp. 62 — 64.

284 H E A D I N G T O N.

of St. Frideswide's, the Chapel of Hedingdon, Merston, and Benesey,
exempt from all taxes and other dues''.

1179. 25 and 26 Henry II. Thomas Basset, lord of the manor of
Burcester, had the lordship of Hedingdon with the hundred of Bolendon,
granted to him for his special services to the king in divers wars, from
whence this branch of that great family had the title of Basset of
Hedingdon.

1218, 2 and 3 Henry HI. In the SheriiFs accompts, Petronilla, wife
of Jeffery Fleccan, paid 50s. for a mill in Hedingdon, called King's
Milne. Thomas Basset answered for £42. 10s. in Hedingdon, and £20
for the fee farm of the said barony '^.

In the Hundred Rolls, temp. Henry HI. In Hedingdon are ten hides
of the lordship of the King, and Philippa Countess of Warwick holds
the said manor, with the hundred of Bulendon and the hundred without
the north-gate of Oxford, in fee farm of the King by the service of one
knight, and for £20 paid annually to the exchequer, and the manor with-
out the hundred is worth £30, and the hundred of Bulendon is worth £8.

Item, in the same village is a certain hide whose heir is in the custody
of the Queen, the son of Philip Muneton, and it belongs to the forest of
Shotover and Stowood, and does not follow the hundred.

1292. 20 and 21 Edw. I. Hugh de Plessets had taken to wife Isabel,
the third daughter of John de Ripariis, cousin, and one of the heirs to
Philippa Basset, Countess of Warwick, and for the purparty of his said
wife had the manor of Hedingdon, with the hundred of Bulendon, and to
which Hugh de Plessit in 5 Edw. I. was impleaded by the men of
Hedington for depriving and abridging them of their antient customs
and priviledges.

Within the said manor and in the King's court at Westminster, a
memorable composition was made^. These rights and privileges were
confirmed to the tenants of Hedingdon by King Edward III. at West-
minster, Oct. 20, regni 29. The same grants were renewed and ratified
by Sir Richard d'Amory, lord of the manor of Hedingdon, 31 Edw. III.
and again confirmed at Oxford by King Richard II. Oct. 4, regni 16'.

Hugh dc Plugenet, with consent of Josceus his son, had granted to the
church of St. Frideswide's common pasture in his manor of Hedingdon,
and a ground in the said parish called Godenthecroft, and thirty acres of

Kennctt, vol. i. p. 1 25. Aubroy, Bart., ap.Kcnnctt, vol. i. p.'152-4.

<1 R. Dods. MS. vol. Ixxxix. f. 118. ' Vide ex llegist. Borstall, penes

e Ex Kcgist. Borstal!, penes 1). John D. John Aubrey, Bart.

HEADINGTON. 285

arable land, and all the tithe of his own demesne and of his tenants in
Hedingdon and Merston, and the rent of Hakelingcroft, to find one lamp
in the church of Hedingdon.

1305. 34 and 35 Edw. I. An inquisition was taken at Oxford on the
Saturday before Easter Day, to enquire how the manor of Hedington
alienated from the Crown. The jurors returned upon oath that Henry H.
King of England, gave the said manor of Hedington with the hundred
of Bolendon, and the hundred without the north gate of Oxford, to
Thomas Basset and his heirs for ever, for his good services in divers
wars, paying to the exchequer the yearly rent of £20 in silver. After
him the said manor descended to Phillippa and Juliana, his daughters, the
elder dying without heirs, the manor passed to Isabella, daughter of
Juliana, by John de Ripariis. Isabella married Hugh de Plessets, who,
after his wife's death, made an exchange with the King for the manor of
Compton ; by which means the said manor of Hedington was now in the
King's hands. And the said Hugh de Plessets settled on Thomas, his
son and heir, the manors of Kidlington, Hokenorton, and Missenden, in
lieu of his right to the manor of Hedindon, which he had given to the King.

1308. 1 and 2 Edw. II. Sir John de Handlo, of Boi-stale, was made
governor of St. BriavePs castle, in Gloucestershire, and purchased from
Phihp Mymeken the Bailewick of the forest of Shotover and Stowode,
with all appertenances in the village of Hedingdon, but for acquiring and
entering upon the said bailewick without the King's licence, he was
obliged to procure a royal pardon.

1316. 9 and 10 Edw. II. Ahce, the relict of Philip Mymekan, in con-
sideration of £10 received in hand, released and quitted claim to the said
Sir John Handlo, all her right to the lands and tenements in Hedington,
which her husband had conveyed to him.

1346. Sir John de Handlo deceased, leaving his possessions to Isabel,
his son's widow, who had married after the death of her husband Robert
de Ildesle, knight.

1347, 21 and 22 Edward HI. Sir Richard de Amory paid a fine to
the king for leave to convey his manors of Godingdon and Hedingdon,
and the hundred of Bolingdon, in the county of Oxon, to Sir Otho de
Holland.

1375, 49 and 50 Edward HI. Sir Richard de Amory, late lord of the
manors of Bucknell and Godington, and present possessor of several
lands in Blechingdon, Hedingdon, &c. died, leaving Isabel, the daughter

286 HEADINGTON.

of Margaret, sister of Sir John Chandos, and the wife of Sir John de
Annesley, knight, his heir.

1377, 1 Richard II. An inquisition was made on the death of Sir
Richard de Amory, by whicli it appeared that he held the manor of
Hedingdon, &c. by gift of John Chaundos, knight, during the hfe of Sir
Richard, whose heirs were the sisters of Sir John Chaundos, one of the
greatest soldiers of his age, who in the 33rd of Edward III. for his many
eminent services at the battle of Poictiers, and in other wars of France,
was retained by the king to serve him in the office of vice-chamberlain
during his Hfe, and had a pension of 100/. per annum paid out of the
exchequer ; and among other lands and profits he now obtained the
manor of Hedingdon and the two hundreds of Bolendon and Northgate,
which coming formerly to Hugh de Plessets, in right of Isabel his wife,
he, the said Hugh, in consideration of 200/. &c. conveyed them to king
Edward I. in the 33rd of his reign.

The prior and canons of St. Frideswide, Oxford, had enjoyed a right
of common for all their cattle within the manor of Hedington, and in
the forest of Stowode ; which right being denied or disputed, it was now
determined, and hvery of the said right of common was given to them by
Richard Forster, the deputy of Sir Edmund de la Pole, keeper of the
said forest.

The kings of England had a chapel in their royal manor of Heding-
don, which was afterwards appropriated to the said priory of St. Frides-
wide, and a vicarage was then ordained in this manner : — " Vicaria in
capelle de Hedindon que est dictorum prioris et conventus S. Frideswide,
auctoritate consilii ordinata consistit in omnibus obvencionibus altaria
cum minutis decimis tocius parochie, exceptis decimis agnorum et deci-
mus casei de curia doraini provenientibus quas prior et canonici, sibi
retinebunt. Habebit autem vicarius domum et curiam in quibus capel-
lanus manere consuevit. Et valet vicaria quinque marcas et amplius
totalis autem Ecclesia xx marcasB."

1399, 22 and 23 Richard II. The king granted to William Willicotes,
Esq., in fee, the manor of Hedingdon, county Oxon, with the hundreds
of Rolindon, and Northgate, Oxford, in farm for '40/. yearly rent, which
premises had lately belonged to Sir John Chandos, and were now for-
feited to the Crown for defect of payment of the reserved rent"^.

8 Ex cliaitular. S. Friilcswidjp MS., p. 79. ap. Kcnnctt, vol. ii. p. 158.
h 11. Dods. MS. vol. liv. f. 152.

HEADINGTON. 287

1410, 11 and 12 Henry IV. By an inquisition taken in these parts it
appeared that William Willicotes, lately deceased, held from the king to
himself and his heirs, in socage, the manor of Hedingdon, &c. paying to
the king- the vearlv rent of 40/., and that Thomas Willecotes was his
son and heir'.

1415, 3 Henry V. Thomas Wilcotes, who held the manor of Heding-
don, &c. accounted to the king, in Michaelmas term, for the reliefs of
Eliz. Chaundos, Roger Cohnge and Alianore his wife, John Annesley
and Ehz. his wife, for the manor and hundreds aforesaid, due upon the
king's pardon to them*^.

1418, 6 Henry V. By an inquisition taken after the death of Sir
Edmund de la Pole, it was found that he w^as possessed, in right of his
wife, of three carucates of land in capite in Hedingdon, county Oxon, by
the service of keeping the forests of Shotover and Stowood.

1427, 5 and 6 Henry VT. This manor, with other property, was re-
settled upon Robert James, Esq., lord of Borstall, for his life, with
remainder to Edmund Rede and Cristina his wife, daughter of the said
Robert James and Catherine de la Pole.

1435, 13 and 14 Henry VI. An inquisition taken at Oxford, when the
jury found that the said Christina Rede assigned to Maud, the widow of
Robert James, a third part of the moiety of the manors of Musewell and
Hedyngdon, &c.

1445, 23 and 24 Henry VI. Thomas Harald released to Edmund
Rede, Esq. all his right and claim to three acres of land in the field of
Hedingdon, in the quarre of the said Edmund.

1459, 37 and 38 Henry VI. Edmund Rede, Esq. of Borstall, granted
to WiUiam Craunford and Thomas WilUams his manor of Hedingdon,
&c. &c.

In the taxation of ecclesiastical benefices under Pope Nicholas, A.D.
1291, the church of Headington was valued at 51. 6s. 8d. ; in 1341 it
was valued at the same sum.

In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, temp. Henry VIII., the Rectory and
Vicarage of Hedyngton, with Merston and Sydley [Suscot ?], were valued
together at 17/. 13s. 4d., namely, the Rectory of Hedyngton and Merston,
with its appurtenances, 12/. ; the Vicarage of Hedington, 3/. ; the Rec-
tory of Merston, with the small tithes. 21. ; the rent of a tenement in

i R. Dods. M.S. vol. xxxvi. f. 81. " El. Ashmole MS. X. p. 350.

288

HEADINGTON.

Hedyngton, 13s. 4d. They belonged at that time to king Henry the
VIII. 's college in Oxford •. This valuation took place about 1525, and
the college must therefore have been the first foundation of Cardinal
Wolsey, and this living was lost, with that of St. Clement's and many
others, during the interval between the fall of the Cardinal in 1529 and
the new foundation in 1532. In which time, says Wood, " most of the
lands, tenements, revenues, &c. which belonged to the monasteries dis-
solved for the erection of this college, were either sold to, or begged
by, hungry courtiers and others™." The advowson of the vicarage has
been in the possession of the family of Whorwood since about the year
1600, when Sir G. Brome, of Holton, whose daughter and heiress mar-
ried a Whorwood, exchanged land at Haseley and Albury for the advow-
sons and pasturages of Headington and Marston, and the manor of
Headington, Marston, and Bolshipton.

The vicarage is now valued at £118, and the population is reckoned
at 1,388.

' Valor Eccles., vol. ii. p. 250. "> Ant. k Wood, Colleges by Gutcli, p. 428.

South Door.

Wiudow, Kast Eud of Noi'tii Aisle.

ANNEXED

TO THE BISHOPRIC

OXFORD.

CUDDESDEN

ail faints.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGDON

General View from the Sonth-wesc.

This Churchy in which many of the most interesting features
have been carefully restored, appears to have been originally
built towards the close of the twelfth century, on a cruciform
plan, with a tower at the intersection, but without aisles.

Ground-Plan

290

C U D D E S D E N.

A.D. 1180 circa. To this period
belong the following parts : the
arches under the tower; the west
doorway, which is a very good spe-
cimen of the latest Norman work,
with the lozenge moulding half de-
tached, and the tooth ornament, the
oak door of which has the original
ironwork (see woodcut on p. 294) ;
the south doorway of similar cha-
racter; the west buttresses; and the
walls of the north transept, with

one small Norman window, and Mouidmgs of Arch of west Door.

portions of the corbel-table ; the stair-turret
at the north-west angle of the tower; the cor-
bel-table on each side of the nave, under the
present roofs of the aisles; and the upper
parts of pilaster buttresses, of which the lower
parts were cut away when the present pillars
and arches were built; the opening to the
roodloft, with a part of the Norman string
under it at the north-east corner of the nave ;
and the head of one of the original clerestory ., „ ,

o ""•■J Norman Window m J iMusept

^i^i;;iiii.

Dpper Section of Wa\l of North Aisle,
shewing Buttress cut away.

Juaction of last Arch of JSIorth Aisle.
with opening to Roodloft

CUDDESDEN.

291

Soutb-west coruer of Tower Arches.

windows over the point of the central arch on the north
side. In the north transejat are the remains of a stone seat
with a step which was (Continued round both transepts.

The four arches under the tower are pointed and recessed, have
the edges moulded by
a plain round, and
above this the zig-zag
ornament. Those to
the north and south
are of greater span by
three feet than those
to the east and west.
The piers are square,
with shafts in nooks
at the angles, and
moulded imposts run-
ning across the spring
of the arch. This por-
tion of the Chancel had originally a stone groined vault, with
moulded ribs, the situation and design of which is clearly
marked out by the masonry in the ringing loft ; at the termina-
tions of the ribs in the four corners are the remains of the
corbels upon which the groining rested.

A.D. 1240 circa. To this cruciform Church, built during the
period of transition from the ^p.

Norman to the Early English
style, nave aisles were added
about the middle of the thir-
teenth century, with lean-to
roofs, low side walls, and small
lancet windows, of which three
remain on the south side, and
at the west end of each aisle
is a taller window of the lan-
cet shape. To this Early Eng-
lish period also belong, the CapaudBdseofPmar, south side of ^ave.

-?>

292 C U D D E S D E N.

piers and arches on both sides of the nave, on the soutli side the

hoodmoulds are of the form called the scroll,

and terminated by the peculiar ornament i^^m^M^?^

usually called a mask, or by some a buckle;

the elegant little corbels on the west side '^-^isl^

of the Chancel-arch, apparently connected I '

Dj-ipatone of Window in

with the roodloft; and on the exterior, the south &isie of Nave.
low buttresses of the aisles.

A.D. 1350 circa. The low side walls were

raised, and larger windows of the Decorated

style, and of two lights, introduced ; one ' '

small window, of the time of Edward I., was ''''°^Z:1 fr Naf '''
removed and built into the new w^ork over the three small
lancet windows on the south side. At this date the south
Porch was added, the west Porch having been erected about the
beginning of the century.

The west window of the nave is a very singular one, of three
liglits, cinquefoiled, with quatrefoils in the head, and a transom
across at the springing of the arch.

A.D. 1400 — 1450. The clerestory windows are Perpendicular,
single lights, with trefoil heads, the openings inside being square-
headed. The window inserted in the north wall of the north
transept is Perpendicular, of three lights, cinquefoiled, and
retains a few fragments of painted glass.

At the east end of the north aisle of the nave, where it abuts
against the transept, is a small window of a single light with a
trefoil head, and under this a small square Avindow, divided only
by a transom from the one above, but still not part of it ; this
belongs to the class of low side windows, l)y some called lych-
noscopes, usually found only in the Chancel, it opens at present
into a small vestry, but this is a modern arrangement, it is
probable that there was originally an Altar close to it.

A.D. 1500. The Chancel is late Perpendicular, having a
large east window, which has been well restored, of four lights,
witli a transom. This, and the priest's door on the south side,
arc the best parts of the dcsigu. The roof, now hidden l)y a

C U D D E S D E N. 293

plaster ceiling, is of oak, but of a plain character. On each side
of the Chancel are two clumsy windows, set within arches which
appear to have been made in the prospect of aisles being added,
but are not carried through the whole thickness of the walls.
There are also two rude openings, with pointed arches, in the
usual place of piscina and locker.

In the seventeenth century the upper part of the tower was
rebuilt, the south transept repaired, and a debased window in-
serted in its south wall. The oak roof of the nave also belongs
to this period. The fittings of the nave and aisles are mostly
of the time of King James the First, and good of their kind.
Some of the seats have plain square ends, others are ornamented
with poppy-heads, somewhat rudely carved, in the shape of
fleurs-de-hs. The replacing of the old oak pulpit, together with
the modern desk and lettern, also of oak and of good design,
help to give a uniformity of appearance to this part of the
Church, which is one of the most pleasing results of the resto-
ration, commenced A.D. 1842 : the crosses on the gables and
on the porch are also a judicious restoration. There are still,
however, one or two square pews in the aisles, and across the
west end extends a gallery, rebuilt A.D. 1830.

The Font, which is early, is plain, round, and placed on a
modern pedestal, to the west of the south door, supposed to be
its original position.

There are no early monuments, but among those of later date
may be mentioned the following, the first of which recorded by
Anthony k Wood has disappeared.

"In an aisle, on the south side of the Church, on a brass plate in the wall,
the arms taken away : — Insignia Georgii Barston de Chibhenhurst (qui matri-
monium contraxit cum Margeria Doyly de Chiselhampton) annigeri, ex qua
genuit filios Johannem ; Georgiuni; Franciscum ; Beniamin ; et liliam Aniiam :
(}ui obiit Ainio salutis 1()07. — There arc no arms in the windows'*."

On the walls of the Chancel,

James King, departed this life A.D. 1620, the son of a master of the London
Company of Clothworkers, whose arms are placed over the monument.
Charles Moss, Bishop of Oxford, A.D. 1811.
William Jackson, Bishop of Oxford, A.D. 1815.

a Notes taken Feb. 17, A.D. 1(J58. Wood's MS. B. l,j.

294

CUDDESDEN.

In tlie Cliurcli-yard^ near the priest's door^ is a small tomb of
white marble to the memory of Maria, daughter of Bishop
Lowth, who departed this life July 5, A.D. 1768.

Of the bells, three are inscribed " Henry Knight made mee
Ano. 1617;" a fourth bears the date 1677; a fifth, 1709; a
sixth, 1795, the gift of Dr. Smallwell, bishop of Oxford; the
seventh is a little bell dated 1748.

Under a tree in the middle of the village is the shaft of a cross
with a base of four steps ^.

'' In drawing up the foregoing account by E. A. Freeman, Esq., Trinity College, and
much nssistance has been derived from notos others by S. Rooke, Esq., Oriel College.

West Door, with Secuon through .lamb and Arcb-Moulding.

C U D D E S D E N. 295

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Cuddesden or Cudesdon, with its hamlets Wheatley and Denton, was
for nearly six hundred years connected with the Benedictine abhey of
St. Mary of Abingdon, and to this circumstance it owes not only the
architectural beauties of its Church, but the preservation of many
interesting particulars of its early history. A few of these, derived
chiefly from two very fine chartularies of the abbey, in the British
Museum, are inserted in the following account.

A.D. 956. King Edwy gave to ^Ifere, his loyal and illustrious earl,
" Cuthenesdune of 20 manses," and he with the consent of the king
bestowed it upon the house of the Blessed Mary of Abingdon, and the
monks there serving God. After the royal grant to vElfere follows a
statement in Saxon of the boundaries of the land so given, and the whole
is thus dated and signed.

Hec carta scriptum est anno dominice incarnationis DCCCCLVI, in-
dictione XXIII.

)^ Ego Eadwius rex anglorum indeclinabiliter concessi.

flK(| Ego Eadgar ejusdem regis frater celeriter consensi.

1^ Ego Oda archiepc cum signo saucte crucis roboravi.

|Xi( Ego iElsmuf prsesul sigillum agie crucis impressi.

^ Ego Brihtelm ej^c confirmavi.

i^ Ego Oscytel epc adquievi.

\^ Ego Osulf epc non rennui.

^ J'go Alfuuold epc subscripsi.

)J|( Ego Daniel epc conclusi.

After these follow the signatures of four dukes and eight thanes <=.

This charter shortly after passed into the possession of the abbey of
St. Mary, together with the property to which it gave a title ; " banc
itaque terram sanctus pater ^thelwoldus concedente rege ab eodem
comite adquisivit cum carta sibi a rege data et sic terra ista ad ecclesiam
istam pervenifi."

^thelwold here mentioned, under whose auspices the monastery of
St. Mary was rebuilt after its destruction by the Danes, was made abbot
of Abingdon, A.D. 954, and translated thence to the see of Winchester,
A.D. 963, by King Eadgar «.

A.D. 1065. A dispute arose about a mill on the confines of Milton

•^ Cot. MS. Tib. b. vi. f. 50. The Claud, c. ix., a transcript of the reign of

titles in this transcript of the reign of Henry II.

Richard I. are " dux" and "minister." '' Cot. MS. Claud, c. ix. f. 112.

The Saxon boundaries are also i^iven, " Dugd. Hon. N. E., vol. i. p. 50().

296 C U D D E S D E N.

and Cudesdon, probably in the same place as that which is still worked
by the stream of the Thame which is there the boundary between
the two parishes. The men of the bishop of Lincoln, to whom Milton
belonged, wished to break down the sluice, an attempt which was resisted
by the servants of the abbot of Abingdon. The charge of the bishopric
of Lincoln had upon a recent vacancy ^ been placed in the hands of Peter,
a chaplain of the king, and sometime bishop of Chester, who came to
the mill with many armed attendants and was confronted by the abbot
Ealdrcds, who brought with him a devout company of laymen and monks,
together with the reliques of St. Vincent the martyr. The conference
ended in an acknowledgment of the abbot's right, which was probably
made clear by the production of King Edwy's charter and other indis-
putable vouchers, although in the account the withdrawal of the adverse
claim is ascribed to the terror inspired by miraculous appearances '\

A.D. 1U80. The following is the return in the Domesday Survey.
" Land of St. Mary of Abingdon. The abbey holds Codesdone, there
are eighteen hides there. There is land to eighteen ploughs. Of these
there are four hides in the demesne, and therein four ploughs and eight
bondmen ; and twenty-four villanes, with twelve bordars, have eighteen
ploughs. A mill there and two fisheries pay twelve shillings. There
are sixty acres of meadow. "Wood eight quarentens long and half a mile
broad. It was worth nine pounds, now twelve pounds'.'"

A.D. 1117. 17 Hen. L In this year took place the decease of the
abbot Faricius; the following extract would therefore seem to prove
that Cudesdon must have had a church even before that which was built
about A.D. 1180. " Hec sunt que dominus Faricius ecclesie contulit,
ecclesiam silicet Sancti Martini de Oxenford, et ecclesiam dc Mercham,
ecclesiam de Offentuna, ecclesiam de Witteham, ecclesiam de Cudesduna,
ecclesiam de NiwehamJ."

A.D. 1146. 11 Stephen. Pope Eugenius the Third, in a privilege
granted to Ingulf the abbot, and his convent, takes the monastery of
St. Mary of Abingdon under the protection of the Blessed Peter and him-
self, decreeing that all their possessions should remain to them and their
successors, expressly mentioning "Cuthesdonam'^.'" The same pope

<■ Bishop Ulf or Wulfin is said to have mitted to the custody of Walclieline,

died A.D. 1067, having been previously bishop of Wincliester, with whom he

banished. passed the remainder of his days. — Dugd.

ft Ealdred, who was chosen abbot of Mon. N. E,, vol. i. p. 507.
Abingdon, A.D. lOO-'j, appears to have ^ Cf. Cot. MS. Tib. b. vi. f 11!).

submitted early to King William the ' Bawdwen's Translation.

Conqueror. In 1071 however he was j Tib. b. vi. f 157.

sent a prisoner to the castle of Waling- •• Dugdale's Monasticon.

ford, was deposed, and afterwards com-

CUDDESDEN. 297

in another like document confirms to the Abbey the Church of
Cudesdon i.

A.D. 1237. 21 Hen. III. Institutio vicarise de Cudesdon: — Omni-
bus etc. Noverit universitas vestra nos auctoritate Gregorii papse 9.
Abbatem et conventum de Abendon in ecclesia de Cuddesdon canonice
rectores instituisse, ipsosque in corporalem possessionem ipsius ecclesice
induci fecisse, salva vicaria per dilectum filium magistrum R. de Weseham
Archid. Oxon. in eadem taxata. Dat. 18. cal. Jan. pont. tertio. Taxa-
tio vicaripe sequitur. Rot. Rob. Grostete. Anno. 3™.

1249. Thomas de Hangrafe, deacon, was presented by the Abbot and
Convent of Abingdon to the vicarage. Rob. Grostete 13".

1251. John de Gnatteshall, capellan,by the same. Rob. Grostete 17".

In the reign of Henry the Third, the Templars of " Cofle ° " held of the
Abbot of Abingdon two hides of land in Denton, and one in Wateley.
Mathus de Wateley tenet in eadem diraidium feodum militis de Abbate
de Abendon et ipse de Rege scihcet de Warda de WyndelesoreP.

A.D. 1272. In the Hundred Rolls of the beginning of the reign of
Edward the First many particulars respecting the property in this place
are preserved, of wiiich the most important appear to be that the manor
belonged to the Abbot of Abingdon, together with the patronage and im-
propriation of the Church, and that the part of the parish still called
Chijipinghurst farm was held of the Prior of Nugyiui.

" Dicunt jurati quod manerium de Codesdone tenetur in capite de
domino rege et est de baronia Abendonie pro qua dominus Abbas de
Abendon respondet domino regi de tota baronia cujus membrum Codes-
done est. . . . Idem Abbas debet sectam hundredo de Bulendon ' per attor-
natum suum per litteras suas patentes singulis annis de novo presen-
tatum et hoc per cartam domine Philippe Comitisse Warr' concessum et
confirmatum — Item dominus Abbas est patronus ecclesie de Codesdon,
et Abbas et Conventus tenentecclesiamin propriosususper concessionem
et confirmacionem sedis Apostolice. Item habet (sc. Abbas) duo mo-
lendina aquatica de quibus unum currit per cursum rivuli qui dicitur
Cumbe Broke et aliud molendinum currit per aquam que vocatur Thame
cum piscaria per eandem aquam sicut per mctas et per bundas anti-
quitus constitutasi cum uno gurgite qui vocatur Cliffware. —

" Habent etiam unam gravam de corulo que vocatur Cumbegrave — cpie
est extra metas foreste. Et unum boscum qui vocatur Sawe et est in
regardo foreste de Sottor . . Et unum clausum quod vocatur La Vente

1 Tib. B. vi. f. 1(J7. 1' Testa de Nevill, p. 102. Feoda

"» Bp. Kennett, Par. Ant., vol. ii. p. Abbatis de Abindon, p. 105. Huiidre-

33(3. dum de Buliiideii.

" Lincoln Registers. i E. g. the Saxon boundaries, Cot. MS.

" Now called Temple Cowley. Tib. B. vi. f. 50, and Claud. C. ix. f. 1!)().

Q q

26 13

5 6

9 19

1 4

298 C U D D E S D E N.

quod continet in se xxiii acr : ex licencia domini Regis Henrici filii
Regis Johannis. Dicunt jurati quod Dentone est hamelettum de Codes-
done — Hamelettum quod vacatur Watele."

Rogerus Vicarius de Codesdon, de predicto Thoma tenet dimidiam
acram terre et reddit per annum obolum pro omni servicio eidem Thome.
Johannes de Chibenhurst tenet villam de Chibenhurst ad feodi firmani de
Priore de Nugun reddendo inde per annum Ix^ pro omni servicio — debet
sectam hundredo de Bolendon.

A.D. 1291. 19 Edwakd I. Tax. Ec. P. Nich.

P. 30. Ecclesia de Cuddcsdon', Abbatis de Abbyndon

P. 40. Vicaria de Codesdon.

P. 44. Decanatus de Codesdon : — Abbas de Abbingdon
habct ill Codesdon in terris et redditibus

Idem habet ibidem in fructu gregis et animahum

Prior de Nugyun habet in Chibenhurst et in Baldin-

don in redd' . . . . .600

A.D. 1316. 9 Edward II. At this date Quodesdon, Denton and
Whatele are reported as owned by the Abbot of x\byngdon ; and Chiben-
hurst, by " Domina Benedicta de Chibenhurst ■"."

A.D. 1523. Richard Stolv, B.D., was presented by the Abbot and
Convent to the Vicarages-

A.D. 1341. 14 Edward III. Decanatus de Cotesdon" : — Ecclesia
})arochialis ejusdem cum omnibus portionibus suis taxatur ad
xxvi" xiii** iiij<l &c.*

A.D. 1539. Abstract of Roll, 30 Henry VIII. Augmentation Office ".

MONASTEKIUM DE AbINGDON,

Cuddesdon. — Redd' lib. et cust. xiv'' v^. Redd" in Denton x'' ix^ viii'*.
Redd' in Whateley ix'' xiv^ Firma Molendini in Cuddesdon v".
Firnia vncata la Vente cum decimis iv^' vi^ viii"^. Firma Scitus manerii
de Cuddesdon xxix'' xiii^ iv'^. Firma X™" in Whateley vi" vi' viii^.
Firma X"^'^ in Halton in Cuddesdon vi^ viii^.

A.D. 1542. 33 Hen. VIII. Soon after the dissolution of the religious
houses, Robert King, the last Abbot of Oseney, was appointed to the
Bit^hopric of Oxford, with charge over a district whicli, till that time,
had formed part of the diocese of Lincoln v. Of the possessions in
Cudesdon that had belonged to the Abbey of St. Mary of Abingdon,
only a small portion appears to have been re-applied to ecclesiastical
purposes, namely the impropriate parsonage. It is probable that at this
liiiK; the manor and most of the lands passed into the family of Gardiner,

' Nomina Villanim, Pari. Writs, vol. " iMonasticon Aiiglicaiuun. N. E. vol.

ii. rliv. 3. f. 353. i. p. 529.

« ].iiicoln KegistcTs. v See Account of Dorchester {"inirch,

' Iiiqiiisitio Nonaniin, p. 133. Oxon. p. 55 — 73.

CUDDESDEN. 299

a name which frequently occurs in connection with Cudesdon as early as
the reign of Edward the First*. Anthony a Wood mentions that Sir
Thomas Gardiner during the great rebellion burnt his own house, on the
south side of the Church, lest the " Parliamenters" should make a garri-
son of it; at the same time the Bishop's Palace, on the north side of the
Church, was burnt by Col. Legg for a similar reason^. From the de-
scendants of Sir Thomas Gardiner the manor and most of the lands of
Cudesdon have recently passed by purchase to the Right Honourable the
Earl of Macclesfield. The land called la Vente, in the Hundred Rolls,
was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth held by Sir Chi'istopher Brome f of
Holton, to whose property it became permanently annexed.

The history of the Episcopal Palace at Cudesdon cannot be better re-
lated than in the following biographical notice of Doctor Bancroft, the
seventh Bishop of Oxford.

" John Bancroft was born in a little village called Astell or Estwell,
lying between Witney and Burford in Oxfordshire, was admitted a
student of Christ Church in 1592, aged 18 years or more, took tho
degrees in Arts, holy Orders, and became a preacher for some years in
and near Oxon. In 1G09, he being newly admitted to proceed in
Divinity, was by the endeavours of his uncle Dr. Ric. Bancroft, Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, elected master of University College, where he
continued above twenty years : in which time he was at great pains and
expense to recover and settle the ancient lands belonging to that founda-
tion. In 1632 he was, upon the translation of Dr. Corbet to Norwych,
nominated Bishop of Oxford ; whereupon being elected by the Dean and
Chapter in April the same year, he had the temporalities of that see
given to him on the 6th of June following, being about that time conse-
crated. In 1640, when the long Parliament began, and proceeded with
great vigour against the Bishops, he was possessed with so much fear
(having always been an enemy to the Puritans) that, without little or no
sickness, he surrendered uji his last breath in his lodging at West-
minster, afterwards his body was carried to Cudsden, in the diocese of
Oxon, and was buiied near to and under the south wall of the Chancel
of the Church there, on the twelfth day of Febr. in 1640, leaving
then behind him the character among the Puritans or Presbyterians then
dominant, of ' a corrupt unpreaching Popish Prelate.' The reader is
now to know that before this man's time, the Bishops of Oxford had no
house left belonging to their Episcopal See, either in city or country,
but dwelt at their parsonage houses which they held in commendam,
though Dr. Jno. Bridges, who had no commendam in his diocese, lived
for the most part in hired houses in the city. For as I have before told

* Hundred Rolls. ^ Proceedings in Cliancery, Q. Eliz,,

» Wood's MS., Ash. Mas. B. 15. vol. i. p. 270.

300 C U D D E S D E N.

you in Dr. Rob. Kynge% tho. at tlie foundation of the Bishoprick of
Oxford, in the Abbey of Osney, the king appointed Gloucester Coll.
for the Bishop's pallace, yet when that foundation was inspected by
K. Ed. VI., k a recital thereupon made of tlie foundation thereof done by
his father, that place was left out of the charter, as being designed then
for another use. So that from that time till this man (Dr. Bancroft)
came to be Bishop, there being no settled house or pallace for him or his
successors, he did resolve by the persuasions of Dr. Laud, Archbishop of
Canterbury to build one ; wherefore in the first place, the impropriate
Parsonage of Cudsden beforementioned, five miles distant from Oxon,
which belonged to the Bishop in right of his See, he let the lease thereof
run out without any more renewing, that in the end it might be an im-
provement to the slender Bishoprick. The vicarage also of his own
donation falling void in the mean time, he procured himself to be legally
instituted and inducted thereunto. All which being done, he through
the power and favour of Dr. Laud beforementioned, obtained an annex-
ation of it to the See Episcopal, (the design of bringing in the appropria-
tion going forward still,) and soon after began, with the help of a great
deal of timber from the forest of Shotover, given by his majesty, to build
a f\iir ^lallace ; which with a chapel in it, being completely finished an.
1635 was then out of curiosity visited by the said Dr. Laud ; which he
remits into his diary thus, ' Sept. 2, an. 1635, I was in attendance with
the King at Woodstock, and went from thence to Cudsden, to see the
house which Dr. Jo. Bancroft then I^ord Bishop of Oxford had there
built to be a house for the Bishops of that See for ever ; he having built
that house at my persuasion.' But this house or pallace (which cost
three thousand five hundred pounds) proved almost as short-lived as the
founder, being burned down by Col. Will. IjCgg, during the short time
tliat he was governor of the garrison of Oxford in the latter end of 1644,
for fear it might be made a garrison by the Parliament forces, though
with as much reason and more piety (as Dr. Heylin^ observes) he might
have garrisoned it for the King and preserved the house. Being thus
ruined, it laid so till Dr. John Fell became Bishop of Oxford, and then
with monies out of his own purse, and the helj) of timber which one of
his predecessors Dr. Will. Paul, had laid in in his life time for that pur-
pose, did rebuild it upon the old foundation with a chapel in it as before.
The outside of which being finished in 1679, the inside followed soon
after b." j. b.

» Robert King, tlie last Abbot of tions of which now remain. See Ingram's
Oseney and first Bishop of Oxford, built Memorials of Oxford, vol. iii., St. Aldate's

a house near the Cathedral, which he Parish, pp. 11, 12.

probably intended as an Episcopal Palace " Cyprianus Anglicus, lib. iii.

for the see of Oxford, some small por- '* Wood's Athenae Oxon, vol. i. p. C32.

WHEATLEY.

PATRON. 5t. iWare. DEANERY

THE BISHOP OF OF CUDDESDEN,

OXFORD. HUNDRED

A CHAPELRY OF BULLINGTON.
TO CUDDESDEN.

In the populous hamlet of Wheatley is a large chapel, dedi-
cated to St. Mary, and built at the close of the last century,
with diminutive chancel, great round-headed windows, and
hipped roof of slate ; in fact, having nothing but a tower to
distinguish it in outward appearance from a meeting-house.

Wheatley has been formed into a separate parish, and is a
perpetual curacy in the gift of the bishop of Oxford. There
are a few old houses in the village, one of which, called the
manor-house, bears the date 1601. Another at the east end of
the village has a doorway with good mouldings of the fifteenth
century, the windows in the gable ends, and the chimneys are of
the same period. Another farm house, opposite to the one last
mentioned, and a large barn with good buttresses, appear to
have been also built in the fifteenth century.

On a hill, called Castle hill, about a mile eastward of "Wheatley,
near the footpath to Cuddesden, on a gentle slope toward the
river Thame, facing the south-east, are the remains of a Roman
villa, consisting of a hypocaust and bath, and some other frag-
ments. A quantity of broken tiles and Roman pottery of
Samian ware and the coarser kinds, were dug up in clearing
out these remains ^.

" For a further account of these see Archaeological Journal, vol. ii.

302

GREAT MILTON.

SOUTH-WEST VIEW OF THE CHURCH.

GROUND-PLAN.

GREAT MILTON.

PATRON.

THE BISHOP OF

OXFORD.

^t. #tattl)eto.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF THAME.

This Church'', the general features of which are Decorated,
but succeeding an earlier structure, is one of the most interest-
ing in the Deanery, and would if carefully restored, afford as
valuable an example of the fourteenth century work as its neigh-
bour at Great Haseley does of the thirteenth century. The plan
is complete having the Chancel, nave, north and south aisles,
south porch with parvise over, and a well proportioned tower at
the west end of the nave, remaining perfect.

The east window of the Chancel is Decorated, cusped and
under a depressed head,
the inside splays are
moulded on the edges,
and low down on both
sides are notches deeply
cut which were probably
to support the framework
of a reredos or a tryp-
t^^ch. On the north side
are two Decorated win-
dows of two lights each,
with cusped quatrefoils
in the heads, and the
splays moulded as the
east window. On the
south side, the first win-
dow is Decorated, of two lights, cinque-foiled, with a spheri-
cal six-foiled triangle in the head, the arch recessed and

" In drawing up the architectural ac- Bevan, Esq., of Ch. Cli. Oxford, and
count of this Church much assistance lias Joseph Clarke, Esq., architect, hotli
heen derived from notes taken by J3eckford members of the Society.

Fast WiDdow of Chancel.

304 GREAT MILTON.

chamfered on the edge : the second window is the same as on
the north. Over these four windows are roll hoodmoulds
all mutilated at the points, as if for a flat ceiling or other
addition of later times. The remaining window on the south
is Early English, having the sides plainly splayed, and over it
the common chamfered drop-arch; this window contains a
mutilated medallion of the original painted glass, representing
under an arcade, or canopy, the figure of a king crowned, with
his right hand raised authoritatively ; under the other compart-
ment of the arcade is the figure of a female also crowned, but
kneeling, as if in the act of supphcating : the inner side of the
splay is rebated, evidently for a shutter, the hooks remaining.
The sedilia and piscina are concealed behind the modern
plastering of the Chancel, and appear much defaced : the parish
chest of late date is Avithin the Altar rails, but does not contain
any documents of interest relating to the parish. Portions of
the old side seats remain fixed, those on the north side are pro-
bably as early as the reign of Henry VIII., whilst those on the
south side are much later, and very rude in construction, though
affording an example of the old method of arrangement in our
Chancels retained even to a period some time after the Refor-
mation.

The roof over the Chancel is as late as the reign of Mary or
Elizabeth ; some character is preserved in the short king-posts
and tie-beams resting on plian chamfered corbels.

The Chancel-arch belongs to the earlier fabric, the mould-
ings are Early English, (see p. 311,) dying into the piers and
on to angidarly cut drop corbels, which are plain, as if left to
be afterwards carved; there is a hoodmould on both sides.
A rood-screen, put up since the Reformation, and formed of
turned ballustcrs, divides the Chancel from the nave. Above
the Chancel-arch is a low three-light cusped Perpendicular
window, most likely inserted when the present roof of the
nave was put on, which appears to have been A.D. 159.2, from
an inscription on one of the tie-beams ; the roof is well wrought
and fairly moulded for the period of its construction.

GREAT MILTON.

305

The aisles are divided from the nave by irregular arches on
circular Early English piers, the caps of which are richly
moulded. The arch mouldings are similar to those of the
Chancel-arch, with one additional member. (See p. 311.)
Some of the bases of the piers are circular and some square
with connecting mouldings. The westernmost pier and arch on
the south side have the same Early English character as the
others, but are unfinished in their mouldings, a circumstance
which agrees very well with the theory that our old church
builders worked from east to west, and would seem to indicate
that at this stage of the earlier building some difficulties were
incurred from the M^ant of funds or other causes ; on the north
side the mouldings above the westernmost pier have been left
unfinished in a similar manner. Above the nave-arches is a
Decorated clerestory having three circular windows on each
side, quatrefoiled within the outer mouldings.

Inteiior,

CLERESTORY WINDOW

Exterior.

A Perpendicular window, of two lights, cinquefoilcd, has been
inserted at the east end on the south side, and at the south-west
end is a square hole cut in the wall and glazed to light the
singers' gallery.

11 r

306

GREAT MILTON.

North Aisle. — In the north wall are two Decorated win-
dows of three lights Avith quatrefoils in the heads. In the east
wall is a similar w'indow, but much more beautiful in design,
and the mouldings exceedingly w^ell cut and grouped. In this
window is some painted glass of the Decorated period removed
from one of the windows in the north wall. In the quatrefoil
to the right is represented a male ligure barely clad with
a flowing beard, walking with a long staff in his left hand
and raising the right in an imploring attitude. In the other
quatrefoil are two angels discoursing over a dead body inclosed
in a cerecloth as if watching it, or preparing to carry it away.
It is probable that the two pieces refer to the story of Lazarus,
the first representing him in his lifetime as asking alms, the
second as being after death carried by the Angels into Abraham^s
bosom '^.

The west window has
two lights, and the mould-
ings are similar to those of
the north window of this
aisle.

South Aisle. — The east
window is a good specimen
of the flowing tracery of
the fourteenth century, so
nearly resembling the Flam-
boyant which succeeded this
period on the continent,
being coeval with our Per-
pendicular work. It is of
four lights, with the su-
perior mouldings continu-

in<

through

the central

East Window cf South Aisle. (Exterior.)

^ St. Luke xvi. 20 — 22. The English considered to be the passive used in a

translation " was laid" by no means ini- middle sense; and in the Vulgate, which

plies that Lazarus was too helpless to was tlie version best known to the artist

walk from jjlace to place imploring alms. of the day, it is rendered " jacehat."
The (jreek ifit^KriTo may reasonably be

GREAT MILTON.

307

mullion, and it lias a drop
arch over it with moukled
hood and jambs; two corbel
heads remain under the
hoodmould but much muti-
lated. In the south wall are
two windows of three lights^
one having trefoiled^ and the
other quatrefoiled, or flow-
ing tracery ; the splays
moulded and hoodnioulds
over. The western window
corresponds with the one in
the north aisle; a roll and
fillet string-course formerly
continued round both aisles ^,„,,^ i„ ,,, s,,,^ ^^,,^ ^^^^^^^, ,

under the windows, but it is much injured in places; below this
are some remains of the low stone seat attached
to the walls. Both aisles appear to have had altars, »

and retain some traces of the parcloses.

In the south aisle is a large Piscina partly —
blocked up and destroyed, and near it, forming ~ y„,,,,,.,r,

part of the floor, is an original altar stone, with W'''''

, „ .,- ..11 mi 1 ■. . „ Sfringrourse uQder Che

the five crosses still visible. The length is 7 ft. windows.
10 in., and the breadth 2 ft. 11 in. Over the Chancel-arch are
the commandments, probably as originally written according

I I

1 :

Mulhous of Windows in SouLb Aisle

to the injunction of Queen Elizabeth. The entrance to the
roodloft is at the south-east of the north aisle, the staircase
being concealed liy a wall across the corner. A small pointed

308

GREAT MILTON.

doorway in the south aisle leads to the parvise. The room
itself is ill a sad state of decay, but the small windows lighting
it are tolerably perfect. A portion of the original pewing
remains, and would serve as a good model for the restoration
of the whole.

The Font is quite plain, circular in form, but without any
marks to fix the date.

The tower-arch is Decorated, but now closed up.

There are several encaustic tiles in different parts of the
Church, and among them one near the roodscreen seems to have
upon it the double-tailed lion rampant, of Burghersh, within
the wheel (rota) of Roet (p. 313), similar to those at Ewelme.

M.'it Gvaveslone in the Nave.

The oldest monument now visible in the Church is the one
described and engraved by Gough^, which is a slab of Purbcck
marble, at the cast end of the nave, having upon it a cross
fleurec, and at the foot of this the Lamb, with a nimbus, support-
ing it, and looking upwards. This remarkable slab, which pro-
bably marks the burial-place of an ecclesiastic, is 6 ft. 9 in.
long, by 1 ft. 11 in,, decreasing to 1 ft. at the eastern extremity.
The next monument is thus mentioned by Anthony h Wood,
A.D. 1657. — In the body of the Church at the south-east
end is a little marble lying on the ground with the pictures
of four children, engraven on a brass plate, with this'' : —

<Df )}o djniitc pvny for tijc goulfS of CSlillm CFgcjctlcy -^Jolju CPcjgcrlcji
MiiUm CPggcvIc}} Sr C?li5nl)ctl) CFggciirri tijc rbnltiicu of iKobt CPgsfvIcji
nnl) Untcrnn Ijig Juijfc.

Of this monument, two only of the effigies, namely, John and
Elizabeth, are now to be seen with the inscription, and four
shields of arms'' fastened against the wall in the north-east

Sepulchral Monuments. <' Wood's MS. E.I. Ashm. Mus.

Sec p. 313.

GREAT MILTON. 309

corner of the south aisle. Robert Edgerly, the father of these
children, was A.D. 1546, the " farmer" or lessee of the prebend
of Milton Manor ^ We now come to the superb monument
Avhicli occupies nearly the whole east end of the south aisle. It
is a cumbrous load of marble, erected A.D. 1618, by Sir Michael
D'ormer, for himself and wife Dorothea, and his father Ambrose,
who died A.D. 1566. A canopy on Corinthian pilasters covers
the three effigies, in the dress of the period, and there are two
long Latin inscriptions, one on the north side in honour of the
father Ambrose D'ormer, Esq., who married Jane, daughter of
James Burye, Esq., of Hampton Poyle, and on the north side
another in honour of Sir Michael, who served under Robert
earl of Leicester, and Sir Francis Vere, in the Low Countries.
These services are also commemorated by a basso relievo in front
of the tomb, representing a fortress and encampment, and Sir
Michael himself in the middle of the piece receiving orders from
his General. The two inscriptions amount to three hundred
and forty-six words, without a single expression from which it
could be inferred whether the deceased persons were Pagans or
Christians. Every part of the monument abounds with heraldic
and mythological devices.

Another monument against the north wall in the Chancel to
the memory of the wife of Dr. Henry Wilkinson, Principal of
Magdalene Hall, in Oxford, who departed this life A.D. 1654,
affords a singular contrast to that of the D'ormers, in the tone
of the inscription, but is scarcely less deficient in brevity and
humility. The most unbounded religious eulogy is there sum-
med up in this distich :

" Here He mother and babe botli without sins,
Next birth will make her and her inl'ant twins'^."

The walls of the Decorated part of the Church are formed
of very small pieces of stone : the buttresses generally are much
ornamented ; that on the exterior of the parvise stair-turret con-

f Valor Ecel. See also p. SK*. see Aecount of Great Milton by Rev. T.

s For the above inscriptions at length, Ellis, Viear. Oxford, Baxter, 1819.
and an account of the later monuments,

310

GREAT MILTON.

tains a niche with a crocketcd canopy, and a good finial ter-
mination ; two but-
tresses of the south
aisle have similar
niches. The parapet
of the nave and aisles
are perfect, or nearly
so, with the gurgoyles
remaining on the par-
vise and south aisle,
which are Decorated
work. The buttresses
of the north aisle are
in good condition, of
two sets off; the
Chancel buttresses
ire also of two sets
off. A bold base-
moulding runs round

the aisles, but is not continued through the Chancel.
The priest's door is

Early English, with

chamfered edges to

the jambs. The para-
pet of the Chancel

is low and most

likely placed on with

the later roof. On

the east gable of

the nave are the mu-

tdated remains of

the sanctus bell-cot.

In the north m all is

a good Earlv English

doorway, with a very

rich suit of mould-

The Ivorili UocTWHy

EutliLS.s 111' Kouth Aisle

BuUress qi Chaucul

•'.'■■i-r:.

GREAT MILTON,

311

MoaLDiNGa.

A roll of the Nave.

Capital ai: d BiiSe of a PiUar in the Nave.

Arch of the North Doorway

\MM§Mxr

^|^»:

V -<i2

«.■

I'aiapet and Ground Table of l±ie South jXisle

Jamb of the North Doorwa;v.

312

GREAT MILTON.

iiigs, hut it has been sadly mutilated, and the greater part of
the ornament defaced. The tower is Perpendicular, square,
and solid, rising in three stages, with a stair-turret on the
north side. It contains eight bells, all modern. The inscrip-
tions are —

1. "I as trehle begin." 2 and 4. "Ellis and Henry Knight of Heading
made inee, 1(573." 3. " I as third ring, U)3l." 5. " Prosperity to this parish,
J. R. 1771." (!. " Fear God, Honour the King, 1771." 7. "Thomas Rudall,
Gloucester, Founder, 1771." 8. (Great bell) "I to Church the liveing call,
and to the grave do summons." 9. (Little bell.) " ls-25," and names of C.W.

Sir William Wace.

ARMS IN MILTON CHURCH.

The arms which were formerly in the windows of this Church no
longer exist except in the records of the herald and the antiquary. In
the note-book h of Richard I^ee, Portcullis Pursuivant, who visited this
Church A.D. 1574, are traced four coats, which, about eighty years
later, are thus blazoned by Anthony a Wood".

I. Barry neb. Argent and Gules, a bend Azure.

II. Argent, four barrulets Gules ; on a canton of
the second, a mullet (six points) of the first.

III. Gules, on a cheveron Argent, three lioncels
rampant Azure '^.

IV. Barry neb. Argent and Gules.
Tlie first of these is the coat of Sir Roger D"Aniory',

lord of Blechingdon and Woodpery, Oxon, who, u2)on
his marriage with Elizabeth, third daughter of Gilbert de Clare, sur-
named the Red, Earl of Gloucester, had a grant from her uncle, King
Edward II., A.D. 1319, of the manor of Holton, Oxon"'.

The second is the coat of William Wace", whose daughter Helen was
married to Richard de Louches, and shared with him the privilege of an
altar-tomb in Milton Church. (See pp. 311, 315, 317.)

The fourth is in the Roll of Ed. II. attributed to Sir Richard D'Amory,
Oxon, nephew to Sir Roger, who was lord of Bucknell, and adhered to
the royal party, while his uncle combined with the barons against the two
Despensers. He departed this life A.D. 1330°.

'• Wood's MS. D. 14'. Ash. Mus.

' Ibid., E. I.

■^ Lcc mentions tli;it tlic lions were
guttee Or.

' Glover's Ordinary, and the quarter-
ings of Power of Blechingdon, Visitat. of
Oxon. Q. Coll. MS. See also Roll of
Edward II. by Sir N. H. Nicolas, where,

however, tlie be nd is blazoned Sable.

'" Account of Dorchester Abbey
Church, p. 121, Appendix.

n See Roll, Ed. II., by Sir N. II.
Nicolas.

° Bp. Kennett sub anno. Tliat the
bearing Harr. nub. of Lee and ^ Wood is
the same as Wavy (" Oundde") of earlier

ARMS IN MILTON CHURCH.

rii3

Sir Richard Caiiiovs.

On a corbel at the north-east of the south aisle is
sculptured a coat of arms not noticed by Lee or a Wood,
and without any traces of colour ; but it certainly is
that of Sir Richard Camoys, lord of Great jNIilton, &c.,
A.D. 1416 (see p. 315), to which date the shape of the
shield exactly corresponds. The blazon is Or, on a
chief Gules, three plates p. These arms are now quar-
tered by the Right Honourable Thomas Stonor, of Stonor, Baron Camoys,
who descends from Margaret, Sir Richard's eldest daughter mai'ried to
Ralph Radmylde, Esq., of Sussex^. The encaustic tile near the rood-
screen (p. 308) is connected with Thomas Chaucer, Esq., of Ewelme,
one of the feoffees of Sir Richard Camoys (p. 315): his mother was
a Roet ; his wife the daughter of Sir John Burghersh.

The four shields of the Edgerley monument, now much defaced, are —

I. Argent, on a cheveron between three cinquefoils Gules, as many
bezants, Edgerley.

II. Edgerley : quartering. Gules, a buck's face cabossed Oi'.

III. Edgerley : impaling. Per jiale. Gules and Sable, on a cheveron en-
grailed between three grey-
hounds' heads erased Argent,
collared ■■ and ringed at the back
Gules, three hurts, Belson.

This coat represents the match
between Robert Edgerley, of
Great Milton, and Catherine,
daughter of Thomas Belson, of
Aston Rowant, Oxon^ in the reign of Henry VIII.

IV. Edgerley : quartering, Belson.

Of the profusion of arms on the D'ormer monument, the two shields
which immediately relate to the effigies are —

Edgerley^ Belson.

Burye.

I. Azure, ten billots 4, 3, 2,
1 Or ; on a chief of the second,
a demi-lion rampant issuant
Sable, D'ormer : impaling. Vert,
a cross crosslet Or, Burye.

This coat represents the match
between Ambrose D'ormer, Esq.,

n'ormer=i Hawtrce.

heralds is proved by the account given
in Wood's MSS. E. I. and D. Ik of
shield still remaining at Dorchester.
See plates of arms, fig. 47, in account of
Dorchester Church, Oxon.

V See Rolls of Hen. III., Ed. XL, and

Ed. III., by Sir N. H. Nicolas.

'I See p. 31G ; also Burke's Peerage

and Lodge's Genealogy.

' Wood says " collared Or."

s SeeVisitat. of Oxon, A.D. loT-i, and

the inscription, p. 308.

s s

314 GREAT MILTON.

of Great Milton, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and Jane, one of the
daughters and heirs of James Burye, Esq., of Hampton Poyle, Oxon'.

II. D'ormer : impaling. Argent, four lions passant in bend between
four cotises Sable crowned Or, Hawtree.

Sir Michael D'ormer, son of Ambrose D'ormer, Esq., married Dorothea,
daughter of William Hawtree, Esq."

HISTORICAE NOTICES.

The parish of Milton includes the villages of Great and Little Milton,
with the hamlets of Ascot and Chilworth.

A.D. 1087. 18 King WiUiam I. Milton is reported in the Domesday
Survey as part of the lands of the Bishop of Lincoln.

A.D. 1272. 1 Edw. I. The Hundred Rolls of this reign contain several
particulars respecting Milton, of which the following appear to be the
most important : — Milton. Dominus Johannes de Clifford tenet feodos
ij militum de domino Episcopo Lincolniensi in capite de manerio de
Thame faciendo inde sectam hundredo et scutagium et habet in domi-

nico iij carucatas terre cum j molendino Liberi tenentes : — Item,

Magister Oliverus prebendarius ecclesie tenet in villa de Milton tres
carucatas terre de domino Episcopo Lincolniensi de manerio de Thame
quas quidem iij carucatas terre Episcopus Lincolniensis nomine Ale-
xander dedit ecclesie Lincolniensi in puram et perpetuani elemosinam

nichil faciendo inde domino Regi neque Episcopo Item Abbas

Dorkecestrie tenet j virgatam terre per servicium scutagii et idem Abbas
tenet XX acras terre in puram et perpetuani elemosinam.

1291. 19 Edw. I. In the taxation of Pope Nicholas is the following:

Decanatus de Cudesdon.
Ecclesia de Milton' Prebendalis - - xP'. "4 ,. . , .

Vicar cjusdem . . . . . vj''. y.i.deMu-

Prebenda-consistens in Laico leodo ibidem xlvj'i. xllJ^ iva. ;

A.D. 1300. 28 Edw. I. Willielmus Inggc tenet de eodem (sc. ejjo
Line.) tertiani partem ij feod' militum in Milton, fecit homagium apud
parcum Stowe.

Ricardus de Louche tenet ij partes duorum feodorum militum, fecit
homagium apud Dorcestriam in vigilia Sancti Jacobi anno regni regis
Edwardi XXVIII.

John de Fendus tenet 1 feodum militis in Escote *.

» Inscriptions on the D'ormer luouu- ing to the Bishop of Lincoln, A.D.

ment. 1300. MS. in the archives of Queen's

" Ibid. College.
" Leiger Book of the manors belong-

HISTORICAL NOTICES. 315

Ricliard de Louches, here mentioned, is certified, A.D. 1316, as one
of the lords of the townships of Milton, Baldon St. Lawrence, Baldon
Toot, Baldon Marsh, and Little Baldon, all in the county of Oxford ;
and in the year 1321, 15 Edw. II., was one of the followers of Sir Roger
d'Amory against the Despensersy.

A.D. 1343. 15 Edw. III. Decanatus de Cotesdon : — Milton, Ecclesia
parochialis ejusdem cum omnibus suis porcionibus taxatur ad xlvi''.
cujus nona predicta assed' ad xxx".

A.D. 1416. 4 Hen. V. By a deed dated at Great Milton, the Monday
next before the Feast of St. John the Baptist, Sir Robert Ponynges, Sir
William Lisle, Thomas Chaucer, Esq., William, Parson of the Church
of Tratton, Sussex, Gilbert Machon, and John Warefield, as feoffees of
Sir Richard Camoys, granted and demised to his relict Joan a manor
called Ingescourte^, in Great Milton, with all lands, tenements, &c. in
Great and Little Milton, Great and Little Chelworth, the manors of
Kinseye, Tithorp, with ajipurtenances, the manor of Chakenden, and
advowson of the Church of Chakenden, the manor of Chiselhampton,
with lands and tenements in Bensyngton, to hold during her life, with
remainder to the right heirs of her late husband. Sir Richard Camoys.
The deed mentions John, Ralph, and Hugh, as sons of the late Richard.
The witnesses are Thomas de Stonore, Reginald Barentyn, John Cottes-
more, William Brulj% William Baldyngdon^.

y Pari. Writs by Sir F. Palgrave, vol. modo sit rectus heres Gilberti Wace Cli"'.

ii div 3 p 1119 Memorandum quod anno Domini mil-

■ ■ ■ \' „■ ,„.„. -, lesimo CCLXIILTto (Willielmus) Wace

^ bo called irom William Inge, or • .171 ■ e ^

° ' armiger et li.lena uxor ejus fueruiit

Ingge, who did his homage A.D. 1300, ggisiti de omnibus terris vocatis Waces-
and died seized of a third part of Milton londes in com. Oxon. Qui quidem
A.D. 1322. See Pari. Writs, by Sir F. (Willielmus) et Elena liabnerunt exitum

,, 1 , . „,,„ , T^ .r inter se. viz. lhlgonem^\ illielnuniiJolian-

Paljjrave, vo . 1. p. 29), and Ji.sc. 15 u i- ■ 1 hm t 1

>^ ' J ■ ) jie],^ Humiridum liiomam Joluinnem

Edw. II. Isabellam P^lenam, lladulfum et Tho-

^ Bishop Kennett sub anno. Ex mam. Et ]-redictus Willielmus lilius

chartul. de Boarstall. Sir Richard Ca- predicti Willielmi supervixit. Et pre-

, IT,. 1 TIT dicta Elena maritata iiut Ricardo Lou-

moys, by a deed bearmg date May ^,^^,^ ,,^5,;^; ,i^, ^i^jt^.^^ y^^ j,^.^,,lj^ti jj^,„^

25th, in the same year, had enfeoffed Johannes Humfridus Thomas Johannes

Sir Robert Ponynges, and the others Isabella Radulfus et Thomas obierunt

in the above, together with other pos- *^'"'^ heredibus de corporibus suis pro-

„ -, rrr r,- 1 1 tvt -1 crcatis Et prcdictus vViUielmus films

sessions, in Ewelme, Tuffield, Neltil- wiUielmi Et Cecilia uxor ejus habue-

bold, Waceswoode, Mongchamwoode, runt exitum inter se viz. Gilbertum Wace

Shephurstes londes. The following militcm Agnctam Matildam Sibillam et

document of the reign of Henry VI. Margaretam. Et prcdicte Agn Mat.

r , Sib. et Marg. obisrunt sme heredibus de
shews the descent of most of these pos- ^0,^0^1,,,, p,ocreatis et predictus Gil-
sessions, and serves to illustrate the his- bertus supervixit. Et ])redictus Gilber-
tory of Milton and other neighbouring tus ct Nicholna uxor ejus fueiunt seisiti
places in several important particulars. ^^^'. ^^^'^^ prejh-ctis et nullum habuerunt
, -r . TT 1-,.-, •!• • exitum et dictus iJiibertus suiicrvixit
Linea Ricardi Camoys militis quo- predictam Nicholaam et obiit seisitus de

316 GREAT MILTON.

A.U. 1 122. 5 Hon. VI. Sir William Dugdale mentions that the
manor of Whateley, Oxon, also descended to the Camoys family from
the Louches, (see note",) and that Hugh Camoys the son of Richard, at
length succeeded to the manor of Great Milton, called " Camoys manor,"
but died soon after within age and without issue, leaving his inheritance
to be divided between his two sisters, Margaret the wife of Ralph Red-
milde, and Alianore the wife of Roger Lewknore. The said Ralph and
Roger accordingly did homage for their respective shares, 5 Hen. VI.^

A.D. 1535. 26 Hen. VHI. The following is a brief abstract of the
retui'u in the Valor Ecclesiasticus.

Of the two prebends in Lincoln cathedral, derived out of Great Milton,
that which was endowed with the appropriation of the church, being
held by Thomas Baddell or Bedel, who is called the rector, amounted at
that time to the clear yearly value xxxiij''. xviij^. vj<i. The other pre-
bend, consisting of temporal possessions alone, viz. the manor-farm of
Romeyns in Great Milton, called Romeyns Courte, with all lands in the
aforesaid ]\Iilton called copyholds, was held by Dr. London, and upon
his decease during the survey, by James Courtop. It was rented imdcr
a lease of sixty years granted Feb. 12th A.D. 1517 by Philip Morgan
then prebendary, to Robert Edgerley, and amounted to the clear yearly
value «= xxiv''. The receipts of John Fyscher, vicar, Avere xv'>.

terris predictis cujus propinquior lieres buried at Dorchester. See Account of

est Ricardus Camoys miles filius Thome Dorchester Church, p. 1 33, 1 34.

(^amoys militis el hlisabeth uxoris ejus i t>, , i

filie et hcredis Willielmi Louclies de Bugdale's Baronage, vol. i. p. 768.

Milton filii et heredis Johannis Louches Thomas Lord Camoys, the father of Sir

de Milton filii et heredis prcdicti llicardi Richard, deceased, A.D. 142L

Louches militis de Milton et pre.lic.e c By the above extract, as well that
li.lene fine predicti VV ilhehni V\ ace null-

tis uxoris predicti Ricardi Louches." ''O'" ^he Taxation of Tope Nicholas,

From the Boarstall chartulary, a tran- A-^- 1291, it appears that Great Milton

script of the reign of Henry VL, kindly ''^'^ ^oi" ^ery early times furnished two

communicated by Sir Thomas Digby 1 rcbends to the cathedral of Lincoln.

Aubrev Bart '^'''^ following are the names of some of

Sir Gilbert Wacc, above mentioned, the earlier Brebendaries :—
departed this life A.D. 1 1()8, and was

Prebendaries of" Milton Church."
L John de Monmouth ....-- A.D. 1290

2. Gilbert Segrave, Bishop of London . _ - . - 1296

3. Galliard de Mota, Archdeacon of Oxford, and rixcentor of ,

Chicliester 1312

4. Hugo Cardinalis, Sanctae Mariae in porticu . . _ 1,"J0'5

5. Francis Cardinal de Sabina ------ 1372

6. Walter Skirlow, Bishop of Balli and Wells - - - i3!)6

7. Richard de Scroop, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry - - 1386

8. Andrew Barret - - 1389

HISTORICAL NOTICES. 317

A.D. 1542. John Leland the great antiquary, who was at this date
rector of Haseley, thus i-ecords his visit to Great Milton.

"• From Haseley to Miltoun village half a mile, at tliis place, as I heard
say, was many yeres syns a Priorie of Monkes : a selle, as one told me
to Abingdon.

The House of the Priorie was by likelihood, wher the Farmer's House
is now, hard by the Chirch yard. For ther appere foundations of great
bviildinges.

Sum say that Monseir de Louches House was wher the Farmer's
House is^.

In the Chirch of INIiltun is an Highe Tumbe of P^re Stone with the
Image of a Knight and a Lady, with an Epitaphie in Frenche, de-
claring that Richard de Louches Chivalier and Helene his wife ly buried
there «.

The Voice ther goith that Louche had the Priorie Land gyven hym.

Louches Landes cam to Heires Generalls.

Of later Tymes Davers had this Lordship of one Syr Regnald

Bray boute it of Davers. The late I^ord Bray sold it to Dormer Mair
of London.

There is a prebend Land in Miltun longging to Lincoln. The Bishop
of Lincoln is Patrone of the Chirch.

Prebendaries of" Milton Manor."

1. Richard Hannibal -- 1330

2. Manuel Flisco ---.-.-. 1333

3. William Norwich ---.-.-.] 343

4. Thomas Bembre --...--. 134' I

5. Hugh de St. Marshall ---..-. 1345
G. Hugo Cardinalis - -_--.., 1365
7. Raymond Pelegrini - - - . - - - - 1375

For the names of later Prebendaries see Account of Great Milton, by tlie Rev. T.
Ellis, whence the above are taken.

"* The Benedictines of Abingdon had was connected with Lincoln Cathedral

possessions at Milton, Berks, as early as and the prebend " Milton Ecclesia,"hav-

the Conquest, but that they had a cell at ing their house on the site of the present

Great Milton, Oxon, is a supposition rectorial farm, still called the "Monkery "

which, in the Monasticon and in Stevens's or " Monk's Farm."

Supplement, vol. i. p. 127, is made to rest « This tomb did not exist in Anthony

solely on the above passage in Leland, D, Wood's time (HitiO), and was probably

and is not borne out by the Hundred destroyed in the Great Rebellion, as

Rolls or Valor Ecclesiasticus. It is much ]\Jilton was a favourite residence of

more probable that the foundations hard Thurloe, the secretary of Oliver Crom-

by the church-yard were those of " Mon- well, and was frequently visited by the

sier de Louche's House," and that the usurper himself. See Account of Great

only Priorie of Monkes at Great Milton Milton, by the Rev. T. Ellis, Vicar, p. 22.

318 GREAT MILTON.

There joynith unto Great Miltun, Little Miltoiin, and there is a
Chappelle of Ease dedicate to S. James f."

No traces are now to be seen of the tomb of Richard de Louches and
his Lady, to whom considerable interest is attached, as the persons of
most rank and property residing at Milton daring the time when the
beautiful Church of St. Matthew was built. An altar-tomb Avith effigies
at that early date, would warrant the supposition that they were con-
siderable benefactors to the Church. By documents already quoted, it
appears that this Richard de Louches did his homage A.D. 1300, that
his wife Helene was the daughter of Sir William Wace, (of Ewelme,)
and that the possessions of Louches, Inge, and Wace at length came to
Sir Richard Camoys, who departed this life A.D. 1416, leaving a widow
and three sons, the youngest of whom at length inherited, but dying
soon after left the inheritance to be divided between his sisters Margaret
and Alianore. This must nearly fill up the gap in Ijeland's account
between Louches and Danvers, who sold the manor to Sir Reginald
Bray. Sir Michael D'ormer who purchased it of the "late Lord Bray"'
was the son of Geoffrey D'ormer a woolstapler of Thame, Oxon, and
was elected Lord Mayor of London in the year 1541. He was suc-
ceeded by his son Ambrose D'ormer, who died in the year 1566. Michael
the eldest son of Ambrose, served under Robert Earl of Leicester and Sir
Francis Yere in the low countries, received the honour of knighthood,
and A.D. 1618, erected for himself, his wife, and his father, the monu-
ment in the south aisle of Milton Church. He was not however at the
time of the erection of this monument, lord of the manors of Milton
and its hamlets, having thirty years previouslj', at the beginning of his
military career, sold them to Sir Michael Grene, by whom they were
sold to the Lord Keeper Coventry. The manors of Great and Little
Milton and Ascot, afterwards became the property of John Blackall,
Esq., partly by virtue of family settlements and partly by purchase.
They are now possessed by Walter Long, Esq.

John Milton the Poet is said to have descended from the proprietors
of Milton, near Thame in Oxfordshire, one of whom forfeited his estate
in the times of York and Lancaster k. The house which is reputed to
have been occupied by the ancestors of the poet is still standing, with
mullioncd windows and pointed roofs, opposite to the village well. This
house, with its original garden wall, and an outbuilding of similar
character, affords an interesting specimen of domestic architecture, but
cannot be assigned to a date much earlier than A.D. 1600.

In the fields on the opposite side of the road is the rectorial farm-
house, wliich was completely modernised, and a subterraneous passage

' Lcl. Itin., vol. ii. p. 10. « Fcntou and Dr. .Foliiison, quoted by Kev. T. Ellis.

LITTLE MILTON. 319

destroyed, at the time that Sir John Aubrey, Bart., of Dorton House,
Bucks, was lessee, but the premises are still known by the name of
Monks Farm. The old manor-farm to the north-west of the Church,
still retains the name of Romeyns Court. By the operation of the late
Act of Parliament, the two Prebends in Lincoln cathedral, still called
Milton Church and Milton manor, to which these belonged, are now de-
prived of their revenues and patronage, the vicarage has been slightly
augmented to its present value £223. per annum, and placed in the
patronage of the Bishop of Oxford. J. B.

LITTLE MILTON.

PATRON.

St. 3amcs,

DEANERY

P. C.

Apostle anXf i^artur.

OF CUDDESDEN.

THE BISHOP OF

HUNDRED

OXFORD.

OF THAME.

The Chapel of Ease at Little Milton dedicated to St. James
wldcli was standing in Leland^s time, after having been com-
pletely destroyed for about two hundred years, has happily been
replaced by a Church of good design, consecrated by the Right
Hon. Richard Bagot, Lord Bishop of Oxford, on the 4th of
June, A.D. 1844, to which Little Milton with Ascot is now
attached, as a separate district and a perpetual curacy, value
£95, in the gift of the Rev. Thomas Ellis, vicar of Great Milton,
for life, but afterwards to be in the patronage of the Bishop of
Oxford.

Dr. Plot in his Natural History of Oxfordshire, has described
a British coin of Prasutagus the husband of Boadicea which was
dug up at Little Milton.

Among the notes of the Rev. Thomas Delafield, Vicar of
Great Milton, A.D. 1737, are the following statements.

" Mr. Eustace of Little Milton, hath an orchard in Little
Milton planted by his father, in all his writings called Abbot's
close. . . . The Chappel yard at Little Milton, now called Chappel
Heys, hath had even of late some human bones dug up there.
And Mr. Paul Wildgoose, in the year 1748, in digging the
foundation for a granary, lighted upon the bones of a human
skeleton."

320

LITTLE MILTON.

The Abbot's close, belonging to Mr. Eustace, was no doubt
part of the lands of the abbot of Dorchester mentioned in
the Hundred Rolls, and given to that abbey, A.D. 1272, by-
William le Sage and Roesia his wife^ The statement of Mr.
Delafield with respect to the Chapel yard, appears sufficient to
determine the ancient site of the House of God in this place,
and is confirmed by the discovery in " Chapel Heys," the farm-
yard nearly opposite to the present Church, of fragments of a
font and piscina, now placed in the north wall of the new
chancel. A cross formerl}^ stood in the centre of the village, but
has been taken down since A.D. 1825. In the hamlet of Ascot
are some ruins of the D'ormer mansion, but every vestige of the
neighbouring chapel has been ruthlessly destroyed, and its site
is now only marked by a weather-beaten elm twenty-one feet
in girth, which stood at the west end, and is still called the
" Chapel Tree."

ASCOT CHAPEL, OSON.

We are indebted to the taste and skill of Charles Ellis, Esq., of Great
Milton, for the above sketch of this interesting building, taken A.D. 1811,
from which time it continued standing entire, with the excejition of the
roofs, till 1 823, when it wa.s pulled down, and the stones, including the
Ibuiidations, were afterwards fetched away as wanted. It woidd appear
that the chapel was built soon after A.D. 1200, and that several addi-
tions were made in the Decorated period. j. b.

'^ Fin. 0x011. 5G llcii 111., (luoted in Account of Dorchester Abbey Church, p. 1.39.

NEWINGTON.

PATRON.

ARCHBISHOP

OF
CANTERBURY.

^t. ffitlcS.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF EWELME.

The general character of this Church is Decorated, with some
portions of other styles. It has a Chancel; nave, and north tran-
sept or chapel, with a tower and spire at the west end.

The Chancel. — The east window is Decorated, of three lights,
with flowing tracery, the hood and jamb mouldings having
much of the Perpendicular character : on the south side are
two good Decorated windows of two lights, the tracery trefoiled
and cusped : on the north side the easternmost window is Pcr-
peikdicular, square-headed, of two lights ; the western is an Early
English lancet, with the original string beneath, but not con-

T t

322

N E W I N G T O N.

tiiiued. In the south wall of the Chancel is an arched recess,
probably the tomb of the restorer of the Church in the four-
teenth century; the arch is low, foliated and moulded, with open
cusps. There is a plainly-cusped piscina, square-headed, of
wliich the shelf and water-drain have been recently restored :
the priest^s door, on the north side, is pointed, with chamfered
edges to the jambs.

The Chancel-arch appears to be of the fourteenth century;
the mouldings are plain, and die on the surface of the side
piers ; it has no hoodmould over. The remains of a good Early
Perpendicular rood-screen, repaired and beautified in King
George the Third's time, having the royal arms at the top,
divide the Chancel from the nave : the latter has, on the south side,
one Decorated window of two lights; there are also, with one
Perpendicular window of little character, two modern insertions.

The south door, within a modern porch, is Norman, but the
jambs or sides have been com-

pletely destroyed, and the arch
mouldings left as a hoodmould
over, with two heads, of Edward
the Third's time, supporting
them, carved out of the capi-
tals or upper parts of the old
Nor man work : they give a
singular and displeasing ap-
pearance to the whole, but
shew, perhaps, in the only way
that could be adopted, the desire
to preserve the upper part of the
old door, when the lower was
entirely destroyed or defaced,
are visible on the north side, but it is now stopped up.

The side chapel or transept opens into the nave by a plain
arch, recessed on both sides, and was added, apparently, in the
fourteenth century : the windows arc Decorated, and the Avholc
has the general character of tliis date.

liouLb Doer.

The remains of a Norman door

N E W I N G T O N.

.323

Font.

The Font, which is very large, is of the round form, quite plain,
and apparently of the
early part of the thir-
teenth century.

All the roofs inside are
ceiled, and there are no
windows on the north
side of the nave. There
are a few scattered re-
mains of painted glass.
In the south windows of
the Chancel are two small
medaUions of the four-
teenth century. The Per-
pendicular window on the north side of the Chancel is nearly
full of late glass, but the subjects are in much confusion;
in the easternmost light between two other figures, nimbed
and regally crowned, is a figure of our Saviour, shewing the
five wounds, and Avearing the crown of thorns, nimbed, and
attended by Angels, one of whom supports a regal crown. On
either side is a figure, likewise regally crowned, and nimbed.
The dresses of our Saviour and the other figures are nearly
similar, being tunics of blue with edged alb and offray. Below
this group is a figure of an ecclesiastic kneeling on a chequered
ground and praying, having on, the amice and scapulary ; on a
scroll issuing above his head, can be traced " Gloria ^terno
Patri et Christo * * in perpetuura, Amen.'^ In the other
light is represented the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

Against the north wall of the Chancel is an alabaster monu-
ment, with busts of Walter Dunch and his wife Mary in
shrouds, erected A.D. 1650; under these are the arms of Dunch,
Sable, on a cheveron between three towers, triple-toAvered Ar-
gent, a crescent of the field : impaling Ilungerford, Sable, two
bars Argent, in chief three plates : above the monument is a
wooden tablet, ornamented with arms and other devices. There
is another monument against the cast wall to Henry Dunch,

324 N E W I N G T O N.

Esq., who died A.D. 1686. " Iii a chapel on the north side is a
stone on the ground, whereon, in brass, are the pictures of two
women, and iinder them this inscription — Hie jacet AUcia
quondam uxor WilHelmi Skyrmote, et Maria uxor Johannis
Skyrmote fiHi dictorum Wilhelmi et Alicias quae quidam Maria
obiit duodecimo die mensis Juhi Anno Domini MCCCCLXIII
quorum animabus propitietur &c.''" This monument is not now
visible, and is perhaps concealed by the floor of the pew.

The exterior of the Church is covered with roughcast, the
work of some churchwarden, A.D. 1776, and some other church-
Avarden had previously, A.D. 1743, put up a sun-dial on the east
gable; it consequently would have a very meagre appearance
but for the stone spire, the only one in this part of the Dean-
ery. The Chancel has only buttresses to the east wall ; these
are angular and low, with the string-course continued round
them. The lower stage of the tower is Early English, with
the upper part and spire Decorated. From some settlement
of the foundations it hangs over considerably, and at the north-
west corner a large Perpendicular buttress has been added,
corresponding in some measure with the one at the south-west
corner. The lower windows are lancet, but those in the bell-
chamber are Decorated, of two lights. The spire, which is
rather heavy, has a low parapet, and for security has been
braced by irons, which have an ugly appearance on the out-
side. On the east side is a spire-light, which probably served
for the sanctus bell, and now holds the small bell. Within
the steeple are four bells, bearing the following inscriptions : —

1. " Sancta Maria ora pro nobis '^."

2. " Oure hope is in the lorde. 1592. R ^ E."
;;. " Henri Knight made this bell. 1608."

4. " Richard Peploe,WilhamWilmott, churchwardens. 1710. A.R."

JOSErn CLARKE.

* Wood's MS. Asli. Mils. E. 1. date as the glabs in the north window of

•* This bell is probably not earlier than the Chancel,
the sixteenth ccnluvv, about the same

N E W I N G T O N. 325

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 997 Elgive the Queen gave the two manors of Newington and
Brightwell to the Church of Canterbury, free from all secular service,
except the threefold necessity <=. "Ainio Dominica; incarnationis Ego
Elgiua Ymma regina concedo ecclesise Christi terram nomine Niwen-
tune et Brutewell liberam ab omni seculari servitio, exceptis expeditione,
pontis et arcis constructione. Ista terra in regione de Oxoneford. Ego
quoque contuli eideni ecclesise Christi calicem cum patena aurea in quo
sunt xiij marca? de puro auro, et duo dorsalia de pallio et duas cappas de
pallio cum tassellis auro paratis''."'

A.D. 1080. 14 William I. The Archbishop of Canterbury holds
Newtone. It was and is the property of the Church. Robert de Oilgi
holds one hide and Roger one hide. In the time of King Edward it was
worth xi^'. now xv^'.®

A.D. 1272. 1 Ed. I. In this reign the Prior and Convent of the
Holy Trinity in Canterbury, held under the Archbishop, the manor of
Nywenton, with the hamlets Brochampton, Brittewell, and Berewyk *".

A.D. 1535. 26 Hen. VIII. The clear receipts of Christ Church,
Canterbury, from the manor of Newenton, Oxon, were xxxiij^. ixs. vijr/.s

The living of Newington is now a Rectory, with the chapel of Bright-
welP^ annexed, in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, value £3G0 ;
population, by the last census, 471. It was formerly in the peculiar
jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in the deanexy of
Monks Risborough, Bucks, the manor of which place was given to the
Church of Canterbury and Elfric, Archbishop, A.D. 995, by Escwin,
Bishop of Dorchester*'.

'■ Bp. Kennett, vol. i. p. 61. name, Christ Church. Soniner, p. 155

" Script. R. Twysden, p. 2222. See —159.

also Gervase Dorob. sub anno. Dugd. ^ Val. Ecc., vol. i. p. 16.

Men. N. E. p. 83, and Wood's MS. E. I. '' The chapel at Brightwell Prior is a

e Domesday Survey, p. 155. little Early English building, with some

' Hundred Rolls. The Cathedral at remains of Norman work. It has re-
Canterbury was dedicated to St. Saviour cently been restored with some care, but
by St. Augustine, to the Holy Trinity unhappily without professional super-
when restored by Archbishop Lanfranc, intendance.
and afterwards it was called by its present

DRAYTON.

PATRON.

^t. CCatl)frlne

•

DEANERY

CHRIST CHURCH,

OF CUDDESDEN.

OXFORD.

HUNDRED
OF DORCHESTER

FT. IN.

Chancel . , .

. . . 23 9

14 9

Nave . . . . ,

. . . 45 3

i^y

17 5

North Chapel ,

. . . 17 4

13 10

A SMALL plain Cliurch having a Clmncel, nave^ a chapel on
the north side, and a wooden tower over the west gable. The
Chancel is Decorated : the tracery of the east Avindow, which is
much mutilated, is of three lights, plain, and not cusped. On
the south side the windows are square-headed, of tM'o lights;
on the north side is a Avindow of one light, trefoiled and cusped,
in which is a fragment of fifteenth century glass, representing a
bishop with a staff in the left hand, and a large chain hanging
from the right, which is raised as in the act of blessing; this is
by village tradition reported to be St. Leonard'*.

The piscina on the south side with the drain remains perfect,
and opposite to this are the traces of an aumbre, near which
are two corbel-heads, probably of the fourteenth century, but
defaced.

The Chancel-arch is quite plain. In the nave are the remains
of Norman and Early English work. On the north side is a
Norman door now stopped, and an early window with very

' St. Leonard or Lienard was a French
nobleman who in the flower of his age
took the religious hahit at St. Me.sinins
in the territory of Orleans, and afterwards
became a hermit in a forest four leagues
from Limoges. This Saint was most re-

markable for his charity, towards cap-
tives and prisoners : he departed this life
A.D. 599. — Alhan Butlkh. See also
Catalogue of the emblems of Saints,
Archaeological Journal, vol. i. )). .58.

DRAYTON. 327

deeply splayed sill. The south doorway is Norman, quite plain ;
the door is later, with rounded shoulder inserted. The south
windows are square-headed, Perpendicular, of two lights. The
west window is Early English, of one light. The chapel on the
north opens into the nave by two arches of unequal size, the
chamfers dying into the wall, supported in the centre by a
circular pier with moulded cap and base of the thirteenth
century. It has one small Early English window, and a square-
headed Perpendicular window of two lights in the north wall.
There is also a corbel-head in this wall similar to those in the
Chancel.

The roofs are all concealed by plaster ceilings.

The Font is Perpendicular, but appears to have been altered
from its original form.

On the Chancel-arch are now the arms of King George II.,
which a few years back were placed beneath the arch, as was
usual at the time of their being ordered. A few tiles remain,
and a portion of the original open seats are perfect.

On the east gable of the nave is the base of a large sanctus
bell-turret, against which is now a sun-dial. The present
wooden tower is partly carried on the base of the original bell-
turret, which must have been made for more than one bell.

There are noAV three bells. The oldest (broken) bears the
inscription Sancta Hafcrtna ota pro nobi^, with three stamps,
one of which consists of a cross fleuree, with the words Jj^u
metcv laDg I)clp, distributed in the spaces.

The next, (cracked) >J< ^^snxi Unigljt maDe mcf 1603.

The third bell, (Dut Ijope (s in Wje 2orli 1625.

328

DRAYTON.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

This place was formerly the seat of the Draytons, of which family
Sir John Drayton, who departed this life A.D. 1411, and Richard
Drayton, Esq., (1450,) were honoured with sepultm-e and brass effigies
in the south aisle of Dorchester Abbey Church ''. Others of the family
had monuments in Drayton Church, as appears by two coats of arms,
recorded as existing there A.D. 1574, in the note-book of R. Lee, the
herald '=. One of them. Azure, a bend between six
cross crosslets fitchee Or, Drayton : quartering Er-
mine, two bars, and in chief a demi-lion, Gules,
Segrave : Crest a Sai-acen's head, as in the annexed
engraving, is accompanied by the remark " John
Drayton very ancient." The other coat consists of
the same arms impaled by. Ermine, a fess Vairee
Gules and Or ; within a border engrailed, Sable ;
Crest the Saracen's head as before.

Drayton was one of the twelve Churches within
the juiisdiction or "Peculiar" of Dorchester abbey,
to which house the rectory was impropriate. The value of the rectory
of Drayton, A.D. 1536, was xj", and was let to Richard iNIolyners at
will*^. It is now a perpetual curacy in the gift of the Dean and Chapter
of Christ Church, Oxford, population 327.

The village feast is held on the 24th of November, the eve of
St. Catherine^, virgin and martyr, new style.

^ See Acct. of Dorchester Church, p.
131—3.

"= Wood's MS. D. 14.

•• Roll 29 Hen. VIII. Augmentation
Office, and records in Exchequer quoted

in Acct. of Dorchester Church, pp. 92.
164.

^ The sign of the village inn at the
edge of the river Thame is the Wheel
of St. Catherine.

STADHAMPTON.

PATRON. ^t. %oi)n lUaptliSt

CHARLES PEERS, Esq.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF DORCHESTER

IT. IN.

12 6

I'y

19 6

8 0

FT. IN.

Chancel 19 6

Nave ...-..., -11 0
Nortli Aisle 41 0

The Church at Stadhampton is in a debased style, with the
exception of the north aisle, which is Perpendicular. Tlic
tower is modern.

The Chancel is raised two steps; the east window of three
lights exhibits the last ray of that feeling which pervaded the
purer styles of Christian architecture, the outer or upper mould-
ing of the head being cusped, whilst the inside form is elliptical.
In the north wall is a window of two lights, not cusped at all,
and on the south side one of two lights and another of one,
similar to the east window, having a priest's door between them.
The Chancel-arch is splayed on to plain caps, which appear to
have been intended to be moulded, the ceiling is plastered ;
the nave is divided from the north aisle by three arches on
piers wdth plainly moulded caps ; the pulpit and reading desk
bear the date "I. P. 1611." Some clumsy seats of " 1G36"
remain in the nave, but placed much closer than originally.
The roof is plastered, and tied in by beams. In the east wall of
the north aisle is a Perpendicular window of two lights, and
near this a bracket for a light, or an image. On the north are
three low two-light windows, of the same date. The north door
is now stopped.

In this aisle is a brass with the figures of a man and woman,
and the following inscription, |Jraj) for l!)c soloUus of ^Jolju 22tlj)l^

u u

li'riO vSTADHAMPTON AND CHISELHAMPTON.

mot i>'' jioungci- nnt) Slljis |)ls liDjfc luljicl) 3)olju Dicti i.tl tiny of ^ususit
tt)c ycrc of oluic Sorli ^.mccctcbllt". There is also a brass plate in
the Chancel to the memory of Dorothy Clarke^ who died A.D.
1G45.

The Font is plain, round, and has the staple holes remaining.

Over the Chancel-arch are the arms of Queen Elizabeth,
carved on a wooden tablet, with the motto " Regintc erunt
nutrices tux\" These however were not originally placed in
this Church. There is also an old parish chest. The Church
is much disfigured by a raised pew in the north aisle, and a
singers' gallery at the west end of the nave. In the latter is
a small but remarkably sweet toned organ made by a former
curate. In the tower are four bells, each inscribed, " Henry
Knight made mee 1621."

CHISELHAMPTON.

At the close of the last century when the old manor-house
near the banks of the river Thame was pulled down in order to
be built in a more eligible situation, the Church was also sub-
jected to removal. The present building, consecrated Aug. 22,
A.D. 1763, and dedicated to St. Catherine, has a bell-turret such
as is usually placed on stables, large round-headed windows in
the front toward the road, but none in the back or end walls,
and is, notwithstanding its neat and trim appearance, a sad in-
stance of departure from all the proprieties of Church architec-
ture. The vane is pierced with the name of St. Catherine, the
patron saint ^.

The only building of any antiquity now remaining in the
village is the bridge over the Thame, with angular buttresses
on the upper side to stem the force of the current below, and
afford recesses above for the convenience of foot passengers.

' 'I'Ir' t'niiiifr CluuL'li is said to luive lictn (kilicattil to St. Mary, in JSacon's
J.ibcr Regis.

STADHAMPTON AND CHISIXHAMPTON. 331

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Stadhampton and Chiselhampton, which as early as the reign of
Henry VIII. were vulgarly called Stodham^ and Chisilton'=, and eccle-
siastically united, were formerly within the jurisdiction or "Peculiar" of
Dorchester Abhey, to which house the impropriate rectory belonged. At
the Dissolution the Rectory and Parish Church of Stodham and Chesel-
hampton were let on a lease of thirty-one years, beginning from the 2nd
of May, A.D. 1534, to Thomas Reade, at a yearly rent of xviij^i vj^ viij''
payable at the Feasts of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, Michael the
Archangel, Nativity of our Lord, and Annunciation of the Blessed Mary'^.
From the following notice of Anthony a Wood, it would appear that
Chiselhampton is an abbreviation of a still longer name.

" From Sir Robert ChevacheeshuU of Hampton near to Dorchester, in
com. Oxon. temp. Hen. III. and his ancestors that probably there lived, the
said town of Hampton was called Chevacheeshull-Hampton and Chisling-
ton^." A.D. 1416. Sir Richard Camoys, son of Thomas, Lord Camoys,
was lord of the manor of Chiselhampton f. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th
centuries this was a seat of a branch of the ancient family of D'OyleyS.
The period when the property changed hands may be inferred from
the following singular entry in the parish register.
"Mem. March 20. I743.

I enter this to acquaint my successors that the stipend for Chisleton
and Stadham curacy was ever till this day ten shillings a Sunday and a
Dinner for myself and care of my Horse. But now Sir John D"Oyley
being obliged to sell the Chisleton Estate, in order to make more of it,
has refused to give any more than twenty Pounds a year and obliges me
to take care of myself and Horse. This is Sir John's own Declaration.
This I attest to be litterally true.

John Bilstone

Curate of Chisleton."
From the above-named Sir John D'Oyley, the manor, estate, and
advowson of Chiselhampton, with lands in Stadhampton, passed to
Charles Peers, Esq., who built a neAV Church at his own expense, and it
is only to be regretted that so liberal an outlay should have taken place
at a time when the proprieties of Church architecture were so little un-
derstood. By the munificence of this gentleman and his successors, the
living has been augmented from £20 to £135, being now in the gift of
Charles Peers, Esq., of Chiselhampton House, and styled the " Perpetual
Curacy of Chiselhampton with Stadhampton."

b Records of Augmentation Office. Abbey Church, p. 165.

= Leland Itin., vol. ii. p. 10. '■ Wood's MS., E. I.

'I Records in Exchequer 29 lien. ' Historical Notices of Great Milton.

VIII., quoted in Acct. of Dorchester e Visitat. of Oxon., A.D. 1574.

3.32

G A R S I N G T O N.

c
o

•a

GARSINGTON.

PATRON.
TRINITY COLLEGE,
OXFORD.

5t. i*latj?.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

NOKTH-WF.ST VIEW OP &ARSTNGTON CHaP.CH .

This Clmrcli consists of nave, with side aisles, western tower,
and Chancel : it seems to have been built late in the twelfth
century, with a nave, north aisle, and western tower. The
chancel and south aisle were added, or entirely rebuilt, in the
fourteenth, the north aisle considerably altered, and the clear-
story added. i&

The Chancel is late Decorated; there
are no foliations either in the head or in |
the liffhts of the windows. Both the east v
and the side windows are very plain out-
side, the dripstones very simple, and the
mullions flush with the outer face of the
wall. But in the inside these windows have
good hood-moulds, especially the east win- Hood moulds of v-asiwiudow

334

G A R S I N G T O N.

(low; the lahcl of wliich lias a deep liollow under it, wliicli gives it

boldness and distinetness. Beneath each window is a recess,

which gives a great appearance of lightness to the Chancel. That

under the cast window is 7 ft. G in. broad, and in this stood the

Altar. Those under the side windows were made by the present

Rector; who has also filled the five windows of the Chancel with

coloured glass, suggested by some fragments of old glass, which

served as a pattern for the new. The side windows are of two lights :

there were three on each

side in the original design,

but those in the centre have

been blocked up by large

mural monuments of the

Wickhara family in the

modern taste. Both the

south-west and north-west

windows are what Hickman

calls "lovv side windows.^^

Such a window is often

found on the south side ;

but not often on the north.

The lower parts of these

ySFT'

windows have the original

Low f^ido Window

iron bars, and were lately

found on examination to be

separated from the upper parts by a plain transom. They were

before walled up as high as the transom ; and now partly so

in consequence of pews in the inside.

Close by the south-east window is a piscina with cut spandrels,
which makes it look like late Decorated work, and so it will
well agree with the date assigned to the rest of the Chancel.

The present credence-table is formed out of the old com-
munion-table. This being much decayed, another of carved oak,
somewhat larger, has been substituted in its place. The commu-
nion-rails are good of their kind, probably of the age of King
Charles TI. There are a few encaustic tiles in the Chancel and

GARSINGTON.

335

some other parts of the Church, apparently of the fourteenth
century, or of the beginning of the fifteenth, when considerable
alterations and additions seem to have been made, such as the
Chancel-screen, &c. The roof is now quite hid by plaster; but
it seems to have been of a kind not unfrequently found in the
neighbourhood of Oxford, being an open cant roof. A good ex-
ample may be seen in Duckhngton Church, near Witney, and
another at Beckley. It is difficult to tell the age of a roof of this
description, which has no strongly marked mouldings in any of
its timbers. Those at Duckliugton and Beckley seem to be of
the fourteenth century ; this at Garsington may perhaps have
been copied from an older one, as the wall-plate has late mould-
ings, probably of the time of King Charles II., when some con-
siderable repairs were made in the Church. The Chancel has a
small doorway on the south side, of similar character, and of
the same date as the side windows. The oak door has been
lately renewed.

The Chancel-arch, which
is large and lofty, seems to
correspond in general cha-
racter with the Earlv English
part of the Church. It has
recessed mouldings, which
partly die into the wall, and
partly are carried by a kind
of corbel, but this docs not
appear to have been the
original finish. An examina-
tion of that part of the arch
near the pidpit, will shew
that it Avas carried by a re-
spond on cither side, which
had Early English caps : why
these were cut away is not
«o clear ; perhaps to make
way for the rood-loft and

N ave Arches. SouLb side.

-/;^«%

ilouldiufiaof Chaucel aich.

336'

GARSINGTON.

screen : and it is not unlikely that this alteration of the arch
has contributed to throw it out of place ; for at present, owing
to its outwai'd thrust, or to some settlement in the south
wall, it has given over on that side, and a buttress has been
added on the outside to strengthen the wall.

The Rood-screen is of rather late Perpendicular work.

The pulpit now stands on the south side, upon what seems
to be the stone base of an older one ; it is of the date of King
Charles II., and both it and the reading-desk (which latter is
made up of parts of the rood-screen) are furnished with a velvet
covering inscribed, " D. D. Gul. Bell, 1779."

Just below the reading-desk are some monumental brasses,
with this inscription : — " Here lyeth Thomas Radley gentleman
and Elisabeth his wife y^ which Thomas decessyed y*^ iii day
of the month of October y^ year of our lord God a thousand
ccccclxxxiiii on whose soules Ihu have m'cy."

The Nave opens into the north aisle by four arches, and by
as many into the south aisle. Its roof is Perpendicular ; the tie-
beams are cambered, and both they and the other timbers have
been painted : the roof is much spoiled by later additions, for
about the time of the Restoration the tie-beams were strength-
ened by struts and other means of support.

The clerestory Avindows are three in
number on each side : they are foliated
circles, of the same character as the
south aisle. Decorated ; in the interior
they have for a hood-moulding a four-cen-
tred arch, which is generally a charac-
teristic of Perpendicular work ; yet it is
found occasionally in the earlier styles.
The eastern clerestory window on the
north side has been replaced by a large
square window of the time of Charles II.
This was probably inserted by Dr. Bath-
urst, as it corresponds exactly with those
in his new building, at Trinity College,

(Jlerestory Window

GARSINGTON. 337

called after his name. The Decorated parapet, together with the

Tbe Ma^e

The South Aisle.

Sections of Parapets.

cornice, was taken off at the same time, and put on again as before,
only the cornice was made to run round the square window, serv-
ing for a kind of label. The cornice of the aisles is the same ; the
parapet of the south aisle is somewhat different from that of the
clerestory, but of the 1

same date. The north

aisle has a late parapet.

The pillars and arches — [;/

on the north side are -—

of Early English date.

The pillars are cylindri-

cal, short, with bold

square bases and caps ;
they carry low arches
with recessed mould-
ings, which have labels
toward the nave, but —

W"/

Cap aDd Base, north Pillar of Nav^.

none toward the aisle.
These labels are carried by corbels of Early English character
between the arches ; but at the western respond are returned to
the west wall of the nave. The pillars and arches on the
south side, are partly copied from those on the north, though
the variations are considerable; the pillars, for instance, are
octagonal instead of cylindrical : they have the same propor-
tions, but the capitals are richer^ being very good Decorated :
the arches and their mouldings are the same ; they have labels

X X

338

G A R S I N G T O N.

on botli sides, toward the nave and toward the aisles : at the
western respond these labels were to have been carried by a head,
but the stones still remain uncut. This work is evidently later.

Corbels of Ihe Arches of Nave.

At the west end a cumbrous gallery obscures the tower arch.
The plain open seats apparently of the fifteenth century, are of
similar character with those in Great Haseley, Charlton, and
indeed almost all the country Churches about Oxford ; some are
of later date.

The south Aisle has a three-light east window, with elegant
flowing Decorated tracery; the hood-moiilding is the same as that
of the inner label of the east window of the Chancel. The cor-
nice of the arch stops against its head in a rather singular man-
ner. There are three south windows of two lights each, two to
the east, and one to the west of the
south doorway. These windows arc
square-headed, with segmental inner
arches, and have the same mouldings as
the east window.

In the south wall is a good Deco-
rated piscina, with an ogee arch. The
south doorway has good mouldings of
tbe fourteenth century ; over it has been
added a wooden porch, in the fifteenth.
The west window of this aisle is late

Iron Handle, Soath Door

GARSINGTON.

339

South Window of South Aisle

Section of Principal of South Aisle

.-//

Mouldings of Belfry Window, above Cap.

X'M*^ J

Mouldings of Belfry Window, below Cap.

Mouldings of Lower West Window, above Cap. Mouldings oi Lower West Wiudow. below Cap.

, ////k

E5^

Mouldings of South Door.

Mouldings of North Door

340

GARSINGTON,

Perpendicular: the wall
above this window has
been taken down and
rebuilt, when the win-
dow was inserted, a very
poor parapet Avas put
on, and the slope of the
lean-to roof was lowered
considerabl3% Inside the
roof of this aisle, as well
as that of the other, is al-
most entirely hid by lath
and plaster; still the prin-
cipals stand out boldly
with good Decorated
mouldings. ^^^ ,,^,^ p,,,^

The north Aisle has windows nearly the same in position
and character as the south;
with these differences,
that inside they have
pointed segmental arches,
and the mouldings of their
labels outside are not the
same, but answer to the
mouldings of the door-
way, and the caps of the
pillars of the south aisle.
Opposite the south door-
way, is another of Early
English character, and

very singular mouldings, which were at first carried by a shaft
on either side, of which only the caps now remain, built into
two small buttresses, which were added, together with two
other buttresses, as it appears, in the year 1668, to strengthen
the side wall, which was then beginning to fall outwards. At
the same time it was found necessary to strengthen the roof

The Norih Doorway.

GARSINGTON. 341

of the aisle, which was done by inserting large pieces of wood
under all the principals, that the ends of the principals and the
wall-plate might not come asunder. The date of these altera-
tions in the church is recorded on a stone at the east end of this
north aisle | l b F F kjgs | : two of the buttresses in this aisle seem
to be original, and coeval with the windows, namely, those at the
angles. The east window of the aisle is of the same character
as the east window of the Chancel. The west window is the
same as that of the south aisle ; here also the wall has been
partly rebuilt in an irregular way, leaving a part of the old wall
at the north-west corner standing out beyond it, and looking
like a buttress.

Near the west end of this aisle stands the Font, which is of
poor design and material, inscribed round, " The gift of Richard
Turrill, clerk of this parish. Anno D"'. 1782."

The Tower is about 42 ft. high ; the tower-arch is good Early
English, pointed, with recessed mouldings ; in its general cha-
racter it is Norman, but its mouldings are quite Early English,
as are the capitals of the shafts which carry these mouldings.
The date is probably about the year 1200=

The tower has no western doorway. The west window has a
semicircular head; but over this on the outside is a rude pointed
arch carried by circular shafts : the window is widely splayed
inside. At the north-west and south-west angles are small
shallow buttresses. On the north side is a buttress of bold pro-
jection, in which is the newel staircase leading to the belfry.
In the second stage are three small slits with semicircular
heads, looking north, west, and south. The belfry stage is
pierced with eight pointed windows, two on each side, with
returned dripstones and mouldings, carried by shafts with square
abaci. Between each window is a small head projecting from
the wall. Above the belfry window is a corbel-table ; some of
the corbels have the tooth-moulding cut in them, others have
Norman ornaments. The parapet seems to be original; it
consists merely of a slope, surmounted by a beading. w.g.

342

GARSINGTON.

Plan of the Church

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In Saxon and Norman times it was spelt Gers-ing-dun, or Gerse-
dune ; signifying a hill that overlooks meadows or pastures abounding
in gorse, or coarse grass. The latter orthography is adopted in the
Domesday Survey.

The greater part of the land in the parish at the time of the Conquest
belonged to the Monastery of St. Mary at Abingdon. Gilbert Le Gand
held seven hides and a half, that is, about nine hundred acres, under
the Abbat and Convent ; and other tenants are mentioned, in the valu-
able Survey of the Norman Commissioners, as holding inferior portions.
One hide of land (120 acres) formed part of the Conqueror's grant to
Miles Crispin. In the thirteenth century, the Knights Templars held
lands in this parish, which being escheated to the crown were
granted to Sir Richard D'Amary, of Bucknill, and by him transferred
to John de Bloxham. In the 28th Edward I., John de la Mare was
summoned to Parliament as baron of Garsington ; the same name
appears also in the " Inquisitiones post mortem," in the 9th Edward II.
In the Hundred Rolls of Edward I. considerable portions are said to
be held by the Hospitallers of St. John beyond the east gate in Oxford,
and by the Rector of the Church also, as belonging to the Honour of
Wallingford. At that time the Jurors under the Rolls- Commission re-
turned Isabella de la Mare as the Lady of the Manor, which she held
by the service of half a knight's fee, when the King was in the army. It
is probable that this is the same Isabella who is known afterwards as
Isabella de Fortibus, Countess of Albemarle, whose son, by her former
husband, in 28 Edw. I., had summons to parliament amongst the Barons
of the realm, by the style and title of John de la Mare of Gersyngdon.

G A R S I N G T O N. 343

She appears to have been interred in Garsington Church, if the following
inscription on her grave-stone be correctly stated :

The whole inscription may be thus read :

f^ " Isabele de Fortibus gist ici :
Deu de sa alme eyt merci :"

The size of the grave-stone, which is nearly a parallelogram, is about
7 feet by 3 feet ; and the general character of it, as well as the round
form of the letters, corresponding with the date of her death (1293), as
given in the additions to Dugdale's Baronage, in the Collectanea Topo-
graphica. Part XXVI. 148. There was originally an elegant cross flory,
now much defaced, and other sculpture. Sufficient traces, nevertheless,
of the letters of the inscription remain to identify the person intended
to be commemorated. This is the oldest grave-stone in the Church.
There are traces remaining of some of a later date, and a stone coffin
has been found in the chancel.

The patronage of the Church appears to have been vested, from a very
early period, in the Prior and Convent of the Holy Trinity at Walling-
ford, which was a cell to the great Benedictine monastery of St. Alban
from the time of Paul the Norman, the fourteenth Abbat, who died in
1093. A "Magister de Sancto Albano," or Sancti Albani, is mentioned
in the margin of the valor of Pope Nicholas ; but perhaps he merely pre-
sented to the Rectory pro hac vice : for, with one exception only^, the
Prior and Convent of Wallingford presented the Rectors from the first
entry in the register of the Diocese of Lincoln till the dissolution of the
monastic establishments.

About the middle of the fourteenth century there was a severe contest
between the Rector of this Church and the Convent of St. Frideswide,
respecting the tithes of the north end moiety of the manor, which after
a long process of litigation, and an appeal to Rome, was referred back
to the Archbishop of Canterbury, as sole arbitrator, who decided in
favour of the Rector, reserving a quit rent of forty shillings for ever to
the convent. The Prior was afterwards deprived for avarice and extor-
tion, and a new charter of appropriation was obtained from the crown
15 and 16 Ric. ij, confirming the ancient claims of the Priory of Wal-
lingford to the advowson and emoluments of the Rectory. Hence some
writers have erroneously stated, that the Church was then first given
and appropriated to the Priory.

Soon after the dissolution of the Priory, the living came into the
possession of Sir Thomas Pope, who obtained the patronage for his
College by a grant from the Crown in the reign of Philip and Mary,
annexing the Church and Parsonage to the headship of the same, to be

■■• A.D. 1179. Robert IMiddlctcn was presented June ISth by Sir Edward
Rede, Knt.— Reg-. Rotliernm.

344

G A R S I N G T O N.

^nrnmnMmmniiinn'

JH'inumeDial Biass of t-he Kadley tainily, ICSl.
[For the iiae or this woodnit the Society in indebtc.l to llie Prcsilciit of Trinity.]

GARSINGTON. 345

held in free socage for ever. The Founder's intention in this pur-
chase partly was, "to erect a house there for the President, Fellows,
and Scholars to repose them in when any plague shall happen with-
in the University ;" an object which was confirmed by the sanction
of the Crown. The house was erected accordingly, with money pro-
vided by the Founder, but not finished till after his death. It was oc-
cupied by the members of the College during the plague of 1577; not
being finished in 1563, when they were obliged to retire to Woodstock.
It is now occupied by the Curate. The situation of this Parsonage, of
the Church, and of the School-house, is highly picturesque, and com-
mands extensive views of the surrounding country between the Chiltern
Hills and the Wantage Downs.

An inclosure of this parish was attempted in vain in the reign of James I.

It appears from Wood's Annals, that Sir Thomas Fairfax, on the
l-t of May, 1646, previous to the siege of the city of Oxford, drew up
his army between Garsington and Abingdon, and the same night made
Garsington his head-quarters. On the following morning there was
a general muster of the army, horse and foot, on Bullingdon Green,
whence his forces were disti-ibuted to their several quarters at Heading-
ton, Marston, and other villages around.

The oldest register in this parish begins in 1562.

It is a Rectory, valued in the King's books at £14. 19s. 8fd. The
present value, according to the Parliamentary return, is £482. The
population by the last census was 597.

Several minute particulars respecting the property in this parish,
omitted here from want of space, may be seen in Mr. Skelton's Anti-
quities of Oxfordshire.

Two large Schools, for both sexes, were erected in this parish in 1840
and 1841, with a dwelling-house for the master and mistress. The site
was liberally given by Thomas Plumer Halsey, Esq., of Temple Dinsley,
in Hertfordshire, consisting of three roods of land on Garsington Green,
in the centre of the parish, bounded on all sides by public roads, being
an allotment granted to the lord of the North- end manor at the time of
the inclosure, in lieu of right to coil of commons and waste grounds.
It is demised to the President, Fellows, and Scholars of Trinity College
for 999 years, the President for the time being, as Rector, to have the
appointment of the master and mistress and the general superintendance
of the Schools; the children to be instructed in the tenets and principles
of the Church of England as now established, &c.'' The cost of erect-
ing these Schools amounted to about £1500 ; about one-third of which
sum was raised by a liberal subscription among some of the Colleges and
individuals interested in the parish, and the remaining two-thirds were
defrayed by the President of Trinity College as Rector of the parish.

^ Indenture of Demise, 2nd of April, 1810, Coll. Reg. 1. 1.

346

G A R S I N G T O N.

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GARSINGTON.

347

H 0 E S B P A T H.

PATRON.

MAGDALENE COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

St. fflilcs.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN,
HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

A. The Font

Ground Plan.
B. The Stoup.

'••>r...t

C. The Pulpit.

The Church of Horsepath (called in Domesday Horspadan),
is a small edifice — consisting of a western tower, nave, south
aisle, south transept, and Chancel.

The tower is rather short, yet well proportioned. It is of
Perpendicular work : the buttresses are angular. The western
side has a four-centred doorway with a square dripstone, and
above it a three-light Avindow, both of good bold work. In
the window arc some remains of tlie painted glass, but the
colours are faint. These consist of a representation of the
Crucifixion, with the Virgin and St. John. Below this is a
fragment, which contains some of the emblems of the Cruci-
fi.\ion. On the southern side of the tower is the staircase-
turret : the belfry windows are four-centred, with a square
moulding running all round. The tower has one of the high
pyramidal roofs which seem to have been the usual finish of
towers, especially of those which were not lofty, and wliich
give a very elegant cff'ect.

HORSEPATH.

349

■-i

Cap and Base of Shaft,
Tower- arch.

The arch between the tower and nave is the

most beautiful feature in the interior of the

Church. It is of the same date as the tower.

The mouldings are bold, the execution of the

whole good. Most unfortunately this is lost to

the Church, for just in front of it is a huge

singing gallery, which also shuts out the view

of the head of the west window.

The nave of the
j "^ Church was built

about the end of
the twelfth cen-
tury. One of the
original windows
remains in the

Mouldings of Tower arch below Cap. nOrtuem Wall j It

is pointed, small, and has Early English mouldings of plain
character. In the same wall are two
late Perpendicular windows. On the
south side of the nave, separating it
from the south aisle, are four arches.
There are three square pillars, and one
respond at the east end ; the western-
most arch was supported by a corbel in
the western wall ; but it has been taken
down some time, and in its place is a
segmental arch which abuts against the
wall of the tower. The corbel just men-
tioned is in fact nothing more than the
capital of the pillar that originally sup-
ported this arch, which pillar was built
round by the walls of the tower. Built
into this wall are two curious figures, one
with a bagpipe. The tradition is, that they
were two deformed persons, who left money
to build the tower. „, „„, „ . .^.,, . ,,

Cap and Base of Pillar m Nave.

350

H O R S E P A T H.

Section of Arch.Soutb Aisl.'

The remaining arches are pointed and plain, as well as the
pillars, Avith the exception of a chamfer at the angles. The open
seats in the nave are very plain ; the hench ends at each ex-
tremity of the ranges are finished hy poppies.

Above the pier-arches is a modern clearstory, which lights
the nave.

The south aisle is entered by a porch of late work ; the door-
way inside this porch is of the same character as the pier-arches
in the nave. The south Avail Avas rebuilt very late in the thirteenth
_^,_,^ century, at Avhich time
' also the transept Avas
carried out. It is sin-
gular that there arc
no traces of windoAvs
in this wall, but there
are two small open-
ings, Avliich perhaps
Avere made when the

tower Avas built. The buttresses are very plain
and early. The original pitch of the roof has
very
considerably, the pre- .ttfiiiii

sent one is open to
the interior, and is
of lute Perpendicular
work. Near the south
door is the Font; it
is hexagonal, lined
Avith lead, and stands
on a circular base ; it
seems to be of the
same age as the pil-
lars and arches. But
the greatest curiosity in this Church is on the Avest side of
the door. The villagers say that it is a second font; some
liavc supposed it to be the base of a cross, some the upper

Parapet, South Aisle.

been lowered

Thr? Pont.

HORSEPATH.

351

part of a shaft : but it is more probable tliat it is a stoup.
If so, it is probably unique, for it is of the same date as the
oldest parts of the church. The arch at the east end of the
aisle is earl}^ Decorated, the corbels which support it are sin-
gularly beautiful.

!iiii!;iiiiii:!iNiii"

The Stoup. Corbel of Arcli. Souti Aisle.

The south transept was probably built in the latter part of
the thirteenth century. At the south end is a very curious

^^""■^Jl^ f —

''\jy\\ ', 'J, III "Mi"^""

Window, Soath Trausept.

Sfjcuon tbT-ouf^b the head S^^ction of Jimb.

two-light window ; the lights are finished on the exterior with
a kind of ornament like an arrow-head. The dripstone mould-

352

HORSEPATH.

iii-i '•■'"■'^.Pil

ings are Decorated, but tlie jamb mouldings are completely-
Early English. There are no foliations, either in the heads of
the lights or in the circle above. In the east wall is an elegant
piscina, and near it a bracket, both of the same date as the
transept: tliese shew that
this transept was a cha-
pel. In this same wall
is a small early Deco-
rated window of one
light, the mouldings are
very simple, but the
window is an elegant
one.

Against the north wall

of the nave, and OppO- window, Ea.L side of Transept.

site this transept, is the pulpit, which is of late work, as is the
reading-desk.

The Chancel, which was rebuilt in 1840, had Early English
walls, a small south
door, and a very curi-
ous cross over the east
end, which has been
preserved. There was
a piscina, of the same
date, very much like .^MS_
that in the south tran-
sept, and a plain,
though ancient roof,
closely resembling that of Beckley Church, which has mould-
ings of the fourteenth century. (See Beckley, p. 206.) The
side windows were late in the fifteenth centur}^; these have
been replaced. The east window was of the same date, but had
the dripstone of an earlier window finished by a curious mask.

The Cross.

The old Chancel root

HORSEPATH.

353

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday Survey, Horsepath is mentioned by the name of
Horspadan, and the manor was then the property of the King-, and was
granted to Roger de Ivery. It was afterwards the property of the
Knights Templars.

A.D. 1149, 14, 15 King Stephen, Horsepath formed part of the grant
to Osney Abbey.

A.D. 1229, 13, 14 Hen. III., Richard, earl of Cornwall, presented to
the Chm'ch of Horsepath, and again in 1247.

A.D. 1231. This year mention is made of a suit between Osney
Abbey and the Rector of Horsepath, concerning the lesser tithes
thereof*.

A.D. 1309, 2 and 3 Edw. II., Sir Richard D'Amory computed for
lands of the Knights Templars escheated to the king within the manor
of Horsepath, Sec, &c., and A.D. 1312, John de Bloxam accounted
for the same lands. This John de Bloxam was a witness against the
Templars^.

A.D. 1452. The Church of Horsepath was appropriated to the Hos-
pital of St. John Baptist, in Oxford*^.

In Browne Wilhs's volumes of MSS., numbered 45, is a letter of Mr.
George Rye, rector of Islip, to Browne Willis, dated Islip, 25 March,
1 730, in which he says : " At Horsepath the tower is said to have been
built by Thomas London, a bag-piper, and that he and his wife are

«!->>■'

there buried ; and in the front of the entrance to the tower from the
body of the Church are their figures in stone, the man being on the
right with his bag-pipes. The Wake is kept on the first Sunday in

■'' In Reg. Osney, in Bibl. Cotton, fol.
1 ] C. 1).

" Bodleian MSS. 491', f. !)5.

<• Vide Pat. 20 Hen. VI. p. 1. m. 1 ;

z z

354 HORSEPATH.

September, and the Church is dedicated to St. Giles, but Mr. Hearne
conjectures it was dedicated to St. John the Baptist."

In the nave near the pulpit is a small window of stained glass, con-
taining the figure of a man holding a boar's head on the point of a spear :
probably a representation of one of the lords of the manor of Boarstall.
Antony Wood mentions a figure so represented in the beginning of the
Leiger Book of Borstall, a manuscript written by Edmund Rede, Esq.,
lord of the manor in the time of Henry VI. '^ " In the beginning of this
book is represented in colours the mannour house of Borstall, with a
moat round it, and the lord of the mannour, Joannes Filius Nigelli,
issuing out of his house to meet a certain King and his retinew, and at
some distance from the house, the Lord kneels down to the King, and
presents him with a boar's head on the top of a sword or speare. This, as
the tradition of the family goeth, is an allusion to the custom of the
mannour of Borstall, to present the King with a Boar's Head, because
the said mannour was in ancient time, when 'twas woody, a stall or den
for wild boars."

In the north window of the chancel are the arms of Magdalene Col-
lege, and in the south, the figures of St. Mary and St. John, as they
are generally represented beneath the cross. These were originally in
the east window, with the figure of our Lord on the rood between them.

The stoup is of a very unusual form, but a very similar one from
Penmon, in the isle of Anglesey, is engraved in the Archaeological
Journal, vol. i. p. 122, and it is there stated that "at Penmon, until
within a few years, a water-stoup of the same age as the font was used ;
and at Llandegvan another water-stoup is still employed for the bap-
tismal sacrament."

Horsepath is now a Perpetual Curacy, held with a Fellowship of
Magdalene College, not in charge in the King's Book. The present
value, according to the Parliamentary return, is £9 1 , and the population
295.

■i See the Life ol' Antony a Wood, pnge Ixi.

SANDFORD.

DEANERY

PATRON.

St. •anUrcij).

OF CUDDESDEN.

THE DUKE OF

HUNDRED

MARLBOROUGH.

OF BULLINGTON

Chancel

27 ft. lin.

J'y

lift. 9 in.

Nave

31 10

15 10

Tower

14. 7

12 3

This Churchy which is described by the antiquary Hearne^ as
" a small thing and of mean building/' underwent considerable
repairs and alterations in the year of our Lord 1840^ under the
superintendance of Mr. Derick, Architect. A Norman tower of
two stages was added at the west end, the roof of the nave was
raised to its original pitch, and the arches of theChancel andTower
were built. A window of two lights with three engaged shafts
was made in the south side, in the place of a Perpendicular
window, square headed, of two lights, removed to the eastern end
of the north wall. In the Chancel, a new Altar was placed at
the east end, and a north window was inserted, containing a
symbol of the Holy Trinity, and the royal arms. The east
window, a trefoiled lancet, is filled with painted glass by Mr.
Willement, representing the Crucifixion.

The fittings throughout the Church have been remodelled,
preserving a number of seats of the
date A.D. 1630, Avith variously carved
poppy-heads. It is to be regretted
that the pleasing appearance of uni-
formity thus produced is somewhat
lessened by a raised pew on the
north side of the nave, and a gallery
at the west end.

The walls appear to be those of the
original Church, built by Gerri de
Planastre^, soon after the Conquest.
The earliest features in the nave are
the north and south doors, the for-
mer of which is still stopped up,
and a Norman window. The Font,

^ Account of Antiq. near Oxford. Lei. Itin., ii. p. 92.

Ko.ruaD Window in the Cbauctl.

^ Hundred Rolls.

356

SANDFORD.

which is large and plain, is probably of the thirteenth cen-
tury, or earlier; it is lined with lead and the drain is still
used.

On the south side of the Chancel is a small Norman window,
having externally heavy engaged shafts. To the east of this is
also a Norman narrow window, corresponding to which is
another on the north side. Near the window last mentioned is
a plain recess, which may have been the Easter sepulchre ; and
below this is an altar-tomb, quite plain, now used as a credence.
On the south side is a like tomb, but of much later date, with
debased Arabesque work on the front. Above this is a mural
monument to Sir William Powell, of Tutbury, Staftbrdshire,
brother of Edmund Powell, Esq., lord of the manor of Sandford,
erected by his heir, John Powell, Esq., grandson of the latter, in
the year of our Lord 1661 ;
the whole is surmounted by the
Powell arms, viz. Or, a lion
rampant Sable; over all, a
fesse Gules.

The curious piece of carving
in alabaster fixed against the
east wall was dug up in the
church-yard after being buried
more than a hundred years;
the subject is the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin, who is
represented as surrounded by
rays of glory, and attendant
angels, two of whom, beneath
the figure, hold a reliquary,
upon which, as well as on
other parts of the sculpture,
the remains of gilding are still
visible. There are several
encaustic tiles at this end of
theChancelof various patterns.

Sculpture in Alab^iflter.

SANDFORD.

357

the most distinct of which are fleurs-de-lis^ set lozenge- wise, on
tiles four and a half inches square.

The bells, which before the building of the present tower were
protected from the weather by a wooden box, are four in
number; of these one bears the inscription,

l^raji^e g^ Icvlie. 5^®. 1592.

Another, ^W bell toas mate 1606, I|^@.

The third bell has some letters upon it now illegible, but the
fourth, a small bell, has none.

Over the south door is a porch, which tells its own history in
the following inscription :

CONDIDIT ME DNIA ELIZA • ISHAINI
ANNO GRATIS 1652.

PORTICVS PATRONiE.

Tliaiikes to thy charitie, religiose Dame

W" found mee old & made mee newe againe.

Near this south entrance has lately been dug up a well-
wrought Norman capital, which may have been part of the
former porch.

The farm-house in a field on the north-west side of the
Church has usually been looked upon as the remains of the old
Preceptory of Knights Templars in this place, but the only
ancient parts of it are some slight traces of Early English work
in what was formerly the chapel "^j these consist of a portion of
the east window and a roll-moulded string-course ; the doorway
is much later, of Perpendicular character. In the garden is a
gateway bearing the date 1614, on each side of which there arc
fragments of architectural ornaments built into the wall, and

c The chapel of the Kiiiglits Temjjlai's George Napier, a seminary priest who

at Sandford was dedicated to St. Mary was hanged, drawn, and quartered, A.D.

the Virgin. (See Wood's MS. 10. f. 22.) IGIO, see Wood's Annals, vol. ii. p. ]C>C>

For a notice of this chapel in later times, suh A.D. 1568.
and the burial tl)erc of the remains of

358

SANDFORD.

among them a reversed shield of late date, having carved upon
it a cross pattee, the badge of the Knights Templars, and also
of their successors at Sandford, the Knights Hospitallers of
St. John of Jerusalem. Mr. llearne, who saw these buildings
A.D. 1722, in a much more perfect state, thought they were the
remains of a nunnery, principally from "the heads of veiled
nuns fixed on divers parts of the outside of the building'^.'' The
latter supposition agrees very well with the return in the Hun-
dred Rolls, which leads to the conclusion, that besides the well-
known nunnery of Sandford or Littlemore, there was (A.D. 1272)
another nunnery in the parish, founded upon the Templars' land
by Robert de Sandford. Upon the whole, however, tradition is
so strongly in favour of this having been the house of the Tem-
plars, that it seems reasonable to refer to them, rather than to
the nuns of the smaller priory, the few traces of thirteenth cen-
tury work, and to suppose that the additions which belong to
the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries were made by their suc-
cessors, the Knights Hospitallers. About a mile to the east of
the Church are the remains of the other and more important
nunnery, which, being on the confines of Sandford and Little-
more, takes its name from either. A range of building, running-
north and south, is still called the
" Minchery," a word formed from
"myncean," a Saxon word for nun.
Mr. Hearne, A.D. 1722, was able to
make out the ruins of the church or
chapel, on the north side; the refec-
tory, in which the old table was still
standing; and several other portions, -r
of which he has given an interesting
sketch in the Appendix to the His-
tory of Glastonbury ^. Time has now
nearly completed its ravages on this
ancient building ; even the stone coffins,
described by Mr. Hearne, lately fell

d Lcl. I till., vol. ix. p. lis. e See also Preface, xvi

Window in the .VLinchei-y,

-xxiii.

SANDFORD.

359

to pieces, when an attempt
was made to move them,
and although the Minchery
must always be an interest-
ing object for a summer's
walk, there are no remains either here, or at the farm near
the Church, to reward the antiquary for a special visit.

THE MINCHEE7

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1054. King Edward the Confessor gave to the Abbey of
St. Mary of Abingdon four manses on common land at Sandford, the
same which had been granted four years previously to Godwin f.

A.D. 1084. 18 "WilHam I. A portion of the land in Sandford was
held by Odo, Bishop of Baieux, and the remainder by the Abbey of
St. Mary of Abingdon s.

Soon after the Conquest, Gerri dc Planastre founded the Church of

' Cott. MS. Brit. Mus. CJaud. B. vi.
f. Ill and 115.

Domesday Survey, f. 156. b. and 2.

360 SANDFORD.

Sandford upon his own land. The possessions of Gerri de Phmastre
descended to Radulphus de Sandford, and the Cliurch became impro-
priate to the nuns of Littlemoi"e^. This was the parisli Church dedi-
cated to St. Andrew.

A.D. 1177. 24 Hen. II. In this year, according to Bp. Kennett,
Roger de Sanford gave to the Benedictine nunnery of Littlemore, in the
parish of Sandford, still called the "Minchery," and said to have been
founded in Saxon times, a third part of his island at Keniton. Among
the witnesses are John de Sanford ; the King's marshal ; Thomas
de Sanford, Adam de Sanford, Richard de Sanford, Hugh de Sanford,
pages to the King; and Fulcho de Sanford '.

A.D. 1216. I Hen. III. William Fitz Robert, clerk of Thomas
de Sandford, was presented by letters patent to the Church of Sandford
then vacant and in the royal patronage, because the lands of Josceus de
Baiocis were in the hands of the King'^.

A.D. 1218. 2 Hen. III. The manor of Sandford, including two
hides of land in Denton and one in Wheatley, with the advowson of
the Church of Blewbury, Berks, was given to the Knights Templars
by Thomas de Sandford, who appears to have filled the office of
Chamberlain during the reign of King John, being constantly intrusted
with the care of the royal purse, jewels, and wardrobe'. In the begin-
ning of the reign of Hen. III. he became a Templar™, and therefore it
may be supposed that his donation to the Templars took place at this
time, although it has been placed somewhat earlier by Bp. Tanner", and
Mr. Hearne". The Templars had already a preceptory at Cowley, which
place had been given them by the Empress Maud, and they also held
Littlemore, in which they were enfeoflfed by Roger de St. Andrew, as of
the honor of Leicester?, but in course of time Sandford became their
head quarters in this neighbourhood.

In the beginning of the reign of Hen. III. St. Alban Hall (in Oxford)
with another tenement on the west side of it afterwards called " Noone
Hall," were given to the nuns of Littlemore by Roger de St. Alban,
citizen of Oxford i.

A.D. 1244. 28 Hen. III. Pope Innocent IV. in the second year
of his pontificate, by a bull directed to all the faithful in the dioceses

'' Hundred Rolls, torn. ii. p. 723. " Notitia Monastica, art. Sandford.

' Bp. Tanner's Notitia Monastica, art. " Lei. Itin., vol. ii. p. 91.

Littlemore. Dugd. Mon. N. E. iv. 490. p Hundred Rolls, toni. ii. p. 72."5, and

and Ingram's Memorials. Testa de Nevill, p. 112.

k Rot. lit. pat. anno 12] 6, p. 187. ■> Hist, and Antiq. of Oxford, by A

' Rnf. lit. clans. Wood (Gutcli), vol. ii. p. 65k

"• Ibid. p. ;349.

SANDFOllD. 361

of Lincoln, Ely, and Salisbury, granted a relaxation of ten days of en-
joined penance to all who should aid the prioress and convent of the
Benedictine monastery of Lytelmore in rebuilding their Church.

The original bull is preserved, among other documents relating to this
monastery, in the Ashmolean Museum. The Church thus rebuilt was
on the north side of the Minchery, and was styled the Conventual
Church of St. Nicholas of Sandford, being also dedicated to St. Mary,
and St. Eadmund. It has been destroyed more than an hundred
years'^.

A.D. 1272. 1 Edward I. In Sandford sunt ix hide et dimidia qua-
rum preceptor Templi de Covele tenet iij hidas et dim. per servicium
dimid. feodi militis ad wardam Castri de Windlesore per xvij septi-
manas xl*^.

Heredes domini Radulphi de Sandford tenent v hidas per servicium
unius feodi militis ad wardam ejusdem castri eodem modo. Item sunt
de baronia de Abendon.

Item Abbas de Osen', tenet j hidam de prebenda Sancti Georgii et est
de feodo Doyli. Preceptor et heredes Racb.dphi de Sandford sequuntur
hundredum *,

Ecclesia de Sandford quam priorissa de Littlemore et conventus
tenent in proprios usus fundata est super feod. Radulphi de Sandford.
.... Item una prioria sanctimonialium fundata est in una pastura que
vocatur Cherleyham et pertinet ad manerium de Sandford quod Tem-
plarii tenent et fundata fuit per Robertum de Sandford qui illam pastu-
ram sanctimonialibus dedit . . . . Et ille locus qui tunc vocabatur Chir-
leham nunc vocatur Chaldewelle*.

A.D. 1274. 2 Edward I. About this time the preceptory of Knights
Templars was moved from Temple Cowley to Sandford, and a transcript
was made of their charters, which is still preserved in the Bodleian
Library, Avith the following cotemporary description on the inside of the
cover : —

" In isto libro continentur transcripta cartarum et aliorum instrumen-
torum ballive de Saumford ordinata et coadunata tempore fratris Roberti
le Escropp tunc preceptoris ibidem."

>■ Sec Uugdale's Monasticon, N. E., capite. Testa de Nevill, temp. lien. 111.

vol. iv. p. 492. Hearne's Hist, of Glast, ' Rot. Hund. ii. f. 722-3. Isabella de

Preface, xvi. A.D. 1722. Ilenred monialis de Saiunford electa per

s Hundred Rolls, toiTi. ii. p. 39. See conventum ejusdem loci in priorissam do

also pp. 722-3. Radulphus de Sand- Saumford. Thoma de Saumford patrono,

ford tenet in eadcm (sc. Sandford) feo- suum ad id adhibente consensum. A.D.

dum unius militis de feodo Abbatis de 1229, R. Dodsw. MS. vol. cvii. f. 45. cf.

Abendon ct idem Abbas de Rcffc in Rot. lit. cl.ius. t. i. f. 357. A.D. 1218.

^i^

3 A

362

SANDFORD.

The book consists of 119 leaves, on the lirst nine of wliicli are written
deeds relating special!}' to Sandford. Some of the more interesting
notices not printed in the Monasticon are, 1. A confirmation, by Kate-
rina Paynel, daughter of Adam de Pyriton, the nephew of Thomas de
Samford, of the manor of Sandford, and other gifts of her father and
great uncle". 2. A like confirmation by William Peverel. nephew of
Thomas de Sandford, dated in the land of Syria in the year of the Incar-
nation of our Lord Jesus Christ mccxli. on the second day of May,
witnessed by WilUam Longespee and others^. 3. An agreement by
which the Knights Temjilars grant to the nuns of Littlemore three acres
of meadow in Sandford, in lieu of small tithes y. 4. A covenant of
mutual help and counsel between the Canons of Oseney and the Tem-
plars ^.

A.D. 1309. At the suppression of the Knights Templars, the
following were among those sent to the Tower from the county of
Oxford.

Frater WilUelmus de Sautre, preceptor apud Samford.

Frater Willielmus de Warewyk, presbyter, frater apud*Samford per
tres annos et plus.

Frater Richardus de Colyngham, frater apud Samford per sex annos ^.

Soon after the above date, Sandford, like the other possessions of the
Knights Templars, was given to the Knights Hospitalars of St. John of
Jerusalem, who in like manner had a preceptory or commandry liere,
fur the maintenance of which Temple Hockley in Wiltshire was ex-
pressly assigned.

A.D. 1512. 3 Hen. VIII. Sir Thomas Lelond, Knt., was sent by
the special mandate of Thomas Docwra, Piior of the Hospitalars, to take
an account of the rents witliin the " demesnes of the preceptory of
Saumpford*^'." Among the notices relating especially to Sandford con-
tained in the rent-book thus made, is the following : " Sciendum est
quod dominus prior Sancti Johannis in Anglia debet annuatim soluere
Abbati de Abyngdon de Castellwarde pro terris suis infra manerium de
Sampforde per annum iiijs. x'ujd. ob. et similiter eidem Abbati pro
([uodam prato vocato Turvct jacente super Ripam Thamisie apud Samp-
forde per annum ijs. \'ujd.

A.D. 1524. 15 Hen. VIII. Littlemore was one of the small monas-
teries suppressed by the Pope's bull, and given to Cardinal Wolsey
toward the erection of his new College in Oxford. Afterwards it

" Wood's MS. 10. 1'. 2. h.
» Ibid. f. :i.
y r.id. }'. 5. b.
• Hid. f. 17.

" Wilkiiis's Concilia, ii. p. ."17.

'* llcntale dc novo nnovatuin, tvic, in
JSibl. Coll. Corp. Claisti, Oxoii. MS.
Davis.

SAND FORD. 3G3

became part of the endowment of the King's College there; and in
38 Hen. VIII. was granted, in exchange for other lands, to George Owen,
Esq., and John Bridges, M.D.*' From them it passed to Sir John,
afterwards Lord Williams, of Thame, who in 2 Edw. VI. sold the " Min-
chery" to Edmund Powell, Esq.*! After remaining in this family for
several generations, it passed to that of Walker, from whom it was
bought by the Duke of Marlborough.

There belonged to this nunnery at its suppression, in spiritualities 12/.,
and in temporalities 21/. 6s. 8d. In all 33/. 6s. 8cl. per annum.

The seal of Littlemore nunnery, found by a farmer about A.D. 1762,
was shewn by the Bishop of Carlisle in 1765 at the Society of Anti-
quaries, being a man in a long gown and flowing hair^.

A.D. 1542. 33 Hen. VIII. Soon after the dissolution, the house of
the Knights Hospitalars was granted to Edward Powell, whose descend-
ants also acquired the Minchery, which, with the site and possessions of
this house in Sandford, at length became the property of the Duke of
Mai"lborough.

A.D. 1661, June 29. 1 Charles II. The antiquary Antony a
Wood made a visit to the house once belonging to the Templars, which
he has thus noted.

" Mr. Francis Napier of Halywell and myself walked over to Sand-
ford, 2 miles distant from Oxon, where we saw the ruins of an old
Priory and a Chapel there adjoining .... this house at the dissolution
came to the Powells, who enjoy it to this day; in the hall in a canton
window there are these arms belonging to that family, viz.,

Argent, a cheveron Gules, between 3 cootes or ducks Sable ; within a bor-
dure Azure bezantee. Vert, 3 stirropps with leathers Or. Argent, on a fess
Sable, 3 mullets of the first, between 3 annulets of the second, by the name of
Fogge. There is in the same window also a crest of a coate of amies which is
a hand brandishing a sword : and Powell's crest'."

The living of Sandford s is now a Donative, in the gift of his Grace the
Duke of Marlborough, and the present value is 15/.; the population 304,
according to the last return. J. b.

•= Dugd. Monast. N. E. iv. p. 491. K Year Books 9 Edw. III., Trin. 24.

■^ Pref. to Hist, of Glastonbury xvii. Of the advowson of the Church of

"^ Gough, Brit. Top., vol. ii. p. 86, Saiiiulford. Bp. Tanner, Not. Mon. art.

quoted in Monasticon, N. E. iv. p. 491. Saunford.
f Wood's MS. Ash. Mus. B. 15.

NUNEIIAM COUETNEY.

PATRON.

THE ARCHBISHOP

OK YORK.

^n faints.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

THE PRESENT CHURCH,

The old Church was taken down by Simon Lord Harcourt
and the present building erected in 1764, after a design of his
own, which was slightly corrected by Stuart. It affords a
memorable instance of the taste of that age, of which it was the
misfortune that those persons who were the most liberal, and
desirous to serve the Church, and who, for their private virtues,
were most worthy of praise, were precisely those who did the
most mischief; the fault was that of the age, not of the indi-
vidual.

Some fragments of the old Church are preserved in the
grounds at Baldon House ; they consist of the jambs of a fine
Early English window, with the shafts, the section of the mould-
ings remarkably good ; the caps and bases of the shafts are also
well moulded. By the side of this is a small plain lancet win-
dow, and adjoining to it a splendid tomb of Sir Anthony
Pollard, 1577, and Philhppa his wife, 1606; it is in the taste of
that age, with Corinthian columns, &c., and the figures of the
knight, his lady, and two children; the original colouring
remains, though the whole is much mutilated".

" For notes of the arms and monu- KifiO, see Harl. MS., Brit. Mus., No.
nients in the former Cluircli, taken A.D. 4170.

NUNEHAM COURTNEY.

365

Remains of the Old Church.

i*^"

V '
"^^'■U^.'

''/, ^i

Sections of Mouldings in the Old Church.

366 NUNEHAM COURTNEY.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

In the Domesday Survey Nuneham is recorded as part of the grant
of Milo Crispin.

According to Simon Earl Harcourt, at the Norman survey the Manor
of Newnham belonged to Richard de Curci, afterwards to the family of
Ripargs or Redvers. Mary, youngest daughter of William de Redvers,
Earl of Devon, (who, as well as his uncle William, was surnamed de
Vernon,) married in 1214 Robert de Courtney, Baron of Okehampton^.
After these succeeded Sir John Pollard, of Devon. From the Pollards
it came to — Audley, of the court of wards, called the Rich Audley :
Robert Wright, Bishop of Lichfield, was the next owner of it ; his son,
Calvert Wright, sold it to John Robinson, of London, merchant, who
was knighted in 1G60 by King Charles II., and made lieutenant of the
tower. From the Robinsons it descended to David, Earl of Wemys,
(who married Mary, daughter and coheiress of Sir John Robinson, Bart.;)
from the said Earl of Wemys it was purchased in 1710 for the sum of
£ 17,000, by Simon, first Lord Harcourt, Lord Chancellor of England.
It was the first Lord .Harcourt who removed the cottagers from their
proximity to the mansion and the Church to the situation in which
the village now stands on the London road.

The living is a Rectory, in the gift of the Harcourt family, and
formerly belonged to the Abbey of Abingdon. It was valued in the
King's Books at 16^. Gs. : the present value is 45G/., and the population

514.

'' Cf. Dugdale's Baronage, Courtney, Earls of Devon.

C U L H A M.

PATRON.

t. ^

!aur.

DEANERY

THE BISHOP OF

OF CUDDESDEN.

OXFORD.

(

HUNDRED
DF DORCHESTER,

FT.

IN.

FT.

IN.

Chancel

Nave

2 Aisle 10

North transept

South transept

Tower

A SMALL plain Church ; plan, cruciform, with a tower at tlic
west end.

The Chancel, with the exception of the north wall, is modci'n,
and very bad ; on the south side is a door, with a fan-hght over
it, and a brick chimney ; on the north is a small trefoil recess,
probably a locker for the cruets ; a monument of Thomas Bury,
of an ancient family of that name, of Bury Hall, in the county
of Lancashire, who died in 1624, and married Judith, daughter
of Dr. Laurence Humphrey. The communion-table has the date
of 1G38. The roofs are all ceiled and white-washed. The
north transept has a two-light lancet Avindow on each side,
and a debased Perpendicular window at the end. Tlic south
transept has a Decorated window of two lights on the east side,
and another of three lights at the end, the mullions crossing
in the head, and foliated. The south aisle has on the south side
a Decorated window of two lights, the dripstone partly cut off.
The south porch is plain and poor, with the date 1G38. On the
north side is a single lancet window, and above is a range of
four clearstory windows of two lights, square, the heads all cut
off by the wall-plate of the roof. The tower is debased, plain,
and late ; there is the date of 1710 on the lead; the south door
is Decorated, but of the poorest description.

368 C U L H A M.

In the north transept tlie north window is filled with shields
of arms of the seventeenth century, and is curio asly made part
of the design of a monument of the date of 1638, to the Gary
family, erected by the Lady Judith Gary, to the memory of Sir
Edmund Gary, Knight, deceased 1637. He was sometime
Esquire of the Body to Queen Elizabeth, and Gentleman of the
Privy Chamber to King James I. and King Gharles I., and was
the son of Henry Gary, Lord Hunsdon, Ghamberlain to Queen
Elizabeth. In the jambs of the windows are chains of shields,
with the arms of various families.

The Nave has on the south side five small arches, pointed
and recessed, the edges chamfered, the chamfers continuing
nearly to the ground, without caps or bases to the pillars ; the
chamfer terminations are good Early English. The tower-arch
is lofty and well-proportioned, and pointed, but quite plain. It
is boarded up, with a singers' gallery in front of it, with the
date of 1721.

A stone font has recently been presented to the Ghurch
by J. Phillips, Esq., in the place of a mahogany one, which had
been used for some years.

Near the Ghurch is an Elizabethan manor house, with the
date of 1610.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 821. Coenulf, King of Mercia, gave to the Monastery of
Abingdon, at the request of his sisters Keneswyth and Burgevilde,
who had selected Abingdon Monastery as their place of burial, fifteen
manses in Culham, [loco, qui a ruricolis nuncupatur Cullanhaunna,
cum omnibus utilitatibus ad earn pertinentibus,] witb tbe meadow culled
tbe Otteneys^S so called to tbis day.

A.U. 940 — 946. Cbarter of King Eadmund, confirming to Abingdon
monastery the grant of Culbam, on condition that Abbot Godescale gave
up possession of it to ^Elfilda, [yElflcda ?] of kin to the royal family, for
her life, as Coenulf had granted to his sisters before''. As this charter
is curious, and we believe has never been printed before, we subjoin it
at length.

" Diigd. Monast., vol. i. p. 51k " .MS. Claud., 15. vi. f. 2-5.

C U L H A M. 369

Cotton MS. Claudius B. VI. fol. 25.

Carta regis Edmundi de Culehara.

" Eadmundus ^])elstano fratri succedens confirmavit ecclesie abbend'

pa, Chenesfeld cum omnibus ad illam integre pertinentibus, quam predic-

tus Aelfricus de consensu domini sui regis JEfelstani domui Abbend'

in puram et perpetuam contulerat elemosinam ; hac tamen dicione, ut

Godescair abbas abbend' et conventus eiusdem loci concederent cuidam

matrone regal' progenei, nomine ^Elfildae, Culeham omnibus diebus Yite

sue liberam et quietam in ea forma et omni eodem tenoi'e quo rex

Kenulfus concessit sororibus suis, que eandem villam huic domui

Abbend' contulerunt, ut predictum est, et post decessum ipsius ^Ifild

villa memorata omni eodem modo ad proprios monachorum usus reuer-

tetur. Quod itaque sic factum est, memorata yElfilda cedente in fatuni ;

sepulta est ^Ifilda matrona ista in capella, quam in honore sancti Vin-

centii edificaA'erat."

Mete de Culeham '^.

"^rest on pylfingford on temese. f of ))ylfingaford k lang ane smale
die to Jjapanhseminga londjemsere on nia heafdo. ^ford' be pon heafdon on
fippel*^ beorjas. of fippel beorjon on Culanhema die & lang die on seppel-
ford. of seppelforda & lang psere richt temese on butan utan eje. Joet eft
on pylsingford."

Thans. " First on Wylfingford upon Thames. From Wylfingford along a
small dyke to the Nuneham landmarks on the headlands. From the head-
lands to the five harrows. From the five barrows to Culham dyke. Along
the dyke to Appleford. From Appleford along straight to the Thames ; and
so about the outer stream that leads back to Wylfingford."

A.D. 1110. A miller of Sutton, by name Gamel, was fined five
mancuses for steabng earth from the Culham side of the river, for the
repair of the mill. The case appears to have been carried by Faritius,
the Abbot of Abingdon, to Hugh de Boclande, at that time Sheriff of
Berkshire, who referred it to the justiciary of the hundred ^.

A.D. 1111. Charter of Henry I. confirming to Abingdon St. An-
drew's Church, Culham, and all grants made by Aubrey de Vere, Bea-
trice his wife, and their children^.

A.D. circ. 1 125. Vincent, Abbot of Abingdon, " devised to tume the
streme of Isis, and at the last brought it on to the very abbay side, and
partly thrwghe it. The chefe streme of Isis rane afore betwixt Andersey
Isle and Culneham, even where now the soutlie ende is of Culneham.

c It is " Cullaiiham" in MS. Cot. men; as the Punjaub in Northern India

Claudius, C. ix. is so called from the five tributary streams

d " Fippel " in the Saxon seems to be a of the Indus,

corruption of pjjalb. So " fiffel-stream" e MS. Claud., B. vi. f. 135 b.

in the Saxon Boethius, quintnplex flu- ' Cotton. MS. Claud. C. ix. fol. llo.

370 C U L H A M.

The other arme that brekethe out of Isis aboute a quarter of a mile
above Culneham, and then cummithe downe thoroughe Cuhieham bridge
selfe, is now the lesse peace of the hole river^."

A.D. 1307. Nicholas de Coleham, Abbot of Abingdon. He is re-
ported to have rebuilt St. Nicholas Church, without the west gate of the
Abbey: ob. 1307-

A.D. 1416. Application was made by the fraternity of the Holy
Cross, and the commons of Abingdon, to Henry V., and licence granted
by letters patent dated Westminster, 20th June, 1416, to .John Ilutchion,
John Brite, and the commons of the same town, to build bridges over
Burford and Culhamford'-'.

A.D. 1430. An Act of Parliament was passed in this year to confirm
the building of the bridges, with orders that the highway between them
should be four perches and eight inches broad between the ditches of the
said way'.

The circumstances connected with the building of Culham bridge have
been very accurately described in the following metrical narrative, still
preserved on the original table, set up by the author in the hall of
Christ's Hospital, Abingdon, and which has been collated for the pre-
sent work : —

Henrici quiuti regis quarto revoluto

Anno, rex idem pontem fundavit utrumque,

Supra locum binum Borford dictumque Culhamford.

Inter eos namque via regia tendit alta.

Annis adjunctis dat inter gradientibus amplum ;

Principium cujus Abendoniae situatur.

Annis tunc donum M. quater C. numeratis,

Et sexto deno cum fecit opus pietatis.

Vos qui transitis hujus memores bene sitis,

Et vestris precibus fundator sit relevatus.

©fF allc CillTcvIins in tl)is SCtovlUc ii),it c'ocr Uicvt torougI)t
Ijolij d)ixc\)t is cl)cfc, tijcvc d)ilDicn lucn cljcvsifi''.
_jm he tiaptim tl)rsc 13avncs lo blissc iictn i brougljt,
CTijorougil) tl)c gvncc of criofl, nntt faint rcfic3sf)e0.
?li\oiljcv blisscLi licsincs is Iniggfs to make,
TJlMxc that tl)c pcpul man not passe after gicct sfjofcuvcs.
Sole'' it is to UvaiBC n Uecti fjottij outc of a lafec,
5H;at tnas fullcti in a fount stoon s anU a J'cloin of ourcs.

8 Willis's ]\Iitrcd Abbeys, in Leland. Cullfct., vol. vi. p. W2.
•> Cal. Pat. Rot. 4 Hen. V. m. 23.

' On one of the windows in St. Helen's church was formerly the following distich,
" Henricus quintus quarto fundavcrat anno
Rex pontem Burford super undas atquc Culhamfoid."

Stevenson's MSS. Gough. Berks.
* Christened. " Grievous. <= Washed in the font.

CULHAM. 371

Itong l^errr) t^e fnft in I)!? foiutl)c Were,

T^e I)atf)c i founUe for I)is folfee a brtge in 13crl;EScI)tre.

JFor cartis toiti^ cariagc may goo ant( tome clcrc,

5ri;at many asanntcrs afore lucre mavccir in tfjc JfWijrir.

'^nti som oute of Ijcr saUels ffettci to tl)c grotin^ie

aSSentc fortf)c in tf)e abater tuist no man tol)arc.

.-/Fybe a^efens after or tftcij tncrc i fountie,

l^er feijn anU ^cr Imotulecl) " caugi)t {)cm nppc toiti) rare.

5ri)en t{)c CTomtnons of ?llicntfon rrycB on tlje filjnge,

®)3on Bufefs anti lorties tfjat tocrc in tljis lontte.

W^z ISynge 6atl f)em licgijnnc apon ffioiatics liUssing,

■anO make it also sirongc as tl)ci) coutf;c tuitl) stone, lyme or sonKc,

■Upon tl)c Uaij of setjnt ^Ibon t\)c\} began tJ)is game,

anlj 3oI)n l^ttcfnjns lanDc tf)c ftrstc stoon in tijc feijnges name.

Sir ^rris IScsillis Iinwgfjt curtcys anO I)ccnti,

.for i)is faDir soulc anto fjis frcntics \)e KyU as f)e scljollrc.

T^e gaf f)cm stonys i notoljc into t{)c tocrfeys entJe,

■^Iso mony as t^ey neliiu fcc})e i)cm if tijey inofiJe.

W)m crafti men for tl)e querry malje trotoes of yre,

SHRcgcs, antf tuayes, nntt mony J)ar'De J)otoys',

3ieffray ISarbotir baft pay I)cm I)er i^yre.

5ri)cn must tfjcy I;at)c tnoolBs to mafee on llje botnyss.

STbey cocfeilf for cartes, anti cast for Ijcr cljisyng.

®;f)ey fountff oiitc tl)c funtremcnt anO layUe in large stones

STi^ey retisiti ttp tl)c arcljeys be gcmeotre in rysyng,

aSRitlj xi. laborers labyng'' at onys.

CTfjcr toas toater i noiiif)c, stone, lyme anti grabcl,

a^crfeemen als tuisc as tl)cy coiiftc fynOc any.

■^nti cber bat) t\)c barbowr pay for i^er trabel,

Vtil a JTO. JWark be spcntfe ecl)e a pcny.

®f)£n tfje strengj)c of tfje strcmc astoneD Ijem stronge,

In labor antr labyng moclje money tnas lore'.

Vl\)tx lobctf I)cm a latJBe teas a fioater man longe,

l|e I)flpe stop tlje strcme til tf)e toerfec ivae a fore,

Et toas a solace to see in a somcr scson,

®ffi®. I toysse fcooifeyng at onys.

iiii. antf iiii. reulyti be rcson,

VLo toete iiiI;o inrougljt best toerc set for tf)c nonce'*.

STi^e peplc prebcO Jjer potncr tuttl) tl)e pccoysc'.

■^)c JWattoli tnas man fjanCeletl rigl^t toele a tobyle.

a®itl) spaces anti scbobelis tljey matif suel)e a noysc,

®I;at men mygf)t I)crc Ijem tl)cns a mylc.

aSSybes luent oute to tnite"' Ijotn tl^cy turougl;! :

"V. score in a flofe it tuns a fayre sygl)t.

En borti clotI)cs brigf)t lubite bretle tbey brougljt,

CDfjees anti cljcbcncs clcrclycb '^ t(ygl)t".

2rf)cse tocren tl)e bycljes i tiiget) in ful I)artic grountie,

"^ Fell. e Acquaintance. f Hoes, ^ Arch-stones.

^ Baling. ' Lost. ^ For this especial service.

' Pickaxe. >" Know. " Prepared.

372 CULHAM.

■anto i cast up to arevc tntil) \\)c aicij,
Sctljcn tl)ci} tMcrc i set initl) a quyk moton"oc
STo I)oHjc in tf)c Inmfecs for cbcr aiiD at).
^I}C gotJe lovlfE of ^bcnUon left of f)is lontic,
JFor tl)c bicctjo of tlic briqc ^^. fotc large.
It fioas a greet socour of ertfie anU of sonOe,
"anD ijt \)z abatcD tfjc rent of tfje ba rgc.
"an ec. potuntie, artU ib'>. fcoas truly paneU
13c t'^e I)onl(cs of 3of)n l^ud)nns anti ISanbcnj also ,
J^For tl)e tnane anU tf)c barge tl)us It must be sancD.
©I)crto initnesse al ^bcntJon, ant( mani) oon moo.
J"ot noto is CCulbam l)itl)c i com to an entje,
•an al tl}e contrc tlje better anti no man tijc ixiotse.
JFcto folfec tl)crc lucre coutte tl)at men tBcnUc,
13ut tl)ci) foagctl a toetJP or pancB of l)cr purse
■ant) if it toere a bcgger l)at( brcct> in Ijis baggc,
l^c scl)ulKc be njg!)t soonc i bit) for to goo aboutc,
"antl of ti)c pore pennies tl)e bicretnarti i inolti Ijabbc
^ '^ootf or a girDcl, ant) let l)rm goo toitlpute.
Jfitanp moo mnscljebcs tl;erc tocrcn E sau.
CCull)am l)iti)e l)atl) rausit) mamj a curse,
3E blysset) be our f)elpers toc I)abc a better tnatje,
aStiti^oute ani) penij for cart ant) for l)orse.
5r!)us acorttiD tf)c feimgc ant) tl)e cobcnt,
"anD tbe commones of ^bention as tf)e abbot toolDe.
5ri)us tl)ci} tncrc cescD ant) set al in oon assent,
Sn^at al tl)e brefeimgcs of tlje brige tl)e totone bere scljulOc.
®f)is toas prcbet) acte also in ti^e ^erlement,
En perpetual pees to l)abe ant) to IjolDc.
^i^is talc is i tolBe in noon otl)cr entent
33ut for mijitbc antr in memonj to yonge anD to olDc.
i^ohj cberij gooD botin tbat gotl)e on tl)is brige,
13it) for tl)c ISarbour gcntil Seffray,
®I)at clotljctr many a pore man to bet) anti to rigc,
•anD Ijatljc I)olpc to rentis to l)oltJe up tljis toaye.
Wi)C b3icl)e rentes rigl)t tretne men f)abe f take on IjonDe,
^nti graciously gobcrncti bem noto a goot) iDbile.
Mtt)o so l)atie bcm Ijercaftcr toitl)c trctotlje but be stont)e,
3Et scljal be knotocn openly be t)oibc f)ymsclfe bcgyle.
E councel ebery creature to licpe \)\m from tl)c curst.
JFor of tf)is treiys toil 3: no more telle,
"ant) be not to cobetous to youre otonc purse,
jFor peril of i\)t peynes in tbe pit of Ijcllc.
i^oto ffiot) gcbc us grace to folotoc trcutbc eben,
^t)at toe may Ijabe a place in tlje blysse of l^ebcn. ^jTO1£T:«r.
r. A. B. I. N. D. O. N. R. F. I.
^[afee tl)c ferst letter of youre foure faDer toitl) a, tl)e toorlter of toex, ant) E ant)
TnT, tbe colore of an asse ; set tbcm togcter, ant) tel me yf you can tol)at it is tf)an.
1Mcl)art) JFannantie Ercmonger l;atl)e mat)e ti;is tabul, ant) set it I;erc in tl;e
pcre of Ityng 12?erry tljc scxtc xxxvi'e.

» Breadth. i> Left something as a pledge. i Take for the tolls.

C U L H A M.

373

At the time of the dissolution of the Abbey the living of Culham was
not in charge in the King's books, probably because it was not of suffi-
cient value. The patronage appears to have been shortly afterwards
given to the Bishop of Oxford. The present value is 100^. a year, and
the popvdation 404.

A.D. 1644. Col. Gage, making an attempt to break down Culham
bridge, near Abingdon, where he intended to erect a royal fort, that
should have kept that garrison from that side of the country, was shot
through the heart with a musket bullet. Prince Rupert was present at
the action, having approved and been much pleased with the design,
which was never pursued after his death ^.

A.D. 1666. A note of the sum collected in aid of the sufferers by the
great fire of London occurs in the parish register as follows : — " Oct.
10th. Collected for the poore of London, disabled by a dismall and
lamentable fiere, £1. 3s. 8d.i"

^ Clarendon's Hist. Rebel., 1826, vol. iv.
p. 595.

' For a full account of the arms and

monumental inscriptions in Culham
Church, A.D. 1660, see Antony k Wood's
MS. E. I., p. 202, Ashmolean Mus. Oxf.

CLIFTON HAMPDEN.

PATRON.
HENRY HUCKS GIBBS,

Esq.

5t. iWidjacl.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF DORCHESTER.

PLAN OF THE CHURCH.

374

CLIFTON HAMPDEN.

<^^

f klf^Tl '.\4i

CLIFTON BAMPDEN CH0RCH, from the River.

tLl'MO n i. * HL

A SMALL Church, of mixed styles, beautifully situated on
a cliff at a bend of the river Thames. It has lately been
restored, under the direction of Mr. Scott, architect, in ex-
tremely good taste, by the present patron, Mr. Henry Hucks
Gibbs, in pursuance of the wishes of his father, the late Mr.
George Henry Gibbs, with whom the design of restoring the
Church originated, and who left by will a considerable sum for
this object.

The Chancel. The east window is good Decorated, of three
lights ; the side windows are lancet-shaped. On the south side
are two sedilia and a piscina, and on the north side a fine tomb,
with the recumbent effigy of the late Mr. George Henry Gibbs,
above mentioned, is introduced in the place of the Easter
sepulchre.

The Nave has on the south side three transition Norman
arches, pointed, with plain Norman caps and bases to the pillars.
On the north side are three Decorated arches, with plain mould-

CLIFTON HAMPDEN.

375

ings continuous to the bases. The roof is a restoration of the old
Decorated one, but with additional ornament introduced; this
roof is continued over nave and Chancel, there being no
Chancel-arch. The nave is divided from the Chancel bj a
screen. At the west end are two lancet-shaped windows, with
foliated heads ; between them on the exterior is a tall buttress
to carry the bell-turret, which is very elegant, and terminated
by a small spire. The south aisle is transition Norman, with a
smallDecorated chapel added
at the east end ; in this aisle
there is a transition Norman
piscina; a good porch, in
the Decorated style, has been
added on the south side.
The north aisle is Decorated,
with a plain lean-to roof. A
vestry has recently been
added at the east end of this
aisle. A handsome lich-gate
of carved oak has been erect-
ed at the entrance of the . -^^^^
Church-yard ; this adds con-
siderably to the picturesque beauty of the scene, which, as a
whole, is seldom equalled. For notes of the arms and monu-
ments of the Church, taken A.D. 1600, see Harleian MSS.,
Brit. Mus., 4170.

THE LICH-GATE.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Clifton, (cliff town,) so called from its situation as above described,
(p. 374,) received the additional name Hampden from Myles Hampden^*,
one of its chief Lords in the reign of King Henry VIII., to distinguish
it from Clifton Ferry ^, which is on the other side of the water, in the
parish of Long Wittenham.

a " The Monastrie of Dorchester— of Clyfton yearly for ever, vjd."— Valor
payde to Myles Hampden for a quit rent Ecc. ii. p. 171. d ibid., p. 2(J8

376 CLIFTON HAMPDEN.

A.D. 1272. Richard de Clifton held of the Bishop of Lincoln, in
chief, two knights' fees in Clifton and Baldon'^, which were soon after-
wards held by Wilham de Baldon''.

A.D. 1538. 29 Hen. Vlll. At the Dissolution the possessions of the
Abbey of Dorchester in Clifton, and the adjoining village of Burcot, were,

li s d
Rent and farm, with rent of Assize in Byrcote . 2 10 4

The farm of the Rectory of Birdcote, with all tithes
and oblations pertaining to the said Rectory, let at
will to John Drabayn . . . . . 4 13 4

Rent of Assize, with rent of customary tenants in

Clyftonne 7 2 10

The Rectory of Clyftonne, let to William Yong by in-
denture under the seal of the Convent, dated 15
March, 17 Hen. VIII., for a term of sixteen years,
at a yearly rent of^ . . . . . . 9 0 0

A.D. 1546. 37 Hen. VIII. The Rectories and Churches, with the
Vicarages, Advowsons, &c., of Clyfton and Byrdcomte, which, after the
suppression of Dorchester Abbey, had been granted to the Abbey of
Oseney, in Oxford', on the occasion of its being made (A.D. 1542) the
Cathedral Church for the Diocese of Oxford, were, on the 22nd of No-
vember in this year, granted by the King to George Rythe, Gentleman,
and John Pollard, Esq. On the 18th of December following, George
Rythe made over all his share in the said Rectories, Churches,
Vicarages, and Advowsons, to John Pollard, from whom these rights
descended to his heirs. Burcot is no longer a benefice, and all traces of
its Church are lost, except perhaps a mutilated piece of stone sculpture,
which may have been the top of a church-yard Cross, representing on
one side the Blessed Virgin and Holy Infant, and on the other a crucifix,
with figures of the Blessed Virgin and St. John the Evangelist. The
Rectory, under a commission of enclosure, A.D. 1775, was valued at
761. per annum, and lands assigned in lieu of tithes. The living of
Clifton Hampden, late in the peculiar of Dorchester, is now a perpetual
Curacy, value 107/. ; population by the last return 297.

" Testa de Nevill, p. 120. Account of the Abbey Cliurch of Dor-

-i Hundred Rolls, ii. p. 749. Chester." J. H. Parker, Oxford, IMti,

e Records in the Exchequer, 29 Hen. pp. 79, 92, 157, !()(».

VIII., printed in Appendix C to " Some ' MS. of H. J. Hannam, Esq., of Burcot.

PATRON.

P. C.

CORPUS CHRISTI COLL.

OXFORD.

WAEBOROUGH.

5t. Saurcncc.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OP EWELME.

THE FONT, WARBOEOUGH.

A Church retaining but few of its ancient features, with
a modern tower at the west end ; the walls of the Chancel are
Early English, the strings under the windows remain, and
the inner arch of the east window, but the window itself is an
insertion of the Decorated period, of three Hghts, with flowing
tracery ; a shaft with foliated cap remains on the angle of each
side : the side windows are also insertions, some Decorated,
some Perpendicular, and there is a small Decorated piscina
with the wooden shelf. On the south side is a small doorway
of Early English character, on the wooden door of which is
some of the original iron-work of the thirteenth century.

278

W A R B O R O U G H.

Hinie oo ibe Gb i

The Chancel-arcli is destroyed, as arc also the last remains

of a rood-loft : on the eastern side
of the partition remaining between
the nave and Chancel is painted
the plume of feathers which forms
the badge of the Prince of Wales,
with the initials C. P. (Carolus Prin-
ceps.)

The walls of the nave are Deco-
rated, with a doorway of the same
date, but the windows are insertions of the Perpendicular style.
The Tower is modern, rebuilt in 1666, with some old woi'k.
The Font is of lead, and worthy of particular notice : the
figures under the arcade round the base are repetitions of one
type representing an archbishop raising the right hand in the
attitude of blessing, and holding in the left a crozier. (See the
woodcut on the preceding page.) There is one very similar to it
at Long Wittenham, most of the ornaments are identical ; it is
Early English work, but the pedestal is of stone Avith Perpen-
dicular panelling, similar to that at Dorchester.

On the south side of the Church is a small chapel projecting,
of Decorated work ; the arch is of wide span, and plain. The
south window is of two lights ; on the east side of this, in the
south wall, is a piscina, and a single seat beside it. The east
window is filled up and the Altar removed.

The pewing is quite recent, all open, with poppies, but painted,
and otherwise not in good taste, the backs of the pews being
too high, and the poppies ill-executed. In the Chancel all the
pews are turned with their backs to the Altar. The walls are
wainscoted, and ornamented with rows of hat-pegs. The pul-
pit, reading-desk, and clerk's seat, are in the regular modern
gradation. At the Avest end is a singers' gallery, with garret
windows at each end to light it ; these are disguised outside
with barge-boards.

There is a fine tower-arch, erected in 1666, now boarded up,
and the interior of the tower is appropriated to the ringers, for

WARBOROUGH. 379

whom a west entrance was made, A.D, 1844. The south porch
is of modern hoarding, very bad. In the Church-yard there is
the tall shaft of a Perpendicular cross.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A. D. 1272. 1 Edw. I. The Church of Warborough, Wardburg,
or Warberewe, was originally a chapel to the Church of Benson^, and
belonged to the Abbot of Dorchester, to whom the mother Church was
given by the Empress Matilda^.

A.D. 1538. 29 Hen. VIII. At the Dissolution the possessions
of the Abbey of Dorchester in this place were,

The Rectory of Warborowe, with all and singular tithes and profits
belonging to it, let to John Holmes, by indenture, under the seal of the
Convent of Dorchester, dated 4th day of May, 25 Hen. VIII., for a
term of 21 years from the decease or resignation of Roger Smith,
Abbot of the said Monastery. The lessee, at his own proper cost, to find
bread and wine ; and at the feast of Easter, two wax lights on the High
Altar, £24. Os. Od.

Redd' assis' et oust' ten' in Warborowe'', . . £11. 17s. 4|d.

Warborough was one of the twelve Churches in the late peculiar and
exempt jurisdiction of Dorchester. The living is now a perpetual curacy
in the patronage of Corpus Christi College in Oxford. The value is
£350, and the population, according to the last return, 737.

A.D. 1588. A suit was at this time carried on between Richard
Spyer, AVilliam Hobbes, and other inhabitantsof Warborough, plaintiffs,
and the President and scholars of St. John's College in Oxford, defendants,
resjiecting the " Burylands" in Warborough. There is a collection of
several documents relating to this suit in the parish chest, and among
them are letters patent, granted 24th July, (29 Q. Eliz.,) rehearsing
an inquisition, (16 King Hen. VI.), from which it appears that Edmund,
Earl of Cornwall, (11 King Edw. I.,) gave to the chapel of St. Nicholas
in his castle of Walingford 40/. annual rent in Warberewe and Scilling-
ford, which was parcel of the manor of Bensinton, and in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth was reduced to the yearly value of 24/.

The rectory, parsonage, and chapel of Warborough, belonging to the
late monastery of Dorchester, came into possession of Corpus Christi
College by grant from King Henry VIII. in 1537, by way of exchange
and purchase, the Crown reserving the tenth part of a knight's fee, viz.,
3/. 9s. 3d., in lieu of all other services, rent, and demands, and discharged
of first fruits and tenths. J. B.

a Hundred Rolls, vol. ii. p. 751, quoted ford, 1845, p. 89.
in Historical Notices of Benson. c Scg ii,ij.^ pp. yo, 112-3, 145, 150,

^ Abbey Church of Dorchester. Ox- 155.

PATRON.

P. C.

CHRIST CHURCH,

OXFORD.

BENSON.

SbU ?i?clfu.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

OF EWELME.

" '^'v

EAST VIEW OF THE CHANCEL OF BENSON CHURCH.

A PLAIN Churchj of mixed styles ; plan oblong, with aisles to
the nave_, and a tower at the west end.

The Chancel. — The original part is late Norman; two small
round-headed windows and a round-headed doorway remain,
they are quite plain, with the original dripstones.

The Chancel-arch is transition from Norman, pointed, the
edges chamfered, springing from imposts ornamented with a
cluster of Norman mouldings, and a head for a corbel. In
the fourteenth century the Chancel was lengthened ; the east
window of three lights, and the buttresses at the eastern angles,
belong to that period.

The Nave has three pointed arches on each side, recessed,
with the edges chamfered, the pillars round, with Early English
caps and bases. Of these caps, three are moulded with deep

BENSON. 381

hollow mouldings, and three sculptured with the stiff-leaf orna-
ment. The aisles are both Decorated. The windows on the
south side are of two lights, with quatrefoils in the head, lately
well restored ; those on the north side have had their tracery
cut out, but the dripstones remain. The south door is of the
fourteenth century, but quite plain. The tower is modern,
substantially built, but a very bad imitation of Gothic, The
Font is plain, round. Early English ; the pewing is all modern,
and very bad, and the Church is much spoiled by galleries.

Under the stove in the middle of the nave is a monumental
slab, defaced, but retaining the following portions of the in-
scription in brass : —

Vivimus incerti, nee spes est carcere clausis
An vitam aut mortem labilis bora dabit.

Dum proavum juvenis gressus colit, iude severa
Mors sequitur juvenem, nee sinit esse senem.

ON THE VERGE OF THE SLAB.

(Freman filius atque beres Gulielmi Freman nuper de Preston-Cro-
marsb,) qui quidem Gulielmus nupsit (unam liliaruni Jobaunis) Bigge gene-
rosi, (et obiit sexto die meusis Junii anno^.)

The bells, eight in number, are modern.

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Benson, or Bensington, to which belongs the hamlet of Crowmarsh
Battle, was a place of importance in very early times. The river Thames
was here crossed by the old Roman road Akemanstreet, some remains of
which are mentioned by Dr. Plot as running west of the Church, and
still known by the name of" Medlers-bank." The town was taken and
retaken in the Saxon period, and was a long time the court of the Mer-
cian kings.

A.D. 571. This year Cuthwulf (third King of the West Saxons)
fought with the Britons at Bedford and took four towns, Lenbury &
Aylesbury &c " Benningtun" k Eynesham ; and in this same year he died ^.

^ The words in brackets are supplied 1606; Elizabeth wife of Wm. Stompe,

from Wood's MS., E.I. Ash. Mus.f. 205, of Cromarsh Battel], A.D. 1590: also

where will also be found the inscriptions, of Ralph and Jane Welch, A.D. 16 . .
formerly in Bensington church ; of Ste- ^ Saxon Chronicle, sub anno. Sec also

phen Smith, of Turner's courte, A.D. Dr. Plot's Nat. Hist, of Oxon., p. 348;

382 BENSON.

A.D. 775. This year Cynewulf King of the West Saxons and Offa
(King of the Mercians) fought near " Bynsingtun," and Offa took the
town'^ In a passion for its long defence, Offa dismantled the place; and
for the reward of his victory was again possessed of this whole county.

A.D. 1084. 18 William I. At the time of the Domesday survey
the manor of " Besintone" belonged to the King, including the socage of
the four hundreds and a half ^, which are still called the "• Chiltern hun-
dreds," consisting of Pirton, Binfield, Langtree, Lewknor, and the half
hundred of Ewelme or Benson. These being by privilege annexed to
the Crown, and having their own courts, a steward of those courts is
appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with a salary of 20s., and
all fees, &c. belonging to the office : this is deemed an appointment of
sufficient profit to vacate a seat in Parliament.

A.D. 1205, 6 John. By a charter dated at " Denecastre" the first
day of March, King John confirmed to Eustace, Abbot, and his succes-
sors, and the Canons of Dorkecestre, the Church of Besinton, which had
been given to that house by his grandmother, the Empress Matilda,
confirmed by his father King Henry the Second, and by his brother
King Richard the First*^.

A.D. 1244. 28 Hen. III. The manor of " Bensenton," which,
with the four hundreds of " Ciltre," being of the value C^\ had been
given by King John to John de Harecurt^, and had afterwards been held
by Engelard de Atye, who died without heirs, was now bestowed by
King Henry upon his brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall, on the occa-
sion of his marriage with the Lady Senchia, sister of the Queen Consort*'.

A. D. 1272. 1 Edw. I. Dicunt etiam juratores quod advocacio
matricis ecclesie de Bensington' una cum capellis subscriptis scilicet
Henlee, Netelbedd, et Wardburg' spectant ad predictum manerium de
Bensington et quod Abbas de Dorkecestr' tenet matricem ecclesiam de
Be'sinton' cum capeUis de Netelbedd et Wardburg. Et dominus Henri-
cus de la More tenet ecclesiam de Henlee de dono domini Ricardi quon-
dam comitis CornubieS.

A.D. 1308. 1 Edw. II. The King granted the manor of Bensington,
with all other lands which Edmund earl of Cornwall held at his death, as
well in reversion as possession, to Piers de Gavestou''.

A.D. 1416. 4 Hen. V. Lands and tenements in "Bensynton"

Bp. Kennctt, i. 23, 33, 44, 4G ; and p. 118.

Cainden, Mag. Brit. com. Oxon. ' Hundred Rolls, vol. ii. pp. 30-3, and

" Domesday Book, vol. i. f. 1 54 b. 43.

^ See the charter at length, "Abbey « Ibid., p. 751.

Church of Dorchester," p. 89. ■" Bp. Kennett, sub anno, from Dugd.

' Testa de Nevill., p. 107; see also Bar., vol. ii. p. 42 b.

BENSON.

383

were held by Sir Richard, son of Thomas, Lord Camoys'. Other pos-
sessions in Benson belonged to the Abbeys of Oseney and Thame, and
to the Nunneries of Godstow and Littlemore*^.

A.D. 1538. 29 Hen. VIII. At the Dissolution, the Abbey of Dor-
chester, besides divers messuages in Benson and Walynford, possessed
the Rectory of Bensingtonn, with tithes and all profits, let to Henry
Reybone, by indenture, under the seal of the Convent of Dorchester,
dated 9th day of July, 4 Hen. VIII., for a term of thirty-one years',
at a yearly rent of 211. Os. Od.

The Rectory of Netelbed™, originally a Chapel to Benson Church,
was let to Roger Hatcheman, at a yearly rent of 13s. 4d.

The Parsonage of Benson, value 15/., was given by King Henry VIII.
to the College which he founded in Oxford °, and the living, which was
one of the twelve in the late peculiar and exempt jurisdiction of Dorches-
ter, is now a perpetual Curacy in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of
Christ Church, value £180. Population, according to the last return,
1254. J. B.

■ Borstal! Chartulary, quoted in His-
torical Notices of Great Milton.
" Hundred Rolls, ii. p. 31.
' "Abbey Church of Dorchester,"

1845, pp. 142-3, 147, 163-4.
"• Ibid., p. 168.
n Dugd. Mon. N. E. ii. p. 170.

PATRON.

SIR H. P. WILLOUaHBY,

BART.

TOOT BALDON,

5t. Saurcnce.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OP BULLINGTON.

Fc^t

PLAN OF TOOT BALDON CHURCH

384

TOOT BALDON.

WEST VIEW OF THE CHUECH.

A SMALL Early English Church, plan oblong, with aisles to
the nave, and a bell-gable for two bells at the west end.

The Chancel on the north side has two lancet windows, small
openings widely splayed within, and a small square locker close
to the east end. On the south side another lancet window, and
a Decorated window of two lights, without cusps ; the outer arch
is pointed, with the roll-moulding for a label, inside there is a
segmental arch ; this window is very clumsy work. There is
another small square locker close to the east wall on this side
also. The east window, inserted in the course of some repairs
of the Chancel A.D. 1800, is extremely ugly, being of wood-
work, with a shutter outside.

The Nave has four Early English arches on each side, pointed,
not recessed, but the edges chamfered off; the pillars on the
north side have the caps sculptured with the stiif-lcaf ornament
bold and good, very early in the style. The eastern respond,
which is of this character, has a small trefoil-headed niche
immediately above the cap, supposed to have been for the holy oil
used in baptism by the Roman Church, and therefore to mark

TOOT BALDON.

385

the original place of tlie font. The caps on the south side have
mouldings also of very early cha-
racter ; the hood-moulds of the
arches are very simple, almost
Norman. The north aisle has
a Decorated two-light window,
square-headed, with a dripstone,
the lights have trefoil heads. At
the west end of this aisle is a
very small lancet window, not
more than eighteen inches high,
widely splayed within. The north
door is Norman, round-headed,

with plain imposts. cap on the Nonh side

On the south side a small chapel has been thrown out in the
fourteenth century, with a Decorated window of three lights,
the mullions crossing in the head, without cusps, containing, in
painted glass at the top, a head of our Saviour. The south
door is very plain, with a segmental head of Avood, which seems
to be work of the fourteenth century : the porch is modern,
a fair imitation of the transition from Norman.

The west window of the nave is Decorated, of two lights, with-
out cusps. At this end there are two Early English buttresses,
and a double bell- gable of very early character. The roofs are
wide spreading, covering over nave and aisles under one span ;
they are all hidden by ceilings, except the tie-beams and wall-
plates, which are quite plain.

The Font is plain round. Early English, standing on two
round steps in the centre of the Church, towards the west end,
nearly opposite the south door. There are a number of encaustic
tiles in this Church, but they are much worn.

In the Church-yard is the shaft of a Perpendicular cross, with
part of the shaft remaining.

The situation of this Church is very good, on the top of a
small hill.

PATRON.

SIR H. P.

WILLOUGHBY,

BART.

MARSH BALDON.

5t. ^ctcr.

DEANERY

OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED

BULLINGDON.

PLAN OF MARSH BALDON CHURCH

A SMALL Church, which has a Tower at the west end, so
much overgrown with ivy that little can be known of its style,
but it appears to be Decorated, with a west window of two
lights : the lower part is square, and the upper part octagonal.

The Chancel. The east window has been removed to the
north aisle, and its place occupied by a copy of a fine painting,
representing the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, the gift
of Sir Christopher Willoughby (A.D. 1794), whose arms are
painted on a shield above it. On the south side is a good Per-
pendicular piscina, and the window adjoining to it, of the same
age, has a seat formed in the sill. In this window are some
bits of old glass mixed with modern, the latter consisting chiefly
of the armorial bearings of the families of Danvers and Pollard,
successively connected with Baldon. The other window on the
south side is also Perpendicular, with remains apparently of a
low side opening, under it.

MARSH BALDON.

387

The South Porch

■-wmM^z

The Nave has on the south side one Perpendicular window,
and two unsightly insertions of mo-
dern days. The south door is small
and plain, of the form called the
square-headed trefoil ; it is probably
of the fourteenth century, and the
barge-boards of the porch appear
to be of the same age. On the
north side is an aisle, the pillars
and arches of which are modern,
of wood, and very bad; they ap-
pear to have been cut out of deal
board. The window on the north
side, removed from the east end,
is filled with fragments of paint-
ed glass, of various ages. In
the centre, under a canopy of De-
corated work (temp. Ed. III.)j is a

figure of St. Ann, in the costume

of the fourteenth century, teaching

the Blessed Virgin : the figures

on each side of this subject are

much later, one representing a female saint, and the other

St. John the Evangehst. Above these are two

coats of arms, early in the fourteenth century : \^

the first, (of which the wrong side is exposed 1 ^^\^^^

to the weather,) Gules, three lions passant

Argent, being the coat of the Giff'ards, Earls

of Buckingham, whose ancestor, Walter Gif-

fard, a follower of the Conqueror, held nine

lordships in Oxfordshire » : the other coat is

Gules, two lions passant gardant Argent, name

De la Mare. The family of De la Mare^ Avere

lords of Marsh Baldon, and patrons of the Ciiapel

and Vicarage, in the thirteenth and fourteenth

" See Domesday Survey, f. 157 b,and Dugdale's Baronage. " Dugd. Bar., ii. p. 28

Wall-plate in the Porch

388

MARSH BALDON.

centuries'^. The next coat in the order of time is one at the
bottom of the window, of the Royal Arms of England in the
time of King Henry the Eighth. The arms above and to
the right of the figure of St. Ann, which belong to the seven-
teenth century, are, Argent, a cheveron Azure, between three
scallops Gules (Pollard) : quartering Argent, a cheveron Sable
between three mullets Gules, pierced (Danvers). To the left is
another coat of the same date.

The Font is modern and diminutive ; and there are two very
bad imitation Gothic monuments against the north wall of the
Chancel, one to the memory of friends of Sir Christopher Wil-
loughb}^, Bart., the other to the memory of relations. On the
opposite side is a monument with twisted columns, figures of
cherubs, and a long Latin inscription, to the memory of Ann,
daughter of John Pollard and Susanna Danvers, of Baldon. This
lady was the wife of John Crawley, D.D., and deceased A.D. 1 701:
above are the arms of Crawley ; impaling. Pollard.

On the floor of the Chancel are two less ostentatious monu-
ments, consisting of stone slabs inlaid with brass ; one of which,
marking the burial-place of John Danvers, has above the
inscription the fol-
lowing coat, quar-
terly, 1. a cheveron
between three mul-
lets of six points
(Danvers) ; 2. on a
bend, three mart-
lets; 3. chequee, a "IIkke lyeth enjt.kiu.d y*^ body of Ioun Dan-

„] • f ^ i-J. ' . 4 f . f VERS LATE OF MaRCII BaLDEN, IN Y^ COVNTY OF

° ' ' OxoN, Esq., who deceased the 26 of April, A"

tee of six : in fess i65i."

!'iiii!i:«IlT!!

v*%

''5$v^

v" "

^' A.D. 1241 -4. Petrus do la Marc
preseiitavit ad capcllani de Mershe Bald-
ington et ad vicaviam de Merke baudinton
anno vj". et ix". Hob. GrostiJte. K. Dods-
worth, AIS. Bodl. Lib., vol. 107. f. 78 b.

A.D. 1294. Magistcr Will, de Monte-
foiti dccanus Sci I'auli Loiulun, ratioiic

custodic tcrraruin ct liercdis fjiiondaiTi
Domini Petri Delaniare, prcsentavit ad
ccclesiam Mcrsbaldiiulon, anno xiiij".
Oliver Sutton. Ibid., f. 1G3 b.

A.D. 1305. Robertus Delaniare pre-
sentavit ad capellam de Mcrsbaldindoii,
anno v°. .1. Daldcrbv. Ibid., f. 200.

MARSH BALDON.

389

point a mullet of difference. The other monument^ to the
memory of Bishop
Bridges, has a
shield, upon which
are engraved the
arms of the Bishop-
ric of Oxford, im-
paling three owls
within a tressure
counter- fleuree ''. —
(Bridges.)

" Here vnder lyeth bvried y^ body of y^
Reverend Father, Iohn Bridges, late Bishopf

OF OXON, WHO DEP'TED THIS LYFE Y^ XXVI DAY

OF March, An" D'ni 1618."

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

The name Baldendone, Baldington, or Baldon, has from very early
times been common to several townships lying within the boundaries of
Baldon ^e/f/, consisting cliiefly of Toot Baldon, with its hamlets Baldon
St. Laurence, and Little Baldon ; and Marsh Baldon, which is a sepa-
rate parish Avithout any hamlet annexed.

The Roman road called Akemanstreet, says Dr. Plot, passed by the two
Baldons in the way from Shotover to Wallingford^. From the mention of
"beald dun" (bold down) in the boundaries of Sandford, A.D.I 050, it would
appear that the shorter form of the name prevailed even in Saxon times*".

A.D. 1084. 18 William I. At the Norman survey the principal land-
owners here were, in Baldendone, within the half hundred of Besenton,
Svain, the sheriff (vicecomes), who held six hides of the King and Hugh
of him?. In Baldendone, within the hundred of Dorchester, the Bishop
of Lincoln, under whom Iseward held five hides, and Bristeua two
hides and a half**.

A.D. 1255. 9Hen. Ill.i Bullenden'. In Baudendon sunt xxx hide terre
quarumWillielinus de Baudendon' tenet vhidas et dimidiam de Episcopo
Lincolniensi per servicium unius feodi militis et sequitur hundred '.^^

<= Nat. Hist. Oxf., ch. 10. § 27, 28,
quoted by Bishop Keniiett, vol. i. p. 23.

f Cot. MS. Brit. Mus. Claud. B. vi.
f. 114, 115.

^ Domesday Book, vol. i. p. IGO.

^1 Ibid., 155 b. See also 156 bis, 157,

d See Harleian MS., 4170. The upper
part of the dexter side of the shield being
now defaced on the brass plate, the en-
graving has been completed from the
obituary window of Robert Kynge, first
Bishop of Oxford, put up in Christ
Church Cathedral by his descendants,
A.D. 1630. See also the engravings of
bishops' arms prefixed to Bishop Spar-
row's collections, and those in Guillini's
Treatise of Honour, p. 124.

159 b.

' Hundred Rolls, vol. ii. p. 3!).

'^ These five hides were in Little Bal-
don, (I'arva Baldindon'.) See ibid., p.
724.

390 HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Item Robertus de la INIare tenet x liidas per servicium unius feodi
militis tent' de domino Ricardo comite Cornubie et est de honore
Walingford non sequitur hundr'.' — Item dominus Episcopus I.incolni-
ensis tenet ij hidas et dimidiam pertinentes ad baroniam de Dorkecestre
non sequitur hundr"."^ — Item Johannes de Mortayn tenet unam hidam et
dimidiam teiTe de Burgbfond per servicium quarte partis unius feodi
militis et sequitur hundr'." — Item Georgius de Luches tenet iij hidas
terre de Priore de Nuiun ad feodi firmam pro Ixs, per annum et sequi-
tur hundr'. — Item Robertus de Luches tenet unam hidam et dimidiam
per servicium trium parcium dimidii feodi unius militis de baronia sci
Walerici non sequitur hundr'.° — Item Johannes de Scaccariis, Walterus
filius Rogeri, Willielmus de Scropes tenent vi hidas pro equalibus por-
cionibus de Ada Dispensatore per servicium unius feodi militis et seq'
hundr'. — Dominus Robertus, Persona capelle de Baldindon', (so. Marsh
Baldon) tenet unam virgatam terre de eodem feodo (sc. Petri de la
Mare) que pertinet ad predictam capellam faciendo inde servicium
domini Regis quantum pertinet p.

A.D. 1316. 9 Edw. II. By a return made in this year it appears
that the lordship of the Baldons was shared as follows'!: —

Hundredum de Bolinden est Domini Regis.
Villa de Baldinden sci Laurencii cum^ /Ricardus de Louches'

Totbaldinden, Mershbaldinden, et Parva V Dni ■; Lucia de la Mare
Baldinden. j vJo' Bradele.

A.D. 1437. 15 Hen. VI. Thomas Baldington, and his wife Agnes,
besides Baldyndone's manor, and various other possessions in Thame,
North Weston, Aldebury, Ruycote, were seized of one messuage, one
virgate of land, two acres of meadow, and two acres of feedings in Bal-
dyiigdone*. The lady here mentioned was the daughter of Sir John
Danvers of Banbury, Cothorp, and Ipwell, Oxon, by his first wife.
Their daughter and heir Agnes, was married to William Brome*, Esq.,
the restorer of Holton church in the fifteenth century, and founder of the

' These ten hides are the same wliich don St. Laurence, as did also the tenants

were afterwards hukl hy Peter de La Mare of Despenser. Ibid., pp. 724, 725.

in " Mershaldindone." See ibid., p. 721'. p Hundred Rolls, vol. ii. p. 724.

ni These two hides and a half are men- q Tarl. Writs, voh ii. div. 3. p. 351.

tioned ibid., p. 72 1. Hence, perhaps, r For furtlicr particulars of Kichard

arose the name " Bishop's Baldon," a de Louches and liis family, see the his-

part of St. Laurence Baldon. Sec Hay- torical notices of Great Milton,

ner on Tithes, p. 597. » Esch. 15 Hen. VI., No. 28.

n Sir John de Mortoyn held in Baldin- t Ccmipare Bp. Kennctt, Par. Ant., vol.

don' sci Laurencii. See ibid., p. 724. ii. p. 414, with Esch. 21 Ed. IV., No. 3(i.

" G. and R. de Louches held in Bal-

TOOT AND MARSH BALDON.

391

south chapel, where his brass effigy still remains (A.D. 1461), which was

formerly accompanied'^ by a coat of arms similar to that cut in stone on

the east gable of the nave at Holton, viz. (Sable,)

on a cheveron within a border (Argent) 3 broom-slips

(Vert) (Brome) ; quartering (Argent,) on a chevron

(Sable,) between 3 pellets, as many roses (of the field.)

(Baldington.) This coat of the Baldingtons of Bal-

dington was quartered for several generations by the

Bromes of Holton, and afterthemby the Whorwoods'^.

A.D. 1509. 24 Hen. VH., April 2. The manor of Baldington
St. Laurence, Oxon., with all its appurtenances, whether they be in the
villages of Baldington St. Laurence, Tutbaldington, Marshbaldington,
Parva Baldington, and Garsingdon, &c. were given to Queen's College,
in Oxford, by Edward Hilton, Fellow, and Edward Rigge, Provost of
the College. The manor of Tutbaldington Avas within two days after-
wards given to the same College, by Christopher Bainbrigge, sometime
Provost of Queen's College, and afterwards Archbishop of York^.

A.D, 1538. 29 Hen. VHI. At the time of the Ecclesiastical Survey,
the clear receijits of Queen's College were, — From the manor of Bal-
dington St. Laurence, and its appurtenances, in Marsh Baldington, Tot
Baldington, and Garsington, per ann. 171. 19s. lid. From the manor
of Tot Baldington and its appurtenances, and parcells in Marshebalding-
ton, and Stanton St. John, 10^. 6s. 8d.

The manors of Toot Baldon, and Baldon St. Laurence ^, still belong to

" Wood's MS. Ash. Mus. E. 1. and
D. 14.

" See monuments in Holton Church.

y Wood's Hist, and Antiq. Oxon. ed.
Gutch, vol. iii. p. 144.

^ It is remarkable, that all the Bal-
dons keep as their feast of dedication the
festival of St. Laurence. And there is
much reason to suppose that originally
the only parish of Baldon was attached to
a Church of St. Laurence, built at Baldon
under the care of the bishop and convent
of Dorchester. The name Tot, Tut, or
Toot, at first used to distinguish a small
part of it, was derived from some early
proprietor, or possibly from Tota, whom
Bp. Godwin mentions as bishop of Dor-
chester about A.D. 787. In the thirteenth
century (see above, pp. 388, 390) Peter
de la Mare, or Mere, built and endowed

a chapel, dedicated to St. Peter, in a part
of the parish which, from its being the
residence of his family, was called Mers-
baldindon, Mare's Baldon. This chapel,
as early as A.D. 1341, (Inquisit. Nona-
rum, p. 135,) was called a parish Church,
and is said not to have been subject to
Toot Baldon as the mother Church. For
a full view of the ecclesiastical history of
the Baldons, see " Cases at large con-
cerning Tithes," by John Rayner, of the
Inner Temple. London, 1783; Mich,
term, 11 Geo. IIL, A.D. 1770, pp. 574
—621. At the Dissolution, A.D. 1538,
the rectory of Baldon was let at will to
Thomas Bysseley, at a rent of £7, and
the king, by letters patent, granted a
lease of the said rectory to Dionysius
Toppis. " Account of Dorchester Abbey
Church," pp. 92. 168.

392

COWLEY

Queen's College, Oxford, and that of Marsh Baldon is possessed by Sir
H. P. Willoughby, whose predecessor, Sir Christopher Willoughby of
Baldon House, Oxon., Avas created a Baronet, Dec. 8, 1794=*.

Toot Baldon, formerly in the peculiar of Dorchester Abbey, to which
house the Rectory was impropriate, is now a Vicarage, the advowson
belonging to Sir H. P. Willoughby, who is the lay rector. Value, £30.
Population 270.

Marsh Baldon is now a Rectory, also in the gift of Sir H. P. Willoughby :
Value, £93 ; population, 300. j. b.

COWLEY.

PATRON.
DEAN AND CHAPTER
OF CHRIST CHURCH,
OXFORD.

DEANERY
OF CUDDESDEN.

HUNDRED
OF BULLINGTON.

:^:f<)

SOUTH-EAST VIEW O? COWLEY CHDBCH.

The Church of Cowley consists of a Nave and Chancel, with a
very low western tower and a south porch, rebuilt in a debased
style. The structm-e comprises several dates and styles, the
Chancel being of Early English, and the tower of Perpendicular
character, with Decorated windows in the nave.

^ Betham's Baronetage, iv. p. 202.

C O W L E Y

393

Both the north and south doors of the nave^ and the priest's
door in the north wall of the Chancel, are round-headed.

mm^'^-"

In the east wall is a f^jood window,
of three lancet-lights, which have
dripstones on the exterior, termi-
nated by the ornaments called masks,
so characteristic of this period. The
side windows are long and narrow
like the usual lancet windows, but
are square at the top, a very unusual
feature in work of the 13th century,
as these evidently are, and at the
south-west of the Chancel is one
of those singular openings, called
bv Rickman low side-windoivs, of
which the object, though often dis-
cussed, is not yet ascertained. The
one at Cowley is square-headed and
divided by a transom, the part below the transom (which as usual
is blocked up) being somewhat narrower than that above it.
The Chancel-arch is

I,ow .side-Wmdow.

handsome one of Early Eng-
lish or transition date. In
the north and south walls
of the Chancel are niches
(perhaps aumbryes) with
square trefoil heads, and a
pointed trefoiled piscina on
the south.

On the east gable are the
remains of a good cross : and
under the windows is a very
good string of the form called
the roll or scroll moulding.

The Font is plain and rude,
the plug and chain remain-

Tower of Cowley Chvircli.

3 E

394

COWLEY.

ing. The bench-ends and poppies in the nave bear the date of
1632, and are very creditably carved for that period.

A stone bench runs round the greater part of the Church.
A north and west gallery (the former of which has scarcely any
visible support) produce a very unsightly effect.

The Tower is Perpendicular, and bears so much resemblance
to that of Horsepath in design, situation, proportion, and detail,
that there can be little doubt this was copied from it. That of
Horsepath is perhaps somewhat earlier. (See wood engraving
on previous page.)

PLAN OF COWLEY CHURCH

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

Temple Cowley and Church Cowley have been so called from a very
early period'''. The former was, at the time of the Conquest, held by
Eustace, Earl of Boulogne, whose daughter, the Empress Matilda, gave
it to the Knights Templars, and the grant was shortly afterwards con-
firmed by King Stephen''. The Preceptory established here was removed
to Sandford at the beginning of the reign of Edward 1.*=, and upon the
suppression of the Knights Templars, A.D. 1312, their possessions in
this place were given to the Knights Hospitalars of St. John of Jerusa-
lem''. Church Cowley, so called from its having a parish Church, while
the other Cowley only had a Church or Chapel attached to the Precep-

a Hundred Rolls, ii. A.D. 1272, and
Lieger Book of Sandford, A.D. 1274.
Bodleian Library, MS. Wood 10.

'' See the Charters at length in Dug-
dale's Monasticon, N. E. vol. vii. p. 842,

IVoni Wood's MS. 10.

c See Historical Notices of Sandford.

d See the Rent Book of the Knights
Hospitalar.s of St. John, A.D. 1512. C.
C. C, Oxon., MS. Davis.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL. 395

tory of Knights Templars'^, was given to Oseney Abbey, in Oxford, by
Robert D'Oyley the founder ^ At the Dissolution of the Abbey the
advowson of the Church was given by King Henry VHL to his new
College, now Christ Church, in Oxford^. The living is now a per-
petual curacy, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Christ
Church, value 04/ ; population by the last return 606.

ST. BAllTHOLOMEW'S CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL.

ST. BARTHOL0M.EWS CHAPEL.

In the parish of Cowley are the remains of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, situated about half a mile from Magdalene Bridge, on
the borders of Cowley Marsh, with tlie small desecrated chapel
of transition character between Decorated and Perpendicular,
dedicated to St. Bartholomew. In form it is a parallelogram.

^ A.D. 1113, 8, 9 King Stephen.
Robert de Oiley and Edith his wife
granted to the Knights Templars (besides
what they had before given to them) laud
to the value of 6s. 'id. per annum, toward
the dedication of their Cliurch of Covele
or Cowley, near Oxford, whicli was now
consecrated by the Bishop of Hereford,
with consent of tlie Bishop of Lincoln.

Bp. Kennett, Par. Ant, vol. i. p. 136.
See also ibid., 91, 197, 275, 519, 511 ; ii.
140, 252.

f Dugdale's Monasticon, art. Oseney
Abbey. Prior de Osen. presentavit ad
vicariam dc Cowley. Ext. Line. Reg. An.
22, Hugh Wells, II K. lien. IIL Dods-
worth, MS. CVIL f. 42 b.

K Ibid., art. Christ Cliurch, in Oxford.

396 ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL.

without tower or bell-gable : the opening for the bell in the
west gable is now blocked up, and has the appearance of an
upper window; it is marked more distinctly on the woodcut
than it really appears. At the west end is a door and over
it a small window and niche ; on the north side a smaller
door and one elegant window ; an inferior window at the east
without hood-moulding, and two windows on the south, of which
the hood-mouldings are very good.

Two altar-steps remain in the
interior, and an oak roodscreen,
bearing the late date of 1651, and
the letters O. C, probably for
Oriel College, to whom this Hos-
pital was attached from a very
early period, and at whose ex-
pense the domestic buildings of
the Hospital were rebuilt in
1649, after their destruction in
the civil wars. The roof is plain,
of open timber-work, probably
of the same age as the screen.

On each side of the west door
is a cross patee in a circle,
painted in dark fresco, and
traces of painting may be found in other parts of the Chapel.

It appears from an estimate lately taken, that a chapel may
be built on the model of St. Bartholomew's at the small cost of
280/., not including the fittings, and supposing materials to be
as abundant as in this neighbourhood. It would be well suited
for a chapel to be attached to a burial ground, aiul working
drawings of it have lately been published by our Society Avith a
view to that object.

The Kast Wiudovi.

ST. BARTHOLOMEWS CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL. 397

HISTORICAL NOTICES.

A.D. 1128, or 1132 — 3. King Henry I., induced by its vicinity to
his palace at Beaumont, erected a Chapel on this site to the memory of
S. Bartholomew, and an edifice adjoining for leprous folk, with a house
for a friar or chaplain who should govern them, and for his pains receive
yearly six marks ; and both he and they should daily pray for the health
of the King and Queen's souls : which Hospital, raised by the overplus
of the materials necessary for the King's building his palace at Beau-
mont, was finished about 1 126, from whence, at the times of the Royal
abode at the palace, with alms and broken meat from his table, it suffi-
ciently sustained itself^.

A.D. 1279. " Domus Sancti Bartholomei extra Oxon, fundata fuit a
Domino Rege Henrico veteri, qui bonam Reginam Matildam duxit in
uxorem, et assignata fuit ad hospitationem et sustentationem infirmorum
leprosorum, et constituit conventum, viz., 12 Fratrum et unius Capellani
ad quorum sustentationem assignavit idem Dominus Rex 23 libras
argenti et 5d. de redditu Oxon, de Maiore et Ballivis Oxon, etc.''"

Various benefactions to this Hospital are recorded, for which it may
be sufficient here to refer to Ant. Wood's History of the City of Oxford,
published by Sir John Peshall, 4to. p. 274.

A.D. 1329. King Edward III., in the second year of his reign,
granted to Oriel College this Hospital and all that belonged to it, on
certain conditions, for the use of wholesome air in times of pestilential
sicknesses *=.

" The Chapel, originally erected by King Henry I., and dedicated
to St. Bartholomew, being in a manner run to ruin in King Edward
the Second's time, Avas then rebuilt; for which pious end, John, the
son of Lawrence Serthe, a person of a religious turn, gave 18 marks,
upon this condition, that though at that time he lay under no bodily
infirmities, he might be elected to the Hospital on a vacancy. This con-
dition was accordingly observed, the King himself peremptorily, and by
a charter, commanding it''."

A.D. 1336. "H. Burghwersh, Bishop of Lincoln, by his writing
dated at Cudelington (Kidlington,) in this county, 2 cal. Jun., granted
10 days' indulgence to all who would devoutly come to the Chapel of

••> Wood's History of the City of Loud, anno G, 7, EiUv. I.
Oxford, by Tesliall, p. 27o. •" Vide Mon. Ang., vol. ii. p. lo7.

*> Rot. Hand, dc Bolcndon in Uurc -^ Peshall, p. 278.

398 ST. BARTHOLOMEWS CHAPEL AND HOSPITAL.

S. Bartholomew's Hospital, on the feast of the said Saint, or eight days
after, and then with prayers, oblations, and gifts, worship him ; and also of
their charity contribute relief towards the leprous almsfolk thereof. Upon
the publication of which, multitudes of people resorted there, and per-
formed that which the Bishop required, to the great benefit of the priests
and poor ; and to honour this Saint the more, they set up his image in
the windows, and on the wall of the Chapel, which was celebrated also
for the relics of Saints, afterwards removed to St. Mary's in Oxford.
A procession was afterwards made annually to this Chapel, and this
custom was continued until the Reformation of religion : when Queen
Elizabeth's act against Images, Sec, appeared, this image was pulled
down. Whence this custom for a Avhile slept, and the alms-folk were
by degrees reduced to poverty, and became the objects of compassion.
But the worthy Fellows of New College principally, among others,
changing the former day to May-day, and Holy Thursday, used the
same way as before ; and this was in A. Wood's time their laudable and
constant custom, till the Presbyterian times totally abolished it."

In tlic time of Ant. a Wood, " Divine service was performed in this
chapel a few times in the summer, when the almsmen could walk thither ;
a Presbyter of Oriel College was appointed to officiate, at 40s. per
annum '^."

If we are to believe the present Chapel to be in its main features the
same with that erected in 1336, it affords a remarkably early instance of
the change from the Decorated to the Perpendicular style. That the
repairs after the civil wars did not affect the main fabric is clear from
the account of Wood, who was an eye witness. He says, " This Chapel
was formerly covered with lead, but in the late rebellion it was torn off
for making bullets. It suffered greatly, having been put hij the saints to
base uses. They stole also the bell, which used in those times to be
rung to call the members of the Hospital to prayers."

" In 1643 the Hospital House was occupied by people who had the
plague, and became a pest-house ; but about the time of the siege of
Oxford was quite demolished. It was re-edified by the College anno
1649." The Chapel is not here included, but the Hospital -house only.

e Peshall, p. 279.

INDEX OP PLACES.

Albury

Arabrosden

Bartholomew's Chapel

Beckley

Begbroke

Benson

Bicester

Bladen

Blechingdon

Bucknell

Cassington

Caversfield

Charlton-on-Otmoor

Chesterton .

Chiselhampton

Clifton Hampden ,

Culham

Coombe

Cowley

Cuddesden

Drayton

Dunstew

Elsfield

Ensham

Forest Hill

Garsington

Glympton

Godstow

Hampton Gay

Hampton Poyle

Handborough

Headington

Holton

Horsepath

Horton

Islip .

Kiddington

Kidlington

Kirtlington

Marsh Baldon

PAGE

269

Marston ....

. 185

Merton ....

395

Middleton Stoney

. 43

205

Great Milton

. 302

111

Little Milton

- 319

380

Newington ....

. 321

Noke

. 201

114

North Aston

. 85

North Leigh

. 162

Nuneham Courtney

. 364

131

Oddington ....

Rowsham ....

. 77

Sandford, near Woodstock .

. 90

Sandford ....

. 355

330

Shipton-on-Cherwell .

. 72

373

Southleigh ....

. 167

367

Stadhampton

. 329

153

Stanton Harcourt

170

392

Stanton St. John .

. 223

289

Steeple Aston

326

Steeple Barton

. 94

Stonesfield ....

157

193

Studley ....

219

139

Tackley

274

Toot Baldon

383

332

Warborough

377

124

Water Eaton . . . .

100

Water- Pery

248

Waterstock

365

Wendlebiiry

143

Westcott Barton . . . .

276

Weston-on-the-Green .

242

Wheatley

301

348

Wilcote . . . . .

160

218

Wood Eaton . . . .

189

Woodperry

233

125

Woodstock

115

Wolvercot

Wootton

122

386

Yarntoii

104

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