Oxfordshire contains the city and university of OXFORD, the borough and market-towns of BANDURY and W'OODSTOCK, and the market-towns of 13A1IPTON, BICESTER, BURFORD, CHIPPING NORTON, HENLEY-UPON THAMES, 'NAME, Watlington, and WrrNEY, all of which will bo found under their respective titles, except Watlington, which we notice hero.
lVotlingion, population 1884 in 1851, about 15 miles S.E. from Oxford, has a small market which is held on Saturday, and two yearly fairs. The market-house is a substantial brick building. The church is ancient and of mixed styles. The Wesleyan Methodists and Inde pendents have places of worship, and there are National schools. The making of pillow-lace employs a considerable number of females.
The following are some of tho more important villages, with the populations of the respective parishes in 1851 :— Adderbuey, population 2310, about 19 miles N. by W. from Oxford, is on the Sorbrook, a feeder of the Cherwell. The church, a good gothic edifice, with a lofty octangular spire stands on an emiuence. The chancel was built by William of Wykehana. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel, and there are an Endowed and a National achooL Bensington, or Benson, population 1231, about 12 miles S.S.E. from Oxford, is on the left bank of the Thames, a little above Wal lingford, Berkshire. It forms part of the parliamentary borough of Wallingford. Bensington, now a mere village, was a place of some importance in early times. The West Saxons built a castle here for the defence of their frontier ; this castle was reduced by the Merciens under Offa in 775. The church, which is ancient, has an east window of decorated character. There are National schools, and an ancient hospital or almshouse. Bloxham, population 1577, about 21 miles N.N.W. from Oxford, is situated on a branch of the river Cherwell. The church is a handsome building, with an elegant tower and spire, 195 feet high; the west door has some curious carving in atone repre senting the Day of Judgment ; near the cast end of the church is a stone cross. There are chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists, a National and an infant school. Carersham, population 1752, is pleasantly situated on the left bank of the Thames, about a mile N. from Reading. The church is ancient. There are a chapel for Dia senters and schools supported by subscription. Chalgrove, population 616, about 10 miles S.E. from Oxford, has a church of Norman cha racter built of stone. In Chalgrove Field a monument has been erected to the memory of John Hampden, who was mortally wounded in a skirmish with the Royalists there. Charlbury, population 3179, about 15 miles N.W. from Oxford, a decayed market-town, has a parish church, partly Norman; chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Quakers; an Endowed Grammar school ; British and Infant schools ; and a Girls school. Brewing, malting, and glove-making are carried on. Four yearly fairs are held. Ch inner, population 1257, about 18 miles E.S.E. from Oxford, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, has a handsome church of Norman character, with a clerestory, and at the west end a square roofed tower. The Independents have a chapel. Lace-making is carried on, and once a fortnight a feast or market for the sale of lace is held. Chairs, of the kind called Windsor chairs, are manufactured. Cuddesden, population 1542, about 8 miles E. by S. from Oxford, contains the bishop's palace, and a handsome building recently erected for the Diocesan Training school Cuddesdeu Palace has been repaired and enlarged by the present bishop. A chapel in the decorated style has been added. The windows of the chapel are fitted with painted glass. The east window was presented by Prince Albert. Deddington, popu lation 2178, is 17 miles N. by W. from Oxford. There are here the earth works of an ancient castle. At one time Deddington was a market and corporate town, and sent members to Parliament. Two annual fairs are held. The church is ancient. The Wesleyan Methodists and Independents have chapels, and there are National schools, a paper mill, a flour-mill, and an extensive patent axletree manufactory.
Dorchester, population 1061, about 9 miles S.S.E. from Oxford, at the junction of the Thane with the Thames, appears to have been the Dorociva of Richard of Cirencester. Foundations of an ancient town wall have been dug up. In Dorchester and its neighbourhood many coins and other relics of antiquity have been found. The town was in the 7th century made the seat of a bishopric, which comprehended the two kingdoms of Ilercia and Wessex. This bishopric was subse quently diminished by the formation of new sees, but was still the largest in England when the seat of it was removed to Lincoln in 1086. Of the castle not a vestige remains. In 1140 an abbey of Black Canons was founded here : some parts of the building yet remain. The church of Dorchester is a very large and curious edifice ; the building is imperfect, and the plan of it irregular ; at the west end is a low tower. The door at the western eud of the northern aisle is Norman, but the greater part of the church is of later date. On the north side of tho chancel is the celebrated Jesse window, of richly painted glass ; the stone frame-work represents the genealogy of the Saviour from Jesse, the father of king David. The Grammar school for six boys was founded in 1656. There are also National schools. A fair is held annually on Easter Tuesday. There is a modern bridge over the Thames at. Dorchester built of Headington stone. Enshain, population 1911, is 6 miles N.W. from Oxford, near the left bank of the Thames. A richly-endowed abbey existed here at an early period. Besides the pariah church there are chapels for Baptists and Primitive Methodists, and National, Free, and Infant schools. Rope-making, paper-making, malting, and brick-making are carried on. Goring, population 993, about 20 miles S.S.E. from Oxford, pleasantly situated ou the left bank of the Thames, has a very ancient and curious church, a chapel for the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, and an Infant school. Numerous Roman coins, vases, and other antiquities have been found here. A station of the Great Western railway is at Goring. Long J/itsdlioroagh, population 1153, about 10 miles N.W. from Oxford, consists chiefly of one long street irregularly built. Many of the Inhabitants are engaged in making glove• fur the glove-makers of 1Voodstock. There is a chapel for Wesleyan Methodist.. Kidlingeon, population 1491, about 5 miles N. from Oxford, has a commodious and handsome cruciform church, with a square tower surmounted with an elegant spire ; a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists; a National school; and a Training school for female teachers. Malting is carried on. Nettlelecl, population 754, about 18 miles S.E. from Oxford, a rural village, situated on a considerable eminence, has a handsome parish church, rebuilt in 1846; chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Bap tists; and • Free echoer for girls. A fair is held on the Monday pre vious to October 29th. A considerable amount of beech-timber is grown In the neighbouring woods. 'look-Norton, population 1496, is about 21 miles N.W. by N. from Oxford. The church, a commodious edifice, with a fine tower, was repaired • few years There are chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, Baptista, and Quakers; and Notional and British school.. Near the village are the remains of an ancient encampment.. lrAitcherch, population 893, about 24 miles S.S.E. from Oxford, on the left bank of the Thames, occupies a picturesque situation on the declivity of a hill. The church is a fine boilding of Norman and early English dates. There are National schools. irrezfes, population 789, about 26 miles N. by W. from Oxford, has a pariah church in which are some interesting monuments, particularly one of alabaster in memory of the first Earl of Downe and his lady. The Wesleyan Methodists and Independents have places of worship, and there are National schools. Near the church is Wroxton Abbey, a mansion built in 1618, on the site of an Augustinian priory founded in the 13th century.