Divisions for Ecclesiastical and Legal Parposes.—The county is in the diocese of Oxford, of which it forms an archdescoury, and in the Oxford circuit. The wises are held at Oxford, where the county jail and house of correction stands. Quarter sessions are held at Oxford and Banbury; county courts at Banbury, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Henley, Oxford, Theme, Witney, and Woodstock. Before the Reform Act Oxfordshire returned nine members to Parliament, namely, two for the county, two for Oxford city, two for Oxford University, two for the borough of Woodstock, and one for the borough of Banbury. Three members are now returned by the county, the place of election continuing as before at Oxford; two for the city of Oxford; two for the University; and one for Woodptock.
History and Antiqmities.—The county was probably divided between the two Celtio nations, the Catyeuchlani and the Dobuni • of whom the former held the eastern and the latter the western The Dobuni were in subjection to the Catyeuchlani, and upon the approach of the Romans, under the proprsetor Aulus Platius, readily submitted to him. In the Roman division of the island Oxfordshire was included in the province of Flavin Clesariensis.
The most remarkable monument of this or an earlier period is the aingulai• group of Itollrich or Rowldrich stones, about three miles north-east from Chipping Norton. These stones form a ring of about 100 feet diameter, and appear to have been originally GO in number; there are now however only 24 that are more than one foot above the level of the soil, nor do any rise more than five feet above the ground, except one, precisely at the northern point, which exceeds seven feet.
The ancient British or Roman roads which crossed this county were Icknield-street ; Akeman-street; and three roads of minor importance.
At Alcheater are the remains of a square camp, or station, with a ditch and bank, the sides facing the four cardinal points. [Bicessen.] Roman urns, coins, and other antiquities have been found at various places. There are traces of a Roman camp near Chadlingtou, in the neighbourhood of Chipping Norton ; and of another near Kiddington, between Chipping Norton and Woodstock, which is in excellent pre servation, though little noticed. Tessellated pavements and other Roman remains have been dug up at Steeple Aston, at Stonesfield, and some other places.
After the Romans withdrew from the island Oxfordshire was the scene of many conflicts, first between the Britons and the Saxons, and at a later period between the kings of Wessex and Mercia, of which latter kingdom it formed a part. Upon the division of the kingdom between Edmund Ironside and Canute (1016), Oxfordshire appears to have fallen to Canute ; cud about this time two great councils or assemblies of Danes and English were held at Oxford. At the time
of the Conquest Oxfordshire was included in the earldom of Ourth, the brother of Harold. Of the Saxon and Danish period there ere several memorials in the encampments and earth-works, which may be traced in different parts of the county. Of this description are the works at Dyke Hills near Dorchester ; at Knollbury Banks near Chadlingtou, to the south of Chipping Norton; and at Mongewell, on the Thames, below Wallingford. There are several barrows in the county, chiefly on the north-western side.
Iu the reign of Richard 1I. Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, was defeated at Radcot Bridge, near Bampton, by the insurgent nobles (1387). In the War of the Roses a great battle was fought near Banbury (1469), between the northern insurgents, under Robin of Roder-dale, and the Yorkist, or royalist army, under Herbert, earl of Pembroke. The earl was defeated and taken, and next day beheaded by the rebels. Of the Anglo-Norman period there are several memo rials in the ruins of castles and religious edifices, but noue of them of great extent. Of Oxford and Banbury castles there are scarcely any traces : Dorchester Castle has entirely disappeared. Of Bampton Castle there are some remains. [Baurroa.] Broughton Castle, near Banbury, is surrounded by a broad and deep moat, crossed by a bridge of two arches. An ancient tower forms the entrance to the court, and several other parts of the ancient edifice are standing, to which some additions of a later date have been made. There are castellated or other ancient mansions at Castleton, near Chipping-Norton ; the Nigh Lodge, near 1Voodatock ; at Astall, or Aethall, near Witney ; in Holton Park (the old mansion), between Stokenchuroh and Oxford ; and at Stanton Harcourt, near Bampton, where is a kitchen resembling the abbot's kitchen at Glastonbury. There are some fragments of Minster Lord House, near Witney.
The chief ecclesiastical buildings are the churches of Oxford (the cathedral especially), Burford, Henley, Dorchester, and Witney. Ifley church is principally Norman, with an addition to the chancel of early English character, and soma inserted windows of decorated and perpendicular date. Tho Norman portion is remarkably well executed : it has a groused chancel, three fine doorways, and a hand some west end. It has been recently restored. Of monastic, remains there are few. Of Osency abbey, and of Oodatow nunnery, near Oxford, tho ruins are small : Godstow has some historical interest, from Be being the scene of the early life of Rosamond, daughter of Lord Clifford, the Fair Rosamond' of Henry II., the place where she retired after Henry's marriage, and of her interment.