In the civil war of Charles L this county was the scene of several severe contests. The taking of Oxford and its being made the head quarters of the king are noticed under Ozeoltb. Sir John Byron, a royalist, also took Banbury and Broughton castles, the former with a strong garrison. In 1643 a severe skirmish took place at Cavereham Bridge between a body of the parliamentary army and a body of the king's troops, under Prince Rupert and General Ruthveu ; and about two months after occurred the skirmish of Chalgrove-Ficld, near Wat liogtou, in which Hampden was mortally wouudod. Several other contests took place in the county during the civil war.
Among the many extensive parks and splendid mansions in Oxford shire are—NI:inch= Park, the scat of 0. V. Harcourt, Esq., on the left bank of the Thames, at a short distance east of Abingdon ; Cud deeden Palace, the residence of the bishops of Oxford, which has been rebuilt and enlarged by the present bishop, with tho addition of a decorated gothio chapel, lighted through painted windows of great beauty; Ensham Hall, north-east of Wituey, the seat of the Earl of Macclesfield ; Bletchingtou Park, the eeat of Lord Valentia; Ditchley Park, east of Charlbury, the residence of Lord Dillon; Cornbury Park, between Whichwood Forest and the Evonlode, which contains the mansion of Lord Churchill ; Middleton Park, west of Bicoster, tho seat of the Earl of Jersey; lieytborp Park, east of Chipping Norton, a residence of the Earl of Shrewsbury ; Aynho Park, east of Ded diugtou, the seat of — Cartwright, Esq. ; Wroxton Abbey, west of
Banbury, the mansion of Colonel North ; Upton House, the residence of Lord Villiers, situated in the extreme north-west of the comity ; awl Blenheim, the princely residence of the Duke of Marlborough. Blen heim is the most magnificent seat in the county. The estate was purchased by the nation, and presented to the great Duke of Marl borough. Vanbrugh was the architect of the mansion, which Is a somewhat singular though a very picture'sqno and magnificent pile. In it is a noble collection of paintings, including a large number of works by Rubella. The park is a very extensive and beautiful ono.
1)A.k1[UTO ISLANDS. [Artertrrerstno, Dangerous.]