ALCHESTER (BICESTER/WENDLEBURY) 

Situated roughly 2 miles from modern-day Wendlebury - on the edge of Bicester - was a Roman town known as Alchester (although this name was coined long after the site had been abandoned, so nobody knows its original name).

According to one of the leading 20th century scholars of the evolution of the English language, Eilert Ekwall, the town's name appears as 'Alavna' in an old document; the addition of the Old English word 'ceaster/chester' came later, eventually combining to become 'Alceaster/Alchester'.

This settlement was probably chosen due to its strategic location: it was at the crossroads of several ancient and well-used roads, ensuring easy access to other parts of the country. Excavations in more recent times have found evidence to suggest that Alchester was one of the earliest legionary fortresses built in Britain, following the Roman invasion of 43 AD.

Alchester was built close to the site of an older Iron Age settlement, and archaeologists believe that it was founded during the reign of Emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (what a mouthful!); this was know more simply as 'The Claudian Period', which spanned from 10 BC - 54 AD. He was the fourth emperor of Rome.

The Romans probably saw the location of Alchester as being significant for other reasons, too - not only were water and food plentiful, but in building their settlement here, they could also exercise more control over the native Catuvellauni and Dobunni tribes (more about them in my next post!).

During Alchester's early years, a large legionary fortress was built there, commanded by Vespasian (who would later go on to become emperor himself).

After the conquest of nearly all of Britain, the legion abandoned the site, moving south to Exeter. However, some Romans (mostly retired soldiers and civilians) remained. The town continued to grow, with protective walls being built around it in the late 3rd century.

By the end of the 5th century, Alchester was completely deserted... Although nobody really knows why!

Outside of the western defences of Alchester, in 1766, a large mound was excavated, revealing a sizable Roman bath. Many other artifacts and building foundations have also been discovered since then.

The map of the site below is borrowed from the British History Online website.

WRETCHWICK (BICESTER)

The ancient hamlet of Wretchwick is situated on the outskirts of modern-day Bicester, and close to the neighbouring village of Ambrosden. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), although the settlement itself was probably much older.

It had been granted manorial status by 1194, and by 1274, it was owned by the Augustinian Priory at Bicester.

Although Wretchwick had a fairly large population during this period, its inhabitants were hit incredibly hard by the arrival of the pestilence known as The Black Death. Many residents died, with the few survivors choosing to move elsewhere. The settlement was completely deserted by 1517.

By 1536, the manor had been divided into five leasehold farms; by 1791, old maps showed that only one of these farms still remained.

The remnants of Wretchwick are still visible, including its earthwork boundaries. Hollow trackways divide raised earth platforms, upon which buildings once stood. There is evidence to suggest that the original settlement was extended during the 1400's, in order to accommodate an influx of labourers who came to work for the once thriving dairy operation in the village.

The various parts of the site are now divided by the more modern Middle Wretchwick Farm.

It is possible that Wretchwick may have began as a community of outcasts - it's name may mean 'wic of the exiles', with the Old English word 'wic' meaning 'hamlet' or 'dwelling-place'.
Many locals pronounce it as 'wretch-ick', with the 'w' being silent.

In case you're interested, there's some more detail on findings discovered during archaeological excavations at the site here: https://library.thehumanjourney.net/3471/

The map below shows the location of the remains of the long-extinct medieval hamlet of Wretchwick, on the outskirts of Bicester. (Source: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015549?section=officiallist-entry). 

TUSMORE (NEAR BICESTER) 

Tusmore's name rather intriguingly comes from the Old English 'Þyrsmere'/'Thuresmere', meaning 'a lake haunted by a giant or demon'!
It is located roughly 5 miles north of Bicester. It is possible that the lake mentioned in its name was originally a pond which was later transformed into the ornamental lake of Tusmore House.

In 1086, the Domesday Book recorded that the manor of Tusmore was held by Walter Giffard (1st Earl of Buckingham); however, the settlement originally began much earlier, in Saxon times.

By the early half of the 14th century, Tusmore was noted as being the poorest village within the Ploughley Hundred. After The Black Death decimated the community, surviving residents began leaving in droves, resulting in the hamlet being completely abandoned by 1358.

The Fermor family built Tusmore House close to the site of the now-extinct medieval village, residing there from 1606 until 1828. Prior to this, it is believed that Sir Roger de Cotesford (or perhaps one of his descendents) built a manor house on the site, although only the granary and dovecote have survived from that period.

All that remains of the medieval village of Tusmore are earthworks, which are plotted on the map below (borrowed from 'Oxoniensia').

More info can be found here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.oxoniensia.org/volumes/1976/miles3.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjHvdjB0vD2AhWFiFwKHVsjBNYQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0mmG7UA_wy8aoVGTXDPTgC

WILLASTON (MIXBURY)

Willaston was once a detached hamlet on the edge of Mixbury, which consisted of approximately 523 acres.

I can't find much information regarding Willaston (I'm hoping to learn more on pay day, when I'll be ordering a book about extinct Oxfordshire villages!), but from what I gather, it was all but deserted by 1768; just one farm was mentioned as being there at this time.

The village flourished during the Middle Ages, but its population rapidly began to decline following its inclosure (the process by which commoners were denied their right of access to land, as it was bought up by private owners).

The aforementioned farm was owned in 1955 by a Mr Dewar-Harrison.

It's name is derived from 'Wiglafstun', meaning 'the settlement held by Wiglaf'; Wiglaf was a Saxon, who had owned the land there prior to the Norman Conquest.

I'll try to find some more info on Willaston later!

ASH/ATUNASH (NEAR HORTON-CUM-STUDLEY)

An ancient settlement close to the village of Horton-cum-Studley; its name means 'at the ash tree', and it was abandoned during the Middle Ages. 

MARLAKE (BETWEEN MURCOTT AND HORTON-CUM-STUDLEY)

An ancient settlement, abandoned following the end of the Middle Ages. 

SAXINTON (BETWEEN BUCKNELL & ARDLEY)

A long-extinct hamlet called Saxinton once existed on the outskirts of Bucknell, near Bicester (on the Ardley side)!

Recorded as 'Sexintone' on the Domesday Book, alternative spellings also include 'Sexigton'. It's name is derived from old English, meaning 'Seaxa's farm'.

In 1695, White Kennett spoke of "Saxenton in the parish of Bucknell where the foundations of building do more especially appear in a ground called the Ball-yards."

John Dunkin wrote the following in 1823: "At a short distance from Bucknell Church, partly within the precincts of a copse or wood, and partly on either side of a road leading to the same, are numerous foundations of houses, which once constituted the village of Saxenton."

I can't find any maps explictly showing its location, but I'm wondering whether it may have been somewhere near the area I've circled in the map below? 🤔 If anyone knows for sure, please let me know! Happy to stand corrected!

(Map courtesy of Archi UK, made between 1805 and 1869 - earlier maps aren't quite so detailed!).