Situated approximately 15 miles north of Bicester is the town of Banbury. Its name possibly derives from a Saxon chieftain called Banna, who established a settlement on the site during the 6th century. In the Domesday Book, the town was recorded as 'Banesburie'. Another spelling during medieval times was 'Banesbury'.

The area was settled by the Saxons sometime around the mid 5th century, and in around 556 AD, a battle took place at nearby Edgcott between King Cynric of Wessex and his son Ceawlin, and the local Romano-British population. Ultimately, Cynric and Ceawlin won the battle.

The site was chosen due to its location at the junction of various ancient highways, and a Roman road skirted the south of the parish. A ford was also nearby.

Grimsbury (now part of the town) was once a small hamlet, and appears to have existed before Banbury. It was named after a pseudonym of the Saxon god Woden, suggesting that its original inhabitants were pagans. When Birinus - a Christian missionary - visited the area in 634 AD, many locals converted.

By 1086, Banbury was one of the administrative centres of the large north Oxfordshire estate held by the Bishop of Lincolnshire; it remained so until 1554, when Queen Mary decreed that a council should take over the management of the borough. During the Middle Ages, a Bishop known only as Alexander built Banbury Castle.

Interestingly, the style of the town's construction is typically Danish in style; this probably dates back to 913 AD, when the invading Danes were active in north Oxfordshire.

Markets and fairs began to be held in the town quite early on, ensuring that it grew very prosperous. Trade was established between Banbury and various other far-away places. During the 13th century, Banbury's ales and textiles were much sought-after.

Even the plague - which naturally claimed numerous lives - initially did little to affect the town's prosperity; a Poll Tax assessment between 1379 and 1381 recorded 523 eligible adult residents, which was considerably more than other places within the locality, such as Thame. The full impact of the pestilence wouldn't make itself fully known until around 1441, when rents within Banbury were dramatically reduced, implying that the town's finances had significantly declined. Later on in the same century, things began to look up, as Banbury produce was once again in high demand. The town also became a centre for the growing South Midlands wool trade.

In 1469, The Battle of Danes Moor was fought at Edgcott, just 6 miles from Banbury; Robert of Redesdale led his Lancastrian army to meet the Yorkist Earl of Pembroke's forces, and was successful. The Yorkist defeat was partially due to the Earl of Devon withdrawing shortly before the battle commenced, meaning that Pembroke's army was around 4-5000 men down! The troops were stationed in Banbury.

Towards the end of the 15th century, St John's Hospital School (located in the town) became renowned for its outstanding and innovative teaching methods.

Although Banbury's produce was valued and spoken of up and down the country, nasty rumours also set people's tongues wagging... Apparently, a wrongful charter had been witnessed during the 14th century, and thereby gave rise to a variety of sayings, such as:

1. 'Banbury glosses' (to describe one who twists the truth).

2. 'A Banbury story' (to mean 'a tall story').

3. "As wise as the mayor of Banbury, who would prove that Henry III came before Henry II!" (implying that Banbury folk were known for lying, even about well-known facts!).

Banbury had a great deal of trouble with 'tinkers' (travelling tradespeople/salespeople) who frequented the parish; it is said that a mass execution of tinkers took place there during the 17th century, and that regular hangings occurred at an area known as the Goose Leys, near the bridge crossing the River Cherwell.

Image below features Banbury Market, sometime around the turn of the 20th century, courtesy of 'Oxford History'.

Puritanism was rather a big deal in Banbury from the 16th century onwards; various monuments were torn down, or came under scrutiny, due to them not aligning with the radical new faith. Religious tensions became so bad, that people from neighbouring areas began visiting other markets, preferring to avoid the troubles in Banbury!

Richard Brathwait published 'Barnabae Itinerarium' (Barnabee's Itinerary) in 1610, in which he wrote:

"To Banbery came I, O prohane one!
Where I saw a Puritane the hanging of his cat on Monday for killing a mouse on Sunday." - a reference to the Puritan zeal which had taken hold in the town.

In 1635, an inn in Banbury called 'The Altarstone' became the subject of great contraversy, as a Roman altar supposedly contained in a niche in the wall of the pub was believed by the Purtains to be tantamount to heresy!

'Banbury man' or 'Banbury brother' became mostly derogatory slang terms to describe Purtains, suggesting that the town's issues were being discussed far and wide.

During the Civil War, Banbury was known for its Parliamentarian sympathies, which is ironic considering the Castle was a Royalist stronghold, with the castle and some parts of the town being used as garrisons for Royalist troops! Various sieges took place during this period, culminating in the surrender of the Royalist forces at the Castle in 1646. By this time, damage to the town had been severe, and many residents had fled the conflict - some of which were captured and tried for being spies, and subsequently imprisoned, or even executed!

Banbury inhabitants who remained there also had to endure several outbreaks of disease. The local government had also collapsed, due to many aldermen and burgesses fleeing the war. Amidst the mayhem, the weekly market was still being held every Thursday!

During the 1650's, wealthy and influential Banbury families were won over by Quaker missionaries, once again resulting in religious divide. Presbyterians also set up shop, attracting those of the middle classes. Multiple riots took place during the collection of the 1667 Hearth Tax, too.

It seems as if there was a simmering tension lurking just beneath the surface of the town, which could boil over at any moment!

There is a lot more that I could write about this period in the town's history, but I shall save it for another time!

In 1800, food riots were erupting throughout England, as Napoleon's continental blockade of Britain caused food to become scarce, and costs to soar. During this time, the cost of bread hit an all-time high: 1s and 9d. Banbury folk, as well as those living in nearby places such as Middleton Cheney, were involved in the riots.

On 15th September 1800, horse-troops charged at the angry mob, killing a child; the ringleaders, including Thomas Whitmore of Middleton Cheney, were arrested. When Whitmore arrived at Oxford Gaol, the prisoners also began rioting!

30 years later, a mob of several hundred agricultural labourers went on a rampage, protesting the newly-invented machines which were now replacing their jobs. On 29th November 1830, they set fire to some machines at Neithrop, near Banbury; special constables were sworn in to quell the rioters, although the protest had the desired effect, because their wages were increased in order to prevent future incidents!

One familiar nursery rhyme is synonymous with Banbury:

"Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady on her white horse
With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes."

It was written in 1784, and may have referred to one of several crosses in the town! More information can be found here: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/oxfordshire/banbury-cross.htm

The image below shows a map of Banbury, made in 1833. Source: http://banburyshiremaps.co.uk/banbury1833.htm