CHESTERTON

Situated mainly along a line parrelel with the Gagle Brook lies the village of Chesterton. It is possible that its early Saxon inhabitants named it after the nearby Roman town of Alchester ('Chester-ton').

Tax assessment records dating back to the early 14th century suggest that Chesterton was fairly prosperous, and in the 17th century, there were several large farmhouses within the village. By the beginning of the 19th century, there were 73 houses in Chesterton and the adjacent hamlet of Little Chesterton combined; by the middle of the same century, 99 dwellings were counted.

Historians believe that the lands of Chesterton (at this time known as 'Cestertune') initially belonged to a Saxon ealdorman called Aethelmar; just before the Norman Conquest, they were held by another Saxon named Wigod. By 1086, however, these lands were in the possession of Miles Crispin. Several others held the manor afterwards.

In 1193, the manor of Chesterton passed to Gérard de Camville. Other notable Lords of the Manor include Edmund (Earl of Cornwall), Sir Thomas Pope, and George Villiers (Earl of Jersey).

The Saxons probably chose the location of the early settlement due to its close proximity to the old Roman thoroughfare known as Akeman Street, plentiful water supply, and fertile agricultural land.

Between 1801 and 1851, the population of Chesterton increased from 330 inhabitants to 435; during this period, the parish was 'much in distress for want of cottages' in order to accommodate this new influx, comprising mainly of agricultural labourers and their families, who had moved to the area in search of work.

Around the start of this population boom, 30 poor families living in the village were given bedding and coal, but they were so stricken by poverty that they cut down many hedges and trees within the parish in order to warm their cottages. A few years later, the Earl of Jersey paid for new houses to be built, which undoubtedly helped to resolve at least some of the community's problems.

In 1760, Chesterton had one publican; by 1807, there were two, each running pubs called 'The Blue Ball' and 'The Red Cow' respectively. Other local tradespeople during this time included a miller, carpenter and maltser. By 1851, dressmakers, shopkeepers, cordwainers, shoemakers, blacksmiths and railmakers had begun to trade within the village. Another public house called 'The Fox & Hounds' also existed at one time.

The earliest evidence confirming the existence of a church in Chesterton was in 1087. According to another document - this time in the mid 12th century - a priest called Osmund is mentioned as residing there.

The parish church of St Mary's was considered to be a wealthy one during the early medieval period, attracting renowned rectors such as William de Ardern (who was rector of Chesterton from 1361 - 1375, and was highly respected during his day); however, after around 1403, the living made from the vicarage became too meagre to attract such influential and well-educated clergymen anymore.

The organ inside the church was presented in 1898 by Bicester banker Henry Tubb, and some features such as the paneling on the chancel and pulpit were imported from Brittany - this proves the wealth and importance of the early parish church.

During the Elizabethan period, a man called John Bourne of Chesterton was noted as being a Roman Catholic. In 1583, he was accused of hiding 5 Catholic priests in his home, which was a pretty dangerous thing to do during this time of religious turbulence! There is no record of him receiving any punishment, though, so perhaps he had a lucky escape!

A school was first opened in the village in 1800, and taught around 10 - 20 children. Another was built around 15 years later, serving 51 pupils. Earlier, in 1738, a Bicester woman called Miss Drusilla Bowell left two-thirds of her estate upon her death to provide apprenticeships for two Chesterton boys every year. 5 pounds per year was also bequeathed by Miss Bowell, to be used in order to help those who finished their apprenticeships to set up in trade. In 1864, a member of the Treadwell family left £284, 9 s and 11d to the poor people of Chesterton.

One of the oldest buildings in Chesterton is Manor Farm, which dates back to around 1700, and was once home to the wealthy Maundes family.

In the early 18th century, a manor house stood at the south-eastern end of the village. The house was altered many times over the years, and by 1939, it became known as Chesterton Lodge. In 1955, it was renamed as Audley House, and was used as a prepatory school.

Some famous Chesterton residents include notable 12th century writer Gerald de Barry, and renowned 18th century archaelogist/writer Francis Penrose.

A large tree known as 'The Chesterton Oak' was felled in 1840, in order to create furniture for the church; it was said to have contained 700 cubic feet of timber.

I will try to post more about this village in the near future, so stay tuned!

The map below is borrowed from British History Online.

BIGNELL

One of several extinct 'manors' in the local area was Bignell, which originally incorporated King's End and Wretchwick. The manor was first recorded as 'Bigenhull', and first mentioned in a grant to Bicester Priory in 1212 AD.

According to the aforementioned document: 'James de Bret, Lord of Bigenhull, and Amable - his wife' donated the manor to the Priory in 'the fourteenth year of the reign of King John'. They are noted as being 'generous benefactors to that infant institution'.

In the same century, the manor passed to Langley family, who passed it down to subsequent generations of their kin.

It eventually came into the joint possession of Humphry - Earl of Stafford & later Duke of Buckingham - and John Felmersham. The former was actually the person who successfully applied for permission for a market to be held in Bicester, so this would have been c.13th century.

Interestingly, the Domesday Book (completed in 1086 AD) did not recognise Bigenhull as a manor, although it was considered to be such locally.

Later owners included William Staveley - another benefactor to the Priory, and in whose family the manor remained for several generations - and John Stokeys; John Stokeys is actually buried in the chancel of St Edburg's Church, and a brass plaque (the oldest surviving memorial within the church) marks the spot.

By 1695, Bigenhull was no longer a manor. According to Kennett's 'Parochial Antiquities', published the same year: 'the name alone of Bigenhull or Bignell remains in a farmhouse, which tradition speaks of as the seat of the Lord of the Manor, now belonging to the daughters and co-heirs of Mr Samuel Lee, and hath been some time in the occupation of John Wilson'.

In the early 18th century, Sir Robert Dashwood took a member of the Coker family to court, hoping to obtain the manor of King's End, as well as Bignell; the judge ordained that Mr Coker was the rightful owner of the estate.

A descendent of this Mr Coker - John Coker Esq. - eventually sold Bignell to a man called Mr Forster; he in turn set about restoring the ancient manor house of Bignell to its former glory.

Bignell House (Chesterton) was completed in 1866, but there is evidence to suggest that a much older stately home once occupied the site or adjoining land, dating back to the 14th century.