Named after a Saxon warlord called Wændel, who established a 'burh' (fortified town) on that spot, the village of Wendlebury lies not far from the modern-day outskirts of Bicester. It is also situated very close to the old Roman settlement of Alchester.

Prior to the Norman Conquest, another Saxon called Asgar held the manor of Wendlebury; however, shortly after the Conquest, William the Conqueror granted it to Geoffrey de Mandeville. The manor was subsequently retained by Geoffrey's descendents until the death of William FitzGeoffrey de Mandeville in 1227, at which point the manorial rights were passed on to Humphrey de Bohun (Earl of Hereford).

Again, Wendlebury remained with the de Bohun family, until 1373, following the death of another Humphrey de Bohun (a descendent of the former). At this point, the manor was divided, with one half being given to Humphrey's eldest daughter Eleanor de Bohun (wife of Thomas de Woodstock, 1st Earl of Gloucester), and the second half possibly going to Eleanor's younger sister, Mary de Bohun.

Although it cannot be verified by documents written at the time, historians believe that Eleanor's share was probably bequeathed to her daughter, Anne of Gloucester; this is because by 1403, the manor of Wendlebury was being held by Anne's second husband, Edmund Stafford (5th Earl of Stafford). The manorial ownership of Wendlebury appears to have lapsed after Edmund, as no other Lords of the Manor are recorded.

The earliest record of the existence of St Giles' Church in the village was in the early 13th century; however, it has been rebuilt and altered many times throughout the centuries, due to it being built on unsuitable ground (therefore rendering it structurally unsound!).

The Red Lion Inn in Wendlebury was built in the 17th century, and seems to have been trading as an Inn by 1732. In 1790, a farmer from nearby Merton tried to start a brewery in the village, but this venture was not as successful as he'd hoped; the business was sold in 1809.

At the time of the Enclosures Act, 1,160 acres of land were enclosed, with 500 acres of which being awarded to Thomas Coker of Bicester.

A National School was opened in Wendlebury in 1850, with additional buildings being opened in 1863.

A railway platform called Wendlebury Halt was built south-east of the village in 1905, but had closed by 1926.

At the time of the 1841 census, out of the 241 residents of Wendlebury, 203 had been born there.

Two of the most prolific families to have lived in Wendlebury were the Traffords and Vennimores/Fennimores (with whom I am connected!). In 1665, Henry Trafford inhabited the largest house in the village, and his successors continued to be freeholders under the Earls of Abingdon until the late 18th century. Henry's descendents were still living in the village up until 1832.

The Vennimore/Fennimore family held property in Wendlebury from as early as 1558, selling their land in approximately 1774. Another family worthy of a mention were the Bees, who were mercers and hosiers of Oxford and London - they held property in Wendlebury from the mid-17th century until well into the 18th century.

I'm sure that there is plenty more I could say about this village, but I shall save it for another post!

The photo below shows the parish church. Fun fact: the church originally had a tower, but it was demolished by the congregation in the 1700's following a morning service, as it was on the brink of collapse!