The town of Witney - situated approximately 19 miles from Bicester - began life as an Anglo-Saxon estate. Its name may have been derived from the Old English 'Witan', meaning 'council'. There is evidence indicating Roman and Iron Age occupation in the area, too.

The oldest part of the town dates back to medieval times, at the site of an early crossing of the River Windrush. Up until the 20th century, the river formed the parish's eastern boundary, leading to another possible theory regarding the origins of Witney's name: perhaps 'Witta's island', due to its topography! An Anglo-Saxon site existed on or close to the river crossing.

In 1086, the Domesday Book recorded some 47 tenant households in Witney. By the 1270's, the town was comprised of 300 houses, with 235 named tenants, although the actual population figure by the end of the 13th century was probably closer to 1000 (women and children weren't recorded!).

Witney's inhabitants suffered badly due to the Plague, which hit particularly hard in 1348 and 1361, although there were other outbreaks (as well as other disease epidemics) over the centuries.

Due to the town's position at what was then an important river crossing, it benefitted from extensive trade links from the Middle Ages onwards. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Witney - renowned for its textile industry - had trade links to Southampton, the Cotswolds and London, as well as further afield.

The 'Burford - Woodstock Route' passed through Witney, and when it was turnpiked in 1751, it was described as part of 'the great road' frequented by coaches and waggons, linking South Wales, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire with Oxford, and thence to London. Unfortunately, the road was said to be 'almost impassable' during winter!

Amazingly, a postal service was established in Witney as early as 1695, when a local hatter served as a salaried post-master; he was succeeded by an innkeeper in 1713.

During the 1630's, carters and carriers from Witney visited London once a month, transporting goods. During the 18th century, maltsers in the town shipped produce to the capital by barge.

In the early to mid 12th century, the then Bishop of Winchester had a moated manor house constructed, which was known as 'The Bishop's Palace'. It was located on or close to the site of the current Mount House, and was extended during the following two centuries.

A curving watercourse known as 'Emma's Dyke' encircled the Saxon town, and was so-named after Emma of Normandy (wife of King Aethelred II and King Cnut). Archaeological excavations suggest that the Dyke may have been a natural formation, rather than man-made.

During the 1870's, 'Saxon Ramparts' (earthworks) were recorded near the site of the manor house, along with some ditches south of the churchyard.

The medieval town was pre-planned, with its layout designed to focus on the Market Place, and expanded from there. During the 13th century, there were many corn mills, and a town hall existed by the 16th century, by which time Witney was a bustling market town.

During the 1540's, water and sewage drained into open channels on both sides of the High Street, the remnants of which were known as 'Gunn's Hole' (which remained in use up until the 19th century). It was once described as the source of 'abominable stenches', as one can well imagine!

There are many buildings of interest in Witney, some of which I shall cover later, but Witney Blanket Hall is among the most recognisable:

The Hall was constructed in 1721 by the Company of Blanket Makers, and for over 120 years, every blanket woven in Witney would be brought to the Hall to be measured and weighed. From 1845 onwards, these activities took place elsewhere, so the Hall was henceforth occupied by a brewery, a lemonade factory, a Register Office, and a dance school, to name but a few!

The Hall also hosted public gatherings, and during the 18th century, it housed the town's fire-pump. Witney Blanket Hall is open to visitors - see the website for details: https://www.blankethall.co.uk/

(Image below is courtesy of Parish Mouse, and shows the High Street in Witney, date unknown).