J^iFtlingtoii, OXOE. Illustrated, YALE. At vi* £ - Henry % Taunt, $$&&. 2D A *i Author of the well known Guides to the Thames, &c. TAUNT & Co,, ART PRINTERS, OXFORD. 6 >QP? _3?uj^ The best of thanks is rendered by the Author to his many kind friends, both at Kirtlington and elsewhere, who fay their kind information and assistance have materially contributed to the successful completion of this little work. KNOWLEDGE. Ancient Kirtlington. "Shall we look back- two- thousand years or more To when the Romans conquered our fair land, And settling down, to keep secure their store Made track ways into roads on every hand." TWO thousand years is a long time even in the history of the world and how few places in Old England can trace back their story to such a remote time ; yet, here is a little village which we may fairly conclude had then an existence, and possibly was of more importance relatively, than it is now. One of the greatest charms of life is to survey the past and compare it with the present; to look back and 'dwell on the shadowy scenes of our own ancient history: to gather up and piece together the many scattered threads of bye-gone times and in this we are treading in the footsteps of a former vicar of Kirtlington*, who with loving labour * The Rev. J. Deane, now Rector of Lower Hardres, Kent. carefully collected and stored a large amount of information most valuable in every way, and to whom we are deeply indebted for many a gem which might otherwise have been lost or forgotten. Among the greatest antiquities of a country is its ancient roads, for by them we can track out the march of events, and wherever there be found the traces of more than one road, there also will be found a place of importance according to its position near the junction. Kirtlington stands at the crossing of two Roman roads, the one, now known as " Green Lane," running along the top of Kirtlington Park to Chesterton, is none other than the great Akeman Street, which running east and west crossed the whole country, passing from the eastern side of England to Aylesbury and Alchester, and is plainly traced through Oxfordshire to Cirencester, then an important Roman station ; it joins the Fossvvay just before entering that town. Not far east of Kirtlington, on this road, -was the important Roman station or fortified Camp of Alchester (near Wendlebury), the only remaining feature of which is the mound in the triangular meadow by a little brook, which once led round the camp ; and near by is Bicester, in Domesday Berencester, that is " Great Camp," also a Roman Station by this same Akeman street. This Way to the west of Kirtlington is still easily recognised by the row of trees which is continued along the meadow from the road. Curiously, where the bridle road to North- brook crosses Akeman street, the place is called Peter's cross. The other Roman road crosses Akeman street from the north and runs directly through the village, over the green and past the Manor house and church, continuing on the line of the Bletchington road. It is called the Portway, and led from the north of England to South ampton (Hamo's Port). Entering this district on the east side of Souldern it seems to have followed an old British trackway between Somerton and Fritwell where a grass road still runs, and thence along the high road to Kirtlington. It is still used and forms the road from Kirtlington to Heyford. Thus Kirtlington being just where two ways crossed must have been important in the early times, when these roads formed the only means of communication through the country and were used by merchants and others. The position of Kirtlington also crowning the hill would lead to the idea of its being a British village before Roman times, although we have no records left of its then existence. After being Masters of Britain for near 500 years the Romans took their final departure, taking with them the flower of the British youth and leaving the island open to the inroads of piratical Saxons and Anglians, who steadily gained ground by driving the Britons into the fastnesses of Wales and taking possession of the country. It was a long time before the Saxons got the upper hand in this centre of the kingdom, until we find in 556 a battle fought near Banbury and won by Ceawlin gave them the mastery ; and twenty years more before the same king slew three of the British kings in battle and took the distinguished cities of Cirencester, Gloucester and Bath. It was probably about this time the bank which crosses the Portway before reaching the turn to Northbrook, known as Ashbank, Wattle bank, or Avesditch, was raised, stretching from the rise of the hill above the Cherwell and extending seemingly past Fritwell and Souldern to Rainsborough camp. It consisted originally of a broad raised bank of earth -with a ditch on either side, but now is partly destroyed, partly used for a road and the rest is grass o'ergrown or ploughed up. There are several banks of this discription in various parts of the country but it is not known for certain whether they are boundaries or lines of fortifications, they may have been both. Still at the time it was made it was an immense work and must have occupied the tribe who raised it a considerable time. The name Wattlebank doubtless arose from its peculiar construction in places, where, as at Fritwell, the embank ment being unusually raised, was strengthened by stakes driven into the ground with willows or other bands twisted between them. Avesditch joined Akeman street at the ford over the Cherwell. Through the wars and raids always going on, the country must have been in a fearful state, but gradually becoming more settled as time passed on, each chief with his band of followers would, perhaps, on the site of some older British village, make their home, erecting houses and barns or utilizing those already in existence, and forming a township round an open space or Green while giving their name to the place. Thus Kirtlington would be the township of the Kirtlings unless the name was corrupted from Kirk-ling-tun (as Dr. Plot spells it) -when it would mean Church-meadow enclosure. The name of the village is spelt in a number of different ways . Certlintone, Curtelingtone, Kyrketone (1315). Kirtlinton and 'tun, and in some cases the T is replaced byK as already noted. Tun would mean enclosure, often the spot centrally occupied by the Manor House. Each township was practically one great farm, tenanted by individuals as occupiers, and managed on a uniform plan ; a community associated in the culture of the land which was the common property. Kirtlington -was just on the borders of Wessex and Mercia and would be much affected by the wars. We read of a great battle fought at Burford a few miles to the west in 762, when the fierce Cuthred drove Ethelbald the old king of the Mercians from the field. And being on the Portway, the direct road to the North, the settlers at the place had probably received the ministrations of Birinus after the king of Wessex, Cynegils, was converted ; and together with his people baptized at Dorchester. From this time the history of the place would be so connected with the church that its continuation will better be found in the next chapter. St Mary's Church, K.irtlington. " The ancient Church, God's house, in God's own acre." THE very fact that the old church at Kirtlington was dedicated to St. Mary goes to show that it was the mother Church of the neighbourhood, and we can easily understand how this came to be the case. The head man of the settlement may have been with the King when at Dorchester, and being baptized with him into Christianity would, in the first enthusiasm of a convert, immediately on his return home, set apart a piece of land for the building of a Church. And this is emphasised by the nearness of the present Church to the manor and standing on what probably was part of its precincts. Then would arise a building of " watlyn and hewn timber '' or simple trunks of trees thatched with reeds or rushes like many another built at that period. There were not many churches of stone before the year iooo. That date was looked upon by the majority as the end of the world, and therefore few buildings were built to stand centuries ; until it was realised that time would not then cease and eternity begin. Yet even this primitive edifice -was the scene of a great Synod or Wittan called together for the purpose of arranging some great matter in connection with church or country, which met in April,' 977, at which King Edward the Martyr, Dunstan the great Archbishop of Canterbury, Sideman Bishop of Devonshire and many others were present. We know little of what was decided at the council, but the whole pro ceedings were saddened by the sudden death of Sideman on the eleventh day before the Kalends of May, who in his last moments expressed a wish to be buried among his own people and in his own Church at Crediton ; but this was overruled by the Synod, and the King with St. Dunstan ordered that his body should be conveyed to the Abbey of Abingdon, which was done, and he was accordingly laid in the Porch of St. Paul on the north side of the Church there. Kennett tells us "The occason of the assembly was to redress grievances that arose in these parts from the expulsion of monks and settlement of secular clergy by Elfere, governor of the province. The person who most concerned himself in procuring the Synod was yEthelwold, Bishop of Winchester, who had been Abbot of Abingdon, and had prevailed on King Edgar to expel the secular priests and substitute monks, which monks Elfere had again disturbed." One kirtlington, 0xon. The Church from the Churchyard. decree which seems to have been made was, that the country people might go in pilgrimage to the Church of St. Mary at Abingdon, "which indeed they did" says the chronicle. Possibly the whole gathering might have missed being recorded, had it not been for the unfortunate death of Bishop Sideman. About this time the first stone church -was built. Judging by others it would be a plain rectangular building with circular ends, heavy round headed doors and windows, with a thatched roof. It is known that this is correct as far as the eastern end is concerned, as the foundations still exist under the floor of the chancel near the tower arch. Over one of the doorways would be placed the carved tympanum (page 3). now built into the wall by the pulpit, and included in the eastern arch of the present tower are other stones, having axe work carving upon them which evidently belonged to the earlier Saxon church. Then came the Norman invasion, which altered the whole country. The followers of the Conqueror became possessed of the manors and we find from Domesday book that there were two manors in Kirtlington. One was held by Earl Warrenne and the other by Robert D'Oyly the governor of Oxford, both of whom assisted William in his invasion. To the Chapel of St. George, the crypt of which still exists under the Tower of that name built by him at Oxford Castle, Robert D'Oyly gave a moiety of the tythe of Northbrook, where there were three other manors besides the two at Kirtlington. From Robert D'Oyly his manor passed to Richard de Humet, constable of Normandy, and to him or his son we owe the rebuilding of the church again in the twelfth century. The little low building of the Saxon builders had probably fallen into decay, and at this period when the Normans had settled down in the country, they built churches and castles in great numbers, which exist to the present day. Enough remains of this church at Kirtlington, although the restorations have partly hidden them, to show that it consisted of a large chancel, built on the same lines as the present one, with two narrow windows on either side and two or a larger one of the same sort at the eastern end, with perhaps a round one over them. The tower, built partly for defence, was also on the site and much like the present one but not so lofty, the lower part of it is in fact the same, with the strong thick walls and massive round Norman arches east and west, and small round headed windows north and south. The moulding round the western arch with the zig-zag pattern is also of this date, but the heads finishing it are later additions. A nave completed the church, not so long as the present one, and the same width as the tower; which it will be noticed is broader across the nave than where it crosses the Aisles. The church was handed over to the Cistercian monastery of Aulnay or Aunay in Normandy, founded by Richard de Humet, and the first vicars of Kirtlington were monks from that institution. It is quite kirtlington, 0xon. The Church from the Park. possible that they superintended its building. Mauser, the only chap lain whose name we know, came over in troublous times ; King John was on the throne of England and coming into conflict with Pope Innocent III. was with his kingdom placed under an interdict, which meant that the churches were closed, no religious service might be performed, and no public prayers could be uttered either over the living or dead. This state of affairs lasted over two years, and was ended by the submission of the King. The arrangements with the monks of Aulnay did not last long, as in 1131, the church was leased in perpetual farm to the Prior and Convent of Bicester for forty shillings per year, to be paid by them to the alien abbey. About the middle of the thirteenth century a large addition was made to the Church, consisting of the three bays of the nave, the north Aisle of the Church and possibly the south Aisle, with a pointed roof covering all of them and rising high up the western side of the Tower. The north Aisle had a doorway now blocked. A little later the Tower was also pierced by an arch, and the Chapel of our Lady (in which the organ stands) was added to the Church. An altar stood against the east wall of this and services were held in it. The beaLitiful Piscina or sink, ornamented with foliage, in which the water was poured from the washing of the holy vessels, still remains. The preparation for one of the Crusades throws a little light on K'rtlington. When Edward I. in 1288 was intending to take an army to the Holy Land he was granted by the Pope one tenth of the value of every Church living in England, and a survey was made for the purpose. Kirtlington was valued at £20, one of the largest values, one fourth of which belonged to the priory at Bicester. Besides this there was property belonging to the Abbey of Osney ; and some more, seemingly the private ownership of the vicar. Bicester was only taxed at £12, Bletchingdon £.10, Weston £9, all less than Kirtlington. The Abbeys, and Bicester particularly, possessed considerable property in this neighbourhood, which was constantly being added to by persons leaving land for masses and prayers to be said by the monks on their behalf, and thus they became possessors of the best part of the country. So things went on, till in the first half of the fourteenth century, further alterations were made to the Church. The small East windows were merged into the one grand window which we see to-day, and which in its frame of greenery is one of the charms of the Church. The priests door in the chancel was made, cutting short one of the windows above it. Then the tall lancet windows at the west end of the Church were thrown together under one arch and tracery introduced into them, and the western door of the Church was enlarged and heightened to match the window above, all in the style of Decorated architecture, the most graceful of the purely English styles. In 1348, England, with other nations, was visited by a terrible plague called the " Black Death." Towns and villages were depopulated, but kirtlington, 0xon. The Interior of the Church, looking east. !4 how Kirtlington fared we do not know. William Serch, the vicar, died early in 1349, whilst at Lower Heyford, no less than five Rectors were instituted between July, 1348, and November, 1350. The Manors of Kirtlington often changed hands, and in 1420 passed to the Crown. The patronage of the living also found its way into the hands of the King, and (in 1392) Richard II. sold this to the Carthusian monastery of St. Anne, Coventry (the foundation stone of the Church of which he had himself laid) for the sum of 25 marks, or £16 13s. 4d., to be paid yearly so long as the French war lasted, from which time, until the Dissolution, the vicars of Kirtlington were appointed by this Abbey. Under their patronage the Church again underwent alteration bringing it much into its present form, the walls of the nave were raised and the clerestory -with its four plain windows added, and flatter roofs put on. The South Aisle, which had probably been pushed outwards by the great roof, was taken down and widened by some 30 inches ; the extent of the new work being plainly shown by the plinth at the foot of the west wall, laid bare at the restoration of 1892. The windows also of the Aisle show they belong to the fifteenth century, and about the same time the south porch was built. The stone seats in it were put there for those who brought children to be baptized ; as in those days the early part of the service was always performed outside the Church door. On the north side of the Church an addition was made at the east end of the Aisle in the shape of a Mortuary chapel, most likely belonging to the old familv of the Arden's, several of whom were buried in the church yard. The low side window in the chancel was also inserted about this time. These windows are usually supposed to have been opened for the purpose of allowing lepers to see the elevation of the host, with out conveying their disease to the rest of the -worshippers. The rood screen also, portions of which were found among the timbers of the roof, would be put up. It stood across the chancel arch and had probably a wide central, with narrower side bays, and was painted in bright colours ; the uprights crimson with blue crossbars, and bosses alternately crimson and gilt, and the monograms I.H.S. and M. between the bosses. Between the crossbars there seems to have been figures of angels, and above probably a canopy on which stood a rood with a small gallery, used on special occasions for reading the Epistle and Gospel, as at Charlton-on-Ottmoor to-day. The interior of the Church would be entirely open, there were no seats and everyone could stand or kneel as he pleased. The floor was of bare earth beaten hard, and would be strewn with rushes, which were changed once a year, at Midsummer, the memory of which perhaps survives in the present custom of strewing hay in the Church annually, on the Sunday after Midsummer day. What few sermons were preached were probably given from the altar steps ; the services were in Latin which not many of the lower class of the worshippers of the period could understand. 15 The village may have been visited by the Friars, who would hold services on the green ; as there were three large establishments of these brethren in Oxford, and thus some teaching was given to the people. In 1535 came the dissolution of the Monasteries, the patronage and property of which came into the King's hands, and was granted by him to various persons. For the next 40 years the patronage of the living at Kirtlington, passed from one gentleman to another until it was bought by St. John's College, Oxford, in 1578. Changes took place in the services, the marriage service, the Litany, and eventually the whole Service was ordered to be read in English ; in 1543 a copy of the Bible was ordered to be set up in every Church so that it might be publicly read ; in 1549 the whole Prayer Book was published in the native tongue. Abuses, which had crept into the Church, such as the worship of Saints, were done away with, but unfortunately this -was not always done in an orderly way, the mob being allowed to break down the images, &c, and they did much mischief under the guise of carrying out the law. The fragments of the rood screen at Kirtlington still show the marks of the axe with which the figures of the Angels were cut away. One useful reform -was ordered, the Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths should be regularly kept, and the Registers of this parish date from 1558, and are often most interesting. The civil war, in Charles I. reign, raged around Kirtlington, the first battle being fought at Edge Hill on October 23, 1642. After it, for some time, the King had his headquarters at Oxford, and often stayed at the old Palace at Woodstock. An entry in the registers tells us the following, " Matthew Weatherby a King's souldier was shott through the body with a pistoll at ye Dolphin, by another souldier 27th of October, and buried ye 28th of ye same month." This was Sunday October 27th, 1644. Early the next year Cromwell, -with a party of Dragoons, made a dash on the Royalist troops at Islip and Bletchingdon and captured the Old House ; Colonel Windebank, who surrendered it, being shot by order of Prince Rupert for cowardice. It certainly seems likely, that he could have held it for some time, but in deference to the entreaties of his young wife whom he had just married, he allowed himself to be overruled, but it is a sad story. There is no mention of Kirtlington during this time, but the register is very irregular, and probably the Church was neglected and the lead stripped off the roof for bullets. During the last restoration the date 1662 was found scratched on the lead of the North Aisle, as if that were the time it was renewed. Shortly after these stirring times the family of the Dashwoods first came to the Old House at Northbrook, and Sir Robert erected the gallery across the west end of the Church, which was removed in 1852. He also presented the Communion Plate in 1723. There are a couple of Bequests to the Church which are worth mention ; the first is that of John Whicker, the son of an old vicar of the place, who left by will the sum of £100 now invested in a field at i6 Ambrosden which produces £8 per year, for the poorest of the village, to be paid to them by the Minister and Churchwardens quarterly ; but the other is more out of the common way. John Cox, a wool-comber of High Wycombe, about 1520 left some property there, to pay a sum of money to Brasenose College for two priests to say two masses for the benefit of his soul, and the Warden of New College Oxford, was appointed to see that this was carried out. This is the origin of the annual sermon by a Fellow of Brasenose College, which arrangement was made in lieu of the masses after the Reformation. The property has since been sold, but the proceeds invested brings in a sum of £4 4s. to the College which provides one of its Fellows to take the service. Tradition says that Cox, being lost on one occasion in the outskirts of the place, gave the benefaction as a thank-offering for having been rescued from his peril. A similar tradition is told at Wantage where a bell is tolled in early morning through the winter. From the Churchwardens' book, -which begins in 1752, we get a few ideas of the village as it was 140 years ago. In the first place there is the entry of certain shillings " spent when the count was given," which leads to the belief that vestry meetings were not quite such "dry" affairs in those davs as now. Almost every year are payments for "forms of prayer" and ringing the bells on some great occasion. In 1759 is a Thanksgiving day ; 1761 saw the Coronation of George III. ; in 1763 there was a prayer on the occasion of the birth of a prince, afterwards George IV. ; and another in 1771 on the birth of a princess. In 1804 and again in 1812 there are prayers for His Majesty's (George III.) recovery ; and in 1818 one shilling was paid for making an alteration in the Prayer Book on the death of the Queen ; 1830 includes prayer for George IV., -who was dying, and also a payment for the proclamation of William IV. In 1795 we find the Churchwardens going to Bicester " on account of a man to serve the navy," and in 1797 " with the money on the war account," that is, the contribution of the village to the widows and orphans of those who were killed in the French war, "a shilling" is given to "thirteen poor slaves" and "sixpence to two sailors" evidently begging their way home. In 1813, the year of the great frost, two shillings was paid for a half hundredweight of coal. In 1754 two shillings and sixpence was paid for whitewashing the Church, but the next year Sir James Dashwood gave six guineas towards the painting of the Church. Then come payments for the bells, the full peal of which were just complete, and in 1793 John Powell was paid three shillings for the Sundial (on the outside of the Church). In 1770 the old Church tower was taken down. There is said to have been a sieeple, or upper storey of wood, which was literally pulled down with ropes by men standing in the churchyard. Below this was the belfry of stone which was supposed to be too weak for the bells to be rung, but had to be blown up with gunpowder before it could be removed. *7 When Sir James Dashwood died he left a legacy of £300 for the purpose of rebuilding the Church tower but this lapsed owing to the refusal of the Parish to cart the materials ; however, it was revived in 1849 when Sir George Dashwood paid £300 into the bank for the pur pose, and added other gifts which amounted in all to £600. In 1852 the rebuilding of the tower proceeded. Previous to this in the south east corner of the Nave stood the Clerk's seat, reading desk and pulpit one above the other, and opposite, up in the east bay of the North Aisle, the Dash-wood gallery pew. The nave was full of square pews arranged in the middle of the Church as far as the passage from the south door, behind which were open seats, but nearly five feet high and across the west end a large gallery. All were painted sage green. Over the chancel arch were the Royal arms with the Commandments on one side and the Creed and Lord's Prayer on the other. The chancel was empty except for the Communion table and rails, and some few narrow benches. The arch from the chapel to the tower was closed with a grating. In the tower hung five bells on half -wheels so that they could be chimed ; the three heaviest bells stood on the ground in the Dashwood chapel. In 1853 the bells were all rehung, and on August 19th were opened by the ringers from Kidlington. On the bells are the following names and mottoes : Treble — Robert Dashwood E Squier 1718. No. 2. — S R Robert Dashwood Barronett, H.B. 1718. Recast by C. & G. Mears, London, 1853. No, 3. — Mears & Stainbank Founders London, Sing to the Lord a new song, HB MA ME 1718. Recast at the expence of the Parish 1870. No. 4. — His sound shall be heard in the Holy Place. 1718. Henry. Bagley. Made this Ring to be seen in the yr 0 Lord. No. 5.— And the Fifth sounded. H.B. 1718. No. 6. — Ths Kingdoms of this world are our Lords 1718 Be it known to all that do me see. That H Bagley. He made me. No. 7. — Christ shall reign for ever and ever H Bagley made me 1718. Tenor. — I to the church the living call and to the grave do summon all A (bell) R. 1753. The small Sanctus bell. Walter Pryor, Thomas Kerby, Church wardens H.B. MA. ME. 1718. Most of the bells bear the Dashwood arms. The Robert Dashwood on the Treble was the son of Sir Robert, who died before his father. The H.B. is Henry Bagley, the founder. In the Churchwardens' book are several payments of a shilling a head to the ringers on November 5th, and sometimes on Coronation day. In 1852-3, the Church was restored and reseated, the two flying buttresses built to support the north wall which was found to be dangerous, and in January, 1854, the Church was re-opened by Bishop Wilberforce. In 1876, Sir Henry Dashwood purchased from St. John's College the land which they held in the parish, and became Lay Rector. He then rebuilt the chancel, the condition of which was so very bad that the walls had fallen out of line, the stones in some places being hardly held together through the looseness of the mortar. In the restoration the Priest's door, the south window, Aumbry and Piscina were discovered and restored to use, the whole of the chancel, with the exception of the east window, being rebuilt exactly on the older lines. Then came the enlargement of the churchyard in 1887, also due to the liberality of Sir H. W. Dashwood. Now (1905) the Church is again undergoing restoration, the beams and rafters of the roof of the nave were found on examination to be so rotten and unsafe that it was a wonder they had not given way with the weight of the lead roof, only one of them can again be used and that requires to be pieced at both ends. The walls are being pointed and cemented, both outside and in where required, and everything is being placed in order. This restoration of God's house appeals to everyone in the district, and all who value the light and freedom which exist only where His name is honoured in the land ; and funds will gladly be received by the Vicar, or Churchwardens, towards the heavy expense which is now being incurred, in aid of which the story of Kirtlington and its ancient Church is thus laid before you. The present restoration of the Church has brought to light the remains of a large Fresco on the wall of the North Aisle, representing St. George killing the Dragon. It is, of course, very much mutilated, as our photograph shows, but, as far as it can be made out, there is the figure of St. George, with his horse, raising his sword above his head to give the Dragon, who lies on his back below, the finishing stroke. The scene seems to be outside the gate of a city, and near one of the towers of the gate sits the Princess whom he is rescuing. To the right are some details which cannot, with certainty, be made out, whether it be a figure or other towers belonging to the wall of the city. This legend of the saint may be thus told. St. George, who was bishop of Capadocia, when visiting Asia Minor, came to a city in deep distress, in consequence of the ravages of a Dragon, who was destroy ing its inhabitants, many of whom had been killed and eaten by the horrid beast. To save any, the authorities were compelled to accede to the terms imposed by the Dragon, that one of its maidens should at certain times be handed over for its de\ ouring ; and the very day St. George arrived the lot had fallen on the beautiful Princess, the only daughter of the King, who was being led out to sacrifice. St. George vowed to rescue her, and by the help of an unseen Power, overcame the foul beast and slew him. Kirtlington, 0xon. Fresco lately discovered in Kirtlington Church. Tf)e ParK and House. " The stately homes of England, How beautiful they stand, Amid their tall ancentral trees, O'er all the pleasant land \ " \J IRTLINGTON Park is without doubt one of the stately homes of /V, England and few more beautiful are to be found even in our favoured land. Washington Irving may have been visiting Kirtlington when he wrote " Nothing can be more imposing than the magnificence of English Park Scenery. Vast lawns, that extend like sheets of vivid green with here and there clumps of gigantic trees heaping up rich piles of foliage ; the solemn pomp of groves and wood land glades with deer trooping in silent herds across them, the hare bounding away to the covert, or the pheasant suddenly bursting upon the wing ; the brook taught to wind in natural meanderings or expand into a glassy lake, the sequestered pool reflecting the quivering trees with the yellow leaf sleeping on its bosom, while some rustic temple or sylvan statue grown green and dank with age, gives an air of classic sanctity to the seclusion. These are but a few of the features of Park scenerv. In the hands of an Englishman of taste the most unpromising land becomes a little paradise. The sterile spot grows into loveliness and yet the art which produces the effect is scarcely to be perceived. The cherishing and training of some trees, the cautious pruning of others, the nice distribu tion of flowers and plants of tender and graceful foliage, the introduction of a green slope of velvet turf, the partial opening of a peep of blue distance or silver gleam of water, all these are like the magic touchings with which a painter finishes up a favourite picture. The great charm of English Scenery is the moral feeling that seems to pervade it. It is associated with ideas of order, of quiet, sober, well established principles, of hoary usage and reverend custom. Everything seems to be the growth of ages of regular and peaceful existence. The old church of remote architecture, with its low massive portal ; its Gothic Tower, its windows rich in tracery, in scrupulous preservation, its stately monuments of warriors and worthies of the olden time ancestors of the present lords of the soil, its tombstones' recording suc cessive generations of sturdy yeomanry whose sons still plough the same kirtlington park, 0xon. The Gardens, looking west over the Park. i fields and kneel at the same altar ; the stile and footpath leading from .the churchyard across pleasant fields and along shady hedgerows, the neighbouring village with its venerable cottages, its public green sheltered by trees under which the forefathers of the present race have sported, the antique family mansion standing apart in its own domain but looking down with a prospecting air on the surrounding scene all these features of English landscape evince a calm and settled security and hereditary transmission of home-bred virtues, which speak deeply and touchingly for the character of the nation." We have all this at Kirtlington with the addition of glorious memories of the past, in which the names of grand old Englishmen are found ; among them one towering above the rest for his love of freedom and justice as opposed to wrong "Old John of Gaunt, time honoured Lancaster.'' The house he occupied is indicated by the circular group of firs in the park not far from the village, and it is thought that the "Laundry," as it is called, which still stands near the pond, is the remains of part of the house or its offices, there are certainly some of the fish ponds near it. There is, unhappily, no known picture of the place and no details respecting it that we have been able to trace. The present Mansion is farther to the East and near the centre of the park on slightly rising ground which slopes sharply to the South where it trends down into the valley. Advantage is taken of this formation in the making of the Terraces and in the vistas -which lead from them. The House itself is built in the Italian style, a large centre block with two prominent -wings standing out in advance, each being united by an ornamental wall to the centre, which latter has a double flight of steps leading up to the portico. From the balcony thus formed, a series of four lofty columns rise, supporting an Entablature with the Goddess Ceres and abundance of fruit as the imposing centre-piece above ; the building is surmounted by a parapet. This main front of the House faces North, looking over the Park with its groups of Oaks and Elms and its mile of greensward tinted with wild flowers of various hues, which the glinting sunshine brightens up, each in its turn as the clouds flit by, an ever varying picture. Each of the wings has a tall open dome with vanes, on the inner front of these wings on the one side being the wind indicator and on the other the face of the clock. The South Front is very similar to the North, except that the wings stand back and leave space for gardens in front of them, on the eastern side being the Rosary, the western has beds filled with choice flowering plants. A charming varied lawn ending in a terrace bright with flowers, runs along the whole length of the southern front, leading the eye over another spacious distance of Park land, bounded by trees on either side, to where a lake lies shimmering in the sun ; and beyond, in the distance miles away, are the hills of Southern Oxfordshire, with the range of the Chilterns blue on the horizon. kirtlington Park, 0xon. The East Gardens and Rosary. 24 To the right and left are peeps through avenues cut in a forest of trees, the distance being lost in greenery, while, to the west the offices are among the trees hidden and unseen. A winding walk leads from the terrace through the belt of trees, twisting out and in so that picture after picture should unfold as we -wander along it. There is a charming peep of the Church with its ivy framed East window and Norman tower through a glade formed by an old Oak, with Holly and Yew and Laurel surroundings, all seen from a rustic summer house in the grounds, a quiet restful spot ; and on a bright Sunday morning when the chimes ringing out their call to prayer is echoing through the wooded glades, how very lovely everything appears here both to the eye as well as the ear. A big humble bee looks into the summer house for a moment, and humming his monotonous drone circles round it, and then flies off to search the bright flowers growing all around, while the never ceasing song of the birds is heard on all sides, song answering song and call repeated by call. The Interior of the House has its charms also, which are not generally known as it is not open to the public ; it is only by the courtesy of the owner that it is ever seen, although perhaps it is the beau ideal of an English Home. The double flight of steps in front leads into the Hall, a large and lofty square room looking out over the Park to the North. It has a ceiling divided into panels, with a large apse facing the entrance embellished with statuary, and leading into the Saloon. Over its classic fire-place is a fine panel carved by the master hand of Grinling Gibbons, most likely brought from the old house at Northbrook ; the subject being a group of dead game in the centre, with fish hanging on either side, while crawling on the sand below are Lobsters, Crabs, &c. There are paintings of James I. and his son among the pictures on the walls, the remainder consisting of portraits of various Judges con temporary with Sir Thomas Chamberlayne. Above the fire-place is a bust of Jupiter and other copies from the antique relieve the walls. Some of the furniture came from Northbrook House before it was pulled down. The Saloon is a still larger and very lofty apartment with a high dome ceiling and massive cornice below, the walls are painted a quiet fawn colour which allows the numerous pictures of the past generations of Dashwoods to stand out boldly upon them. Among others is Lady Dashwood, the wife of Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood and her child, by Sir Joshua Reynolds ; two portraits by Romney, a large picture of Sir James Dashwood which forms the centre piece of the room ; one of Lady Ely by Sir Thomas Lawrence, and a fine sea piece by Vernet. This room looks south over the terraced gardens, to the lake in the distance and the hills beyond. The Dining Room leads out of the Saloon on the same side of the house, a spacious apartment with a wealth of carving everywhere, on ceiling, cornice, and walls, touched up in tone and white, and having Kjrtlington Park, 0xon. The Interior of the Saloon. 26 an elegant carved chimney piece in white marble, supported on each side by caryatides. The picture occupying the centre panel is a group by Sir William Beechey of the family of Sir Henry Dashwood, the opposite panel being filled by a large picture of Diogenes with his lantern looking for an honest man. There are two broad massive staircases of polished oak, one on either side of the hall, leading from the ground floor to the top of the house, and the many heavy doors are formed from solid mahogany perhaps the most expensive wood known when they were made. The Drawing Room is lighter in its treatment and contains a number of pictures by well known past artists ; while the whole house is furnished in the most thorough and perfect way, in the style of the time of George II. There is one other room in the house that is most noticeable, which, from the quaint treatment of its ceiling, is called the Monkey Room. It was painted by the French artist, Clermont, 1745, and exhibits a series of Monkeys engaging in various sports of the field, hunting and shooting mainly. The centre frame is again centred by a head representing the sun, having rays proceeding from it in all directions, and there are masks at each corner and middle of the frame -with bouquels of flowers and beautiful birds. The corners of the ceiling represent the four seasons and the colours are as bright and vivid as though painted yesterday. There is only one other such ceiling in England painted by the same artist for the then Duke of Marlborough, at his little fish ing lodge at Monkey Island on the Thames near Taplow, but it is not equal to this one, nor is it so well preserved. Kjrtlingion park, ©xon. The Peep of the Church from the Gardens. ROYAL KIRTLINGTON, The Manors and their Owners. " A tale of olden times When Kings and Princes, or their kindred near, Held sway o'er these broad lands." KIRTLINGTON can, without doubt, claim the proud title of Royal Kirtlington, as its Manors was for many years a demesne of the King or some of the Royal blood ; putting aside the fact that after the Norman Conquest, the King claimed nearly all the land, and divided much of it among his chief followers, as the survey called Domesday book sets forth. It is to this record we first turn, and in it we find traces of five Manors, three of which were included in Northbrook and two in Kirtlington. One Manor in Kirtlington was held by Earl William de Warrenne and the other by Robert D'Oily, who also held one of the Manors in Northbrook, the others being held by Roger de Ivri. Here is the record : — " Robert holds of William de Warrenne one hide in Cortelintone, land to i plow. He has this in the demesne with i Bordar and 2 Bondmen. There are 3 acres of meadow. It was worth 20s., now 25s. " Herbert holds of Robert 2 hides in Certelintone, land to 2 plows. He has this in the demesne. It was worth 20s., now 30s. " Rainald holds of Robert 2 hides in Norbroc, land to 2 plows. There are 3 Villanes here and 6 acres of meadow. It was worth 15s., now 20s. " Rainold holds of Roger one hide in Nortbroc, land to 1 plow and a half. There is one plow in the demesne, and 3 Villanes with two Bordars have half a plow. It was and is worth 30s. " Rainold holds of Roger half a hide in Norbroc, land to half a plow. Yet there is one in his demesne there, and 6 Villanes with 3 Bordars have another. It was worth 10s., now 30s." This Manor of Earl Warrenne seems to have passed to Baldwin de Munz, who again sold it to Gilbert Basset, and the Manor of Robert D'Oily passed to Richard de Humet, constable of Normandy, as we have already noticed. Gilbert Basset was Lord of Wycombe and married 29 Isabel daughter of William de Ferrers, he died in 1240 and his only son soon after. But before this there is a notice ; " Ralph de Montibus held land in Kirtlingtone " and on November 6th., 1215, a precept was directed to the sheriff to restore it again ; and 8th. Henry III. 1225, that "William de Breant ? held during the King's pleasure (in trust) the Manor of Kirtlington which had been the land of Wido de Dive " and was now committed to " Thomas Basset, Baron of Hedendon " by this precept to the sheriff. Gilbert Basset's brother Thomas did homage to King Henry III. for the Manor in 1241. Kennett tell us " In 1201, Gilbert Basset, lord of Burchester (now Licester) nigh this time provided that his body should be buried in the Priory of Burcester of his own foundation ; and to that end gave to those monks all the land which he had bovight of Baldwin de Munz, in the village of Kirtlington ; as also two Mills in Kirtlington paying yearly to the monks of Aulney us. and 2s. to owners of certain rights over them." " In 1271, Philip Basset died possessed of the Manors of Kirtlington, Chefield and Hunington County of Oxford" which with other Manors " passed to Roger de Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, and Mareschal of England, who had married Aliva the sole daughter and heir of Philip Basset." Thomas Earl of Norfolk and Suffolk surrendered this Manor with others into the King's (Edward III.) bands ; all of which for the good service rendered him, the King granted to William de Bohun, who was created Earl of Northampton in 1337. The Manor of Kirklington according to Plot, was formerlv part of the possessions of the Kings of England from whom it came to Henrv, son of Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster and father of Henry the first Duke of Lancaster, by whose daughter Blanche it proceeded to John of Gaunt. This intelligence Plot professes to derive from an old charter, then in the possession of Sir Thomas Chamberleyne " Lord of the town"; but Dugdale who traces the descent of the property from John of Humetz, constable of Normandy, in the reign of King John, through the line of the Bassets, observes that Thomas of Woodstock, sixth son of Edward III. died possessed of the Manor in 1396. During the latter part of that century there seems little doubt but that John of Gaunt lived some time at Kirtlington. It may be that the house was not his property but that he stayed here as guest of Lady Joan de Bohun, widow of Hv. de Bohun, -who, for nearly fifty years, "was Lady of the Manor, and from her, passed on her death in 1420, to King Henry V., who was grandson to John of Gaunt on his father's side, and on his mother's to Lady Joan. So Kirtlington became a royal posses sion, and was then of the value of £13 6s. 8d., and vn. Boves (Oxen). The Manor seems to have remained in the hands of Royaltv until the reign of Elizabeth, judging from the Charters we have printed in our chapter on the village ; but of its later history we have few records until it passed into the hands of the present family, a short summary of whose history is most interesting. 3° The Dashwood family was originally seated in Dorsetshire, whence they removed into the county of Somerset, and settled at Vallow Wood in the parish of Stogumber, towards the latter years of Elizabeth's reign. Over the porch of the house, at Vallow Wood, was a stone with carved initials R. D., for Robert Dashwood, and the date 1606. From the first marriage of Samuel Dashwood, Esq., the Baronetcy, now represented by the Dashwoods of West Wycombe, descends ; and from George Dash wood, the only son of his second marriage, the Oxfordshire Baronetcy. Mr. George Dashwood, Alderman of the City of London, in the reign of Charles II., laid the foundation of the family in -wealth and prosperity. His son Robert, Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1683-4, married Penelope, daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, Bart., of Wickham Park, Oxfordshire, and was created a Baronet 16th Sept., 1684. He -was M.P. for Banburv in several Parliaments in the reign of William III., and from his time the familv of the Dashwoods have been closely connected with the politics and the social life of Oxfordshire. After one election, John Hawles, Esq., the other candidate, petitioned against his return, on the ground that Sir Robert had been chosen by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Capital Burgesses, whereas Mr. Hawles had been elected by the votes of the Freemen and Burgesses at large ; but after an enquiry in the House of Commons, Sir Robert Dashwood was declared duly elected. He was succeeded -by his grandson Sir James Dashwood, who was Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1738, and represented the county in 1741-47 and 1 761. In the contested election of 1753-4, which practically lasted a whole year, Sir James and Viscount Wenman were returned after a fight unexampled for the vigour and excitement with which it was carried on. But the triumph was short, as the House reversed the return. Sir James Dashwood must have been a man of great energy and wealth, for we find him, in this same year of an almost ruining election contest, building the splendid mansion in Kirtlington Park ; which was then the finest in the county, with the exception of Blenheim Palace. His full-length portrait in the Saloon at Kirtlington stamps him as a bold man not easily beaten, when he made up his mind to win. He died in 1779, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Henry Watkin Dash wood, who sat as one of the representatives of Woodstock, in eight successive Parliaments, but retired on account of advanced age in 1820. Sir Henry died in 1828, and was succeeded by Sir George Dashwood, who was Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1833. In early life Sir George was Page of Honour to George III., he was afterwards in the third regiment of Guards, and for a short time M.P. for Truro. In 1830, when Parlia ment was dissolved on the death of George IV., W. H. Ashurst, Esq., of Waterstock, who had served the county faithfully for fifteen years, retired, and Sir George Dashwood aspired to fill his place. There were three candidates in the field, one of whom, Lord Norreys, was the youthful heir of the Earl of Abingdon, the other being John Fane, who had been elected in his father's place in 1824. 31 One of the election squibs in this contest ran thus : — What can the Lord of Wytham do ? Why he can drive a coach and two ! But can his Lordship do no more ? Yes ! he can drive a coach and four ; But these are common coachmen's tricks ! Well ! he can drive a coach and six. O ! noble peer, great Abingdon, Pray teach the talents to thy son ; Por, in a hurry to be great, He fain would seize the reins of state ; And aided by a father's bounty The daring boy would drive the County. Sir George was not successful, retiring before the poll was over. On his death in 1861 he was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Henry William Dashwood, fifth Baronet. Sir Henry William Dashwood fought an unsuccessful contest for the county against Colonel Fane ; he served the office of High Sheriff of the County in 1867, and on the death of the Duke of Marlborough in 1883 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the County, which office, however, he resigned in 1887. He afterwards took a leading part in the temperance movement, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Oxfordshire Band of Hope and Temperance Union, at whose meetings he was a frequent attendant, and was highly popular and deservedly respected by all classes and sections of opinions in the county. He died January 25th, 1889, and was succeeded by the present owner of the property. The manors of Northbrook and Kirtlington as well as those of Tackley and Duns Tew are now held by Sir George John Egerton Dashwood, sixth Baronet, -who served as Lieutenant and Captain in the Scots Guards. He married in 1875, the Lady Mary Margaret Seymour, youngest daughter of the fifth Marquis of Hertford ; by whom he has a numerous family. He is an Alderman of the County Council and a Justice of the Peace for Oxfordshire, as well as Deputy Lieutenant for the County. The motto of the family is " Vertuti nihil invium." — "Nothing is inaccessible to virtue," and the arms are — Argent, on a fesse double cotised gules, three gryphons' heads erased or ; the crest is a griffin's head erminois, erased gules ; supporters, on either side a male gryphon argent, with a collar flory counterflory. The Village of Kjrtlington. " Each cottage seems To give assurance of content within, Embosomed happiness, and placid love : As if the sunshine of the day were met With answering brightness in the hearts of all." KIRTLINGTON is a very picturesque village, with its two large Greens lined with trees, the one nearest the Church having among the rest a grand old monarch of an elm, some 37 feet in circumference, living its last years in honoured old age and still emulating its younger confreres in the brilliancy of its foliage, and the way it throws out its shoots year by year, a splendid example for all. On the other side of the Green, by the old Portway, where it runs down to the Church, is the Manor house, bearing on the front the date 1585, and having on its garden front the remains of a large half-octagonal tower which was of greater height than now, if we may judge from the interior staircase which seems to have been con tinued beyond its present roof. Note also the quaint old chimney bordering the road, standing out at an angle from the building on a bearing stone in most picturesque fashion, and breaking up the severe straightness of the side of the house, while adding a line of beauty to it. Seen through the trees, too, the village Inn, with its characteristic swinging sign of " The Dashwood Arms," standing boldly out on the edge of the road on a tall prominent post surmounted with ornamental ironwork, some little distance from the picturesque house itself, -which latter is made more charming by a projecting porch with balcony over, a post of vantage which, no doubt, has been used more than once or twice by a Member of Parliament to address his constituents. The house is fairly old, judging by its elevation and the shape of its windows. Was it " Ye Dolphin " in earlier days and the scene of the soldier's death recorded in the Church register, and then had its sign-name changed later in honour of Sir James Dashwood, when that memorable contest for the pleasure of representing the County in Parliament was fought out to the last man in 1754? The old Green has seen some changes in its time, and, if it could only relate them, what an interesting story it would be ! Nearly all the cottages are pretty stone-built dwellings, like many others which are found in most of the villages hereabout, which last for centuries. Only one or two, which stand at the upper end of the Kjrtlington Village, 0xon. The Green with the " Dashwood Arms. 34 Green are modernised, and these seem rather out of keeping with the rest. The Stocks are gone ; in earlier days they stood on the Green where the seat is between the old trees. We recollect as a boy, at Bletchingdon, the next village to this, seeing some one put into the Stocks on the Green there, but it wasn't much punishment beyond the confinement, as so much sympathy was expressed and so many mugs of beer were offered and drank from, that the last state of the man who was put in them was worse than when he was first there. Villages are quieter now than they were, there is less bull-headed quarrelling and fighting, and more good feeling among neighbours. We boys, though, used to be rather afraid of old Quartermain, the constable, when he had his long coat on, and his staff of office. He didn't mind cracking it on our heads if we got too venturesome, and one didn't forget it for the next day of two either, after they had received one of his knocks. Three or four of the cottages on the Green used to be called " The College," and close to them is still the College tree. The "College" belonged to the parish, and -was sold in 1840. Tradition says, it was at one time the old Brew House belonging to the Lamb Ale, and that later it became the refuge of those who could not afford to pay rent elsewhere. In 1840 it was inhabited by five families numbering 24 persons. The Manor farm is also close by, and the road winding round from the top of this Green past the village Reading-room and Coffee Tavern, and another Inn or rather two, divides ; the one road going round to Bletchingdon, and the other to the Railway Station, each a long mile from the handing post, where they separate. More pretty cottages here bright with greenery, while the Church tower peeps over them and the trees, as if it took every pains to prove itself one with the cottagers and identify itself with them. Nor can we do better than make our way up the side road which leads to the Church, for this takes us into the very spot to get the best view of it as a whole. The description of the Church will be found in an earlier chapter, so there is no need to repeat it here, but in passing through the churchyard note the venerable old sycamore tree peeping over the Manor house wall, past which and another stone-built house down the lane, leads again to the Green. Then the way winds "up the village," by the school and the village stores to the other Green, with its verdant trees and "Kites' Pond" on the further side of the road, and the "Laundry" peeping out from amid the trees. This old house is supposed to have been part of the original Manor house (or its offices) connected with John of Gaunt. How times changes places, even little villages like this ! Mansions are built, neglected, grow desolate, and decay, and are at last removed, leaving scarcely a trace except their memory when connected with some noted man or event. Kjrtlinglon, 0xon. The Village, &c, from Kites' Pond. 36 By the side of this Green, too, was the pound, in older days the place where strayed cattle were placed, on which an embargo was laid to pay for the damage which they may have done, and which had to be paid before they could be released. And up the bridle path leading to Northbrook is Crow Castle, now a couple of cottages made into one, possibly some quaint name given to the retreat of some old recluse in past days. People live long in these villages, one old boy here is in his 95th year, well and fairly hearty, toddling about day by day, and only a little deaf to remind him of his many years gone by ; several others also are to be found among the Eighty's, who can tell tales of their young days when the Park Fair was held " over there t'ward Wesson, an the sheows an stalls come through the village and us all come out to see 'um. It wur over 70 years ago as it wur done awaay wie but I recollect it well as a boy." And the Lamb Ale with its Lord and Lady and the two Sword bearers and the Morrice dancers with their Pipe and Tabor and the old Fiddler and the Clown. We must tell all about that as Kirtlington was a noted place " all the country round" for this, and kept it up a whole week too, longer by several days than they did at Chesterton, another village near by. Pope Gregory the Great little thought, when he gave the natives who had embraced Christianity, permission to build huts of the boughs of trees on the date of the feast of the dedication of the Churches, and there feast and entertain themselves ; in lieu of the orgies they used to observe when heathen, -what it would end in. For the dedication feast was lost in Lamb Ales, and other feasting arrangements grew up around them. In the earlier days malt was furnished by the inhabit ants and the Churchwarden brewed a quantity of ale at the Church house, which -was sold as the " Ale " proceeded. At Kirtlington, many years ago, tradition says " a piece of land was set apart for the Lamb Ale, on one part of which wheat was grown to make the cake, and on the other barley to make the beer. There is no record of this now. Afterwards the Lord of the Manor annually gave £2 12s. in lieu of the land, but that, too, dropped when the Lamb Ale was discontinued." The Lamb Ale was first held at Easter or Whitsuntide, but the date -was afterwards changed to Trinity Mon day, which is still kept as the date of the village feast. Hearne, in his diary, mentions Lamb-day at " Kirtleton," and goes on to say, " It seems on Monday after Whitsun week there is a fat live lamb provided-, and the maids of the town having their thumbs tied behind them, run after it, and she that with her mouth takes, and holds, this lamb, is declared ' Lady of the lamb,' which being dressed with the skin hanging on is carried on a long pole before the Lady and her Companions to the green, attended with music and a Morrice dance of men, and another of women, where the rest of the day is spent in dancing, mirth and jollity. The next day the lamb is part baked, part boyled and roast, for the Lady's feast, where she sits majestically (and much respect is 37 shown her) at the upper end of the table, and her companions with her with musick and other attendants, which ends the solemnity. Mr. Blount does not tell us the reason, but I am told 'tis on account of the inhabitants being toll free in Oxford and other places, and. I was told yesterday that the same custom formerly belonged to Wightham in Berks." At Kirtlington one of the barns, called the Lord's Hall, which stood just behind the gravel pit, was cleared out and dressed up with greenery and banners, and when the dray with the load of ale -was due, coming from Oxford, the Morrice dancers with others met it at Bletchingdon and escorted it to the village. Previously, one of the prettiest maids of the village was engaged at a fee of 25/- for three days, and a lamb being procured was dressed up with blue ribbons, and carried round on one of the men's shoulders to the different farm-houses and those of the tradesmen in the village ; and at each place after a dance, beer and money was given to the dancers, and that helped to pay for the feast. The lamb was then shut up until the Wednesday, and then killed, and boiled, and roasted the same day, and served the next in the Lord's Hall. The dancers consisted of a Lord, -whose province it was to attend on the Lady, two Sword bearers who carried the Lamb Ale cake on staves embellished with a large bouquet of flowers with gay streamers, six Morrice dancers proper, in light breeches and white shirts trimmed with pink and blue ribbons crossing on their breast with rosettes, and a broad showy coloured ribbon around their waist, while on their legs they had bells which sounded as they danced, from which they derived their name. These were attended by a Clown, who carried a stick -with a large bladder tied by a string to the end ; and by one musician with a pipe and tabor, and later by another with a violin. It was the Clown's province to provide fun, and hammer it into the spectators with a thwack from his bladder, and to see that the other attendants carrying treasure boxes, which accompanied the principal dancers, collected funds from the spectators as the dancing went on. The proceedings were kept up the whole week ; feasting -went on, while the ale was sold in the barn, and at the end, after all expenses -were paid, the balance (if any) was divided among the performers. The greatest deference was paid to the Lady, nothing unseemly or discourteous was allowed, and any insult to her would have been resented and put down with a very strong hand. Only a modest and good girl was chosen for the very important office. The lamb was not killed of later years, but grew so tame with being carried about and fed by hand, that he would follow the man like a dog. The last of the Morrice dancers is still living, and evert now a talk of old times inclines him very much to forget his rheumatics and foot it again on the stone floor of his little cottage. What the effect of some of the old tunes would have on him we should not like to say. It is only 3§ some ten or twelve years since there was Morrice dancing here, and even now in some Oxfordshire villages (Headington Quarry for instance) the dancers still keep up the old custom. Mummers, too, at Christmas and Easter, were often in evidence in these villages, with their St. George, and the Turkish Knight and the Quack Doctor with his assistant, all with their curious rhymes, but this, although in past years was well kept up at Kirtlington, has died away, and the village lads and lasses no longer take round their gar lands and sing their songs on May day. The Ringers have handbells which they play round the village Christmas time, presented to them by the Rev. F. E. Robinson of Drayton. In 1754, there was a sharp fight for the election of M.P.s for the County, and Kirtlington was specially interested, as one of the candi dates was Sir James Dashwood, who, with Viscount Wenman, stood for the old Jacobite interest against Viscount Parker and Sir Edward Turner in favour of the House of Hanover. The Poll at Oxford was open for a week, April 17 — 23, all the Kirtlington burgesses, numbering 26, voted for the two first candidates. The numbers were : Wenman, 2,033 > Dashwood, 2,014 > Parker, 1,919 ; Turner, 1,890 ; the two former being declared elected. A scrutiny was demanded, and lasted from the 9th to the 30th of May, and the Sheriff then made a double return. This was fought out in the House and made a party question, with the result that Viscount Parker and Sir Edward Turner were declared elected. Sir James Dashwood was elected again in 1761, and sat for the County in all 22 years. The village in 1831 had 142 families in 127 houses, and five houses empty; in all 687 persons. In 1891, 733 persons in 154 families, and 146 houses. The last census, 1901 shewed 3582 acres in parish ; 136 houses inhabited, and 6 empty ; 594 persons, 293 males, and 301 females in 138 families. Like other villages the population is quietly decreasing, the young men and maidens find their -way into the towns, and country places are mostly populated by the old and the young. Domesday and other records seem to mention two mills at Kirtling ton ; at present there is only one in the parish, and that not in good condition. But in 1226 we find the new mill mentioned as re-leased and quit claimed by Walter, the son of Richard of Kirtlington, to the Canons of Bicester, with a parcel of willows, free passage over the river and a small parcel of land. In 1275 Richard de Culne (short for Cirtlingtone) and Christina, his wife, released the Prior and Convent of Bicester, a yearly chief rent of 10s. due from the Canons in respect to one of their mills at Kirtlington on the north bank of the Cherwell, the purchase money being 20s. And now we have an interesting old Charter or two to record, quoted by Hearne in his Dairy, which we have rendered in English as a free translation. He says: — "From an old blind parchment that 39 they have at Kirtlington in com. Oxon. to secure them from paying toll in passing through towns, shew'd me, Monday, July 19, 1731, by Walter Beauchamp, of Oxford, carrier, who knew not what to make of it." Charter A (translation). " By virtue of Queen Elizabeth's charter, dated at Westminster, on the tenth day of February, in the fourth year of her reign, there -were granted to Kirtlington in Oxfordshire the privileges Edward III. had granted to John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and to. his wife, Blanche, being the same that his father-in-law, Henry Plantagenet, had enjoyed, on the seventh day of May, in the sixteenth year of Edward III. : — they shall be for ever quit of toll, pannage, passage, lastage, tallage, tollage, carriage, pesage, piccage, and terrage, throughout the -whole of her kingdom and dominion. — And whereas, in the parliament of the lord Edward the Fourth, late king of England, held at Westminster, on the fourth day of November, in the tenth year of his reign, by the authority of the same parliament, among other things, it has been ordained and established that the tenants and inhabitants of and in the same duchy shall have and exercise tolls and all such liberties, franchises, privileges, and shall enjoy and use the same as the officers, ministers, tenants, and inhabitants of the aforesaid duke, in the time of Henry the Fifth, had, exercised, used, and lawfully enjoyed : And also that in the same duchy all such liberties, franchises, customs, privileges, and jurisdictions shall be exercised, had, and occupied as -were lawfully used in the same before the said fourth day of March : And that the officers, ministers, tenants, and inhabitants of and in the same duchy shall be treated and ...[?] according to the same liberties, franchises, privileges, and jurisdiction, [but] that on the contrary they shall not be destrained, staitened, or compelled in any manner : Therefore we command you to permit all our men and tenants, inhabitants and residents of and in the vills and lordships of Kirtlington and Bicester, and of and in all the members of the same in the county of Oxford, which are parcel of our duchy of Lancaster aforesaid, to have, exercise, use, and enjoy all and singular the liberties, customs, franchises, and royal rights aforesaid, according to the tenor of the ordinances and letters aforesaid thereof made : And against the tenor of the same they shall not be molested or annoyed in anything. Provided always that all and singular the aforesaid our men and tenants, inhabitants and residents of and in the aforesaid vills and lordships, and of and in all members of the same, for ever pay toll, pannage, passage, lastage, tallage, tollage, carriage, pesage, piccage, and terrage in all and singular the fairs, markets, and places whatsoever within our aforesaid duchy of Lancaster, where they have before been accustomed to pay any toll, pannage, and other the premises, as is just, these presents in anything notwithstanding. In witness whereof, these our letters we have caused to be made patent. 4° Dated at our palace of Westminster, under the seal of our duchy, on the tenth day of February, in the fourth year of our reign. " By the same Queen Elizabeth. " Ry. Onslowe." Charter B (translation). "Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France, and Ireland queen, defender, £rc. To all and singular her justices, sheriffs, escheators, coroners, seneschals, ministers, mayors, bailiffs, and all other her faithful men, greeting. Whereas the lord Edward, late King of England, our progenitor, has granted, for himself and his heirs, to John, late duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster, by the name of John, duke of Lancaster, and to Blanche, late his wife, that they and their heirs of the bodies of the same duke and Blanche procreated, and their men of the lands and fees which belonged to Henry, formerly earl of Lancaster, father of Henry, late duke of Lancaster, on the seventh day of May, in the sixteenth year of the jeign of the same our progenitor, shall be for ever quit of toll." YALE