The question whether the work was military', as implied by the hourdes, or
ecclesiastical, as implied by the belfry windows 259
The fifteen mansions belonging to S.Frideswide's 261
The land of the Canons of S. Frideswide's in and near Oxford . . .262
The names of tenants, from the Domesday Survey, e. g. Coleman, William,
Spracheling, WTwi, &c 264
Some of these names occur in the Abingdon Chronicle 264
The names of Harding, Leveva, Ailric, and Derman, &c 267
Swetman the Moneyer 268
Sewi, Alveva, Leuric, Sawold, &c 269
Considerations how far the mansions in the first list represent the manors in
the neighbourhood, and the others the Oxford residents . . .271
Other names of supposed residents in Oxford derived from other sources . 273
The general appearance of Oxford at the time of the Survey . . .275
The general aspect of the Castle and its surroundings . . . .276
The effect of the ' waste' houses upon the aspect of the town . . .277
The business carried on in Oxford, the market, fairs, &c 278
The gemots and courts held in Oxford 279
The Oxford Laws enrolled in the Domesday Survey 280
How far these laws agree with those previously in force .... 281
The Hustengs Court and Portmannimot 282
The Castle garrison 283
S. Frideswide's and the other churches 283
The eight churches recorded to be in existence by 1087 .... 284
How far Oxford was separated into Parishes according to the districts
assigned to the above churches ....... 284
Eight additional churches named in the Charter supposed to have been
granted to S. Frideswide's by Henry I ..... . 285
The Rubrics relating to the above churches in S. Frideswide's cartulary . 285
Considerations as to S. Mildred's Church 2S7
As to that of S. Eadward's Church 290
As to that of S. Aldate's Church 291
As to that of S. Budoc's Church ......... 294
The streets in Oxford ........... 297
The Bridges 298
The Mills 299
Port Meadow 300
The Sheriffs and the Port Reeves 301
The visits of William I and William H to the neighbourhood of O.xford . 303
The government of Oxford after the Norman Conquest .... 303
CONTENTS.
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX A.
Passages quoted in Chapter II on the Mythical Origin of Oxford.
§ I. Rous. On Mempiic and Greeklade .
§ 2. Ibid, Illustration from his treatment of the Deluge
§ 3. Geoffrey of Monmouth. Reference to Mempric .
§ 4. Ibid. Illustration of his treatment of names of places.
§ 5, 6. Rous. ,, ,, ,,
§ 7. Rous. On Ganteber the builder of Cambridge .
§ S. Oxford Chancellors' Book. The Historia .
§ 9. Hyde Abbey Chronicle. The University outside the Northgate
§ 10. Bromton. Cambridge founded by Beda ....
§11. Leland. Passage supporting the mythical history of Oxford
§12. Geoffrey of Monmouth. Boso Devadoboum, Ridocen, &c.
§ 1 3, John Caius. Professes to settle the dispute as to the greater antiquity
of Oxford or Cambridge .......
§ 14. Speech of the Cambridge orator before Queen Elizabeth
§ 15. Nicholas Cantelupe. The Cambridge Historiola
§ 16. Hyde Abbey Chronicle. Foundation of the University by Alfred
§ 17. Camden's Asser. The interpolated passage in re Alfred and Oxford
§ 18. Higden's Polychronicon. Alfred and the Oxford schools .
§19. Bromton. Alfred and the Oxford schools . . .• .
§ 20. Rudborne's Historia ^Nlajor. Ethelward educated at Oxford, &c.
§21. Rous. Story of Alfred's foundation of Oxford ....
§ 22. Petition to Parliament. The Petition of University College claiming
Alfred as their foiuider
§ 23. Plea of Richard Witton. Master of University College asserting that
Alfred was founder .....
305
306
306
306
307
307
307
308
309
309
310
310
3"
311
312
312
313
314
314
315
316
Passages quoted in Chapter IV. Oxford during the Saxon
Settlement to the close of the seventh century.
§ 24. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle a.d. 571. The capture of Ensham, Benson, &c. 317
§ 25. Anglo-SaxonChronicle a.d. 661. The Mercian King reaches .^Escesdun 317
Passages quoted in Chapter V. The foundation of S. Frides-
wide's Nunnery.
§ 26. Bede, Eccl. Hist. Before English nunneries were founded women were
sent abroad to be educated . 3ig
§ 27. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. The foundation of the Nunnery at
Abingdon jig
xxvi CONTENTS.
§ 28. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. The nuns removed to Wytham . . 318
§ 29. Chief charter relating to the restoration of S. Frideswide's in 1004, and
reciting the original foundation in ^-27 319
§ 30. William of ISIalmesbury i^Gest. Pont.). An account of S. Frideswdde . 323
§ 31. MS. life of S. Frideswide in Bodleian. Her burial and enlargement of
the Church 323
§ 32. Annals of Winton. Queen Fritheswitha ...... 323
Passages quoted in Chapter VI. Oxford a Border Town.
§ 33. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle a.d. 777. Offa takes Benesington . . . 324
§ 34. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. Offa takes the land from Wallingford to
Ashbury . . . . . . . . . . -324
Passages quoted in Chapter VII. Oxford during the Danish
Incursions in the nikth and tenth centuries.
§ 35. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle a.d. 912. Eadward takes Oxford . . . 324
§ 36. Florence of Worcester. ,, ,, . . . 324
§ 37. .Simeon of Durham. ,, ,, . . . 325
§ 38. Henry of Huntingdon. „ „ . . . 325
§ 39. Geoffrey Gaimar. „ „ . . . 325
§ 40. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle A.D. 924. Eadward's son dies at Oxford . 325
§41. Florence of Worcester. ,, „ . . 326
§42. William of Malmesbury(G'^j-/. i?^_^?<w). Ethelward versed in literature 326
Passages quoted in Chapter VIII. Oxford during the Danish
invasion in the early part of the eleventh century.
§43. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle a.d. 1002. The Massacre of S. Brice
§ 44. William of Malmesbury {Gest. Reguni). A mixed version of the story
of S. Brice and events of 1 01 5 .......
§45. Henry of Huntingdon. The massacre of S. Brice ....
§ 46. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1006. The Danes march over .lEscesdun
to -Cwichelmeshloewe .........
§ 47. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1009. The Danes bum Oxford
§48. Florence of Worcester. „ ,, . .
§ 49. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1010. yEthelred's 'unreadiness' .
§ 50. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1013. Oxford submits to Sweyn .
§51. Florence of Worcester. ,, „ . .
§ 52. William of Malmesbury {Gest. Reguni). The Oxford and Winchester
men obey ' Sweyn's law '........
§ 53. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1015. The Gemot at Oxford, and Sige-
ferth and Morkere slain ........
§ 54. Florence of Worcester. „ „ . .
326
326
327
327
327
328
328
328
328
329
3»9
CONTENTS.
§ 55. Henry of Huntingdon. The Gemot at Oxford, and Sigeferth and
Morkere slain 329
§ 56. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1016. Eadmund dies .... 329
§57. Henry of Huntingdon. Eadmund treacherously murdered at Oxford . 330
§ 58. William of Malmesbury {Gest. Regiuii). Eadmund treacherously
murdered
330
§ 59. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. ioiS. 'Eadgar's law' proclaimed at
^^^oxdi 330
Passages quoted in Chapter IX. Oxford during the forty
â– VEARS before THE NoRMAN CoNQUEST.
§60. Abingdon Chronicle. Buildingof S.Martin's Church, Oxford, a.d. 1034 33°
§ 61. Cartular)' of S. Frideswide. A vague account of the substitute of
Regulars for Seculars . . . . . . . . .331
§62. Extract from a ' Chronicon Rofense.' As to Canons instituted at
S. Fridewide's, A.D. 1049 ........ 332
§ 63. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1049. Death of Eadnoth, Bishop of
Dorchester and succession of Ulf 332
§ 64. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1049. Bishop Ulf an unfit Bishop . . 332
§ 65. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1053, &c. Wulfwi succeeds Ulf and
dies io57 332
§ 66. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1036. Gemot at Oxford, and Harold
chosen King 333
§ 67. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1039. King Harold Harefoot dies at
Oxford 333
§ 6S. Canterbury Charter. Messenger from Canterbury visits Harold when
lying ill at Oxford .......... 333
§ 69. Westminster Charter. Incidental mention of Eadward's birth at Islip
near Oxford 333
§ 70. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1065. The great Gemot at Oxford;
Harold agiees to the outlawry of Tostig . . . . .334
§ 71. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1065. „ ,, . . 334
§ 72. Florence of Worcester. „ „ • • 334
§ 73. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1065. The march of the rebel mob from
the north
334
Passages quoted in Chapter X. Oxford during the twenty
YEARS AFTER THE NoRMAN CoNQUEST.
§ 74. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1066. The march of William to Beorh-
hamstede is met by Archbishop and Earls, &c 335
§ 75. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, A.D. 1066. After Hastings, William is
crowned in London ......... 335
§ 76. Florence of Worcester. William goes to Beorcham .... 335
§77. William of Malmesbury. William goes to London .... 336
§ 78. Henry of Huntingdon. William is crowned at Westminster 336
xxviii CONTENTS.
PAGE
§ 79. William of Poictiers. William goes to London via Guarengefort . 336
§ 80. William of Jumieges. ,, „ . 337
§81. William of Poictiers. After his coronation William goes to Bercingis 337
§ 82. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1067. William first quells the rebellion
at Exeter, then at York
337
§83. Florence of Worcester. „ „ . . 338
§ 84. William of Malmesbury. „ ,, . . 338
§85. Roger of Wendover. „ „ . . 35*
§ 86. Cartulary of Oseney. Robert D'Oilgi's foundation of S. George's in the
Castle and S. Mary Magdalen Church 338
§ 87. Cartulary of Oseney. Roger of Ivry's gifts to the same . . . 339
§ 88. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. Robert D'Oilgi appointed 'Constable'
of Oxford and takes away King's Mead from Abingdon Abbey . 339
§ 89 Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. Robert DOilgi restores the churches of
Oxford and builds Hythe Bridge 340
§ 90. Charter of King William. Removes the See of Dorchester to Lincoln 340
§ 91. Evesham Chronicle. The relics of S. Egwin exhibited at Oxford . 341
Passages quoted in Chapter XI. The description of Oxford as
GIVEN IN the Domesday Survey.
§ 92. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a.d. 1085. The making of the Domesday
Survey 341
§93. Domesday Survey. The portion relating to the City of Oxford . -341
§ 94. Domesday Survey. Robert D'Oilgi's lands at Oxford . . . 344
§ 95. Charter of King William. The connection between S. Mary of Stowe
and Ensham 344
§ 96. Charter of King William. „ „ „ . 345
§ 97. Charter of Bishop Remigius conferring S. Ebbe's Church, to Ensham . 345
§ 98. Charter of Henry I conferring possessions in Oxford to Ensham . . 345
§ 99. Domesday Survey. The possessions of the Canons of S. Frideswide . 345
§ 100. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. Houses purchased in Oxford by Abbot
Faritius 346
§101. Domesday Survey. Laws promulgated at Oxford .... 346
§ 102. William of Malmesbury. The Story of S. Mildred .... 347
§ 103. Abingdon Abbey Chronicle. William Rufus greets Peter, the Sheriff
of Oxfordshire, and mentions his port-reeve Eadwi . . . 347
CONTENTS.
APPENDIX B.
The Name of Oxford.
The two theories as to the origin of the name, i.e. {a) ' The ford of the Oxen.'
(<!') 'The ford of theOuse' 348
The earliest forms of the name, i.e. Oxnaforda, Oxenefonia, &c., in the Anglo-
Saxon Chronicle .......... 348
The earliest forms on coins 349
The forms adopted by the Chroniclers and the name Oxonia . . . 349
The earliest forms point to the name being 'The ford of the Oxen ' . . 350
Considerations as to a ford being set apart for Oxen and a note of landmarks
and places bearing the word Ox ....... 350
The objections to the theor}- of the ford of the Ouse to be met by analogies 351
The objection of a Celtic affix and Saxon suffix met by examples of Ex-
minster, Axminster, &c 351
The objection of the change of Ouseford or Ousanford into Oxford . .352
The dialectic forms of Ouse, e.g. Usk, Exe, Axe 352
Evidence from the Roman Isca ......... 353
Reference to places with the syllable Ouse . . . . . . -355
The example of Osanig in Archbishop .(Elfric's will, afterwards Oxhey . . 355
The example of Osanlea .......... 356
The objection that the Thames at Oxford was never found to bear the
name of Ouse 357
The probabilities of the original names, to be viewed by reflected light . 357 i^
The Roman Tam-esis no doubt the Celtic Tam-ese 357
Ese or Ise a dialectic form of Ouse ; also Oise 358
The direct e\'idence of the island in the river Thames at Oxford being called
Ouseneye ; original name not Oxeneye ...... 359
Tempsford on the Ouse called Tam-ese-ford, that is the ford over the
Tam-ese 359
The Thame and the Thames . . . . . . . . • 3'5i
The Thame and Isis, as origin of Thamisis, according to Leland, Camden, &c. 36 2
The analogy of the form ofOck river which falls into the Thames at
Abingdon ........... 363
Comparison of Eoccene-ford and Ousanford 364
The summar)' of the evidence ......... 364
APPENDIX C.
On the Coins supposed to have been struck at Oxford dur ing
King Alfred's Reign.
A particular type of coin supposed to connect King Alfred with Oxford . 366
The late Mr. Green's argument derived from the supposed existence of Oxford
coins with Alfred's name on them 366
The discovery of coins near Sephton in Lancashire in 161 1 .... 367
THE
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory.
To the question 'At what date does the history of Oxford begin?'
more than one answer may be given ; and they will vary according to
the sense in which the term history is used and the method which has
been adopted in investigating it. Many seem unconsciously to accept
certain myths, which although they do not appear to have had
their existence before the close of the fourteenth and beginning of
the fifteenth century, are so intermingled with the real history
in the literature of succeeding centuries that without considerable
care it is impossible to distinguish the two ; while some, although
admitting their mythical character, seem to think that the stories
should be accepted ' generally,' on the ground that so many writers
of note, and learned in their generation, have unequivocally endorsed
them, and that they, therefore, ought not now to be wholly set
aside. Those who adopt such as history would give the name of
Mempric as the founder of Oxford, and the date b.c. 1009 as that of
the foundation of the city : while as to the University some would say
that it depended either upon the date when the Greek philosophers
arrived at Greeklade, or when they were transferred to Oxford; others,
discarding a portion of the myth (and not observing that the whole
hangs together, or falls together), would insist upon Alfred being if
not the restorer, at least the founder of the University, and therefore
that it should be dated to begin from the year 873 or thereabouts.
But others, while throwing aside such fables, would contend that the
History of a place does not begin with its first mention in public
annals. Taking a philosophical view, they would hold that Oxford,
following the natural laws which have governed the growth of most
cities, owes its origin to some original settler or settlers, who have left
â– 2, . ,, ;â– THE EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
no trace of their name, and that the precise period when this took
place or the race to which these hypothetical settlers belonged are to
be conjectured only by taking a general survey of the district, and
bringing to bear upon it what records may exist in the early chroni-
cles of the country. This course of argument, though in principle
theoretical, still involves several historical considerations and differs
altogether from the mythical, which has been before referred to. But
from the nature of the evidence no exact date at all would be
assigned.
Besides the mythical and the theoretical origin of Oxford, there is
the legendary, and with those who accept this as history there is a
date which with reason may be insisted on, namely the year 727 (or
thereabouts), at which time there is some evidence for fixing the
foundation of a nunnery upon the spot now occupied by Christ
Church. It might further be claimed that the foundation of such an
establishment implies the existence of some ' vill,' and that from this
date onwards Oxford had a place in the pages of the real history of
the country.
Lastly, there is the truly historical method, in following which not
only myth but also legend are set on one side, and only facts duly
recorded in documents of undoubtedly genuine character are adduced
in evidence. The answer which would be given to those who follow
this method would be that the history of Oxford cannot be traced
further back than a.d. 912 when King Edward the Elder took posses-
sion of the place. By these it would however be at once conceded
that there were habitations here before that date, and that Oxford had
already received a name, the same or similar to that recorded in the
chronicle, but this concession would not be destructive of the view
that the known date should be assigned as that of the beginning of the
actual history of Oxford.
The mythical history, possessing unlimited powers of expansion and
being perhaps more attractive in its character from appearing miOre
wonderful, has assumed an importance which renders it absolutely
impossible to deal with it according to its intrinsic merits. It may be
said to have supplanted the real history of the beginning of Oxford,
and in consequence, although it is felt that the investigation of the
growth of the myth is a waste of time, and that printing an account
of the controversy as to the relative antiquity of the two Universities is
a waste of space, and the whole business tedious and irritating, still it
has been thought necessary before giving the historical date touching
the rise of Oxford to deal with these myths, and point out, as far £
i
INTRODUCTORY. 3
may be, their origin, and the part they played in the controversy which
took place in Elizabeth's reign (and was at times continued by writers
down to the eighteenth century if not later) in order to clear the
ground for discussing the evidence we possess bearing upon the real
history of the town of Oxford. So closely however connected with
the myth of Mempric are the myths respecting Greeklade and the
foundation of the University of Oxford before the time of Alfred, that
they cannot be separated, and the restoration by that king of the Uni-
versity and the foundation of University College, as guessed by some,
and the foundation of the University itself by others, follow on so
closely that in taking either a view of the mythical history of Oxford
or of the controversies this latter part cannot be omitted.
It will be found therefore that several pages are devoted to this
question, on the one hand far more than it at all deserves, but on the
other far less than the part it plays in the literature of the subject might
seem to demand.
Next, although it is not supposed that there were any dwellings on
the actual site of Oxford during the time of the Roman invasion or
occupation of Britain, it has been thought well to point out the rela-
tion which that site bore to the historical events which we find
narrated concerning this part of the country; and also its position
in respect to the historical memorials of the neighbourhood, namely,
those which the soil affords, either in the ancient roads which can be
traced, or the camps which can still be seen, or the remains which
are from time to time brought to the surface by excavations.
Next, it has been thought well to continue such remarks during the
times of the Saxon setdement, for though Oxford is not mentioned
by name, nor is there any reason to associate the spot with any event
recorded till 727 when a nunnery was perhaps founded there, still as
there is reason to suppose that it had its beginning in this period
such remarks will not be out of place, but in accordance with the
views of those who hold that only a theoretical origin can reasonably
be assigned to the town, and that the foundation of S. Frideswide's
nunnery only implies its previous existence.
In treating of the foundation of S. Frideswide's it has been thought
necessary to touch upon such details of her life as show the legendary
character of the biographies of the Saint which we possess, and from
them to deduce all that can be reasonably deduced to support the
story of the foundation ; but it is not intended to supply a complete
narrative of her adventures and miracles; such will no doubt be
hereafter written. After this, as we find Oxford named in the legend.
4 THE EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
though not in direct records, it will be spoken of as having a definite
existence ; and the history of the surrounding district will be briefly
touched upon, reflecting as it does some light, though but little, upon
the probable trials of a border town.
In 912 we find Oxford named in the pages of the chronicles in
connection with the fortifications erected on all the chief rivers, in
order to afford protection against the ravages of the Danes.
When this latter date is reached it will be found that in the succes-
sive chronicles, which if not always absolutely contemporary still
exhibit by their internal evidence that they are copied from authentic
and genuine sources, the name of Oxford frequently appears : not
perhaps so frequently as might have been expected considering
the length of period, nor as we certainly should have wished ; still
sufficiently so to justify an attempt to weave a history which shall
represent something of a view of Oxford as it stood in its relation to
the political events of the kingdom during the century and a half
which preceded the Norman Conquest.
CHAPTER II.
The Mythical Origin of Oxford.
No chronicle properly so called appears to be extant in which the
Chronicler associates King IMempric with Oxford before that of the
Historia Regum Angliae, by John Rous^ or Rosse, a chantry priest of
Warwick. He wrote his chronicle at the close of the fifteenth century,
bringing it down to the birth of Prince Arthur, a.d. i486, and in it
he introduces this story.
' About this time Samuel the servant of God was judge in Judaea; and
King INIagdan had two sons ; that is to say INIempricius and Malun.
The younger of the two having been treacherously killed by the elder,
he left the kingdom to the fratricide. He (Mempricius) was a man
full of envy and cruelty, and according to that passage in the second
of Proverbs ^ ' Anger hath no mercy,' so had he none, but he was
against every one and every one was against him. This Mempricius
entered upon his rule as a monarch badly, and he continued his rule
still worse by killing his nobles. At length, in the twentieth year of
his reign, he w'as surrounded by a large pack of very savage wolves,
and being torn and devoured by them, ended his existence in a
horrible manner. Nothing good is related of him except that he
begot an honest son and heir by name Ebrancus, and built one noble
city which he called from his own name Caer-Memre, but which after-
wards, in course of time, was called Bellisitum, then Caerbossa, at length
Ridohe72, and last of all Oxonia, or by the Saxons Oxenfordia, from
a certain egress out of a neighbouring ford ; which name it bears to
the present day. There arose here in after years an universal and noble
seat of learning, derived from the renowned University of Grek-laad.
' It is situated between the rivers Thames and Charwell which meet
there. This city, just as Jerusalem, has, to all appearance, been
changed ; for as IMount Calvary, when Christ was crucified, was just
outside the walls of the city, and now is contained within the circuit of
the walls ; so also there is now a large level space outside Oxford con-
tiguous to the walls of the town which is called Belmount, and which
means beautiful mount ; and this in a certain way agrees with one of
the older names of the city before named and recited ; that is to say,
Bellisitum ; whence many are of opinion that the University from
' According to Leland John Rous died January 24, 1491-
^ No such passage occurs in the second chapter of Proverbs. The nearest is
chap, xxvii. 4.
6 THE EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Greklad was transferred to this very Belhis mons or Bellesitum before
the coming of the Saxons, and while the Britons ruled in the island ;
and the church of S. Giles, which was dedicated under the name of
some other saint, was the place for the creation of graduates, as now
is the Church of S. Mary which is within the walls. Of this noble