Authoritative account of villages on the edge of the Chilterns, including the historic settlement of Ewelme. Occupying a varied landscape in south-east Oxfordshire, the fourteen rural parishes covered in this volume extend from the river valleys of the Thames and Thame up onto the Chiltern hills. Nucleated villages and open fields dominated the vale, while the uplands feature dispersed settlement, early inclosure, and extensive wood-pasture. The two zones were closely linked by economic interdependence and, in the late Anglo-Saxon and early medieval period, by the influence of an important royal estate focused on Benson, which extended across the hills and formed the nucleus of Ewelme (formerly Benson) Hundred. Benson later became a coaching stop on the Oxford-London road, and is now widely known for its neighbouring RAF station. The area remained predominantly agricultural until recent times, despite some rural crafts and services and an important pottery and brick-making industry around Nettlebed. London and surrounding towns exerted important influences throughout. Notable buildings include the fifteenth-century brick-built almshouse complex at Ewelme, co-founded by Chaucer's granddaughter Alice de la Pole, and the now largely demolished Tudor mansion at Rycote, while more recent additions include Nuffield Place, remodelled in 1933 for the Oxford car manufacturer William Morris.

About the Author
SIMON TOWNLEY has been VCH Oxfordshire county editor since 1996 and is closely involved in Oxfordshire local history, serving on the committees of several local societies. His academic interests focus on settlement, landscape, and religion, particularly (but not exclusively) in the medieval period. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Reviews
This latest addition to the Oxfordshire VCH volumes is greatly welcomed. Superbly edited by County Editor Simon Townley. * MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY *
Offers a very informative and fascinating history of an attractive and interesting area of the Chilterns. * ARCHIVES *
It is very well produced (including a first-rate block of colour plates), and easy and attractive to use. It shows that the VCH can preserve its traditional strengths while adapting to modern needs, and is another triumph for the Oxford team. * LANDSCAPE HISTORY *



Book Information
ISBN 9781904356479
Author Simon Townley
Format Hardback
Page Count 512
Imprint Victoria County History
Publisher Victoria County History
Weight(grams) 2g