Blackthorn, Oxfordshire
| Blackthorn | |
| Oxfordshire | |
|---|---|
 Part of Blackthorn village | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SP621193 |
| Location: | 51°52’8"N, 1°5’56"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 317 (2011) |
| Post town: | Bicester |
| Postcode: | OX25 |
| Dialling code: | 01869 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Cherwell |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Banbury |
| Website: | BlackthornVillageOxfordshire.co.uk |
Blackthorn is a village in the east of Oxfordshire, close by the border of Buckinghamshire. It is about three miles south-east of Bicester, and less than a mile from its neighbouring village, Ambrosden]]. The parish is bounded by the River Ray to the south, tributaries of the Ray to the east and north and field boundaries to the west. The parish's eastern boundary forms part of the county's border with Buckinghamshire.
The old village lies between the A41 and B4011 main roads: newer housing on the east side of the neighbouring village of Ambrosden is in the parish of Blackthorn. The 2011 Census recorded a parish population of 317.
History
Iron Age pottery has been found at Blackthorn. The course of Akeman Street Roman road passes through the parish, which may explain why Roman pottery has also been found here.[1] The stretch of Akeman Street through the parish is now part of the A41 trunk road.
In 1279 Blackthorn was recorded as a dependent hamlet of Ambrosden. In 1194 Ambrosden and Blackthorn were recorded as part of the Honour of St Valery: as such, Blackthorn would have descended to Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall, who in 1288 gave Ambrosden (including Blackthorn) to Ashridge Priory of the Augustinian order of the Brothers of Penitence. In 1539 the priory was dissolved in the Dissolution of the Monasteries[1] and surrendered its lands to the Crown.
The Crown seems to have separated Blackthorn from Ambrosden and sold them off separately. However, John Denton, lord of the manor of one of the manors of Bicester in time bought both of them: Ambrosden from Henry VIII's agents in 1542 and Blackthorn from Elizabeth I in 1564.
In 1820 the Home Missionary Society sent a Congregationalist missionary to Blackthorn, where he held services in an old bakery. By 1844 services were being held in someone's house and finally in 1870 a Congregational chapel was completed. The building was replaced by a new chapel in 1926, which was still being used for worship in 1944[1] and through until at least the late 1970s. It is now a private house.[2]
The Church of England parish of Ambrosden includes Blackthorn, which therefore does not have its own Church of England parish church. However, Rev. Charles Bagshawe, who was vicar of Ambosden 1866–1884, ran a mission room in Blackthorn.[1] The mission room has since closed and Blackthorn has reverted to being served by the parish church of St Mary the Virgin, a mile and a half away in Ambrosden.
Although Blackthorn was a hamlet of Ambrosden it had a separate open field system. The Rector of Ashridge was allowed to inclose three acres of pasture at Blackthorn in 1299, but the open fields and remaining common lands survived until in 1774 the 36 yardlanders of Blackthorn petitioned for an Inclosure Act. Three yardlanders and the lady of the manor, Barbara Smythe, opposed inclosure. The petitioners were successful and the parish lands were enclosed in 1776.[1]
In the 17th century the game of running at the quintain was played on the village green. Singlestick matches were held on Blackthorn Hill in the 18th century but are said to have ceased by 1823.[1]
There was a windmill on Blackthorn Hill by 1809, and Ordnance Survey maps from 1880 onwards showed two windmills on the hill.[1] They were tower mills, distinguished as "East" and "West" mill.[3] The East Mill has lost its sails and cap, but the tower survives.[4]
In 1833 an Act of Parliament turnpiked the road through the village, that runs between Bicester and Thame..[5] The turnpike trust rebuilt Blackthorn Bridge over the River Ray, replacing a wooden structure with the present stone bridge.[1]
In about 1910 the Great Western Railway built a new main line[1] linking Ashendon Junction and King's Sutton to complete a new high-speed route between its termini at London Paddington and Birmingham Snow Hill. The line passes within a few hundred yards of Blackthorn and crosses Akeman Street on a steel bridge just north of the village. Blackthorn railway station was closed in 1953, but the railway remains open as part of the Chiltern Main Line.
Events
Blackthorn's village hall holds two or three public events annually including the village fête, a summer barbecue and often another event, for example carols for Christmas.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Oxfordshire Blackthorn, Oxfordshire) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Lobel 1957, pp. 15–30
- ↑ "Blackthorn". Oxfordshire Churches & Chapels. Brian Curtis. http://www.oxfordshirechurches.info/blackthorn.htm.
- ↑ Foreman 1983, p. 124.
- ↑ National Heritage List 1300884: Blackthorn Hill Windmill (Grade II listing)
- ↑ "Turnpike Trusts in England". Turnpike Roads in England & Wales. Alan Rosevear. http://www.turnpikes.org.uk/English%20turnpike%20table.htm.
- Foreman, Wilfrid (1983). Oxfordshire Mills. Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd. pp. 92, 124. ISBN 0-85033-441-1.
- A History of the County of Oxford - Volume 5 pp 15–30: Parishes: Ambrosden (Victoria County History)