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The medieval Butter Cross
in Witney
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Witney
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About Witney
The historic market town of Witney is located in west Oxfordshire,
about 10 miles from the county town of Oxford, in the valley of the
River Windrush. The broad High Street is lined by attractive older
buildings and modern shops, many built of warm-toned Cotswold stone.
History of Witney
There was a settlement here in the Saxon period, when the town was in
royal hands, and was used as a meeting place for the king's council.
In 1044 the manor of Witney was granted to the Bishops of Winchester,
who built a palace near the current church. During the 13th century
Witney grew to importance as a centre of the wool trade, and built
a thriving industry based on cloth making.
In time the town specialized
in the making of blankets and gloves, the high quality of which was
said to have been a result of the properties of the River
Windrush water used in the weaving process. At the height of its popularity
as a blanket manufacturing centre in the late 17th century over 3000
people in Witney were engaged in the trade. The Woolgate shopping area
is a reminder of those heady days of the wool trade; this was where
the blankets were weighed and measured to ensure they lived up to Witney's
high standards of manufacture.
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The parish church of St
Mary the Virgin, primarily 12th and 13th century
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Parish Church
The church of St Mary the Virgin stands at the very south end of the
long Church Green. It is an extraordinarily large building, easily
sen from a distance because of its tall spire, which reaches to 150
feet. The church is primarily Early
English in style, and features a 12th century porch, lovely Decorated
Gothic windows, the 14th century Wenman Chapel, and excellent medieval
brasses on
the Wenman Tomb in the south aisle.
Henry Box School
On the west side of the broad green of Witney a tree lined avenue leads
to the Henry Box School. The school was founded by grocer Henry Box
in 1660 as
a public grammar school. It is now a Comprehensive School noted for
its high academic standards.
Nearby
The Cogges Farm Museum is located just outside Witney. Just a few
miles west are the romantic ruins of Minster
Lovell Hall.
Heritage Highlights
- Early English parish church of St Mary the Virgin
- Henry Box School, founded 1660
- medieval Butter Cross
Photos
of Witney >>
Nearby:
Burford
Great Barrington
Details
Witney
Oxfordshire
England
Location: On the A40, 10 miles west of Oxford
OS SP358099
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