> Marshalls Home
Cumnor is an extensive parish three miles to the
south-west of Oxford. The village itself is situated on high ground, rising in
Cumnor Hurst to 825 ft. The name signifies ‘Cuma’s hill-slope’, Cuma being an
8th century abbot of Abingdon. Housing connects it with the former hamlet of
Chawley and in the valley are two other rapidly growing settlements, Farmoor and
Dean Court. The name Cumnor is first found in a medieval copy of an Anglo-Saxon
charter of AD 982 granting land to Abingdon Abbey, and it was mentioned in the
Domesday Book.
Until recently agriculture was the main occupation. Today Cumnor is almost a
suburb of Oxford, but still maintains a village atmosphere. The village has a
church which is well worth a visit, St Michael’s, with an interesting graveyard.
Visitors should see the tomb of Wlliam Godrey, who fought with Charles I in the
Civil War, and notice a slab marking the grave of Dr Benjamin Buckler, vicar
from 1755—1780. Among the many features of interest inside the church are a
chained Bible, a statue of Queen Elizabeth I and a memorial to the Forster
family. The church bells were first rung in the 17th century. In July 1989 these
bells were rehung and six old bells and the sanctus bell were rededicated; in
addition two new bells and the frame were dedicated.
The field beyond the church was for many centuries part of the park belonging to
Cumnor Place. The remains of Cumnor Place have long gone, apart from a small
wall beside some steps and what was probably once a hearth for a fire. The house
was made famous by the mysterious death of Amy Dudley, wife of Robert, Earl of
Leicester, better known as Amy Robsart; she is buried in Oxford. In September
1560 the whole household went to Abingdon Fair, leaving Amy behind. When they
returned they found her lying dead at the bottom of the stairs in the hall. This
story was used by Sir Walter Scott in his novel Kenilworth.
A hill leading out of the village towards Farmoor is called Tumble-down Hill.
The story is told, and as far as residents know it is only a story, of Dick
Cromwell, son of Oliver, riding back after a battle — or was he returning from
hunting? — and falling off his horse on Tumbledown Hill. He was known as
Tumbledown Dick.
Near the Post Office is a 16th century farmhouse with a knot garden. A tradition
in the village is Pumpkin Night (Halloween), arranged now by the Bear and Ragged
Staff, a public house in the Appleton Road, for the best and heaviest pumpkin
from the villages of Cumnor, Standlake and Bampton. The proceeds of the party go
to charity. According to stories it is also the night when the Mayor of Cumnor
gets ducked in the village pond nearby. The Bear and Ragged Staff is a very old
building —about 400 years old, and was for several centuries an old farmhouse.
There is a physic well off the footpath through the fields on the way to Bablock
Hythe: difficult to spot now as it is overgrown, though it can be found if you
know where to look. It is said to have healing properties for eye ailments.
Near the thatched cottages in the centre of the village is the war
memorial, a tithe barn now converted into a home and, close by, the
small area used for many centuries as the cattle pound for the
village.
Click here
for a quote and to instruct your survey online
> Marshalls Home