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POST-CONQUEST
TO CIVIL WAR
The Bachepuise and Kingston families and the
Lattons
The Bachepuise family held the manor until 1299
by which time the village was known as Kingston Bachepuise. Bachepuise
manor went to John de Kingston in 1299 and stayed in his family
until the manor was sold to John Latton in 1543. The other Kingston
manor went from Adelelm’s family in 1244 to Roger de Kingston
until 1423 when it was divided between female descendants, wives
of George Longueville and Lord Ferrers. There were then 3 separate
manors Kingston Ferrers, Kingston Longueville and Kingston Bachepuize
and in 1543. All three were bought by John Latton. He was a wealthy
lawyer MP for Oxford who, in 1545, built a new house near the present
Kingston House. It was surrounded by a moat and called `The Place’.
It was pulled down about 1730 after the present Kingston House was
built.
| Draycott Moor
or Southmoor |
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The Boundary Stone by Greystone
Cottage
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The area now known as Southmoor was the
township of Draycott Moor, part of the parish of Longworth.
Draicote at the time of the conquest was included in several
Longworth charters and was in the possession of Abingdon Abbey.
In the Domesday Book, Draicote consisted of 10 hides, and
it too had a fishery. It remained in the possession of Abingdon
Abbey until its dissolution in 1538. Shortly after, in 1574,
Dennis Topps and his wife granted the Manor of Draycott Moor
to the President and Fellows of St John’s College in
whose hands it still remains. Originally, Southmoor, up to
the boundary stone opposite the post office, was part of
Longworth.
The boundary with Longworth is now beside the Waggon and
Horses.
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Civil
War |
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In
the Civil War the area was in the line of fire between Royalist
and Parliamentary forces. On 27 May 1644, a Parliamentary Army
commanded by Earl of Essex tried to cross Newbridge but was
beaten back by 100 of the King’s Dragoons. Six days later
a group of Rebels crossed the river in boats and overpowered
the 100 musketeers when their powder and shot ran out. Waller’s
forces with 5000 horse and foot passed over the bridge that
afternoon. Later, in October the Parliamentary army broke down
this ancient bridge which had been here since about 1250. Cromwell
was based here for a while, stopping supplies from reaching
Oxford and also trying unsuccessfully to capture Faringdon. |
Newbridge (artist Jill Banks)
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