Bloxham Upper Grove Mill (The Gatehouse Record)

Bloxham Upper Grove Mill

In the civil parish of Bloxham.
In the historic county of Oxfordshire.
Modern Authority of Oxfordshire.
1974 county of Oxfordshire.

OS Map Grid Reference: SP45323707
Latitude 52.02989° Longitude -1.34019°

Bloxham Upper Grove Mill has been described as a Timber Castle although is doubtful that it was such.

There are no visible remains.

Description

Original ONB destroyed. Revision ONB says briefly that this Castle was erected in the reign of Stephen and its site is marked by a few irregularities, siting Original ONB as only authority. No other references found. (Ordnance Survey Map)
The site is in the NW corner of a rectangular orchard, bounded on east, south and west by a scarp up to 1.5m. high; beyond this is a
terrace which extends to another scarp (that published) which is also up to 1.5m. high. Both the scarps, and other minor irregularities, are probably agricultural. There is nothing to suggest that there was ever a castle. In the absence of documentary and ground evidence the 'Castle' is very suspect. (F1 ANK 08-MAY-70)
An earthwork near Upper Grove Mill, marked as a castle on O.S. 25" 1st.ed. of 1882, has not been excavated and its date is not known. (VCH). (PastScape)

Earthwork marked as castle on 1:2500 OS map, 1882, but not excavated and date unknown (VCH)
May represent the site of the 'Logge' leased with a warren in 1528, if this is not the same site as present Bloxham Grove (PRN 11121) or may alternatively represent the farmstead of Osbert de la Grave, who owned a mill in Bloxham in 1238. No evidence that Bloxham Grove itself existed before C16th-17th (Gelling)
1961 AP shows further earthworks in field immediately to east (see PRN 1767)
Castle reputedly erected in reign of Stephen; site is marked by few irregularities. No other references found. Ground disturbances are explainable as agricultural. In the absence of documentary and ground evidence, the 'castle' is very suspect (OS record Card) (Oxfordshire HER)

Marked as 'Site of Castle' on 1885 OS map, but no clear plan of earthworks. Close to minor river crossing and water mill, but otherwise isolated from settlement. Nothing apparent on aerial photo. Almost certainly a piece of fanciful thinking.

Links to mapping and other online resources

Data >

PastScape

County HER

Maps >

Data/Maps >

Magic

Air Photos >

Photos >

Sources of information, references and further reading

English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s) 336998.
County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) 5425.

Books
- Mason, J.F.A., 1969, in Lobel, Mary D. and Crossley, Alan (eds), VCH Oxfordshire Vol. 9 p. 55 online transcription
  Gelling, Margaret, based on material collected by Doris Mary Stenton, 1954, The Place-Names of Oxfordshire (English Place Name Society) Part 2 p. 395
  Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 1 p. 167 online copy

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This record last updated on Friday, May 3, 2013

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