Brief History of Woodstock

The word Woodstock, ‘Place in the Woods’.
During Woodstock’s history it has been spelt in various ways Wudstoc (1100), Wudestun (1123), Wdestock (1150).
 
Before Norman Conquest all Oxfordshire was forest.  Since the time of the Anglo-Saxons Woodstock has been used as a hunting and meeting place. The first certain record of a king visiting Woodstock is that of Ethelred (978-1016) who held a council at Woodstock.

In the Domesday Book, “Woodstock” was described as demense forest of the king’- Forestland reserved for hunting by the king. Anglo-Saxons; hunting was considered a sport with only a few laws to specify who could hunt there.  However Norman kings had very strict laws to protect their forests & hunting grounds. The Norman Kings established Woodstock as a royal hunting ground. Henry I (1100-1135) 3rd Norman king founded the village of Old Woodstock & built a hunting lodge, he enclosed seven miles within a stonewall, introduced wild animals such as lions and leopards.

It was said that Henry II (1154-1189)  & his mistress Rosamund Clifford spent a great deal of time in Woodstock. Henry II built Rosamund a house in Woodstock. To this day there is a spring in the grounds of Blenheim Park known as Rosamund’s Well 

Woodstock was built in forty acres, outside the grounds of Woodstock Park. It provided lodging for the king’s men when the king came to hunt. As Woodstock became ever increasing popular, further Lodgings were built to accommodate Royals and their men. Both Richard I (1189-1199) and John (1199-1216) came to Woodstock during their reigns. Henry III (1216-1272) built a chapel at the manor house dedicated to St. Edward, which became known as the Queen’s chapel.  

A survey in 1279 revealed that there were 137 houses in Woodstock and 504 inhabitants. Like all other villages/small towns of this the time Woodstock had to be self-sufficient. 
Woodstock was thought to be of a great enough importance and allowed to send two representatives to the Parliament.

1377 saw the population halved because of the Black Death 

The reign of Edward III (1327-1377) Edward with his wife Philippa of Hainault, spend much time at Woodstock Manor, their eldest son Edward the Black Prince was born here in 1330.  During 1330 the court stayed at Woodstock Manor for three months.

 On 24th of May 1453 Woodstock was granted a charter of incorporation, but before this charter was granted Woodstock already had independent government by tradition. The charter declared that tenants, residents, inhabitants and their heirs and successors should be free. They could have a merchant guid and a guildhall. Only members of the guid could trade in the town. Rent went to the town and not to the crown. Another privileges the town was granted, it could fix the price and quality of food and drink. Granted a five-day fair at the feast Of St Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Woodstock Church.

The accession of Henry VIII (1507-1547) to the English throne brought many people to Woodstock for hunting. After the early years of his first marriage his interest in the Woodstock manor waned; it fell into disrepair and later was used as a prison for Henry VIII daughter Elizabeth when she was imprisoned by her sister Queen Mary

Elizabethan Woodstock - Queen Elizabeth confirmed the charter that had been granted to Woodstock and gave to Woodstock four shops and thirteen cottages. Some of the buildings still stand, and two of them used now as a public house. Woodstock also gained a weekly market on Fridays and two more fairs of four days each. The structures of administration become very complicated with a mayor, aldermen and councillors. 

At about this time Glove-making was Woodstock’s chief industry. Elizabethan Woodstock was also known for its polished steel work, the steel being taken from old horseshoe nails. The work became very popular and fetched a high price.

James I (1603-1625) restored part of Woodstock manor to its formal glory so he could live there while hunting.

During the Civil War Woodstock was under siege from 8 to 26 April 1646 until Cromwell’s supporters captured it. Woodstock suffered from the Civil War
1.  Woodstock town no longer benefited from the trade that the king had brought.
2. Woodstock had to put up Cromwell’s troops.
Thereafter Woodstock played little part in royal affairs, until John Churchill
1st Duke of Marlborough was given Woodstock Manor by Queen Anne after the battle & victory over the French and Bavarians at Blenheim in 1704 – Battle of Blenheim.

Blenheim Palace built for John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough in recognition of this victory  designed by Sir John Vanbrugh.  The Deer Park & Lake which surrounds the Place landscaped by “Capability” Brown.

30th November 1874 Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Place. 
In January 1965 Sir Winston Churchill was buried in Bladon churchyard, which lies on the south side of Blenham Park both Lady Randolph Churchill his mother, Lord Randolph Churchill His father, are buried alongside.