Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire (abbreviated Oxon, from Latin Oxonia) is a county in South East England, bordering on Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire.

History

Main article: History of Oxfordshire.

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Historically the area has always had some importance, it has been valuable agricultural land resting between the main southern cities and containing the prestigious settlement at Oxford (from the Old English Oxenaforda). Ignored by the Romans it was not until the formation of a settlement at Oxford that the area grew in importance. Alfred the Great was born in Wantage. The university at Oxford was founded in 1096. The area was part of the Cotswolds wool trade from the 13th century. The Great Western Railway reached Didcot in 1839. Morris Motors was founded in Oxford in 1912 and MG in Abingdon in 1929. The importance of agriculture as an employer has declined rapidly in the 20th century; currently under 1% of the county's population are involved.

Related Topics:
Old English - Alfred the Great - University - Cotswolds - Great Western Railway - Didcot - Morris Motors - MG

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In 1808 the county had fourteen hundreds, namely Bampton, Banbury, Binfield, Bloxham, Bullingdon, Chadlington, Dorchester, Ewelme, Langtree, Lewknor, Pyrton, Ploughley, Thame and Wootton.

Related Topics:
1808 - Hundred - Bampton - Banbury - Binfield - Bloxham - Bullingdon - Chadlington - Dorchester - Ewelme - Langtree - Lewknor - Pyrton - Ploughley - Thame - Wootton

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The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was based at the Barracks on Bullingdon Green, Cowley.

Related Topics:
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry - Cowley

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The Vale of the White Horse and parts of South Oxfordshire south of the River Thames are traditionally part of Berkshire but were added to the administrative county in 1974. Conversely, the Caversham area of Reading is traditionally part of Oxfordshire. (See History of Oxfordshire for the traditional county boundaries).

Related Topics:
River Thames - Berkshire - 1974 - Caversham - Reading

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In June 2004 the auditors refused to sign off social services accounts from which £11 million had not yet been accounted for.

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