Great Bourton - History

History

The Church of England parish church of All Saints was originally 13th century. The west wall of the nave has a recess containing a small bell cast by Henry I Bagley of Chacombe in 1673. In 1863 the architect William White rebuilt the church almost entirely and added a bell tower, separate from the church, built over the lychgate. It is one of only three such bell towers in Britain to be so sited. All Saints' parish is now part of the Benefice of Shire's Edge along with those of Claydon, Cropredy, Mollington and Wardington.

Great Bourton village hall used to be the Methodist Chapel.

Great Bourton's public house, The Bell, is controlled by Hook Norton Brewery.

During the Battle of Cropredy Bridge in June 1644, the Parliamentarian General Waller saw that the Royalist army was strung out from its position on higher ground near Great Bourton and took the decision to order an attack. The Royalists pushed Waller's force back to Great Bourton when it met the Royalist Earl of Northampton's brigade of horse.

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