Olaf Haraldsson II was King of Norway during the early 11th century. Born a Norse pagan, Olaf eventually converted to Christianity.

About one year after Olaf's death (which occurred at the Battle of Stiklestad on 29th July 1030), he was posthumously canonised, and became Norway's patron saint. His canonisation encouraged many other Norse pagans to convert to Christianity.

'Olave' is an English variant of the name 'Olaf' - both versions being derived from the Old Norse 'Óláfr' (meaning 'ancestor's heir'/'ancestor's legacy').

The fact that a parish church in Oxfordshire was dedicated to St Olave suggests that there was likely a Viking presence or influence in the area prior to the Norman Conquest.

"Killed in a boxing match with William Batts of Witney, Oxon."

It transpired that Claydon and Batts had verbally agreed to fight for "a purse of 20 guineas the winner, and 10 guineas the loser". They also agreed that, should either of them sustain any broken bones, then they would be awarded £5.

After settling the details, both men drank and smoked heavily, before beginning the match.

According to witnesses, both Claydon and Batts fought fairly. Claydon even appeared to be winning at first, before suddenly dropping down dead.

At the inquest, it was discovered that Claydon had suffered several heavy blows to his head.

William Batts was subsequently charged with manslaughter, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. He was also fined 1s., due to the boxing match being unofficial, and therefore illegal.

A few weeks later, it was announced that a poem called 'The Pugilist' would be printed and sold throughout Oxfordshire, "for the benefit of the aged and distressed mother of Thomas Claydon, of Weston-on-the-Green, who unfortunately fell in a pugilistic contest between him and William Batts of Witney".

Unfortunately, I've been unable to locate a copy of the poem; however, according to a description published in the Bicester Herald:

"It is occasioned by the late unhappy conflict between Batts and Claydon, pointing out the dangerous symptoms of the Boxing Mania, and prescribing an effectual remedy for that contagious disorder."

[Note: 'Pugilist' = 'boxer'].

Joseph had formerly resided at Hethe as a young man, but afterwards, he had travelled elsewhere in search of work. He had kept in touch with "a young female of a respectable Hethe family" for two decades, and had returned to visit her on many occasions since he'd left the village.

It transpired that Joseph had recently returned to Hethe in order to marry his beloved - and indeed, the parish registers recorded the nuptials of Joseph Martin and Ann Goodall on 24th August 1837.

However, on the day after the wedding, Joseph had left his bride to enjoy a stroll around the village... And no one had seen hide nor hair of him since.

Joseph hadn't taken any of his belongings with him, and none of his family or friends believed that he'd have willingly abandoned his new wife.

Despite exhaustive efforts, Joseph Martin was seemingly never found.

A local newspaper published the following description, but sadly, it was to no avail:

"He is of genteel appearance, 47 years of age, and nearly six feet high, and was dressed when he left home in a blue coat, black waistcoat, and drab trousers. He was in good circumstances."

When questioned, Ann explained that she and her husband had planned to settle in Monmouthshire, Wales. They had been excitedly discussing their plans on the morning of his disappearance, and she had no doubt whatsoever in her mind that he would not have left her of his own volition.

Sadly, Ann would never get the answers that she so craved.

Did Joseph meet with an unfortunate accident during his walk?

Was he killed by person(s) unknown?

Or did he suddenly up and leave, assuming a new identity in the process?

Let me know what you think in the comments below…

His parents chose his middle name in honour of his paternal grandfather, Charles Simons (who also happened to be my 3 x great grandfather, thereby making William a distant cousin of mine).

By 1902, the family were residing on St John's Street, Bicester.

William had 7 younger siblings:

1. Sarah Kate, b. 1895.

2. Arthur James, b. 1897.

3. Thomas John, b. 1899.

4. Nancy Hetty, b. 1902.

5. James Ernest, b. 1907.

6. George Henry, b. 1910.

7. Hetty Nancy, b. 1914.

Sadly, Nancy Hetty Simons died at the age of just 4 years old. James and Annie subsequently named their youngest child (Hetty Nancy) in her honour.

In 1913, William joined the army, enlisting with the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadier Guards (Reg. No.: 16865). He trained at Wellington Barracks (London) from August 1914 onwards, and on 27th July 1915, he arrived at Le Havre, France, before being sent straight to the Front.

He was sadly killed in action on 27th September that year - exactly two months after his arrival - aged just 22.

Heartbreakingly, just one day prior to his death, William had sent a postcard home to his parents, urging them not to fret as he was well.

William was buried with his fallen comrades in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, where a memorial was erected naming those who died during The Great War.

The conflict in which William died was known as 'The Battle of Loos', often referred to as 'The Big Push' - more about this can be found here: http://guardsmagazine.com/features/Autumn2015/features_autumn15_05BattleOfLoos.html

Private W. C. Simons was among 61,000 recorded British casualties who died in that specific battle - almost double the number of German losses.

I feel incredibly proud to be related to this brave young man.

Whilst digging within the parish of Stratton Audley, they unearthed "thirteen human skeletons, buried in a direct line from east to west, about nine inches under the surface of the ground".

The hilt of a sword and part of a spur were also found buried alongside them.

Many people travelled from the surrounding villages to gawp at the remains, with some taking teeth home as souvenirs.

At the time, it was suspected that the skeletons had belonged to Roman soldiers.

Afterwards, arrangements were made to "collect and bury the remains of these ancient warriors in a much deeper place than before", although sadly, I've been unable to find out precisely where they were reinterred.

Poor Richard had succumbed to horrific injuries after his clothes had accidentally caught fire, causing him to be "so dreadfully burnt that he only survived a few hours".

An inquest was held, where the jury reached a verdict of "accidental death".

Edward John Hawkins (a soldier) had returned home to Chesterton, much to the delight of his parents Henry and Charlotte.

However, Charlotte (aged 65) had been suffering from a "weak heart" for some time, and the sight of her beloved son walking through the door caused her to become "very much pleased and excited". This in turn caused her to have a massive heart attack shortly afterwards.

At the subsequent inquest, the jury returned a verdict of "death by natural causes".

After his assailants scarpered, Wheeler walked back to Bicester, and "stated his loss". Several people "immediately went in pursuit of the robbers, but with no success".

Despite a reward of £50 being offered to anyone who could provide information leading to the apprehension of the criminals, it would seem that they were never caught.

'Footpad' was a term predominantly used to describe "a thief or band of thieves who operated on foot". Unlike highwaymen (who committed their crimes on horseback, and held up coaches, etc.), footpads would typically target lone pedestrians or slow-moving vehicles.

The image below depicts John Wheeler's home village of Merton, as it looked in days gone by.

Mr Neal was returning home from Deddington (where he'd been visiting his daughter), when he "suddenly fell from his horse, in an apopleptic fit".

His companion immediately leapt off his own horse, and - together with the help of some men who were passing by - conveyed Mr Neal to his house.

Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done to save him; the poor man "lingered until the following morning, at which point he expired".

The Oxford University & City Herald noted the following:

"The deceased was 60 years of age, and has left a family to lament the loss of a kind parent".

The map below was produced a few years earlier, in 1824. It shows the locations of the Bicester toll-gates (marked 'TB').

Queenie and her husband were not in such comfortable circumstances as Sally and Dick; but Old Master Macey, commonly known as 'Twister', was still able to work part of the time, and they managed to keep their home going.

It was a pleasant home, though bare, for Queenie kept it spotless, scrubbing her deal table and whitening her floor with hearthstone every morning and keeping the two brass candlesticks on her mantelpiece polished till they looked like gold. The cottage faced south and, in summer, the window and door stood open all day to the sunshine.

When the children from The End House passed close by her doorway, as they had to do every time they went beyond their own garden, they would pause a moment to listen to Queenie's old sheep's-head clock ticking. There was no other sound; for, after she had finished her housework, Queenie was never indoors while the sun shone.

If the children had a message for her, they were told to go round to the beehives, and there they would find her, sitting on a low stool with her lace-pillow on her lap, sometimes working and sometimes dozing with her lilac sunbonnet drawn down over her face to shield it from the sun."

~ 'Lark Rise to Candleford' by Flora Thompson.

The photograph below shows Eliza Massey, née Gee (aka 'Queenie'). She was born at Lower Heyford in 1824, and died at Fringford in 1902. Her husband was Thomas ‘Twister' Massey, who was originally from Launton.

The couple lived in the hamlet of Juniper Hill (near Cottisford) for many years, which is how they came to know Flora Thompson, nee Timms (1876 - 1947).

The coins have since been acquired by The Oxfordshire Museum.

The photograph below shows just a few of the coins, along with part of the vessel that they were found in.

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing who decided to bury them in that particular spot, or why; however, for whatever reason, they would remain forgotten for nigh on 2,000 years…

"A poor man named Hudson, who, whilst a threshing machine was at work, impudently attempted to oil the wheels belonging to it, was caught by one of them, which fractured two of his ribs, frightfully lacerated his face, crushed his hand and fingers, and otherwise shockingly mangled him, before he could be extricated, or the machine stopped."

Thankfully, it would seem that Hudson survived his ordeal... Although he would no doubt have found himself at least partially disabled afterwards.

A local newspaper noted that Robert Timms (79) and Elizabeth Jessop (73) were "attended to church by a great concourse of people, who waited for their return, and had it not been for the kind assistance of Mr Sirett the Peace Officer, they would not have been able to have reached their home in safety."

According to the Oxford Journal:

"The room was handsomely decorated with laurels, and almost every flower that could be procured at the present season, formed into numerous pleasing figures, for the amusement of the party. The fare was provided by Mr Deakins, to the great satisfaction of nearly 60 persons who dined, and afterwards partook of a sumptuous dessert, contributed by the members generally, amongst which were melons of the finest flavour. The day was spent in the most lively and convivial manner, and promises to the town and neighbourhood an annual treat to every lover of 'the science'."

"Notwithstanding the present unavoidable pressure on agriculture, the farmers, determined on forgetting everything but the satisfaction they felt at the crowning of their sovereign, unanimously entered into a very liberal subscription, in which the rector most cordially joined, for regaling every individual in the parish. The morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells, which continued during the day, and a band of music played and sung with heart 'God Save the King', 'Rule Britannia', etc., all wearing purple favours and laurel. In the afternoon and evening dancing was general, and this great national festival was celebrated at the little village of Ludgershall with as great an ebullition of popular and loyal feeling as could have been shown in the largest town."

"Notwithstanding the fact of the spot being inconvenient to preach, and that it was very wet, an assemblage of about 400 persons were present. Under the tent, which is a capacious one, and is taken from place to place for the above purpose, temporary seats were erected. Capper, the venerable speaker, addressed the company at considerable length. The address, which was listened to with admirable attention, was of a spiritual, but unsectarian character. Capper is, we understand, journeying about for the purposes of delivering his messages of mercy. His language is within the capacity of most persons, and his style is telling and impressive."

The tent was pitched on a piece of land known as 'Phillips' Field', which was apparently situated close to the site of the gas works on London Road.

The image below depicts an English Quaker meeting more than a century earlier, in 1710.

"Goodbye, Laura! Goodbye!" they called. "Mind you be a good gal, now!" and Laura, as she turned to smile and wave back at them, tried not to look too conscious of her new frock and hat and the brand new trunk (with her initials) roped onto the backseat.

As the cart moved on, more women came to their doors to see what the sound of wheels meant at that time in the morning. It was not the coalman's or the fish-hawker's day, the baker was not due for hours, and the appearance of any other wheeled vehicle than theirs always caused a mild sensation in that secluded hamlet. When they saw Laura and her new trunk, the women remained on their doorsteps to wave their farewells, then, before the cart had turned into the road from the rutted lane, little groups began forming.

Her going seemed to be causing quite a stir in the hamlet ['Lark Rise', aka Juniper Hill]. Not because the sight of a young girl going out in the world to earn her own living was an uncommon one there - all the hamlet girls left home for that purpose, some of them at a much earlier age than Laura - but they usually went on foot, carrying bundles, or their fathers pushed their boxes on wheelbarrows to the railway station in the nearest town the night before, while, for Laura's departure, the innkeeper's pony and cart had been hired.

That, of course, was because Candleford Green [Fringford], although only eight miles distant, was on another line of railway than that which ran through the market town, and to have gone there by train would have meant two changes and a long wait at the Junction; but the spring-cart brought a spice of novelty into her departure which made 'something to talk about', as the saying went there. At the beginning of the eighteen-nineties any new subject for conversation was precious in such places.

Laura was fourteen and a half, and the thick pigtail of hair which had so far hung down her back had that morning been looped up once and tied with a big black ribbon bow on her neck. When they had first known that she was to go to work in the Post Office at Candleford Green her mother had wondered if she ought not to wear her hair done up with hairpins, grown-up fashion, but when she saw a girl behind the Post Office counter wearing hers in a loop with a bow she had felt sure that that was the proper way for Laura to do hers. So the ribbon was bought - black, of course, for her mother said the bright-coloured ribbons most country girls wore made them look like horses, all plaited and beribboned for a fair. "And mind you sponge and press it often", she had said, "for it cost good money. And when you come to buy your own clothes, always buy the best you can afford. It pays in the end". But Laura could not bear to think of her mother just then; the parting was too recent."

~ 'Lark Rise to Candleford' by Flora Thompson.

~ 'Lark Rise to Candleford' by Flora Thompson.

The real 'Miss Lane' was Kezia Whitton, who ran the post office at 'Candleford' (Fringford) where Flora was employed as a young woman.

The photograph below shows Kezia c.1898.

During the Reformation (c.1530s - 1603), churches throughout England were stripped of all treasures and imagery; as a result, this beautiful painting was hidden beneath a layer of plaster for centuries, and only revealed in more recent times.

Protestants believed that colourful paintings in churches were a violation of God's word, as they were idolatrous (meaning that there was a fear that people may start worshipping the images, as opposed to the Almighty himself).

When King Henry VIII established the Church of England, our religious buildings largely went from being colourful and unique, to empty and whitewashed.

Image source: The Church Explorer blog.

A man called Mr Bacon happened to be passing by, and immediately ran to Halkett's aid.

According to the Bicester Herald:

"Water was sent for wherewith to bathe his forehead, and brandy was administered, and ultimately the sufferer was restored".

The Bicester Gas Works first opened in about 1850, and was later replaced with the buildings visible in the photograph below, which was taken in more recent times. Eventually, it was demolished.

The original site was located on or very near to the same spot. A snippet from a local newspaper - dated 1848 - noted that the pipes were in the process of being laid at that time.

Image source: Glynis Wells / Bicester Memories Facebook group.