Can you hear the echoes of lords and ladies from centuries past? You are standing in Bessels Leigh. This English village holds stories within its borders. Bessels Leigh is about 4.5 miles southwest of Oxford. This village was once part of Berkshire. Boundary changes in 1974 moved it into Oxfordshire. Now, let’s delve deeper into the past of Bessels Leigh.
Bessels Leigh’s story stretches back to Saxon times. It was likely the “Lea” owned by Earmund in the 7th century. The Domesday Book of 1086 mentions it as “Leie”. Before the Norman Conquest, Northmann of Mereworth held it. Abingdon Abbey then gained ownership. Later, it passed to William the Chamberlain.
The Bessels family acquired the manor in the mid-14th century. Perhaps Thomas Bessels was the one who started it all. By the next century, it was known as “Bessels Leigh”. This distinguished it from other places named “Leigh” in England. Antiquary John Leland wrote about the Bessels family. They had been in Bessels Leigh since King Edward I’s reign. They came from Provence in France. Leland described them as “men of activitye in feates of arms”.
Richard Fettiplace married Elizabeth Besil around 1456. She was the heiress of William Besil. Richard made Bessels Leigh his main home. He was buried in Poughley Priory Church. Richard left property to the church. He also left a 99-year lease to a chantry chapel in East Shifford. This was to maintain the church and its lights.
In 1527, Edward Fettiplace wrote to Thomas Cromwell. Edward complained about a broken promise regarding Poughley Priory. He had given Cromwell 40 shillings. However, the lease went to another man. Edward also said scholars from Cardinal’s College had used implements from the Priory.
John Fettiplace of Besselsleigh served as a Member of Parliament. He represented Berkshire in 1558. He also served as Sheriff of Berkshire twice. This was in 1568 and 1577. He was buried in Appleton Church.
The Fettiplace family sold Besils Leigh in the early 17th century. William Lenthall bought it. He was the Speaker of the House of Commons. The old manor house had a quadrangular court. It included a hiding place with a difficult entrance. It is said Cromwell and other leaders were entertained there. Sadly, this house is now gone.
The parish church of Saint Lawrence has a rich history. It existed by the 12th century. Parts of the west wall and the south door are Norman. The church was rebuilt in the late 13th century. William Lenthall paid for repairs in 1632. William John Lenthall funded further work in 1788. St Lawrence’s is a Grade II* listed building. Since 2015, the church has not been regularly used.
Let’s not forget a tragic event during World War II. In 1944, an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber crashed near Besselsleigh. The pilot and navigator died in the crash. A local man and some soldiers tried to rescue the crew. Sergeant Richard Bunt saved the wireless operator. However, he died later. Sgt Bunt received the British Empire Medal for his bravery.
Besselsleigh has a pub called the Greyhound. The Lenthall family’s coat of arms features the Greyhound. Parklands Campus is also in Bessels Leigh. It is a special school for boys and girls aged 11 to 16.
Bessels Leigh a small village shows its relevance through the families who lived here. From the Bessels to the Fettiplaces and Lenthalls, each family has left their mark on this village. As you leave Bessels Leigh, remember the stories etched into its land.