Hook Norton, Oxfordshire

Description
Hook Norton, a village and a parish in Oxfordshire. The village stands' on a branch of the river Swere, 2 miles E from the boundary with Warwickshire, and 5 NE from Chipping Norton, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Banbury, and a station on the G.W.R. Florence of Worcester calls it Eegia Villa, " a royal town or village." The parish comprises 5495 acres; population, 1265. The manor was given by William the Conqueror to Robert de Oily, and was held in 1285 by Ela, Countess of Warwick, on the tenure of " carving before the king, and to have the knife with which she carved." Remains of an ancient British camp are near Hook Norton Lodge. A battle between the Danes and the English was fought at or very near Hook Norton in 917. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Oxford; net value, £207 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Oxford. The church is ancient but good, shows interesting features, has an imposing tower, underwent repair in 1845 at a cost of £2500, and contains a curious font of the 12th century. There are Baptist, Wesleyan, and Primitive Methodist chapels. Brewing and lime-burning are carried on. There are some small charities. The hamlet of Sonthrop is included in this parish.