When King John started to visit in 1207, the town was growing in importance, in particular cloth making using wool from nearby farms. Civil War broke out in 1642 and Charles I established a parliament at Oxford which led to demands for food and equipment being laid by Witney. In 1647 five cavaliers were buried following battles in the area.

Witney continued to grow over the next few centuries and its importance as a world leader in wool, blanket and cloth making was indisputable. Many sovereigns visited the town and James I (1700) actually held parliament in a house in Corn Street now situated on the corner of Corn Street and the Crofts.

The Town Hall dates back to the 17th Century and was rumoured to have been build by an apprentice to Sir Christopher Wren. Corn was bought and sold under the building's arches until the Corn Exchange was opened in the 19th century.

The Buttercross dates back to pre-Saxon times when for centuries it was a religious site. It was altered and rebuilt over the years and in the 16th Century farmers' wives would sell their excess butter and eggs, hence its name. The current building is medieval but features a clock that was added in 1683 by William Blake of Cogges.

BLANKETS AND WITNEY

Wool and woollen cloth making have been an important trade of Witney since the Iron age. This industry continued to flourish due to the areas rich countryside and fast flowing River Windrush.

A fine example of the blanket's popularity in history was the Earl of Leicester buying 30 Witney Blankets in 1584. By 1677, Witney Blankets were "esteemed far beyond all others that it engrossed the trade of the nation in its commodity" (Dr R Plot, 1677). During this time there were 60 'Blanketeers' and their 150 looms employed around 3,000 people.

In 1681 it was first recorded as a currency by the Hudson Bay Company in Canada.

In 1711 the Weavers formed a Guild which adjured blanket makers to strict rules to enforce their quality. The Guild was granted a charter by Queen Anne and a Blanket Hall was built on the High Street. The Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800's again increased the demand for good quality woollen products.

By 1850 there were 6 major blanket manufacturers now controlling the Witney trade. One in particular dominating the blanket business was Charles Early and Co, who had several premises in the area and a family history of blanket making for over 350 years.

In the 1970's the industry declined due to the popularity of the duvet and in 2002, Early's closed and so the last company producing genuine Witney blankets ended centuries of tradition.

BREWING and BANKING

John Clinch (1754-1825) was a prominent Witney banker and landowner who, with his son James, purchased the Marlborough Head (now 'The Fleece') on Church Green in 1811.  It was his son, James, who founded the first Clinch Brewery at the Marlborough Head between 1811 and 1814. The Clinch family also founded a private bank - J W Clinch and Sons - in the High Street and John Clinch assumed control around 1828.

The Clinch family had considerable land interests both in Witney and the immediate area and, during the 1830's demolished cottages on the west of Church Green to make room for a new Maltings building.

The fortunes of the brewery fluctuated widely over the succeeding years and were affected by rising costs and the linkage between the businesses of agriculture and brewing.

Family interest in the brewery ended with the retirement of T W Clinch Foreshaw in 1948 and in 1962 an offer from Courage was accepted. Courage was said to have only been interested in the tied estate and closed the brewery shortly after.

The site lay more or less dormant until it was was bought by Paddy Glenny in 1980 and in 1990 was renamed the Wychwood Brewery under the ownership of Refresh plc. In the Spring of 2008 Marston Breweries have bought the company, but the brewing of Wychwood and Brakespeare beers will continue for many years to come.

ST MARY'S CHURCH

Witney's Parish Church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin and its presence is a major landmark of Witney. The church is easily visible from around the surrounding countryside due to its imposing 150ft  spire whilst its tower has a fine ring of eight bells.

Work began on the church  between 1070 and 1100. The North aisle of the church was added in the 12th century and the 13th century saw the chancel rebuilt and the tower and west aisle added. In the north transept is an enormous early 14th century window that is considered to be one of the finest in the country. Two further chantry chapels were added and in the 15th century the church was completed to the church that we know today.

The wealthy wool merchant Sir Richard Wenman was buried here in 1572; brasses on his alter tomb show him in a fur trimmed gown with a purse hanging from his belt and his two wives are depicted either side of him.

A whole room is dedicated to the Wenman Family and is known as the Wenman Chapel or Room and there is a superb wall painting depicting the Wenman Family tree and may be viewed on application to the Church Office.

RESTORATION APPEAL - £3,000,000

St Mary's has launched an Appeal for the much needed restoration.  Full details can be obtained from the Parish Church Office on 01993 703507 or download the latest Restoration Information Newsletter.