TweetThe village of Bibury was renowned during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century for its horse racing, with meetings being eagerly covered in the press. The lists of horses competing contain some fantastic names, as well as detailing which … Continue reading
TweetScandal and politicians have always been close friends. In 1744, aspiring politician Thomas Estcourt Cresswell married Anne Warneford, the heiress of Sir Edmund Warneford, of Bibury Court. The couple appeared happy, and had several children together; but many years later, … Continue reading
TweetSome readers may know that my particular interest is in criminal history, and despite its tourist-pleasing scenery and cake shops, the Cotswolds abounds in remnants of its often dark past. The Northleach House of Correction is one of the best … Continue reading
TweetThis isn’t strictly history, but I recently watched a 2009 episode of Robert Llewellyn’s brilliant Carpool, where the actor takes comedian and journalist Dom Joly on a drive through the Cotswolds – home to both of them. Learn about some … Continue reading
TweetMany couples in the 19th century Cotswolds had to marry at a relatively late age, working and saving until they could afford to wed. This doesn’t mean that they weren’t together for some time beforehand, or were “on the shelf” … Continue reading
TweetThe medieval and Tudor periods in the Cotswolds saw a time of prosperity and plenty for many. From the 13th century onwards, the area developed its wool trade, using the hardy Cotswold breed of sheep, famed for its long, luscious … Continue reading
Tweet In the spring of 1803, a series of adverts was placed in Jackson’s Oxford Journal by Joseph Tyrrell, the overseer of Drayton in Berkshire. Many poor people cost his parish money, and Joseph was tasked with trying to reduce … Continue reading
TweetIn 1800, there was a series of animal thefts from the Bibury area of Gloucestershire. Animal theft was relatively common in the Cotswolds; in an agricultural area, farm animals were frequently stolen and sold on. But these particular cases were … Continue reading
TweetHow did respectable men burn off their energy in the 19th century Cotswolds, after a long day’s work? Vicar Sackville Cresswell and farmer John Millington, with a couple of their acquaintances, had a novel way of both getting a bit of … Continue reading
