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History of The Manor
For almost a thousand years, Weston Manor has been part of Oxfordshire’s rich history. From its Saxon origins and medieval monastic ownership to its Tudor transformation and its life today as a country house hotel, every chapter has left its mark on the Manor we welcome guests to today.
The earliest recorded history of the estate dates back to the Saxon settlement of West Tun, established between the 5th and 9th centuries. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the estate belonged to Wigod of Wallingford, cupbearer to King Edward the Confessor, before passing to the Norman noble Robert d’Oilley through his marriage to Wigod’s daughter, Ealdgytha.
In the early 13th century, the Manor came into the possession of Osney Abbey. For almost three centuries, Weston served as one of the Abbey’s most valuable estates, with its resident bailiff administering the surrounding lands. The magnificent Baron’s Hall, one of the oldest surviving parts of the Manor, was where the Abbey’s officials held manorial courts and administered the Abbey’s estates.
The Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 brought Weston Manor into the ownership of King Henry VIII, who granted the estate to Sir John Williams, later Baron Williams of Thame, one of the Crown’s most trusted servants. Williams served four Tudor monarchs—Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I—and transformed the Manor into an impressive Tudor residence.
Through the marriage of Sir John Williams’ daughter, Margery Williams, to Sir Henry Norreys, Weston Manor entered the Norreys family before later passing to the Bertie family. Together, the Norreys and Bertie families owned the estate for over 350 years, shaping much of the Manor’s character and architectural development. Following the death of the last Bertie heir during the First World War, the estate passed into new ownership. During the Second World War, the Manor served as residence for BBC staff before beginning its next chapter as a country house hotel in 1946.
The Legend of “Mad Maud”
Like many historic English manor houses, Weston Manor has its own ghost stories.
One of the best-known local legends is that of “Mad Maud”. Local folklore tells of a young woman named Maud who fell in love with a monk during the Manor’s association with Osney Abbey. According to the legend, the pair were discovered together and Maud met a tragic end. Today, some guests and staff have reported unusual experiences in one of the Manor’s historic oak-panelled bedrooms, often referred to as Mad Maud’s Room.
While there is no documentary evidence to confirm the legend, it has remained part of Weston Manor’s folklore for generations and continues to be one of the Manor’s most enduring stories.
Whether you are drawn by nearly a thousand years of documented history or simply intrigued by the stories that have grown around it, Weston Manor remains a place where the past is very much part of the present. We hope you enjoy your stay and create your own memories within these historic walls.
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