Merton is a village and civil parish near the River Ray, about south of Bicester in Oxfordshire, England. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 424.

Archaeology

In 1978 a Middle Bronze Age spearhead was found at West End Farm on the northwestern side of the village.

Manor

Just before the Norman conquest of England Hacun, a Dane, held the manor of Meretone and also the nearby manor of Piddington. The toponym is derived from the Old English for a tun, hamlet or settlement by the mere.

The Domesday Book records that by 1086 Countess Judith of Lens, a niece of William I of England held the manor. The original kitchen and stone-arched cellar survive, and the cellar includes a well.

Church and chapel

thumb|upright|St Swithun's parish church: chapel in the south aisle, with 14th century Decorated Gothic east window

thumb|upright|St Swithun's parish church: [[English church monuments|monument to Elizabeth Poole (died 1621), now mutilated and neglected]]

The Church of England parish church of Saint Swithun is Decorated Gothic, built early in the 14th century. It has a south aisle, linked with the nave by an arcade of four bays.

In the Edwardine Inventory of 1552 St Swithun's had three bells and a Sanctus bell. A Congregational chapel was built in 1890. It has a queen post roof and is thatched. In the late 20th century it was converted into four homes.

thumb|Charlton Services bus on route 94 at its terminus outside [[Balliol College, Oxford]]

Buses

Charlton-on-Otmoor Services bus route 94 links Merton with Oxford via Gosford. There is a limited service from Monday to Friday only. Stagecoach in Oxfordshire route H5 links Merton with the John Radcliffe Hospital via Islip and Barton, and with Bicester via Ambrosden. Buses run hourly from Monday to Saturday. Merton has no bus service on Sunday or on public holidays.

Notes

References

thumb|St Swithun's parish church: blocked 14th-century arcade of former north aisle

Bibliography

  • Merton Parish Council