Rousham

The larger belonged to the Norman nobleman Robert D'Oyly and the smaller to his brother in arms Roger d'Ivry.

The D'Oyly manor later became part of the honour of Wallingford and in 1279 its overlord was Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall.

The easternmost bay of the arcade for the south aisle was built in about 1180 and the bell tower was added early in the 13th century.

Later in the 16th century a large window was inserted in the north wall of the nave towards its western end.

The architect of the 1873 works was William Wilkinson of Oxford, whose commissions included several clergy houses in Oxfordshire.

The Bicester–Enstone road that forms part of the parish's northern boundary has existed at least since 1255 when a bridge was built at Lower Heyford to carry it across the River Cherwell.

[1] In 1636 Sir Robert Dormer, lord of the manor of Rousham, refused to pay ship money.

The enclosure of the parish's remaining common lands in 1775 was by agreement between the landowners[1] without recourse to an Act of Parliament.

The school was closed in 1926[1] but its building is still recognisable as the schoolhouse, complete with bell-turret on the western gable.

Between 1845 and 1850 the Oxford and Rugby Railway was built, passing through the eastern margin of the parish beside the River Cherwell.

[1] The station is now part of the Cherwell Valley Line and is served by Great Western Railway trains.

North wall of the nave of SS Leonard and James', showing large 16th-century window and blocked arch to former 14th-century chantry chapel
Late 12th-century chancel of SS Leonard & James', restored and altered in 1867–68
South aisle of SS Leonard & James': east arch (left) late 12th century; middle and west arches early 13th century
SS Leonard & James': early 16th-century Perpendicular Gothic large window in the north wall of the nave
Monument to John Dormer (died 1581) and his wife Elizabeth, originally erected in St. Mary the Virgin, Steeple Barton but brought to Rousham and installed in the chancel here in 1851