DEFENDING OXFORDSHIRE: The Military Landscape from Prehistory to the Present

1-250900

Examines the evidence for Oxfordshire's strategic location in ancient times in the remains of prehistoric hillforts, fortified Roman towns, and Saxon burhs. Both Oxford and Wallingford were besieged during Stephen and Matilda's war of succession and again 500 years later during the Civil War. Charles I chose Oxford as his capital, defending it with garrisons at Bletchingdon, Banbury, and Chipping Norton. In the Second World War, Oxfordshire's River Thames was a critical component in anti-invasion defenses, and the county's air bases provided the means for the RAF and USAAF to launch bombing raids into Nazi Germany. Lastly, since before the Cold War, the villages of Harwell and Culham have been contributing to Britain's development as a nuclear power. Contains 123 mono illustrations.