Wroxhill or Roxhill

Overlordship

A second property within this parish is that of WROXHILL or ROXHILL MANOR. In 1086 it was held of Walter Giffard as 2 hides less half a virgate, and the overlordship passed to the Earls of Oxford (heirs of the Bolebecs) some time in the 14th century, of whom it continued to be held as of their manor of Whitchurch (co. Bucks.) till the 16th century.

Lordship

From 1286 onwards a second interest is found in this estate. At that date Matilda wife of Richard de Argentein alienated by fine one quarter of a knight's fee to John Harmer. In 1306 John son of John Harmer owned rents and lands in this parish, and in 1346 one of the same name was holding by knight's service in Wroxhill together with John de Merston (whose descent has been traced above), Isabel Weedon (whose family had owned in Wroxhill certainly since 1233) and Bernard de Willy, whose name is here mentioned for the first time. This fee was in the possession of Bernard Saunderton in 1428, who was succeeded by William Saunderton, who held Wroxhill Manor, here definitely so called, in 1459. Before the end of the century Sir John Catesby was seised of the manor, and was succeeded by his son Sir Humphrey Catesby, who died in 1504. The manor at this time was worth more than 10 marks. Sir Humphrey's younger son Thomas inherited this manor under his father's will, but he died in 1530 without male heirs, and it passed to Anthony Catesby his elder brother. Thomas Catesby was in possession in 1573, and held it till his death in 1592, when George his son and heir inherited the property. George and Bridget his wife with Clifton Catesby, doubtless their son, were holding the manor in 1636, but about this time the Catesbys sold their estates and left the county. It is probable that they sold them to the Playdells. William Playdell held the manor in 1652, being described in the parish books of the time as 'a Londiner.' By 1728 the manor had come into the possession of the family of Reddall. In this year Thomas Reddall was seised of it, and in 1751 it had passed to Ambrose Reddall. By 1800 James Bayly owned the manor, and it was still his property ten years later. Roxhill Farm is the only trace of its existence at the present time, and is in the tenancy of Mathew Folwell Bliss.