Publications
A number of excellent books and publications relating to Bicester and the surrounding area are available to view in the local history section of Bicester Library situated in Old Place Yard, Bicester or are available for purchase at Cole's Book Shop located in Crown Walk in the town centre.
Much of the early history of the locality was recorded by three authors. White Kennett (1660-1728) served as a Curate at St Edburgs Church before becoming the Vicar at Ambrosden and later the Bishop of Peterborough. He published the well known Parochial Antiquities attempted in the History of Ambrosden, Burcester and other adjacent parts in 1695. The history became a model for other such accounts in later centuries. John Dunkin (1782-1846) was born in the town and became Bicester's first local historian. He wrote the History and Antiquities of Bicester and Alchester which was published in 1816. The Rev. James C. Blomfield served as Rector in the village of Launton from 1850 to 1895. He wrote nine volumes of local histories. The second volume, concerned with the history of Bicester contains the household accounts relating to Bicester Priory.
The Oxfordshire Architectural & Historical Society publish an annual volume of archaeological and historical reports in their publication Oxoniensia. This information is not held locally but can be viewed at The Oxfordshire Studies Centre, The Central Library, Westgate, Oxford. OX1 1DJ (Tel: 01865 810825). The South Midlands Archaeology annual publication, the local newsletter for the Council for British Archaeology, covers historical reports in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. These also are available in the Oxfordshire Studies Department of the Central Library. The Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies, County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP20 1UU (Tel: 01296 382587) retains copies of Records of Buckinghamshire, a publication that reports about archaeology and history in parishes in Buckinghamshire that have links with the Bicester area.
The following publications will prove useful to those who wish to find out more about the history and heritage of our locality. Please click on the reference below to view a selection of local history book titles that are available from locations indicated above.
Publications relating primarily to Bicester
Publications covering local villages in the Bicester area
Publications concerning aspects of Oxfordshire history with reference to the Bicester area