See also STREETWISE

The varied spellings of Eynsham from the 10^th to the 18^th century are recorded by Alan Hardy and Roslyn Smith ('Eynsham, a Village and its Abbey', Oxford Archaeology 2002). The spelling 'Egonesham' seems to have been in use as early as 571 when the settlement was captured from the Britons by Cuthwulf, King of the West Saxons according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. More abbey history here; more village history here; Domesday text here.

The meaning of 'Egonesham' is an enclosure or river meadow of a man called Aegen (AD Mills, 'A Dictionary of English Place Names', Oxford University Press 1998). The modern spelling “Eynsham” was first used in 1390 and has been in regular use since the latter part of the 19th century.

The local pronunciation is EN-SHUM (at least today).

The original lettering shown here was done for the calligraphy stall at St. Benedict's Fair on 23 July 2005, by Isabelle Spencer of Witney. She is a calligrapher and artist, and a founder member of the Oxford Scribes. She has kindly donated this lettering to Eynsham. The original will hang in the Village Hall by courtesy of the Parish Council, as a memento of the Abbey Millennium.

A cream cotton tea towel with lettering in navy blue and terracotta red is being sold in aid of the renovation of St Leonard's Church Hall, which will benefit the whole community. It is on sale (price £4.50) in Eynsham Emporium in Mill Street and at the rear of St Leonard’s Church. The same design is also available as notelets and notebooks (£2.50) and on cotton canvas bags (£5)

Further details:
Dorothy Berry 01865 882570
Doreen Hockedy 01865 880919

EYNSHAM ONLINE is an Eynsham Parish Council initiative.
Email comment/queries to eynsham-online@hotmail.co.uk