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Dorchester
The next major town downstream from Oxford is Abingdon, but its 7th century abbey disappeared during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Further downstream, the sleepy little village of Dorchester hides 2,000 years of history. Overlooking the river from the south is the iron age hill fort of Sinodun, and on the northern bank are the pre-roman earth works known as Dyke Hills. The village itself is based on the old Roman encampment of Dorcic, Durocina or Dorcicon
In 635 AD, St. Birinus, the missionary bishop from Rome, baptised the Saxon King Cynegils in the river at Dorchester, and thereafter it became the centre of Christianity from the Thames to the Humber, until the dissolution of the monastery in 1536.
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Dorchester |
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Mapledurham Mill |
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Mapledurham
Mapledurham has a recorded history which stretches from the Domesday book to a popular film and tv location of the 21st century. The use of the mill in ‘The Eagle Has Landed' starring Michael Caine is probably the best known, although ‘Inspector Morse’ and ‘Sharpe’ have both used its timeless qualities.
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Introduction
Dorchester
