Over Norton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Over Norton
Historical Forms
- Parva Norton' 1213 Cur
- Spitulnorton' a.1217 AD c.1400
- Norton' 1188 P 1278–9 RH
- Caldenorton' c.1217–18 Ipm t.Hy8 Rental
- Ou' Norton, Wolde Norton' 1268 Ass
- Overenorton 1302 Ipm
- Over Norton 1316 FA
- Overnorton 1376 AD
- Coldevuerton 1233 Cl
- Kaldemorton 1237 Fees c.1300
Etymology
'Over north tūn,' earlier 'cold north tūn.' The various prefixes distinguish it, of course, from Chipping Norton. Spitul - is 'hospital.'The priory of Cold Norton was founded in the days of Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, by Avelina, the daughter of Ernulf de Hesding, lord of the manor of Norton in 1086. Bishop Robert de Chesney says that at the presentation of Avelina he has “canonically instituted the priory of the church of St John the Evangelist, the hospital house of Cold Norton, and the Church there built.” The date must have been between 1148 and 1158 (VCH ii, 96). This is the only hospital in Oxfordshire mentioned in the list drawn up about 1200 by Gervase of Canterbury (Opera , Rolls Series, ii, 434).