A Thousand Years of Village History

Richard Mayou (Image- John Cairns)

MUSIC, wine, stories and songs in the village church, will launch the first volume of a book about the history of the village of Shabbington, near Thame, next Friday (December 4).

The richly-illustrated book ‘Shabbington, A Thousand Years of Village History’ recounts the fascinating story of the village and its relationship with Thame, through centuries of momentous events from Domesday to the First World War. The proceeds from sale of the book will go to charity.

Writer Richard Mayou said: “Shabbington fields are full of mysterious lumps and bumps. The church dates back to medieval times, and there are stories of ghostly sightings. The village has been hiding a fascinating history.”

The highly-readable account touches not only on nationally-important events such as the Norman conquest, the Black Death, and the Civil and Napoleonic wars, but brings alive the everyday hardships of villagers in rural poverty, and the manoeuvrings of the wealthy lords and vicars that put their successive stamp on the village down the ages.

A second volume will explore life from 1920 to the present day. The book costs £14.99 and all proceeds will go to the Friends of St Mary Magdalene Church. The book can be bought from The Book House in Thame High Street, and the Thame Museum, and signed copies will be available from the author at the launch party at 7.30pm, at St Mary Magdalene Church, Mill Road, Shabbington.