Cowley

"COWLEY, a par. in the hund. of Bullingdon, in the co. of Oxford, 2¼ miles S.E. of Oxford. It was the site of a hospital, founded by Henry I., and subsequently given to Oriel College, Oxford. The village is of considerable extent, and contains the diocesan school. The land is marshy but fertile. In the vicinity is Cowley Temple, the site of a preceptory of the Knights Templars. The living is a perpet. cur. in the dioc. of Oxford, val. £64, in the patron. of Christ Church, Oxford. The church is dedicated to St. James. The Wesleyans have a place of worship, and there are National schools for both sexes." [The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]