Horley (St. Ethelreda)

HORLEY (St. Ethelreda), a parish, in the union of Banbury, hundred of Bloxham, county of Oxford, 4 miles (N. W.) from Banbury; containing 425 inhabitants. It comprises by admeasurement 1200 acres, about equally divided between arable and pasture land. The living is a vicarage, with that of Horton united, valued in the king's books at £16. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Crown. The church is principally of the 14th century, with a square tower rising from between the chancel and the nave; the west window is of the date of Elizabeth or James: there is a beautiful piscina of early English character. The edifice was repaired in 1841, when 145 free sittings were added. Here is a place of worship for Wesleyans. A free school was endowed by Michael Harding, in the reign of Charles I., with houses and land; the income is £44 per annum.