Page 4 - cn - fg -The nature of Blenheim - studio curated 05-02-2024

The Nature of Blenheim

The Flow of History.

This exhibition considers the existence of the river Glyme , the confluence of the river Evenlode and to the history
that has unfolded on their respective river banks.

Out from the Cotswold hills, the river Glyme’s source rises east of Chipping Norton and flows through rural
villages to Woodstock Blenheim. The river Evenlode rises south of Moreton in the Marsh and its course meanders

through villages such as Kingham, Evenlode and onto its confluence with the Glyme at Bladon until eventually

joining the Thames.
The oldest of Royal residences were at Woodstock and were held by Saxon Monarchs as a hunting lodge and later

by the Normans. The Normans favoured the location as Woodstock was within the ancient Royal Forest of
Wychwood {Woodstock was derived from an old word meaning a place in the woods}. This area was a favoured
area for hunting being a favourite pastime of Norman Nobility.

Henry I bounded the park with raised fencing. Henry II created and founded a new borough of Woodstock to
accommodate his household. From Henry I through to Henry VI, the manor was developed into a spread of halls,
chapels, courtyards and outer gardens. It was at Woodstock that the legendary romantic association between Henry
II and the Noble Lady Jane Clifford ; known as ‘Fair Rosamund’; unbeknown to Henry II’s wife Queen Eleonor of

Aquitaine until later in Henry’s reign .