In 865 AD, a Danish army arrived in Britain, sweeping through the north and leaving destruction in its wake. As they advanced south, Abingdon Abbey was burned to the ground. An artifact from around that time is a decorated Saxon sword known as the Abingdon Sword.

Currently displayed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford on Level 2 (Gallery 41: England 400–1600), among the late Saxon artifacts, the Abingdon Sword is a fine example of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship. The label says:

100. Sword, iron and silver. c. 875, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The blade of the ‘Abingdon Sword’ was produced through a process known as pattern welding, in which strips of iron were twisted together and welded into a pattern that gave the blade added strength. (AN1890.14)

The sword was discovered near Abingdon in 1874 and later acquired by the antiquarian Sir John Evans, who presented it to the Ashmolean in 1890. The Ashmolean holds many artifacts from Abingdon, though few are currently on display. They can be seen online through the museum’s digital collections. Just search ‘Abingdon’.

For those interested in seeing Anglo-Saxon history up close, a visit to Abingdon Museum is worth the climb if you’re able. A replica of the Abingdon Sword is on display. The museum also has a  display case, along with two drawers of Anglo-Saxon artifacts.

One of the most significant discoveries in Abingdon was the large Anglo-Saxon cemetery uncovered in 1934 during the construction of Saxton Road. This burial site revealed many inhumations and cremations, accompanied by grave goods such as weapons, tools, and jewellery.

Deaths and Funerals
Mr. Frederick Knight Couldrey, aged 78, died at his residence, “Oak House,” Ock Street, Abingdon, on Monday. He was a long-time organist at St. Helen’s Church.

Tragic Incidents

Bridge Collapse: Shortly before nine o’clock on Sunday evening, about 30 feet of the balustrade of the stone bridge across the Thames backwater at Culham collapsed, blocking the road leading to Wallingford. The bridge, originally erected in 1416, has been affected by rising river levels. The road between Culham and Abingdon bridges has been underwater for some distance, with a depth reaching several inches. An Automobile Association patrol officer on duty at the Culham end of the bridge at the time of the collapse immediately informed the police and stopped traffic on the road.

Train’s Narrow Escape: Due to the rising Thames, the meadowland around Abingdon was submerged. During the gale on Thursday night, several trees were blown down. One tree was uprooted along the causeway of the Culham Road, blocking traffic until Saturday afternoon. Three trees fell across the Abingdon–Radley railway line, about a mile from Radley. The 8:40 a.m. train from Abingdon on Friday was proceeding slowly along the line when it struck the upper branches of the trees. The door handles along the sides of the train were bent, and a window was smashed. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Runaway Horse: Caleb Steance, a carter employed by the Abingdon Corporation, was driving a cart of manure when the horse suddenly became frightened. In its panic, the animal upset him from his seat, and the wheels of the cart passed over him. The inquest ruled his death accidental, attributing it to the horse being startled.

Seizure While Fishing: Albert Edward George Eggleton, formerly of an epileptic care home in Lingfield, Surrey, returned to his family home at 15 Court 3, West St Helen Street in Abingdon at his father’s request. Against his father’s wishes, and without his knowledge, Albert left the house to go fishing and was later found drowned in the river, likely having fallen in due to a seizure.

Community and Social Events
The Mayor of Abingdon, Mr. J. D. Godfrey, and members of the Corporation attended St. Helen’s Church, where Rev. C. S. Fleet preached.

The Pavlova Athletic Club held a poultry whist drive, with prizes awarded to winners: Mr. G. Denny and Miss Brown.

A New Year’s Eve whist drive and dance at the Corn Exchange saw Miss Patties win the fancy dress for her Victorian maid costume and Mr. W. Stone for “Football Results.”

The Abingdon Polling District Liberal Association hosted a party for 300 children, featuring conjuring by Mr. Norman Chivers and dancing to Mrs. Graham’s band.

The Plasterers Arms Slate Club held its annual dinner, with 44 members attending and songs performed. Membership increased to 71 for the new year.

Legal and Court Proceedings
Children’s Court
An Abingdon lad was summoned for stealing a quantity of eggs, valued at 2s. 6d., the property of Arthur William Parrott of Tythe Farm Cottages, Sutton Wick, near Abingdon. Parrott said he kept his fowl in a meadow at the farmhouse and had an impression that he was losing his eggs from the henhouse, as the number he expected to get was about 14 a day, whereas he had only four or five. He communicated with the police. P.C. Hawes stated that he kept the henhouse under observation and saw the lad visit it and take the eggs. The defendant was bound over for twelve months in the sum of £5.

Borough Bench
Thomas Smith, of Oxford, was fined 7s. 6d., including damages and costs, for maliciously damaging a pane of glass valued at 5s., the property of the Corporation of Abingdon. Defendant pleaded guilty.

Henry Chapman, of Nuneham Courtenay, was summoned for riding a motorcycle with a sidecar without a rear light and fined 10s.

Reginald Claudius Murrell of Sunningwell was charged with breaking into Minnie Ada Hatton’s home and stealing cash, cheques, and goods. A warrant was issued for John Tate, his alleged accomplice.

Miscellaneous
Mrs. Daisy Elizabeth Parsons of the Plasterers’ Arms was granted an extension for a slate club dinner.

Mr. Basil Stuart Mayhead of the Lion Hotel received an extension for the Abingdon Bowling Club’s annual dinner.

Thanks to the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette, North Wilts Herald, Reading Standard, and Gloucestershire Echo from the British Newspaper Archive and to the North Berks Herald microfilm in the library. The photos are from the Reading Standard, and the adverts from the North Berks Herald. Also thanks to ChaptGPT for removing some errors from the text transcript copied from the British Newspaper Archive. (OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com)

This is the bridge I referred to on New Year’s Day as ‘The Abingdon Sword Bridge’. It doesn’t resemble a sword in shape but has a connection to the Abingdon Sword.

The Abingdon Sword, discovered in the River Ock in Abingdon, is now held by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, with a replica on display at the Abingdon Museum. It’s a fine example of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship, believed to have belonged to a prince or wealthy nobleman.

If you step back and view the bridge from the riverbank, you’ll notice its outer panels feature floral or leafy designs, copied from the handle of the sword. The artist Richard Farrington was commissioned to create these special panels when the bridge was erected in 2007 as part of the Thamesview development.

The inside panels of the bridge show creatures. On one side, the central panel shows the four surrounding panels in miniature. These are thought to represent the four gospel writers, traditionally symbolised as:
* Matthew: A man
* Mark: A lion
* Luke: A calf
* John: An eagle

See if you can see which is which.

On the opposite side are creatures (maybe serpents or dragons) intertwined in the knotty way often seen in Anglo Saxon craftwork.

You might also notice padlocks attached to the bridge cables — left as symbols of modern day romantic relationships. There were more padlocks, but some have been removed and new ones added.

This and other art works round Abingdon can be explored using The Abingdon Art Walk, just one of several walks available from the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society. Paper copies can be found in Abingdon Library and the Information Centre.

Last night and this morning, strong winds swirled around Abingdon. They turned to steady rain by about 11 am — the start of the Boundary Walk from Abingdon Market Place. Despite the rain, a group of about 25 people turned out for this historic walk.

Leading the walk were the town crier, the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Gabby Barody, and two town councillors.

In case the weather got worse, the leaders decided to reverse the usual route. That way at least one boundary stone could be seen.

The walk followed the 1556 borough boundary, marked in places by boundary stones. Setting off, walkers first crossed the River Thames, where they saw a boundary stone embossed with an “A” for Abingdon near Abingdon Lock. Tradition called them to beat the stone with sticks to ensure the boundary had not been tampered with.

From there, the group made its way back through the Thames View estate, pausing to discuss landmarks such as the Abingdon Sword Bridge.

The mayor and councillors shared stories along the way. At the stone near John Mason School, they learned that the original stone had been replaced by a parliamentary boundary stone in 1870. There were rumours that the present stone could have been created by John Mason School pupils, as it had no inscription.

Throughout the walk, the town crier rang his bell, inviting people at home to join in. “Step away from watching repeats of Strictly Come Dancing or Wallace and Gromit and come celebrate the boundaries of Abingdon-on-Thames — a far more memorable way to spend the first morning of 2025!” He ended each proclamation with, “God bless Abingdon-on-Thames! God bless the King!”

At Albert Park, the Mayor told the walkers how the charity, Christs Hospital of Abingdon, looked after the Albert Park and as Mayor she serves as a governor of Christs Hospital.

The walk concluded at St. Helen’s Wharf, where about 20 of the original group remained. There, they learned that a chamberlain used to be sent to swim across the river to inspect the stones on the far bank. Nobody volunteered to swim.

Those stones bear both an ‘A’ boundary marker and a parliamentary marker.

By the end of the walk, spirits were high despite everyone being soaked. Some people went for a hot chocolate or coffee; others headed home for a well-earned warm bath. It was a wet but memorable way to welcome in 2025, and honour the heritage of Abingdon-on-Thames.