Oxford Place

   By London Stone. In Waibrook Ward, on the north side of St. Swithin's Church and Churchyard (S. 225).

   Sir Robert Aguylun gave to the Priory of Tortinton his mansion in the parish of St. Swythun together with the courtyard, garden, etc., in 1285-6, and the patronage of the church (Ct. H.W. I. 75).

   Sharpe says this was afterwards known as the prior of Tortington's Inn, and having subsequently passed into the hands of the Earls of Oxford as " Oxford Place by London Stone" (ib.). After the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII. granted it to John de Vere, earl of Oxford, 1539 (L. and P. H. VIII. XIV. 1192 (8).

   In Stow's time it was still one house and garden occupied by Sir John Hart, Alderman, Mayor 1589-90.

   Anne daughter of Sir John Hart married Humphrey Smith, Alderman, who was living at Oxford Place in 1633 (S. Ed. 1633, p.243).

   In 1641 the Salters' Company purchased the great house called "London Stone" or "Oxford House" of Captain George Smith (Herbert, II. 561). (Stow, ed. Kingsford. II. p.316).

   This places Oxford House on the site of the dwelling house of Henry filius Eylwini de Londene-stane, first mayor of London, 1188 (Lib. de Antiq. Leg. 1 and 3). He died about 1212-13. His granddaughter Joan (ib. ix.-xi. and lxxiv.-lxxvi. ) married William Aguylun, and it was by this means that Henry Fitz Aylwin's house passed into the hands of that family.

   The site is now occupied by Oxford Court, Salters' Hall, etc. (q.v.).