BESSELSLEIGH, a parish in the hundred of
HORMER, county of BERKS, 5 miles (N.W.) from
Abingdon, containing 130 inhabitants. The living is
a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry of Berks,
and diocese of Salisbury, rated in the king's books
at £4. 17. 3j., and in the patronage of W. J. Lenthall,
Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Lawrence. The
parishioners are entitled to participate in the advantages
of the school at Appleton, endowed by Sir R. Fettiplace.
The old manor-house, formerly the seat of Lenthall,
Speaker of the House of Commons in the Long Parliament,
was pulled down about forty years ago. Cromwell,
who was a frequent visitor here, usually concealed
himself in a room to which the only access was by a
chair let down and drawn up with pullies.