SOMERTON, a parish in the hundred of PLOUGHLEY, county of OXFORD, 3 miles (S. E.) from Deddington, containing 400 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Oxford, rated in the king's books at £15. 1.10., and in the patronage of the Rev. H. Wintle. The church is dedicated to St. James. On the north side of the tower is represented, In stone, our Saviour between two thieves, and over the communion table is a painting (after the manner of L.Da Vinci) of Christ and the Eleven Apostles at the Last Supper. In the churchyard is a handsome stone cross, having on its south side a fine crucifix in basso relievo. The river Cherwell and the Oxford andBirmingham canal pass through the parish. Here was a castle, probably built in the reign of Stephen, as appears from the will of Thomas Fernor, Esq., dated 1580, by which he bequeathed "the castle yard and chapel therein" to his executors, who erected on its site a free school, with a house for the master, and endowed it with £10 per annum, for which about fifteen boys are instructed. There is also a girls' school, endowed by the Countess of Jersey with £20 a year. Some remains of the old mansion of the Fermors still exist, particularly the large western window, which gave light to the grand hall; and very recently an apartment could be traced, termed the Prince's chamber, from its having been once occupied by James II., who, on coming to the crown, granted a charter for a fair at Somerton, which was held in a place now called Broad Pound. There is a powerful petrifying spring in the parish, forming a small cascade.