BLENHEIM-PARK, a district (extra-parochial),
within the liberty of OXFORD, though locally in the
hundred of Wootton, county of OXFORD, containing
90 inhabitants. Blenheim castle was founded in 1704
pursuant to a parliamentary grant of £500,000, to be
expended in raising the structure, and laying out the
grounds, which, together with the honour of Woodstock,
were bestowed on John, Duke of Marlborough, in
testimony of national gratitude for his brilliant military
and diplomatic services. The house was built from a
design by Sir John Vanbrugh, and was called Blenheim
from a village of that name on the banks of the Danube,
near which this illustrious general obtained a signal
victory over the French and Bavarians, on the 2nd of
August, 1704, on which day annually, the inheritors of
his Grace's honours and titles render at Windsor one
standard, or colours, with three fleurs-de-lis painted
thereon, as an acquittance for all manner of rents, suits,
and services. It has all the appendages of a first-rate
mansion, and the grounds and gardens are disposed
with the most refined taste, and princely magnificence.
The Roman road Akeman-street passes through the
northern part of the park, being distinctly visible near
the north lodge; and a little to the right of it, in the
parish of Stonesfield, remains of Roman buildings were
discovered in 1711 and 1779, and, a little further on,
of a Roman villa, in 1813. For the early national
events which took place at the old manor-house, see
WOODSTOCK.