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Topic: Caudwell's Castle, Oxford (Read 696 times)
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NickyS
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 8
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi, I am doing some family history research on an ancestor of mine, Joseph Caudwell (1809-1893) who was born at Harwell, son of the Caudwell family of Drayton Manor. He was I believe rather an eccentric character who led an interesting life. He was tried for shooting and wounding a man who had been on his property in 1851 but was found not guilty. Following this case, he was tried for perjury for a previous incident of which he was found guilty and transported for 7 years and fined one shilling. He eventually died in Boulogne in France in October 1893. I am interested in finding out more about him, but particularly wondered if anyone knows Oxford well enough to know the building that he had built in 1849. It was originally called "North Hinksey" house, but is now known as Caudwell's Castle and was built on the River Isis. I would love to hear from anyone who knows anything at all about this house or this man. Many thanks. Nicky
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Oxfordshire FHS
RootsChat Member
Posts: 176
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Hello Nicky
I'll have to think about this a little more at the weekend, but for a start, I'm not sure that Caudwell's Castle was at North Hinksey. If you put :-
"Caudwell's Castle" Oxford
into www.google.co.uk
you'll get a Google map that suggests that Caudwell's Castle is at :-
5 Folly Bridge
Oxford
OX1 4LB
An alternative address for the same property seems to be Caudwell's Castle, Wren Island, Folly Bridge, Oxford - which is also on the banks of the River Isis.
You'll also get a photograph of the said property at :-
http://www.cdukes.co.uk/
On another note, you mention transportation. You might want to check for Joseph CAUDWELL in the series of books entitled "Banished ! Sentences of Transportation from Oxfordshire Courts 1787-1867". You can get these from the Oxfordshire FHS bookstall at :-
http://www.ofhs.org.uk/books.html
Does that help ?
Paul Gaskell
Oxfordshire Family History Society
Website : www.ofhs.org.uk
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NickyS
RootsChat Extra
Posts: 8
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi Paul, Thank you for replying to my enquiry about Caudwell's Castle and I shall certainly take a look at the links you mention. Joseph Caudwell's case was an interesting one and although he died in Boulogne in 1893, in the late 1880s he sent letters of appeal to his sentence to the British Government stating that he felt he had been unfairly punished and mentioning that he had been an exile in France for many years. I will certainly take a look at the book that you mention as I have yet to find out where he was transported to, I am assuming it wouldn't have been France. The document at the National Archives on this case is over 50 pages long and I am awaiting an estimate for the cost of copying and sending this to me. Thanks again for your interest. Regards. Nicky
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Eroz
RootsChat Pioneer
Posts: 1
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Hi
I used to live in Cauldwells or Caudwells Castle as it's variously named, a couple of years ago in the flat which has the balcony above the river for 7 years.
I know a bit about the building, which is pretty fragile in my opinion, some probably anecdotal stuff about Joseph Cauldwell which you seem to mostly know already. I was interested in researching the building myself, it was the probable original location of Roger Bacon's Sudy circa C13. 'Bacon's Study' straddled the road with an archway through it where the road passed and was why the bridge is so named. I have seen some books or leaflets which attribute the 'folly' nickname to Caudwells Castle but the name came before the house. Bacon was an alchemist believed by some to have been England's predecessor of Da Vinc, but I could find little about Joseph.
Caudwells fell into disrepair I believe late 20thC and was bought by the person who occupies the bottom flat running the length of the building. I'm not sure I can disclose his name on this forum and will have to go and check the rules. I only joined 20 mins ago in curiosity after seeing your post.
Local rumour has it that the building became a brothel or bordello at some point in the 20thC but I can't find definitive proof of that nor the story that Peter Cushing lived there. More than one famous author does own a flat there now.
If you want to ask me stuff about the building, Wren island (correct, Paul Gaskell, you have found lots of stuff I too will be interested to read) which had about 2 washed up drownees on it and a student suicide by hanging outside my window during the 7 years I was there, please do. The address (right again, P.G):
5 Folly Bridge
Oxford
OX1 4LB
For your info P.G., Nicky - C.Dukes (cover blown so he's ok to name) is Chas Dukes who lived(s) below me, a great bloke and may also know stuff. That photo is mine which I gave him use of for his site, a site which I'd like to see made more of.
The building and J.C. struck me as being scrupulously kept out of guide books and pretty much everything when I was at Cauldwells and I get the impression he had done something, apart from shooting a student, and some of them need more than that in the opinion of many local residents, which put him beyond the pale. That makes him an interesting person.
The council seem intent on destroying Oxford's architectural heritage by attrition so Cauldwells is becoming a kind of architectural oasis (albeit an eccentric one and which I should check the Alice stories for oblique reference to, as Carroll and his protegé would have punted beneath that balcony. Also the famous Wool Shop from Alice is only 100 yds away). The island (technically called an eyot) is in danger of drowning under the stream of slow moving traffic over the bridge and the planned development of the town centre next to it.
Caudwells is also mistakenly called Isis House. That's close, but no cigar.
I suggest a visit, Nicky. The area teems with local interest and is just great for a walk. Knock and ask anyone for Orde, who will definitley be able to tell you loads about the recent history. One of the heads on my balcony may have been a representation of him. I have photos of those which made great Xmas cards.
Pete aka Eroz
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