Kearsley's Traveller's Entertaining Guide Through Great Britain (1803):
Woodstock, is a small market town, governed by a corporation. It has a manufacture of gloves and of steel chains for watches and other articles of polished steel. Adjoining on the l. is Blenheim-park , a noble palace of the dukes of Marlborough. King Ethelred is said to have called a council here , and Alfred the Great to have translated "Boethius de Consolatio Philosophiae" at this place. Here was a magnificent royal palace which was the favourite retreat of several kings of England at different periods till the reign of Charles the First when, during the civil commotions, it was reduced almost to ruins. It was not, however entirely demolished till after the building of Blenheim, when every trace of the ancient edifice was removed and two elm trees were planted on its seite. Henry the First beautified this palace and here resided the beautiful and unfortunate Rosamond the mistress of Henry the Second for whom that prince is said to have contrived a labyrinth by which her romantic retreat (placed by tradition near the spring that still bears her name in Blenheim-park) might communicate with the palace, and prevent any surprise from the jealousy of the queen. Edmund the second son of Edward I who was born at this palace was hence called Edmund of Woodstock; as well as Edward, eldest son of Edward III, commonly known by the name of the Black prince, Chaucer the father of English poetry was born, lived and died at Woodstock. The princess, afterwards queen Elizabeth, was confined at Woodstock by her sister, queen Mary and her life was once in the most imminent danger from a fire which broke out under the room where she slept. Here is now a fine palace built in memory of the victory obtained by the duke of Marlborough over the French and Bravarians in August 1704. Three miles on the r. of Woodstock is Tackley-park, Sir J.W.S.Gardiner. Two miles beyond is Rowsham, Sir C. Cottrel Dormer.
Inn:Bear, Marlborough Arms.
Use the "Show me" link to locate Blenheim on the map. You may need to scroll down to see Blenheim highlighted.
Chapter 42 