History of Oxford
The city of Oxford has been occupied since Saxon times and was initially known as "Oxenaforda", meaning "Ford of the Ox". The St Frideswide's nunnery was erected in the 8th century and was first mentioned in written records in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 912. St Frideswide is now the patron saint of both the city and the University.
By the 10th century Oxford has developed into an important military frontier town between Mercia and Wessex and was several times raided by Danes.
The prestige of Oxford was confirmed when the city received a Charter from King Henry II granting its citizens the same rights and privilages as those in the capital city.
By the early 20th century Oxford saw rapid industrial growth and an expansion of the population, with the printing and publishing industry becoming well established by 1920. During the 1920's William Morris established the Morris Motor Company in Cowley which by the 1970's employed over 20,000 people. This industrial growth caused the city to be predominantly split into; the University half to the west of Magdalen bridge and the "car town" to the east.
Oxford is now a modern, vibrant and multi-cultural city. The city itself has several twin cities including Bonn in Germany, Grenoble in France and Perm in Russia. Oxford, Michigan, USA is the only on of Oxford's twin cities that is not a University Town.
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