Oxford Street Southampton - Oxford Street History

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Oxford Street History

Henry II landed in Southampton in 1174, dressed as a pilgrim. He walked to Canterbury in penance for killing the Archbishop, Thomas A. Becket. Canterbury became renowned for miracles and we had an influx of French arriving in Southampton wanting to walk to Canterbury. A very wealthy Norman by the name of Gervase Ia Riche felt sorry for his fellow country man so much so that he purchased the bottom end of town. He had almshouses built and a hospice called Maison Dieu (House of God, Gods House Tower). The lawns laid to the old bowling green (Britains oldest bowling green) and St. Julian’s Church was built and named after the patron saint of pilgrims.

He left it to Richard the Lion Heart, who left it to his brother King John. In 1343 Edward III gave it all to his wife Queen Phillipa to start her new school Queens College Oxford. Which is why we have Oxford Street, College Street, John Street and Queens Park. The bulk of that estate is still owned by Queens College Oxford.

When Richard The Lion Heart was caught in the crusades and held to ransom it was Gervase la Riche that visited him and paid the bulk of the ransom.

Richard The Lion Heart was king for only nine years, of that he only spent 6 months in England and the only Christmas he spent in England was in the royal castle in Southampton. The Three lions of England are Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son Richard the Lion Heart. Of these three, none of them spoke English, they were Normans so spoke French.

Bernard Street was originally Bridge St. Peter and Thomas Bernard paid to have the canal filled in (Canal Walk) which the bridge crossed over.

Latimer Street is named after a protestant bishop Hugh Latimer, burned at the stake in 1555.

61 Oxford Street was the home of Lucia Foster Welch (died March 1940). She was Southampton's first Lady Mayor, councillor alderman and first sheriff. Southampton is the only town in England were the Mayor has the title of Admiral of The Port. So Lucia Foster Welch was England's first Lady Admiral.

Written by Genevieve Bailey

Historical Photographs and descriptions

Royal Mail Lines Office, Terminus Terrace c.1941

This building stands on the corner of Queen's Terrace, Terminus Terrace and Oxford Street. It was originally a hotel called Radley's Hotel, and dates back to the 1840s when George Radley was the owner. The hotel closed in 1907, and the building was taken over by the Royal Mail Lines Shipping Company. The building is now used for general offices, but it is still referred to Royal Mail House. This view shows the Queen's Terrace corner of the building.

Horse drawn tram outside 39 Oxford Street c.1895

An open top horse drawn tram in Oxford Street. Horse drawn trams began operating in Southampton in May 1879. The first route ran from the Floating Bridge via Oxford Street to Portswood. A second route from The Junction to Shirley started shortly afterwards. The tram is standing outside Roles Dining Rooms at no. 39 Oxford Street. Thomas Capon's hairdressers can also be seen behind the tram.

20 - 23 Oxford Street c.1941

Situated on the north east side of Oxford Street, these houses were probably built in the early 1840s . Oxford Street was laid out by property developer George Laishley in the years following 1842. These houses had been built 1845/6. In this photograph the shops shown are G. A. Pratt's booksellers at no. 21-22, F. Smith, nautical instrument makers at no. 23 and Brown & Harrison's Dairy at no 24. The buildings are still being used for retail purposes.

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