'Ralph the Hermit' (11th Century, Piddington/Muswell Hill, Oxfordshire)

At the very top of the list of clergymen below - on display at St Nicholas' Church, Piddington - is a man known only as 'Ralph the Hermit'. Though hardly anything is known about him, Ralph played a very important role in the spiritual history of his small corner of Oxfordshire.

St Nicholas' Church was built by 1309 AD; however, prior to this, Piddington villagers would hike up to the Holy Cross Chapel, perched atop nearby Muswell Hill (situated roughly 1 mile south). The Chapel was established by Ralph by 1152 (most likely earlier, as the date on the list below suggests!). He endowed Muswell - the Chapel included - to Missenden Abbey, who retained it until the mid-12th century, when the estate was divided between the convent of St Frideswide's (Oxford), and a local lord called John de Plescy.

In 1396, the then vicar of Ambrosden (name sadly unknown) was apparently charged with trespassing on land belonging to Muswell, whilst walking back to Ambrosden from the Holy Cross Chapel - this shows that he served both parishes.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536 - 1541), services at the Chapel were restricted to the reigning lord of the manor, his family and servants; parish residents were henceforth only allowed to attend on special holy days.

Over the centuries that followed, Ralph's Chapel was severely neglected, and fell into a state of disrepair. Its ruins were no longer visible by the year 1800

Above: A list of clergymen, displayed at St Nicholas' Church, Piddington. Source: Piddington Village website.