The History of the three parishes of Kidlington, Yarnton and Begbroke, now put before the public, is the result of several years of thought and research, undertaken in the hope of interesting others in a work which has given much genuine pleasure to the author.<br><br>This part of Oxfordshire is happy in its associations, whether in regard to the general history of our country, in its connexion with the wealthiest abbeys of the kingdom, its contiguity to the several royal residences in the neighbourhood, or in its vicinity to the University of Oxford.<br><br>From each of these points of view much interest may arise; and from the whole, when brought together, the aspect of our villages may derive an importance little thought of by the casual passer-by.<br><br>The authorities and sources of information from which these notes have been compiled are fully acknowledged in the text; but to the living references, who have so kindly and ungrudgingly given their help, the author most gratefully offers her thanks.