Chastleton house is a fine old Jacobean house which stands five miles northwest of Chipping Norton. It was built by Walter Jones who was a very wealthy wool merchant of Witney, between the years 1603 and 1618. The house remains virtually unchanged today.

One of the most exciting nights in the house'a history occurred during the ownership of Henry Jones (Walter's son) whose son, Arthur had fought for Charles II at the battle of Worcester. When Charles II's army broke up in disarray they were pursued ruthlessly by the parliamentary army all hoping to catch the malignant Charles Stuart.

Arthur Jones rode fast for Chastleton and no doubt he breathed a sigh of relief as he rode through the gates of Chastleton. He quickly stabled his tired horse and was welcomed home by his thankful wife Sarah, who quickly had a meal prepared for her husband.

The meal was soon interrupted by the sound of horses' hoofs in the courtyard. Arthur Jones realised he had been followed and hurriedly made his way upstairs to a secret room concealed behind rich tapestries. Arthur hidden, Sarah opened the door where a party of soldiers stood. They demanded to see the cavalier whose tired horse rested in the stables.

They hoped to find Charles Stuart but failing that they'd be happy with Arthur Jones known for his royalist sympathies. The soldiers insisted on searching the house and lucky for Arthur Jones they failed to find him. It was getting late and the soldiers demanded food and lodging for the night. Sarah obediently served them supper in the great hall. Unfortunately when the soldiers retired for the night they chose to sleep in the room in which the secret door to Arthur's hiding place was.

Sarah terrified her husband would be discovered quickly thought on a plan to help her husband escape. She fixed the soldiers a large jug of ale laced with laudanum and took it to the soldiers as a nightcap. Sarah then waited until she was sure the soldiers were asleep then creeping quietly into the room where the soldiers snored peacefully released her husband from his hiding place. Then he quickly saddled one of his enemies horses and rode away to another secret place.

The estate was heavily fined for the part Arthur Jones had played at Worcester and because of his escape. After two years of hiding Arthur Jones returned home and lived peacefully until Charles II was restored in 1660.

Arthur commemorated the night of his escape by planting an oak tree in the grounds of Chastleton house.

Chastleton house today still retains its atmosphere. The secret room where Arthur hid can still be seen though slightly altered. The house is very secluded and if you have a good imagination you can imagine Arthur's plight as the roundhead soldiers' horses' hoofs galloped into the courtyard. Well worth a visit.

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