Saxton, North Yorkshire
Village in North Yorkshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saxton is a village in the civil parish of Saxton with Scarthingwell, in North Yorkshire, England, 14 miles (23 km) south-west of York[1] and 12 miles (19 km) east of Leeds. The resident population is about 250. The closest town is Tadcaster.
| Saxton | |
|---|---|
| |
.svg)  Saxton Location within North Yorkshire | |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Tadcaster |
| Postcode district | LS24 |
| Dialling code | 01937 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
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Saxton is home to an Anglican church, a primary school, a village hall, the Greyhound public house which is owned and operated by Samuel Smith Old Brewery and a cricket club.
History
The place-name 'Saxton' is attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Saxtun.[2] This is from the Old English Seax-tūn, meaning 'town or settlement of the Saxons'.[3]
A motte and bailey castle was built at Saxton. The medieval manor house that replaced the castle was demolished in the early-19th century but some earthworks of the castle's bailey and the motte survive.[4]
All Saints' Church, Saxton is a grade I listed structure which dates to the 11th century.[5] Some bodies of those who were killed in the Battle of Towton were buried in the churchyard.[6] The men who gave their lives in the First World War are remembered on the War Memorial outside the church and a plaque inside the church.
The Battle of Towton was fought just north of the village.[6]
The village was historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974.[7] From 1974 to 2023 it was part of the Selby District, it is now administered by the unitary North Yorkshire Council.
