The first record of Henley from 1179, when it is recorded that King Henry II
"had bought land for the making of buildings". King John granted the
manor of Benson and the town and manor of Henley to Robert Harcourt in 1199. A
church at Henley is first mentioned in 1204. In 1205 the town received a
paviage grant, and in 1234 the bridge is first mentioned. In 1278 Henley is
described as a hamlet of Benson with a chapel. The street plan was probably
established by the end of the 13th century.
As a demesne of the crown it was granted in 1337 to John de Molyns, whose
family held it for about 250 years. It is said
