St. Oswald’s church was originally built by Saxons who lived in the settlement in Lassington. Their village was near Atman’s Farm on the opposite side of the lane. As well as the church there was a small moated rectory for the rector. The stone for building would have been brought by boat and landed on the banks of the Leadon. Travel at that time was easier by water than by road. St. Oswald’s church was closely linked with St. Oswald’s Priory in Gloucester. The Crown and the Church owned most of the land in the country and lassington was owned by the Archbishop of York.