"Among the Saxon families who retained their land was one named
Shobington in Bucks. Hearing that the Norman lord was coming to whom
the estate had been gifted by the king, the head of the house armed
his servants and tenants, preparing to do battle for his rights; he
cast up works, which remain to this day in grassy mounds, marking the
sward of the park, and established himself behind them to await the
despoiler's onset.
It was the period when hundreds of herds of wild cattle roamed the
forest lands of Britain, and, failing horses, the Shobingtons
collected a number of bulls, rode forth on them, and routed the
Normans, unused to such cavalry.
William heard of the defeat, and conceived a respect for the brave man
who had caused it; he sent a herald with a safe conduct to the chief,
Shobington, desiring to speak with him. Not many days after, came to
court eight stalwart men riding upon bulls, the father and seven
sons. "If thou wilt leave me my lands, O king," said the old man, "I
will serve thee faithfully as I did the dead Harold." Whereupon the
Conqueror confirmed him in his ownership, and named the family
Bullstrode, instead of Shobington."