It was bitterly cold as we climbed the steps to the top of the knoll overlooking the centre of the little town of Duffield. Here we found all that remains of the once mighty Duffield Castle.
It is hard to imagine that on this spot, where all there is to be seen is the mixture of modern tarmac and some stones placed there by Victorian antiquarians after archaeological excavations in 1886, stood a castle keep so large that it was, in the 12th century, second only in size to the White Tower at the Tower of London. The administrators of the site say now that it is possibly the third largest medieval keep in England.
It was founded by Henry de Ferrers in the 12th century as a motte and bailey fortress and had a short and turbulent history. It was used as a stronghold by the de Ferrers family when they staged rebellions against not one but two Kings, Henry II and Henry III. It was destroyed in 1266 after a battle which took place close to Chesterfield. The battle happened after the de Montfort rebellion of the previous year. After Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester was killed at the battle of Evesham in 1265 some of the Barons who supported him re-grouped in Derbyshire but were finally defeated and the baronial wars of that era finally ended.
The first castle was destroyed in 1173 but a few years later William de Ferrers had a large stone keep built on the motte which was thirty metres square with walls five metres thick. He also had a huge deep well placed inside the keep. The little mound above is the safety cap over the well.
The bailey has been built over and what is left of the walls of the keep is under protective tarmac.
The site is now managed by the National Trust who are hoping to undertake new archaeological excavations to discover more about the site.
Apparently on previous excavations earlier remains have been found that take this area of the town back even further. Finds from the excavations revealed a pre-Christian burial site and a Romano-British settlement. I'm looking forward to finding out more.
The de Ferrers family owned much land and property across Derbyshire and into Staffordshire including Tutbury Castle which I wrote a post about - here.
The de Ferrers family owned much land and property across Derbyshire and into Staffordshire including Tutbury Castle which I wrote a post about - here.
Wow - who knew? Duffield is just somewhere we drive through on the way to Matlock, or Belper (for George's fish and chips). Thanks for this post. I really should pay more attention to things that are practically on my doorstep.
ReplyDeleteGeorge's Fish and chips must be excellent if you travel to buy them! It is amazing what wonderful things we can find on our doorsteps and what things have happened to change the course of history nearby:)
DeleteHow interesting. I enjoyed this post. I don't think I've ever been to Duffield and hadn't heard about the castle. As I'll be going back to Derby Uni, I might be able to visit one day when I have to travel to Derby just to visit the library or hand in an essay!
ReplyDeleteThere isn't much to see of the castle but there are some views across the town and countryside around - it is quite close to Kedleston Hall, too!
DeleteRosie - this is so interesting! I had never heard of Duffield until receiving mail from a distant cousin regarding family history research to say we have connections with Duffield. What a coincidence as its a place I had planned to visit when I heard the family history news!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda and here's another coincidence, my husband also has family history connections there.
DeleteIt must be exciting to be involved in an excavation like that! It is amazing that so much history lies beneath our feet and that there is so much more yet to discover. x
ReplyDeleteI've never been on an excavation but have handled and listed the finds from one or two in the museums I've worked in and that was fascinating.
DeleteHow interesting. I love exploring unexpected places. Jx
ReplyDeleteIt is a very ordinary place with lots of history behind it:)
DeleteFascinating - as you say, there are layers of history here, so it will be exciting to discover more about the archaeology under these ruins.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy, once you start delving into the history of the place it certainly begins to come to life:)
DeleteThe steps you climbed look quite steep! I like visiting these old places when I can. Mx
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting! Yes they were quite steep but well worth the climb:)
Delete"Wail weeping England, heavy now with woe." From a book I'm browsing weekly(with lots of pictures); one caption reads: "De Montfort, who had a chequered career and died as a traitor, is regarded by many as the father of parliamentary democracy." p123 (The Plantaganet Chronicles, Derek Wilson)
ReplyDeleteHard to imagine officials speaking French in Leicester. I believe it was in the 14th when English became the official language of courts(?). I know my Hellenic history but really fell for Geoffrey Monmouth's writing - which led me to the period you mention here.
Very interesting post; thank you. -T.
It certainly was a most turbulent time in English history. The name of de Montfort is so familiar to me as, coming originally from Leicester, the name is found in streets and buildings around the city. I've just been watching a wonderful series on TV about the 100 Years War of the late 14th early 15th centuries and it seems to be after this that English really started to be used more than French in court circles:)
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