Our Village - The History of Duffield
Set in the fertile Derwent Valley at the confluence of the Derwent and Ecclesbourne Rivers, Duffield and the surrounding areas have attracted settlers for many thousands of years.
Iron Age Celtic settlements dating from around 400BC are suggested by some physical evidence and local place names. “Chevin”, the name of a hill dominating the north of the village, stems from the Celtic Language as does the name “Derwent, meaning river abounding with oak trees. There is also a faint sign of Celtic settlement in the form of a mound, which is believed to have been the site of a village from this period. Later visitors include the Romans, following their invasion of Britain in A.D 43. They established a military presence and mined iron ore to the north west of the Village. A Roman road to transport the ore can still be seen crossing the Chevin on its way to join the famous Roman thoroughfare of Ryneld Street. However, the first recorded entrance of the area into history is in the Doomsday survey of 1085, commissioned by William the Conqueror to catalogue his new realm. Duffield (under the name “Duvelle”) is mentioned as being an estate of the De Ferrers family and containing a priest, a church and two mills.
The History of Duffield can best be seen in some of the local buildings, past and present. Of those that no longer exist, the most notable was Duffield Castle. Built by the De Ferrers family in the 12th Century the castle was second only to the Tower of London. Containing a Norman Keep some 31 metres long, with walls 5 metres thick, it was the dominant military building in the area. It had a short and tumultuous history. Twice used by the De Ferrers in rebellion against the crown in the forms of Kings Henry II and III, the castle was destroyed in 1266 following a battle near Chesterfield. Today nothing of the castle remains above ground level. The National Trust administers the castle grounds and the mound upon which the keep was built.
Of the remaining buildings, none demonstrates Duffield ancient past better than St Alkmund's Parish Church. Standing upon the site of the church mentioned in the Doomsday Book, this building possesses the architectural fingerprints of many ages. The Normans put the initial stone structure in place after the invasion of 1066. Since then additions can be seen from the 13th and 14th century, as well as later additions of the Victorian age (most recently a spire). A row of 10 gargoyles, carved by the Norman originators on an external wall can now been seen as an internal feature, as well as the remains of a Norman Font. There is also a carving of King Edward II, who used to hunt in Duffield “Frith” or Royal Forest. Duffield was at the Centre of such a Royal manor until 1634.
Finally we have Duffield Hall, one of the most prominent of the old buildings in Duffield. Due to its profusion of owners, the history of the Hall is hard to trace. Thomas Newton built the initial structure in 1620 as the seat of Duffield Manor. As with the Church, additions and alteration have been made throughout the ages. Most recently (1973), it was saved from demolition by the Derbyshire Building Society and now comprises part of their corporate headquarters.
Whilst the Village has declined in stature since its medieval prime, its position as one of the most prosperous of Derby’s outlying villages was assured by the coming of the railways in 1840. Initially on the Derby to Leeds route (and now partof the Midland Mainline from London to the North ), the railway link assured that Duffield remained an affluent village with excellent transport links.l.
A large expansion took place during the 1960s with the building of new houses in the Meadowvale area and the present village now has a population of approximately 5000
Today, Duffield is part of the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site, of key importance in the Industrial Revolution. As such, it has both contributed to and benefited from the rich history of the area..
If you wish to find out more about the history of Duffield you can read John Bland's account
You can also read :
Duffield in Appletree. A Factual Account of the Ancient Village by G. Hickling
The Derbyshire Village of Duffield by W.R. Watson. Chevin Books
Duffield Derbyshire. Past & Present. Published 2000 AD