Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Duffield Castle
Hob Uid: 313736
Location : Derbyshire Amber Valley Duffield
Grid Ref : SK3434044060
Summary : Duffield castle consists of the remains of a 12th century castle with keep, together with those of the 11th century motte and bailey castle which preceded it, and also part of the remains of a 6th or 7th century Anglian cemetery and a Romano-British settlement which formerly occupied the area. Excavations indicate that the castle was built circa 1080 in earth and timber. This motte and bailey was destroyed in 1173, but in 1177-90 William de Ferrers built a stone keep. Modifications were made after 1250 and in 1266 the castle was demolished. A small medieval building was constructed after the demolition of the castle in the mid 13th century. Scheduled.
More information : [SK 3434 4406] Castle G.T. (Remains of). (1) Duffield Castle when first excavated in 1886 consisted of a motte with the foundations of a massive stone keep; west of these the bailey was defined by two ditches. Since then the site has been engulfed by building development, except for the motte and the keep foundations see plan AO/LP/62/42 which became the property of the National trust. The excavations of 1886 and 1957 suggest that about 1080 an earth and timber motte and bailey castle was erected by Henry de Ferrers(a).This was destroyed in 1173 but in 1177-90 William de Ferrers built a stone keep.(b) After 1250 the outer defences were elaborated and in 1266 the castle was finally demolished. (2) An impressive castle mound constructed on a prominent knoll. It is 4.5 m. high and the knoll is is 12.0 m. Foundations of the keep vary from 0.4 m. to 1.2 m. They have a concrete capping for preservation. Re surveyed at 1/2500. (3) SK 344440. Duffield Castle. The foundations of the Norman keep of the castle of the Ferrers which was razed to the ground in 1266 by Prince Henry, nephew of Henry III. The 2 1/2 acre site was given to the National Trust by the Hon. F. Strutt and Mr. G.H. Strutt in 1899. (4) SK 343441. Duffield Castle. A late 11th century timber keep was replaced by stone in the late 12th century. A dry moat surrounds the motte. Pottery of 3rd-4th century A.D. date was found. (SK 34 SW 6). Listed in survey. (5) SK 343441. Foundations of a large Norman keep, standing on a large low mound; formerly a ditched outer bailey. Listed in survey. (6) SK 344441. Duffield Castle. Scheduled. (7) Remains of Duffield Castle. Footings of walls, now topped with tar, in public open space, the remains of a castle. C12. Demolished 1264. Ancient monument. (8) Scheduled. (9) A single, Saxon, inhumation, probably of a female, was found within the North-West angle of the keep at some time before 1887. It was accompanied by a spindle whorl, amber bead and cruciform brooch. (10) Listed by Cathcart King. (11)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : Ordnance Survey 6" 1955
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : English Heritage Schedule Entry 03/01/1997
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Source Number : 10
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Source Number : 2a
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Page(s) : 118-178
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Source Number : 2b
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Page(s) : 107-112
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : First Ordnance Survey Archaeology Field Investigator 06/12/1966
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : National Trust Properties 1963 p22
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Gazetteer 1980 p 9
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Source Number : 6
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments in England and Wales 3 1978 p 27
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Department of the Environment (Historic Houses Record) Belper Rural District Derbyshire June 1962 p13
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date : 410
Monument Start Date : 43
Monument Type : Settlement
Evidence : Find, Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : C6 or C7
Monument End Date : 699
Monument Start Date : 500
Monument Type : Inhumation
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit, Find

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : c1080
Monument End Date : 1090
Monument Start Date : 1070
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Demolished in 1173
Monument End Date : 1173
Monument Start Date : 1173
Monument Type : Motte And Bailey
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Rebuilt 1177 to 1190
Monument End Date : 1190
Monument Start Date : 1177
Monument Type : Keep
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : c1250 alterations
Monument End Date : 1260
Monument Start Date : 1240
Monument Type : Keep, Gatehouse
Evidence : Ruined Building, Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Demolished in 1266
Monument End Date : 1266
Monument Start Date : 1266
Monument Type : Keep
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : 1266 to 1540
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1266
Monument Type : Building, Post Hole, Midden
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit

Components and Objects:

Period : Roman
Component Monument Type : Settlement
Object Type : ROOF TILE, VESSEL
Object Material : Pottery

Period : Early Medieval
Component Monument Type : Inhumation
Object Type : BROOCH, SPINDLE WHORL, BEAD
Object Material : Amber

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : DR 145
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 23334
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SK 34 SW 4
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1886-01-01
End Date : 1886-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1957-01-01
End Date : 1957-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-12-06
End Date : 1966-12-06

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1998-01-01
End Date : 1999-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2001-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2009-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2010-01-01
End Date : 2010-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 2015-01-01
End Date : 2015-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Duffield Castle