Old Duffield Village, Church, and Castle,
With some Personal Reminiscences.
A Lecture given before the Duffield Branch of the Church of England Men's Society, Dec., 8th., 1921,

Introduction

I have been asked to say something about Duffield - the village, the church, and the castle. But I do not speak as having expert knowledge of history, archaeology, or architecture, though it will be necessary for me to say something on all these subjects. The authorities to whom I have referred are the late Rev. J. C. Cox, LL.D., F.S.A., a well known and eminent archaeologist and writer, who had a very extensive knowledge of Derbyshire antiquities, and who lived for several years in this parish; and my father, who spent, at various times, many days and weeks in the British Museum and the Public Record Office in research among the original records, deeds, rolls, and other documents referring to this ancient and important parish of Duffield. I also propose to try to give you some idea of village life from my own experience of fifty or sixty years ago, and of the changes that have since taken place in Duffield.