DUFFIELD CASTLE. 177 



our surprise, on the contrary, has been that so much waste material 

 still remained. It should be remembered that an army most 

 likely achieved its destruction ; and to thoroughly remove the greater 

 part of the material, in order to ofter no temptation for the re- 

 building of the castle, and still more to impress the Ferrers' tenantry 

 with the complete subversion of their rebel lord, would be a mate- 

 rial part of the scheme. That careful observer and well-known 

 Derbyshire antiquary, Rev. Charles Kerry, believes that the old 

 half of Duffield Bridge is of Henry III.'s time, and that much of 

 the castle stone was used therein. Stone bearing undoubtedly 

 Norman axeing can still be found in various fences and old 

 cottages of the neighbourhood. Moreover, when the lofty bridge 

 over the railway, hard by, was constructed in 1838, those living, 

 who can recollect it, assure us that a good deal of ashlar was 

 uncovered on the east-side of the foundations, and was used in 

 the bridge building. 



Though unfortunately the order for the demolition of Duffield 

 Castle is not extant or not forthcoming, it is well-known how 

 completely the work of castle demolishing was carried out by 

 Henry III., when it was resolved upon, and when he had got forces 

 sufficient for the purpose. The expression, funditus prosiernendo, 

 used in more than one Letter Patent of this reign, to sheriffs when 

 it was desired to level a stronghold, evidently indicates the mode 

 in which Duffield was treated. Not long before the overthrow of 

 the Ferrers, Henry III. resolved on the capture and destruction 

 of the Norman Castles of Bedford and Biham, both described as 

 " very strong places." Both were stiffly defended, but were taken. 

 "Of Biham, no trace remains; of Bedford, a fragment of wall 

 and a mound, reduced almost to a mole-hill, still shows that 

 Henry's work was not done negligently." Instead, therefore, of 

 wondering at the little that is left, we are thankful, for the sake 

 of archaeology and history, that Henry's forces, when in Derby- 

 shire, left us so much of Duffield Castle. 



A very hard stone bullet, about two inches in diameter, was 

 found a few years ago close to Duffield Vicarage, on ground com- 

 manding the castle. AVhen Henry III. issued orders to the 

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