17S DUFFIELD CASTLE. 



Sheriffs of the Midlands to provide and forward material of war 

 for the attack on the castles of Bedford and Biham, part of his 

 directions were to place quarrymen under requisition for the 

 dressing of stone bullets. 



Here must end our notes on Dufheld Castle, and on the site so 

 rich in interest. The absolute historical facts respecting the 

 castle are very meagre, but that is a matter that will surprise none 

 who have ever tried to search for documentary evidence prior to 

 the time of Henry III. ; and it must also be remembered that it 

 was a baronial and not a royal castle, and hence obtained little or 

 no notice in the Public Records. The contemporary Derbyshire 

 castles of Horsley. Bolsover, and the Peak, were far smaller and 

 of much less importance than Duffield, but they find a place, 

 brief though it be, in not a few of the earliest National Records, 

 for they were repaired at the nation's expense, and were governed 

 by castellans appointed by the Crown. 



If, however, there is but little hope of further discoveries 

 pertaining to Duffield from parchment rolls or charters, there 

 surely is yet lying concealed within the castle-field much of yet 

 older interest, which the generous enthusiasm of Derbyshire men 

 can hardly suffer to remain dormant, when so much has already 

 been gained by partial investigation. 



