0 Comments
The above linked article if from the online version of the British magazine entitled 'Country Life' which features an article about the work of Ben Robinson - author and archaeologist - who was born in the picturesque village 'Sutton-in-the-Isle' which is situated just 39 miles southeast of Duddington! Dr Ben Robinson is the author of the new book entitled '‘England's Villages: An Extraordinary Journey Through Time.' In the sample '10' villages included in the article, Duddington is not featured but it is obvious that the author is moving through the areas surrounding Duddington - with both Collyweston (Northamptonshire) and Gainsthorpe (Lincolnshire) being mentioned. THE STUNNING NEW BOOK FROM THE HOST OF BBC 2'S VILLAGES BY THE SEA England's villages have survived, developed, persisted and thrived over hundreds of years. Entirely new villages are still being built today. But when did the first villages appear and why is this form of settlement so enduring and endearing? What makes a village and how has that changed over time? How did village pubs and village halls originate, and why do they matter? Take a charming and unexpected journey through the quirks of England's villages across the ages in the excellent company of Dr Ben Robinson, expert archaeologist. Join him in visiting villages from prehistoric and Roman times, throughout medieval England, to today's urban villages. Discover how landowners, governments and communities have shaped villages, why village greens and ponds exist, and the real meaning behind village names like Bunny, Yelling, Lover, Great Snoring and Slaughter. A compelling study of archaeology, history and architecture, England's Villages is a thoughtful, enlightening and informative look at our oldest homes, uncovering and revealing the extraordinary heritage of the places that surround us. (From the above Advert). Although the photographs associated with this article are stunning - I listened accessed the 'talking-book' version of the above - which is around 12-hours long and deals with the general evolution of human settlement until it becomes focused in the reality of the typically 'quaint' English village. Of course, at this point, I have no way of knowing what photographs exist in this format of this very interesting (academic) book. I will, however, be reading the 'hard-back' edition and will update this post. The first early humans - possibly Homo antecessor - arrived on British soil around 900,000 years ago. Around 2,500 years ago, humans would construct buildings at great effort - and then place a sacred object (such as a shining axe-head) in its centre - before sealing the structure and never using it again! Collections of small clusters of houses did exist around 1,500 in Britain - but as the author states - there were many (and varied) stages of social and cultural evolution that had to be undergone and experienced before the English village emerged.
The above article explains a Neolithic burial mound in the Cotswolds (UK) - the occupants of which represent and extended family deriving form four different women having children with the same single man dating to around 3700-3600 BCE (or around 5700 years from the present time). As the Cotswolds are situated 58 miles North of the Stonehenge site (the construction of which began around 3100 BCE) - it is entirely logical to assume that the descendants of these people planned and /or participated in the designing and building of he stone circle and its environs. Of course, DNA studies alone cannot detect the language an individual spoke. This is because 'language' is a cultural construct that has developed in very different environmental and social conditions, despite language as an ability being part of general human evolution (the human brain developed the ability for 'language' which manifests in a myriad of different and divergent ways in the external world). When the Romans first arrived in Britain around 55 BCE - they encountered various 'Celtic' Tribes with thousands fighting on foot - with their leaders riding on war-chariots the likes of which had not been seen on the ancient battlefield for around a thousand years! The Romans were also aware that there were Celtic Tribes in Britain and France that possessed the same name and which appeared to be 'related'. Furthermore, despite the English Channel lying between the two land-masses - the Romans were aware that the the indigenous populations were in continuous communication (including via boats). Britain was isolated as a landmass, but its people were not 'isolated'. They simply did not have to confront any aggressive incursions from unknown or outside people for probably around a thousand year period. Indeed, the above research suggests that there was a substantial invasion of Britain between 1000-850 BCE - possibly the time the war-chariot were brought to the area.
Dear Adrian I have been researching my ancestors, the WILES family of Ruskington for many years. They were yeoman farmers in the village. Thomas Wiles who married Maria Claricoates are my 3 x Great Grandparents. Maria Wiles, sister of Thomas, married Walter Baldock who was in mamy ways "all things Ruskington." He was landlord of the Shoulder of Mutton Public House in the village. Always good to be in contact with fellow researchers. Robert Turner of Newark, Notts. Dear Richard
Thank you for your very interesting email. Although my research has centred upon Duddington, I am always interested to learn more about other lineages of the 'Wiles' - 'Wyles' surname. As a matter of interest, what is the earliest known example of 'Wiles' in the Ruskington area? Prof. Peter McClure has provided documentary evidence to me (the 'lay subsidy rolls') that a man named 'Wyles' existed in Oundle (situated around 13 miles South of Duddington) as early as 1301. For Duddington at the moment. (this could change if older documents are discovered), the earliest documentary evidence is a tax return for a number of men named 'Wyles' dated as '1523'. I suspect this is a father and a number of sons who have perhaps just entered the area under Henry VIII, although this is a contentious issue that needs more research (obviously, the 1523 tax return is for the Crown of Henry VIII). The next document is a 1588 tax return for a number of 'Wyles' men living in Duddington to be paid to Elizabeth I. The first observable burials in St Mary's Church (Duddington) is of 'Robert Wiles' (1619) and his wife 'Agnus Wiles' (1646). The earlier Oundle and tax returns version of the surname is 'Wyles' with the above graves being 'Wiles'. There is only one other burial spelt 'Wiles' in the graveyard but even this is spelt 'Wyles' in other documents. I would like to see more research into the 'Wiles-Wyles' dichotomy as I think with regards to other (unrelated) geographical areas the use of the name might well be unrelated and a product of a different (ancient) Celtic or Anglo-Saxon origins and linguistic evolutions. Of course, spelling was not 'standardised' in the past as it is today, and I have even seen the name spelt 'Whyles' in Church records - which gives a clue to its pronunciation. Again, yet another area of contention as Scottish researchers have suggested to me that the name should be pronounced 'Wy-les' as in 'Wallace' with this latter name being a modern invention, etc. This narrative feeds into the Viking origination theory (that 'Wyles' = 'Jarls') c, 9th century CE. All these theories date to before the Norman Conquest - but I have no direct evidence that 'Wyles' existed prior to this time (Although I am always seeking the possibility of such evidence). On the other hand, names such as Wills, Wylls, Wiles, Wyles, Willes, Wylles and Willes, Wylles etc, could all be derivatives of 'William' or 'Wilhelm', etc, and possibly be inspired by 'William the Conqueror'. Research as to the historicity of the surname is ongoing. All Best Wishes Adrian Wyles Great Casterton is around 7.8 miles Northeast of Duddington and is situated in the County of Rutland! - whilst 'Little Casterton' is around 7.7. miles in the same direction! Its name is Latin from 'Casterton Magna' (with 'Little Casterton' being 'Casterton Parva'). Therefore, Roman settlement in the area is well-known, but what is not so well-known is the extent of 'slavery' used by the Romans themselves. Although most, if not all manual labour was performed by 'captives' deemed 'slaves', the historical record remains incredibly scant as to proving their presence. The find in Great Casterton finally gives physical evidence of individuaals who lived and died in a state of 'slavery' within the Roman empire! Around 2010, we visited Great Casterton (and Little Casterton) in search of any evidence in the local graveyards of the 'Wyles' family - but could not find any at the time. I always 'link' the original articles through the above photograph - just 'click' to access!
Dear Adrian
I would like to thank you for contacting GenGuide and sharing your fascinating story. I created my website purely for information purposes only, acting as a free guide and resource to those researching their family history. Unfortunately, I am therefore unable to offer any specific help or guidance, apart from entries in GenGuide, For further guidance, I would strongly suggest that you contact local record offices/archives (search under ‘Find an archive’) and especially local family history societies who have expert volunteers with the time and local expertise to help with every aspect of family history research. Many archives and family history societies offer a free look up service but should also have a list of professional local researchers. It’s worth having a chat with a member of staff from the archives or local history society covering the area and see what they suggest. You are obviously an experienced researcher but I always recommend you search for a person in all records for all the main genealogy sites. Ancestry Findmypast My Heritage The Genealogist They all provide free accounts with the facility to search their records but not to see the full record unless you subscribe. If you find anything of relevance you can then visit your local family history centre or archive who would normally have a subscriptions to all but My Heritage. You might also consider contacting the local history society which may have information amongst their various projects about your ancestors. This option is often overlooked but can be incredibly useful in your research. It’s also worth posting your question on genealogy forums and also posting your enquiry on a local or specialist Facebook group. I also always suggest carrying out speculative searches for people in various catalogues and databases such as The National Archives Discovery catalogue, the London, Gazette and the British Newspaper Archive as you never know what might turn up. Don’t forget to also search for the name in the online catalogue for the local record office/archive covering the area where your ancestor lived. Thank you for your interest and hope you solve the mystery of the missing burials. Regards Peter Humphries Rutland is just next-door to Duddington (in fact, I believe that for a time Duddington was once located in Rutland) and it is a place we have traversed in our search for genealogical evidence regardin the 'Wyles' surname! I remember a very old Church the Bible of which described King James as being the 'King of France'! I also remember seeing the surname 'Chappel' used in the area - a surname used by one of my Wyles ancestors as his 'first-name'!
Dear Sir
My family - surnamed 'Wyles' - has lived in Duddington village for over 500 years and probably longer. Although we no longer live there - in 2009 I discovered this connection and have been engaged in a 12-year study of the Church in Duddington - St Mary's - and its graveyard as it contains many of my ancestors. Although I live in Sutton - South London - around twice a year we drive to Duddington and spend the day gathering historical and genealogical data. St Mary's Church and Graveyard St Mary's Church and I have been told, however, that the parish records for pre-1700s Duddington were destroyed by a flood and this lack of records has hindered my research. I have been further informed that there may be duplicate records made for the Bishop that cover births, deaths, marriages and baptisms for the 15th and 16th centuries (and perhaps earlier). If St Mary's still retains its parish chest - I would be very interested to learn if any of its contents refer to my Wyles ancestors. Of course, I have no way of knowing if this information is correct and would be very grateful if your could look into this matter on my behalf. Thank you for your time in this matter. Yours sincerely Adrian Wyles Eydon is a village situated in Northamptonshire located around 52 miles South of Duddington. Within one of its graveyards there is a grave registered for a man named 'Thomas Bull' and dated to 1545. Thomas Bull is described as 'Niger'. Indeed, genuine historical records for the UK contain the details of a stead stream of Africans frequenting these Isles from at least the 15th century onwards - many hired as expert trumpeters employed by the royal court. Although I am not aware of any direct connection, the Wyles paternal DNA is well-known within Eastern Africa! I referenced the quote from the above book and found the story recorded in a local pamphlet written by historians living in Eydon.
'Geology, Generosity and Glimpses… Vol. 10 published May 2017. ISBN 978-0-9957-82402 £5.00 EHRG’s 10th booklet of Research Reports, published in 2017, is entitled ‘Geology, Generosity and Glimpses…’. Geology as it dominated the farming life of the village, as recorded 90 years ago; secondly also raises the question as to why the church font, the oldest relic in the village, is not made from the local sandstone? Generosity chronicles the village’s (mainly Victorian) benefactors, who gave the village a school and several other fine buildings. And Glimpses.. recording lost interiors of the pre-restoration church, and most intriguingly, a glimpse of Eydon’s Black history, about ‘Thomas Bull, niger’, buried in 1545. 70 pages, illustrated, with map and index.' Ruskington Cemetery and Churchyard Burials
Grave 69 WILES, John 1772 – 1827 54 Grave 69 WILES, Ann 1773 – 1854 Probably husband and wife but interesting that there are no more in the area spelt with a 'y' or an 'i'! |
AuthorAdrian Chan-Wyles - Last Male Descendant of the 'Wyles' Family of Duddington! Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|
- Home
- Wyles family of Duddington Facebook
- Wyles Blog
- Duddington: Etymology
- Duddington Land Survey (1984)
- Statement Of Inclusivity (17.7.2019)
- Wyles Family Tree (1301-2016)
- Origins of the Wyles Family of Kings Cliffe
- Deciphering the Wyles Enigma of Duddington
- Etymology: Wyles Family Name
- Wyles Family Portraits
- Kilmurray Clan (Eire)
- 69th South Lincolnshire Regiment
- Duddington Hoard (1994)
- Duddington Church & Graveyard
- Duddington Videos
- Duddington Digest
- Wyles Family Coat of Arms
- Wyles Family Paternal DNA
- Wyles Family Certificates
- Wyles-Wiles Extra Parish Records Data
- Wyles Marriages
- Northamptonshire Record Cards
- Duddington Militia List – 1777
- Wyles Wills & Marriages (1601-1790)
- Wyles Marriages Cambridgeshire (1618-1830)
- Duddington area: Baptisms (1650-1812)
- Duddington area: Baptisms (1813-1843)
- Duddington area: Marriages (1650-1860)
- Duddington area: Burials (1700-1865)
- Duddington Burials (1735-1966)
- Contact
©opyright: Site design, layout & content (2009) Adrian Peter Chan-Wyles. No part of this site (or information contained herein) may be copied, reproduced, duplicated, or otherwise distributed without prior written agreement
from [email protected].
from [email protected].