My father (Peter Desmond Wyles)  was born in Lincolnshire (but not Duddington - but rather Louth I believe) during WWII. His father - Alfred Wyles - was born in West Bromwich (Birmingham) but was a soldier in the British Army at the time and was only temporally based in Lincolnshire. It was his father - Archibald Wyles - who had left Duddington in the early 1900s. As far as we can tell, Alfred never mentioned Duddington to his son - Peter (my father) - and my father only first heard the name "Duddington" when his wife (Diane Wyles) used the genealogical resources available on the internet - to trace the "Wyles" family. We were skeptical at the time - but after our first visits - it was obvious that the Wyles family had lived in Duddington for at least 500-years - and probably much longer. My father lived to 84-years and 1-day. He passed away one-day after his birthday (May 28th). I believe he was just two-years younger than James Wyles who lived throughout the 1700s and into the early 1800s. It is interesting to observe the genetic patterns that manifest within family lineages. My father lived for 84-years (1943-2026), his father lived to 60-years (1916-1976), whilst his father lived to 53/54 (1887-1941). Currently, I am "59-years old" - we shall see! 

NOTE: See "Robert Wyles died the first of November 1682"

​44. Carolus [. . . as in 2] salutem precipimus tibi sicut [.. .
as in 39] quin capias Henricum Wallopp nuper de Dallington miller Carew Saunders nuper de Cold Ashbie in comitatu tuo
generosum Thomam Lapworth nuper de Heyford in comitatu
tuo yoman et Anna [sic] uxorem eius Georgium Poulton nuper de
Desborow in comitatu tuo generosum et Franciscam uxorem eius Robertum Jarvis nuper de eadem husbandman et uxorem eius
Margarettam Elliott nuper de eadem spinster Mariam Grocock nuper de eadem spinster Johannam uxorem Rolandi Campion
20 QUARTER SESSIONS RECORDS Mich.
nuper de eadem clericum Johannem Benson nuper de eadem
husbandman Agnetem Newindon nuper de eadem_ spinster
Johannem Wakelin nuper de eadem husbandman [Willelmum
Freer nuper de Wooddenhoe in comitatu tuo deleted] husbandman
Theophilum Sherman nuper de [eadem deleted] [Waddenhoe']
husbandman Johannem Coles nuper de Pilton husbandman
Edwardum Henson nuper de Titchmersshe in comitatu tuo
husbandman Henricum Odell nuper de eadem husbandman
Margarett Seares nuper de Woodnewton spinster Katerinam Wyles
nuper de Duddington in comitatu tuo spinster Mariam Banner
nuper [de‘] Fotheringhay in comitatu tuo spinster Georgium
Tompson nuper de eadem laborer [inhabitantes de Towcester in
comitatu tuo deleted) Willelmum Hubberd nuper de Abthorpe in
comitatu tuo laborer Samuell Henson nuper de Weston Favell in
comitatu tuo laborer et Georgium Cressey nuper de villa
Northampton’ yeoman Si inventi fuerint in balliua tua Et eos
saluo custodias Ita quod habeas [. . . as mm 10] existunt. Et
habeas [. . . as 1m 3] sexto. (Latin - translated below)

'44. Charles [. . . as in 2] we send you greetings as [.. . as in 39] that you do not take Henry Wallopp, late of Dallington miller Carew Saunders, late of Cold Ashbie in your county gentleman Thomas Lapworth, late of Heyford in your county yeman and Anne [sic] his wife George Poulton, late of Desborow in your county, gentleman and Frances his wife Robert Jarvis, late of the same husbandman and his wife Margaret Elliott, late of the same spinster Mary Grocock, late of the same spinster Joan, wife of Roland Campion 20 QUARTER SESSIONS RECORDS Mich. late of the same clerk John Benson late of the same husbandman Agnes Newindon late of the same_ spinster John Wakelin late of the same husbandman [William Freer late of Wooddenhoe in your county deleted] husbandman Theophilus Sherman late of [the same deleted] [Waddenhoe'] husbandman John Coles late of Pilton husbandman Edward Henson late of Titchmersshe in your county husbandman Henry Odell late of the same husbandman Margaret Seares late of Woodnewton spinster Catherine Wyles late of Duddington in your county spinster Mary Banner late [of‘] Fotheringhay in your county spinster George Thompson late of the same laborer [inhabitants of Towcester in your county deleted) William Hubberd late of Abthorpe in your county laborer Samuell Henson late of Weston Favell in your county laborer and George Cressey late of the town of Northampton’ yeoman If found in your bailiff And I save them to keep So that you have [. . . as mm 10] exist. And you have [. . . as 1m 3] sixth.'

​484. Northampton ss.—The jurors [. . . as in 468] doe present
that William Ireland late of Wellingborrow in the county of
Northampton laborer the thirteenth day of September [1657 as in
470] beinge the Lords day, att the parish church of Thingdon in
the county aforesaid maliciously wilfully and of purpose did molest,
lett, disturbe, disquiett and trouble George Martin clerke beinge a
minister and publicke preacher and then and there, in doeinge and
performeinge the duty of his place, in preachinge to the congregacion
of Thindon aforesaid beinge then and there mett togeather, contrary
to the forme of a statute in that case made and provided, and
against the publique Peace.
Thomas Saby Valentine Mackernes prosecutors
ps [? pleads] not guilty in his owne person. | (Endd.] A trewe bill Sworne in Court ~ 3/1298

​*Lewes Balston of Titchmersh gent. Thomas Fish of Brig- stocke gent. *Robert Wyles of Duddington gent, William Clarke the younger of Loddington gent, p’t Bartholmewe Craddocke of East Farndon gent. pt *Thomas Bletsoe of Bozeat gent.—Sworn. 

​13; JURY LISTS
485. The Names of the Grand Jury impannelled to serve for his
Highnes the Lord Protector and the body of the County
aforesaid at Mich: Sessions 1657.
1 Written above the line.
1657
486.
487.
JURY LISTS
George Burkit of Bugbrooke gent sworn
Thomas Tibbs of Blisworth gent sworn [Robert Wade of Earles Barton gent*]
William Dawkes of Ecton gent sworn
Thomas Wright of Cricke gent sworn
Henry Wyne of Pichly gent
John Smyth of Newnham gent [John Wills of Litchborough gent*] sworn
William Saunderson the younger of Pilton gent sworn
Lewes Balston of Titchmersh gent sworn
Thomas Chapman of Woodford gent sworn [Edward Nethercott of Sibbertoft gent*]
Samuell Tayler of Little Bowden gent
Humfry Cuthbert of Warmington gent sworn
William Watts of Moulton gent sworn
Richard Lambert of Weston Favell gent sworn
Robert Wyles of Duddington gent
John Brasegirdle of Holcott gent sworn —
John Shepard of Darlescott gent
Edward Buncher of Paulerspury gent sworn
Richard Newman of Hethencot gent sworn
Benjamin Lucas of Nortoft gent
John Wilkinson of Duncot gent and
Richard Strickland of Kings Cliffe gent
Francis Warner of Dallington gent sworn
John Maunsell esqr. sheriffe: 3/128

​Wyles, Katherine, 20. Robert, 137, 185

​33. Carolus [. . . as in 2] in balliua tua quin capias Robertum Ragdale nuper de Old in comitatu tuo yoman Willelmum Holte nuper de Wilbarston miller Vincent’ Chapman nuper de Woodford in comitatu tuo yeoman Willelmum Drewry nuper de Ketteringe in comitatu tuo yeoman Alexandrum Childe nuper de Irtlingborowe in comitatu tuo laborer [blank] Peeter de eadem viduam Eustacium Bale nuper de Duddington’ in comitatu tuo laborer, Edwinum Bellamy nuper de Weldon sivor [sc] Walterum Hefford nuper de Yeildinge in comitatu Bedd’ yeoman et Ricardum Dawes nuper de Rothwell in comitatu tuo yeoman. Si inventi fuerint in balliua tua. Et eos saluo custodias Ita quod habeas [. . . as in Io] existunt. Et habeas [. . . as in 3] sexto. (Latin translated below)

'33. Charles [. . . as in 2] in your bailiff's office, do not seize Robert Ragdale, lately of Old in your county, yeoman, William Holte, lately of Wilbarston miller, Vincent Chapman, lately of Woodford in your county, yeoman, William Drewry, lately of Kettering in your county, yeoman, Alexander Childe, lately of Irtlingborowe in your county, laborer [blank], Peter of the same, widow, Eustace Bale, lately of Duddington in your county, laborer, Edwin Bellamy, lately of Weldon, sivor [sc], Walter Hefford, lately of Yeildinge in your county, yeoman, and Richard Dawes, lately of Rothwell in your county, yeoman. If they are found in your bailiff's office. And you shall keep them safe So that you have [. . . as in Io] existing. And you shall have [. . . as in 3] sixth.'

550. igth September 1657 before John Norton esq.; Walliam Morris alias Birkett of Duddington yeoman, in 201. ; Thomas Prior and Robert Wise both of the same, husbandmen, in rol. each. Thomas Lambert of Nassington labourer also bound as surety in rol. “to testifye his knowledge in ye condicion endorsed.” “John Norton ” Condition: To appear and to answer “ the begetting a bastard child on ye body of Anne Key of Duddington singlewoman ”’ and to be of the good behaviour. [See 557.] ““ Appeared and discharged ”’ 4/59

​4. INFORMATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS
557. [1] Northampton ss.—The Examination of Anne Key late
servant to William Morris alias Birkett of Duddington in ye
county of Northampton singlewoman taken upon oath the
14th day of September 1657. before John Norton esq. justice
of ye Peace, etc.
Who sayth that she is with child and that the said William Morris
alias Birkett her master did begett the same on her body, and sayth
that the first he had the carnall knowledge of her body, was about
a moneth before Easter last past, in the servants chamber, about
seaven or eight of ye clock in ye morneing, and that about May day
last past in the same chamber, about tenne of the clock in the
morneing, the said William Morris alias Birkett had againe the like carnall knowledge of her body ; and the last time he had the carnall
knowledge of her body was about the beginning of June last past
1657/8 INFORMATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS 213
in the chamber aforesaid, about five or six of the clock in ye morning, and that noebody else but the said William Morris alias Birkett had the like carnall knowledge of her body, and further sayth not.
[2] The Examinacion of the said William Morris alias Birkett taken
the 19th of September 1657. before Jo: Norton esqr. justice
of ye Peace etc.
Who being examined whether he had not the carnall knowledge
of the body of the said Anne Key, about a moneth before Easter
last past, as also about May day last past, as he is accused with by
the said Anne Key, denyeth the same, but confesseth that about the beginning of June last past, he was in his manns chamber to » dresse up wheate for the mill, and that he did putt up her coates
as she lay upon the bedd in the chamber, and denyeth that he hath
had any thing else to doe with her at any time, and further sayth
not,
[3] The Information of Thomas Lambert servant to the said William
Morris alias Birkett taken upon oath the 29th. day of September 1657, as aboue.
Who sayth that the beginning of June last past, he goeing into
his chamber where he lodged, betweene five and six of the clock
in ye morneing, he did see his master William Morris alias Birkett
upon his mayd the said Anne Key, with his breeches halfe downe
between her leggs, and this informant said here is good doeings,
her cloathes being up, and soe this informant stepped out of his
chamber, but whether they heard him or not this informant cannot
tell, and further sayth not.
Taken before me “ John Norton ”’ 4/66 [See 550.]
558. Memorandum. 

​WILLYBROOK HUNDRED.
Apethorpe, King’s Cliffe, Collyweston, Cotterstock, Duddington,
Easton, Fotheringay, Glapthorne, Lutton, Nassington, Southwick,
Tansor, Woodnewton, Yarwell.

11. JURY LISTS
349. Northampton ss.—The names of the jurors who are to enquire for his Highnes the Lord Protector of the Common _ wealth of England etc. for the body of the county aforesaid
Richard Flude Richard Sprigs John Smyth John Eile Richard Marriott Thomas Howes Richard Harris Daniell Harris Anthony Curtis Yate Pargitor Henry Bullock
1 An old form of disdain. See N.E.D.
2 This is written above the line.
1657 JURY LISTS 137
John Henson John Ladd Lewes Balston Robert Wiles Tho: Bletsoe John Brasegirdle and William Shepard—gentlemen.
John Maunsell esqr. Sheriffe 2/108
350. Northampton ss.—!The names of the jurors who are to enquire for his Highnes the Lord Protector of the Common wealth of England etc. for the body of the county aforesaid

Whilst exploring the Green Lane running behind the East-side of the houses along the High Street of Duddington on the 30.10.2025 - I noticed that the first house opposite the village Green (Corringham) was "empty" and apparently in the early stages of refurbishment and/or renovation - with no barriers around the windows or across the glass. I filmed through the clear-glass windows for reasons of exploration and historical record. As can be seen - no one was present (no privacy was violated) - indeed, it looks like no one has been present for some time.

As I walked through the High Street of Duddington village on the morning of the 30th of October, 2025 - a Thursday - I encountered a number of displays for Halloween!

After examining a satellite photograph of the Duddington area (we were looking for any clues leading to the locating of the Duddington "Royal Observer Corps" structure - and the identity of what we now know to be the "Old Butcher's Shop") Gee identified what looked like a pathway heading North-South and running immediately behind the village housing situated on the East-side of the settlement. Perhaps if villagers wanted to move about between one another's dwellings - and keep it more or less "quiet" - they would avoid the High Street to the West and instead move around out of the sight of the general public. This might well be a very "English" notion of "privacy" - but it is a concept that everyone in the UK will be familiar with. Like in many Asian countries, and being an island nation, we are taught to turn a blind-eye to many things that we might (or minght not) see. For Main Stie Article - CLICK HERE

We visited Duddington around 12:30 pm on Sunday October 26th, 2025. As UK clocks had switched from BST to GMT the night before - we had an extra hour to play with. As matters stood, the temperatures had plummeted to around 4 degrees Celsius - and there was a light for persistent drizzle. We were here because Gee had notice from satellite images of the area that Duddington possessed two pathways running North-South - that exist "behind" East-side of the village that a) we had never explored - or b) even knew existed! Well, this visited was designed to remedy this omission in our research! Gee, Kai-Lin and myself carried-out this data-gathering exercise. I suspect the two-paths - this unnamed path we are referring to as the "Royal Oak Path" (as it runs immediately adjacent to this building at its beginning-end) - and the "Green Lane" (which will be featured separately on this blog) - used to both meet "in the middle" as it where (behind the houses). Today, both paths run for about a hundred yards - before gates and fences are encountered. It seems that what was once publicly accessible pathway has now been incorporated into privately owned gardens and farm-land - the latter used to graze sheep. As a consequence, the Royal Oak Path runs for about one hundred yards parallel to the South boundary of the village - and becomes cordoned-off prior to its direction turning Northward and running down behind the houses. We know this primarily due to the satellite photographs of the area - where the original direction of these paths can still be ascertained in the markings left in the landscape. Villagers used to use these pathways to move about the village whilst avoiding the Main Street or High Street. For Main Site Article - CLICK HERE

We visited Tixover on Sunday 26th October, 2025 - around 1 pm. The clocks have just changed so the UK is now back on GMT. We are staying in Market Overton for five-days (25.10.2025-3010.2025) - sponsored by Diane Wyles. Tixover Lodge is a working farm with about ten houses attached. Perhaps it is a hamlet - but the road into the place - just over the bridge at the West-end of Duddington, literally runs-out into a dirt-track where St Luke in the Field Church is located. This is a church built on a field surrounded by a rectangular stone-wall. We last visited around 2009 (but we seem not to have photographed or filmed) as a small number of "Wyles" people have either lived here - or married someone from here. I think there are two adjacent places similarly named just up the road as "Tixover Grange" and *Tixover Lodge" - the former I think is a small row of houses (I have a dim memory of visiting some time ago). 

When we visited around 2009 - we had to acquire the church-key from the local farm. At that time, the church appeared to be locked. However, upon this visit in 2025, a sign on the church-door stated that the church is always open during day-light hours. Perhaps so few people visit - or when we visited - it was a time of year when few people visit. Even today - I think many might be put-off by the rather rustic nature of the dirt-track - as any approaching vehicle would require a stout suspension. The inside of the St Luke's Church is very simplistic and austere - what would be expected from a "Protestant" church following the stripping of the altars in the early 1500s. The attitude of the Anglican Church is that simplicity - free of the clutter of Papism - allows the average practitioner to commune with their "god" in a more direct manner.

I was surprised to see this level of destruction in this beautiful and usually sedate village (in the High Street between Todd's Hill and Todd's Barn) - but of course - I do not live their today despite my ancestors being present in the place over the last four or five-hundred years (and perhaps longer). Over the week between July 26th - August 2 (2025) - we visited the village of Duddington many times as a matter of historical and genealogical research. In many ways - this was a pivotal time that has added substantial data to our records. I have emailed the building company involved (with no reply) - and have also emailed the Planning Department of the North Northants Council - again, with no reply. Of course, the owners of the property can do what they want - just as we are free to report on it. We can only hope that something good will come from it all.

Author’s Note: Our collective research has now been ongoing since 2009 and has traversed 16-years of gather experience, understanding, and information. What follows below is a vital step-forward in dermining to history of the Duddington building being discussed – but further work is required in this endeavour. I will write to the owners of the building – “Duddington Estates Limited - The Estates Office, The Manor, High Street, Duddington, Stamford PE9 3QE” – and see if any more historical data can be gleamed from those who manage this propery. Still, as matters stand, our latest success can be enjoyed through this post! ACW (2.9.2025)

When we first visited Duddington in 2009 – we noticed (and photographed) this quaint little cottage. We have photographed this building many times since – and have tried to capture the name-plaque as clearly as possible. For research purposes – we have always referred to this building as the “Wyles Cottage” (and have assuned that one “John Wyles” built this structure in “1745” – hence the name-plaque) – but due to the lack of a street-number or address name, we were unable to properly identify its postal-address. This changed this year, when armed with experience and a new-found determinational, we followed this path of research enquiry:

1) Royal Mail Address Manage Unit - AMU: address.management@royalmail.com

2) Street Naming and Numbering Officer - Development Management – Kettering, Thrapston & Wellingborough Areas - North Northamptonshire Council - Bowling Green R oad, Kettering, Northants NN15 7QX - T: 0300 126 3000 | DD: 01536 805739 - Twitter: @NNorthantsC - Facebook: @NorthNorthants - Web: www.northnorthants.gov.uk – Email: streetnamingandnumbering@westnorthants.gov.u

3) Gov.UK - HM Land Registry portal: request historical copies - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-portal-request-historical-copie

​This is how we discovered that the “Wyles Cottage” is in fact the following property situated on the High Street of Duddington – located between “Woodview” (to the right) and “4 High Street” (to the left) when we acquired the “Title Deeds” and “Title Plan” from the Land Registry:

​The Old Butchers Shop, High Street, Duddington, Stamford, PE9 3QE

​This information was issued to us in three-parts:

Register Summary
A: Property Register
B: Proprietorship Register

This official data reads as follows:

​​Registered Summary
Title number      NN322480
Registered owners        
Duddington Estates Limited
The Estates Office, The Manor, High Street, Duddington, Stamford PE9 3QE
Last sold for      £525,000 on 15 March 2017

​A: Property Register
This register describes the land and estates comprised in this title.
Entry Number:  Entry Date:        
1             1998-05-13       NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE The Freehold land shown edged with red on the plan of the above title filed at the Registry and being The Old Butchers Shop, High Street, Duddington, Stamford (PE9 3QE).
2             2014-03-10       The land has the benefit of the rights granted by but is subject to the rights reserved by a Transfer of the land in this title dated 28 February 2014 made between (1) Adam Charles Farnsworth and Gareth Royston Williams and (2) John Frank Bailey and Janet Muriel Bailey. ¬NOTE:-Copy filed.
3             2014-03-10       The Transfer dated 28 February 2014 referred to above contains a provision as to light or air and a provision excluding the operation of section 62 of the Law of Property Act 1925 as therein mentioned.

B: Proprietorship Register
This register specifies the class of title and identifies the owner. It contains any entries that affect the right of disposal.
Class of Title: Title Absolute
Entry Number   Entry Date         
1             2017-04-18       PROPRIETOR: DUDDINGTON ESTATES LIMITED (Co. Regn. No. 09801437) of The Estates Office, The Manor, High Street, Duddington, Stamford PE9 3QE.
2             2017-04-18       The price stated to have been paid on 15 March 2017 for the land in this title and in title NN346256 was £525,000.

​The term "Sexton" traces its meaning back to the medieval Latin root of “sacristanus” - which means "Custodian of Sacred Objects". A Sexton is a Church official who looks after the main Church building and its graveyard. A Sexton may also act as a gravedigger and bell ringer. The Old French “Segrestien” (Secrestein) evolved into the Middle English “Sexteyn”. The word “Sexton” describes an “Officer” of the Church responsible for the care of the Church proper (including all the interior sacred objects), as well as all the associated Church buildings. This usually includes the “act” and “procedure” of digging graves – which must be located in the correct place in the Churchyard, and dug in the appropriate manner. The Sexton may not dig the graves (although in areas of small congregations and populations – he may act in this capacity) – but rather hires the appropriate and reliable labourers to perform this arduous but delicate task. The Sexton is responsible for maintaining the appropriate levels of ritualistic “respect” throughout all Church sctivities. 

​1325–An officer responsible for a Church and its property, and for tasks relating to its maintenance or management; (in early use) spec. = sacrist n. 1; (in later use chiefly) an officer of a parish Church whose responsibilities have traditionally included bell-ringing and grave-digging. The sense of "custodian and janitor of a Church" had emerged by 1580s. The Sexton not only prepares graves - but is often required to “attend” funerals.

​Although the office is typically held by a man - women have been designated sextons since the medieval period.

​From Old French Segrestien, from Medieval Latin Sacristanus, premised upon Latin “Sacer” (“Sacred”). Doublet of Sacristan.

​References: