User:LivingInMediocrity/History of Dudley

Middle ages
The modern-day town of Dudley dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, where it existed as a small village at the foot of Castle Hill. The name 'Dudley' comes from the Old English Duddan Lēah, meaning Duddah's woodland clearing; Duddah is believed to have been a Saxon lord who owned the estate and fortifications on the site of the present-day Dudley Castle. Believed to have originally been called 'Upton' or 'Overton', to distinguish it from the nearby 'Netherton' (Old English meaning lower farm), the name 'Dudley' had already taken precedence by the time of the Norman Conquest.

Following an unsuccessful rebellion against the invading Norman forces by Edwin of Mercia in 1070, the region of Mercia was divided between King William's followers, with the Dudley estate being granted to the Norman Lord Ansculf de Picquigny, who constructed the first motte-and-bailey castle on the Castle Hill site. The castle is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by William Fitz-Ansculf, the son of de Picquigny.

The castle was re-fortified in stone in the 12th century, at which time the town was besieged by King Stephen during The Anarchy. Though the castle survived the conflict, it was later partially demolished under the orders of King Henry II after an unsuccessful rebellion