Special Sub-Topic: Derby Through the Ages Click Here To Play: Derby Through the Ages

Although it has never been proven, rumour has it that there was once a castle in Derby, but where?

Cockpit Hill. The Saxon Chronicle tells us that the Danes once built a castle and that it was stormed and taken over by Ethelfleda c. 945. It is likely that it would have been made out of timber rather than stone which would explain why no trace of it has been found.

In 1556 a poor blind woman by the name of Joan Waste suffered a terrible death for her faith. How was she executed?

Burnt at the stake. Joan was executed during the reign of Queen Mary I by being burnt at the Stake for refusing to convert to the Roman Catholic faith.

The Church of St Michael, Derby, has a very unusual graveyard. What is unusual about it?

Many of the bodies are buried vertically. During the 14th century Derby was hard hit by the plague, and so many people died they were buried vertically. Anybody walking along what is now St Peter's Churchyard will walk over the top of graves.

Evidence has been found of Roman occupation in Derby. What was the area known as?

Little Chester. Evidence suggests that the Romens built a stronghold at Little Chester and there may have been a small fort. It would have guarded the road from Nottingham.

Entering Derby from the north there was until 1967 a very large church dedicated to which of these saints?

Alkmund. Not much is known of the early St Alkmund's Church but there is thought to have been a Church on the spot since around the year 800. The modern St Alkmund's was sadly destoryed by the local council in 1967 to build the Derby Inner Ring Road.

A community of Jews lived in Derby in the 13th century, but as in most towns the area where they were allowed to live was strictly controlled. What was the original name of the place where they lived in Derby?

Jewry Street. The original name was Jewry Street. In the 13th century it would have been on the edge of the town and not a healthy place to live. It was subsequently changed to Jury Street, in part because the original courthouse was close by. (Moreover, in 1290 Edward I expelled the Jews from England).

In 1601 the tower of St Werburgh's Church collapsed. What caused this?

Floods undermined the foundations. Markeaton Brook used to flood regularly and eventually it undermined the foundations of many buildings along the route include St Werburgh's causing the tower to collapse.

On his march to claim the throne Bonnie Prince Charlie marched as far as Derby before giving up and returning to Scotland. What is the name of the bridge at which he finally stopped?

Swarkstone Bridge. Suffering from cold and hunger, a dejected army gave up and returned to Scotland on 6 December 1745. It was to all come to a sad end at the Battle of Culloden six months later.

Rolls-Royce is one of the most famous companies in Derby. In what year did they start?

1907. Rolls-Royce started business in Derby in 1907 manufacturing motor cars and it was only in the 1930s when war with Germany loomed that they switched to making aircraft engines.

Derby has been home to many famous people, one was a famous botanist, scientist and philosopher. Who was it?

Erasmus Darwin. Born in 1731 Darwin moved to Derby because of its central location and is the founder of the Derby Philosophical Society. He died in 1802 but left behind an interest in the sciences to his grandson Charles Darwin author of the Origin of the Species.