Over the centuries, Derbyshire’s royal connections have been both numerous and fascinating. In a new series, Deborah Barham Smith looks at how William the Conqueror changed the face of the county.
MONARCHY HAS ALWAYS ATTRACTED SYCOPHANTS. For centuries, royal favouritism could result in wealth and titles being bestowed. However, such patronage could make someone extremely vulnerable – with honours being stripped away overnight and lands and even wives being shared out to others that the King or Queen deemed more worthy…