Local History
Historical evidence suggests that there have been settlements at Duston and Upton since the Stone Age. There was a large Roman settlement at Duston, and it was probably the main centre of habitation in the area until Anglo-Saxon times (fifth to eighth centuries AD), when Northampton started to emerge as the centre.
Duston was also a centre for the Vikings or Danes, but passed back into Anglo-Saxon possession before being transferred into Norman hands as the manor of ‘Dustone’ after the Norman Conquest. The meaning of Dustone, given in the Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names is 'farmstead on a mound', or 'farmstead with dusty soil'. Upton was recorded in the Domesday Book as ‘Optone’ at this time.
See the topics below for the history of the area in more detail.
Tour of St Luke’s Church, Duston
Musical History of St Luke's Church
Survey of Memorials at St Luke's Church, Duston
Anchorite Cell at St Luke's Church
Tomb Cover of Nicholas de Flore
Historical Tour of St James End
Memories of a Village Christmas: Duston 1939
Christmas Scene at Northampton Market in the Sixties
Locations of Roman & Anglo-Saxon Artefacts
St Margaret of Scotland: The Duston Link
Thomas Becket: Duston & Northampton - The Honeymoon Years
A Northampton Walk: Echoes of St Thomas Becket NEW
For more information about the history of Duston and surrounding areas,
see also the following web sites and links:
Major Romano-British Settlement: Duston Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Archaeological Society
Upper Nene Archaeological Society
Roll of Honour: Duston War Memorial
UK National Inventory of War Memorials: Duston
Illustrated History of Duston
Special Souvenir to celebrate 900 years since the founding of St Luke's Church & St James Abbey - illustrated in right-hand column on this page. This unique set of six laminated coloured pictures shows the old parish and manors of Duston and St James End with histories on reverse. Heat resistant and ideal as table settings or framed for wall hanging. Would make a superb gift for Dustonites near or far. Cost is £14.50 per set. To order a set, contact Dave Blackburn on 01604 752506. Proceeds to St Luke's Church funds.
We need your history
Personal testimonies from local people can throw light on the character of the village over the years, and would be very welcome. How has the village changed since you were a child? What was it like to live in Duston or Upton during the War, or in the fifties or sixties? What are your memories of significant village events? See Duston Memories for testimonies we have received. Please email your memories to the Duston Directory.