Dudley's origins lie back in the mists of time but it is commonly believed to have had a Middle Earth origin (please see The Lord Of The Rings, Led Zeppelin and any references to Mordor) and many of its current inhabitants have a somewhat Middle Earthish look about them. By the Industrial Revolution the area was renowned for its metal bashing skills and the local dialect (an odd speech derived from medieval English and the inhalation of smoke, soot and any airborne pollution).