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The History of Durham

The Founding of Durham

The founding of Durham and much of its history revolves around St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. After a vision of the soul of Aidan being carried to heaven by Angels Cuthbert went to the monastery of old Melrose and became a monk in 651 AD. Over the years he became renowned in north east England for his piety, diligence and obedience and was finally announced as bishop in 684 AD. On the 20th March 687 he died and was buried at Lindisfarne where his tomb soon attracted pilgrims.

After the threat of invasion by the Danes in 875 AD the monks of Lindisfarne fled with the relics of St Cuthbert and wandered for seven years until in 883 AD they were given a resting place at a church on Chester-le Street. The threat of the Danes did not end there and 300 years later the body of Cuthbert was moved to Ripon. Only a few months later the return journey to Chester-le Street was taken however along the route the bones lay at Durham where signs were given that this was to be the final resting place of St Cuthbert.

The Middle Ages

A church was built in 999 AD, on the site of the current cathedral, to house the relics of St Cuthbert. In 1069 upon the invasion of England by William the Conqueror 700 men were dispatched to Durham to seize control. The native Saxons were outraged and marched into the town, surprising the Normans. They were massacred. Rebellion spread across the north of England triggering William's retaliation, the 'harrying of the north' forcing the monks to once more flee with the relics but they soon returned in 1070.

In 1072 the Normans built a castle in Durham to keep the inhabitants in order and in 1076 the Norman bishop was made the Earl of Bamburgh and given castle as his residence. Later in 1083, a Benedictine priory was founded to replace the community that looked after St Cuthbert’s body. In 1091 the bishop was given royal power by William II and thus became known as the Prince-Bishop. In 1093 the Prince- Bishop of Durham, William of Calais, began a cathedral. Part way through construction in 1104 Cuthbert’s body was laid to rest here and the cathedral was completed in 1133.

New areas grew up around the centre of Durham. In 1112 St Giles hospital was founded to the north east of the Durham peninsula where upon the borough of St Giles began to grow. Also early in the 12th century Bishop Flambard built an area named Bishop's Borough north of the peninsula and in 1120 built Framwell bridge. Later in the 12th century, the Borough of Elvet was founded east of the peninsula; alongside Elvet bridge built in 1160.

16th and 17th Centuries

In 1536 Henry VII deprived the Bishop of some of his powers nevertheless the bishop still maintained control of Durham. In 1538 Henry VIII's men smashed the shrine of St Cuthbert and in 1549 the priory was closed. During this period there were outbreaks of the plague in 1544, 1589, 1598 and 1644. In 1640 Charles I tried to impose bishops on the Scots resulting in a rebellion and the Scots taking Durham. Civil war closely followed in 1642 with the Scots taking the side of parliament. After the war the new parliament and the Scots fell out resulting in 4,000 Scottish prisoners being held in Durham castle.

18th and 19th Centuries

Many new industries started up in Durham over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries. A mustard making industry began in the early 18th century and in 1722 Durham's first theatre opened on Saddler Street. In 1729 a statue of Neptune was erected in the market place.

In the 19th century Durham was famous for mainly carpet making and organ making alongside the less well known industries of brewing and paper mills. Durham prison was built in 1820, gas street lighting was acquired in 1824 and a Durham gained a police force in 1836.

Importantly in 1832 Durham University was founded and in 1837 the castle was given to the University for use as a college in 1837. In 1840 the castle keep was rebuilt to house students.

Other important events include the railway reaching Durham in 1844, a viaduct being constructed in 1857, the town hall being rebuilt in 1851 and in the same year a covered market was opened. In 1860 the county hospital was built and in 1861 a statue of the Marquess of Londonderry was erected in the market place.

Sources

Much of the information above is sourced from 'A Brief History of Durham' by Tim Lambert and provides only a brief overview of the varied and colourful history of Durham.