The Colourful Medieval History Of Durham

Durham is a city in the north east of England

, south of Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland and north of Darlington. Durham's Norman cathedral and 11th century castle are both UNESCO world heritage sites and the entire city centre is a conservation area. There are over 630 listed buildings in Durham.

The name Durham is often said to have come from the Dun Cow legend, in which a milkmaid searching for her lost dun cow lead monks from Lindesfarne to the future site of the city during 995 AD. The monks were carrying the body of Saint Cuthbert, in search of Dun Holm where they had been told to take it during a vision. Dun comes from the Old English word for hill and Holme the Old Norse word for island. Dun Holme was altered to Duresme by Normans and known as Dunelm in Latin. It is not clear when the modern 'Durham' came into use.

The monks erected the original Durham Cathedral to mark the grave of Saint Cuthbert, but this was replaced by the Norman cathedral. As the final resting place of Saint Bede the Venerable as well as Saint Cuthbert, Durham was a very important site for religion in Medieval England, probably the most important until the murder and martyrdom of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. Saint Cuthbert was famous for his amazing healing powers in life and these continued after his death with numerous visitors to his shrine being miraculously cured.

The Bishop of Durham is the only bishop that enjoys the title of 'Bishop by Divine Providence', where all others are known as 'Bishop by Divine Right', this is due to the divine providence involved in the founding of the city. Bishops of Durham enjoyed many powers in medieval times; being so far from Westminster they could hold parliaments, raise armies, levy taxes and appoint sheriffs as they chose. These powers were curtailed by Henry VIII and in 1538 he ordered the shrine of Saint Cuthbert to be destroyed.

Durham was loyal to the King during the Civil war, King Charles I visited at the beginning of his reign and at the end during his flight from Oliver Cromwell. The city suffered great damage during the Commonwealth, with its reliance on religion for so much the removal of the powers of the Church of England did great damage. John Cosin, the first bishop after the Restoration, began the regeneration of the cathedral and other buildings, which was continued by his successors. The University of Durham was founded by Bishop William Van Mildert in 1832 and took up residence in the castle where it has remained to this day.

The River Wear flows through the city and its meander encloses the centre on three sides. Three of the many grade 1 listed buildings are stone arch bridges that cross the river Prebends, Framwellgate and Elvet bridges. Durham Regatta is amongst many races and festivals that take place on the river Wear and it dates back to 1832 which makes it 7 years older than Henley Regatta.

by: Matt Fay

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