Durham Cathedral
There’s evidence that the site of Durham has been occupied from around 2,000 BC. However, Durham as we know it today can be traced back to AD 995, when a group of monks from Lindisfarne chose the strategic high peninsula as a place to settle with the body of Saint Cuthbert.
During the medieval period the city gained spiritual prominence as the final resting place of Saint Cuthbert and Saint Bede the Venerable. The shrine of Saint Cuthbert, situated behind the High Altar of Durham Cathedral, was the most important religious site in England until the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury in 1170.
Saint Cuthbert’s the miraculous healing powers led to him being known as the "wonder worker of England". Also, after the first translation of his relics in 698 AD, his body was found to be incorruptible. Saint Bede's bones are also entombed in the cathedral, and these also drew medieval pilgrims to the city.[6]
Durham's geographical position has always given it an important place in the defence of England against the Scots. The city played an important part in the defence of the north, and Durham Castle is the only Norman castle keep never to have suffered a breach. In 1314, the Bishopric of Durham paid the Scots a large sum of money not to burn Durham. The Battle of Neville's Cross, took place near the city on 17 October 1346 between the English and Scots and was a disastrous loss for the Scots.
Durham being so far from the King’s court led to the Bishop of Durham being the effective ruler in the North. So far-reaching were the bishop's powers that the steward of Bishop Antony Bek commented in 1299 AD: "There are two kings in England, namely the Lord King of England, wearing a crown in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in place of a crown, in sign of his regality in the diocese of Durham"
Durham remained a place largely dependant on the Cathedral to drive its economy and the Industrial Revolution mostly passed the city by. However, the city was well known for carpet making and weaving. It was also a major centre for coal mining which was the county's main industry until the 1970s. Practically every village around the city had a coal mine.
The 19th century also saw the founding of Durham University it is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities and one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Durham Cathedral or The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham. The Norman era cathedral was started in 1093, replacing the city's previous 'White Church'. Building continued for most of the next 200 years and there have been changes made including in the 1930s and 1940s saw the addition of several new stained glass windows by Hugh Ray Easton. Mark Angus' Daily Bread window dates from 1984.
Here are some photos of this beautifully impressive building.
