St Cuthbert, an important Northumbrian saint died in 687 AD and was buried on the island of Lindisfarne, where he had been Bishop. However, his body was removed to protect it from repeated Viking raids on Lindisfarne. After years of wandering the north, the carriers of St Cuthbert’s coffin settled at Dun Holm ('hill island') by the River Wear. The location provided an ideal defensive site, on high ground protected on three sides by the steep gorge of the river. According to the legend of the Dun Cow, the final resting place of St Cuthbert was chosen by divine intervention. Dun Holm grew into what is now the City of Durham.

Learn more...

1020. About this time Elfred, a priest of Durham, and a famous collector of the bones of saints, stole the body of St. Bede from the church at Jarrow, and carried it to Durham, where it was honourably deposited in the same coffin with St. Cuthbert.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1040. - Durham appears to have had some fortifications this year, at which time Duncan, king of Scotland, attacked it, when the townsmen sustained the assaults of the invaders for some time, and at length made a sally, in which they were victorious, the enemy being totally routed; and the heads of the Scots leaders who fell or were taken prisoners, were fixed round the market place.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1069. - William the Conqueror sent Robert Cumin, whom he had created Earl of Northumberland, to Durham, with a guard of 700 veteran Normans to enforce his authority, and who permitted his soldiers, who were quartered in the city, to practise every species of cruelty and oppression against the inhabitants, who formed associations against the Normans, upon which Cumin proscribed and murdered several of the land holders; this acted as a summons to the peasants, who immediately armed themselves and surrounded the city.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Note: Robert de Comines (aka Comines, Cumin) was a Norman knight

Just at the dawn of day the assailants broke open all the gates of the town, and flying in parties through every street, made a dreadful slaughter of the Normans, insomuch that the streets were filled with blood and carcases. Many were shut up in the house where the earl lodged, but this was fired by the assailants and reduced to ashes. Thus the earl, with his 700 guards, (one man only, who escaped with his wounds) were put to death!

The ecclesiastics hearing of his horrid approach from York, determined to fly with the sacred remains of St. Cuthbert, which, from the time of Aldune's settling there, had rested in Durham for 75 years. The holy fugitives took their way towards Lindisfarne. Here the saints bones rested only four months, for on the re-establishment of peace, on the 8th of April, 1070, the sacred remains of St. Cuthbert were again conveyed to Durham.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Elvet Bridge is a stone bridge which crosses the River Wear connecting the peninsula in central Durham and the Elvet area of the city. The bridge has 10 visible arches and further arches hidden under the road. Building of the bridge began in 1160 and was commissioned by Bishop Hugh de Puiset.

Learn more...

1300. - King Edward I. was at Durham, as a mediator between the bishop and his convent, touching their then bitter dissentions.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

On the incursion of Robert Bruce into England this year, a party of the Scots, whilst the inhabitants were in their beds, surprised the suburbs of Durham, which they reduced to ashes.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The walls of the city of Durham having been neglected, and becoming ruinous, were restored and put into a state of defence by bishop Beaumont, who this year received a severe censure from Edward II. for his negligence in matters so important to his palatinate.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

1333. - King Edward III. arrived at Durham, on his march northward, previous to the battle of Halidon hill. During his stay at Durham he lodged in the priory; a few days after, queen Philippa came from Knaresborough to meet him, and, being unacquainted with the custom of this church, went through the abbey gates to the priory, and, after supping with the king, retired to rest. This alarmed the monks, one of whom went to the king and informed him that St. Cuthbert had a mortal aversion to the presence of a woman. Unwilling to give any offence to the church, Edward immediately ordered the queen to arise, who, in her under garments only, returned by the gate through which she had entered, and went to the castle, after most devoutly praying that St. Cuthbert would not revenge a fault, which she had, through ignorance, committed.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

...they were compelled to raise the siege [of Newcastle], and marched on towards Durham, which he took by storm, after a siege of seven days; he here imbrued his hands in the horrid massacre of all ages and both sexes, spoiled and plundered the sacred places, and put the religious to miserable deaths.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867 

The Battle of Neville's Cross, took place on the 17th of October 1346 about half a mile west of Durham. The battle was fought between an invading Scottish army, led by David II, and English forces led by Lord Ralph Neville. The English had less troops, because Edward III was occupied with the 'Hundred Years War' with France. However, the battle of Neville's Cross ended with the rout of the Scots and the capture of David II by John de Coupland. 

Learn more...

1347. - Ralph lord Neville, one of the leaders at the battle of the Red hills, died this year, and was the first layman whose remains were interred within the walls of the cathedral of Durham. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Note: the Battle of Red hills is now more commonly known as the Battle of Neville's Cross

1370.- The bishop's throne in Durham cathedral was built by bishop Hatfield about this year. In the arch beneath the throne, in the south aisle of the choir, he prepared an altar - tomb of white marble for the reception of his own remains, bearing his recumbent effigy, in his full episcopal attire. About the same time, the beautiful screen of open stone work was erected before the high altar, at the expense of John lord Neville. Bishop Hatfield thoroughly repaired the castle of Durham; he added a strong tower to its former lines of defence, and rebuilt the bishop's hall and the constable's hall. This bishop bore a distinguished part in the battle of Neville's Cross.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, a dreadful visitation of the plague happened at Durham, which occasioned an adjournment of the assizes, and a total suspension of all public assemblies. It continued to rage for five successive years.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1417, (Sept. 18.) - An order was sent by the bishop's official to the chaplains of St. Nicholas and All Saints, in Newcastle, to inflict certain penances which had been enjoined Matilda Burgh and Margaret Usher, servants to Peter Baxter, of that town, for having put on the habits of men, and impiously, as it was considered at that time, approached the shrine of St. Cuthbert at Durham. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1424. The city of Durham was crowded with the nobility of England and Scotland, on the liberation of the Scotch king, and his marriage with the lady Seymour; the hostages were received here; a truce for seven years was also then settled between the two nations, and certain laws established for the government of the borders. The king and queen of Scotland remained at Durham a considerable time. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

James Ist of Scotland had been captured by the English in 1406, shortly before the death of his father, King Robert III of Scotland. James was held captive for 18 years.

1503.-Margaret, eldest daughter of king Henry VII., then affianced to James IV., king of Scotland, was conveyed in great splendour through the counties of Durham and Northumberland. During her stay at Durham, she was entertained by bishop Fox, in the great hall of his palace, July 23, being the anniversary of his installation.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1560.-James Pilkington was elected to the See of Durham. He was the first protestant bishop of that diocese. This bishop visited his cathedral in 1561 and 1567, and probably, in the latter year removed the superstitious books and ornaments, and caused to be defaced the idolatrous figures from the church plate. This, together with the interest inspired by the misfortunes of Mary queen of Scots, and by the fears entertained for the safety of the duke of Norfolk, who had been sent to the Tower for aspiring to a marriage with the queen of Scots, roused the earls of Westmorland and Northumberland, with a tumultuary force of 1500 men, which in their progress swelled to double that number....

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"Bishop Pilkington granted a charter of incorporation to the inhabitants of Durham and Framwellgate, appointing Christopher Sewarties, the first alderman, and William Walton, William Wright, Robert Anderson, Christopher Mayor, Thomas Knighton, Hugh Whitfield, Edward Hudspeth, Peter Pattenson, William Harper, Gilbert Nixon, Edward Renelly, and John Anderson, the first assistant burgesses. Previous to this, the chief officer in the city was styled bailiff." 1565 Jan 30.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

The Revolt of the Northern Earls of 1569 (often called The Rising of the North) was led by Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, and Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland. The revolt was an attempt to depose the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England and replace her with the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots. On the 14th of November, 1569, the two Earls occupied the city of Durham and called on all Catholics to take up arms in defence of their true faith. They held Catholic mass in Durham Cathedral and destroyed Protestant prayers books.

Learn more...

1588 and 1589. - A grievous plague raged at Newcastle, of which there died in all 1,727 persons. This latter year the plague broke out and raged in Durham for a considerable time  after abating for some months, which gave hopes that the tremendous visitation was about to cease, it appeared again with redoubled violence, so as to oblige the poorer people to be removed into huts and sheds on the adjacent commons, particularly Elvet moor, where the marks of arrangement of melancholy cells were distinctly to be observed before the enclosures, on the south side of the hill, below the wood.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1602. - Hugh Wright, the first mayor of the city of Durham, was elected, September 21st, this year. 

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

This year, (April 9,) king James I. on his way from Scotland to take possession of the crown of England, arrived at Newcastle. On the Sunday, Toby Matthew, bishop of Durham, preached before him at St. Nicholas' church, in that town, on the 2 Chron. xv. chap. 1, 2, ver. On the Wednesday following, his majesty set forward for Durham.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1617, ( April 18.) - King James arrived in state at the city of Durham, and was received by the mayor, George Walton, esq., who made an elegant speech on the occasion, and presented his majesty with a gold cup; at the same time an apprentice spoke some verses before the king.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1633. - King Charles I. was resident at Durham a considerable time with bishop Morton, who entertained him and his whole retinue, at the expense of £1,500. a day.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Cocken Hall, about four miles north of the city of Durham, became the residence of a convent of nuns, of the order of St. Theresa, from Lier, in Flanders.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1804, (Jan. 7.) - About two o'clock in the morning, the cotton manufactory belonging to Messrs. Salvins, in Durham, was discovered to be on fire. At three o'clock, the roof fell in, and about four, the whole building was in a flame, and presented to the eye an awful spectacle.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

1822, (Aug. 30.) - His royal highness the duke of Sussex, visited the city of Durham, where a Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge was held to receive him. A splendid procession took place, during which his royal highness was loudly cheered. He afterwards dined with the Masons in their hall. On the following day his royal highness proceeded to Sunderland, by the river Wear, in company with Mr. Lambton, in that gentleman's barge. The ships in the harbour were decorated with flags, and the people loudly cheered him. On entering the carriage that awaited his arrival, the populace took the horses out, and drew him to the house of A. Fenwick, esq. where he partook of a cold collation. Previous to leaving Sunderland, his royal highness addressed the crowd, and thanked them for the kind reception with which they had honoured him.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Durham University was founded by an Act of Parliament on the 4th of July, 1832.

Learn more...

The Surtees Society was constituted on the 27th of May 1834, at a meeting held at Durham, and James Raine was appointed its first secretary. The Society was founded in honour of Robert Surtees of Mainsforth (1779-1834), the author of The History and Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham (1816-1840) and whose seal is reproduced on the title page of the society's publications relating to the history of the region.

Learn more...

"James Liddell, convicted at the Durham assizes of forgery, escaped from the prison between the hours of one and two o'clock in the afternoon. He had forced two locks, and by the assistance of some rope and a ladder, got over the back wall of the prison." 1st July 1834

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

"The family of Mr. Robert Jackson, of New Elvet, Durham, were fortunately preserved from impending destruction by the barking and howling of a favourite dog. This trusty animal observing two clothes-horses on fire after the family had retired to rest, sagaciously gave the alarm."

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867

Gilesgate Railway Station was built in 1844 by G.T. Andrews for the Durham and Sunderland Railway Company. At that time it was the main Durham station for trains to London. 

Learn more...

Wharton Park in Durham was created in 1857, by William Lloyd Wharton (1789-1867) from nearby Dryburn Hall, who owned the land on which the park and railway in Durham were built. He was chairman of the Great North Eastern Railway and High Sheriff of Durham. After the railway was built in 1857, he established the public park on the rough land to the north of the railway. A mock castle ("the Battery") was built as a look out over the railway and the city.

Learn More

The first Durham Miners Gala (aka "Big Meeting") was held on the 12th of August 1871 at Wharton Park in Durham City. The event was organised by The Durham Miners' Association.

The Durham Miners Gala became an annual event - the largest unofficial miners and trade-union gathering in the UK. At its peak the Gala attracted more than 300,000 people. The event has deeply established traditions such as marching with the lodge banners from each colliery into Durham, and music from the colliery brass bands.

Learn More

The Kingsgate Footbridge over River Wear opened in 1965. The bridge connects Bow Lane in the centre old of Durham to Dunelm House of Durham University. The bridge was designed in 1963 by Ove Arup and Partners and constructed with reinforced concrete.

Learn More

Durham Cathedral & Castle were among the first UK sites to be designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Learn More

The Durham Light Infantry Memorial on the Market Place in Durham was unveiled on the 14th of September 2014. The unveiling ceremony was led by the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, and attended by DLI veterans and invited guests included the Ambassador of The Republic of Korea.

Learn more...

Wharton Park in Durham was officially re-opened by the Duke of Kent on the 7th October 2016.  The park had closed in 2015 for a major £3m refurbishment, part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Learn More

The City of Durham Civil Parish was created on the 1st of April 2018. The first elections for City of Durham Parish Council were held on the 3rd of May 2018.

Learn more....