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→History
The earliest attestation of the name County Durham was in c. 1100 AD in the form ''Dunelmensischira'' (Durhamshire).
The earliest attestation of the name County Durham was in c. 1100 AD in the form ''Dunelmensischira'' (Durhamshire).
During "the Anarchy" (1138-1153), a period of civil war in the Kingdom of England that plagued the reign of [[Stephen (King of England)|Stephen of Blois]], County Durham came under effective Scottish control for a brief period. The 'usurper' William Cumin, Justiciar of Scotia, was installed as Bishop of Durham following the untimely death of Geoffrey Rufus. When [[David I (1124-1153)|King David]] of Scotland came south to meet with Empress Matilda, he stopped in Durham, where he refused to allow the burial of the previous bishop until Cumin was allowed into the see. At this time, the powers of the Prince Bishop were similar to that of the king. William Cumin had forged papal documents confirming himself as Prince Bishop, but the monks of Durham cathedral monastery refused to accept him. Cumin surrounds the city with soldiers but some monks escape to Rome where they ask Pope [[Innocent II]] if Cumin has a legitimate claim. The pope says Cumin is not a bishop and orders the election of a new bishop within 40 days. William Cumin, backed by the Scots, seized and fortified [[Kirk Merrington]] Church, converting it into a castle on its strategic location, but was later besieged and ousted by local barons. By 1144, Cumin had lost the support of David of Scotland. He relinquished his claim to Durham, allowing William St Barbara to take the position.
After centuries of gradually acquiring power, the palatine powers of the Bishop of Durham were formally recognised in 1293 AD. The county palatine had its roots with the Anglian Liberty of Durham, established some 400 years prior.
After centuries of gradually acquiring power, the palatine powers of the Bishop of Durham were formally recognised in 1293 AD. The county palatine had its roots with the Anglian Liberty of Durham, established some 400 years prior.