Changes

The city of Durham benefited economically from the ecclesiastical presence in its midst, and as a local market centre, but it was not fitted to prosper once the powers of the Prince Bishops waned from the 16th century onwards. Although it was at the centre of a major coalfield, Newcastle rather than Durham was the chief commercial centre for the industry, and the River Wear was too shallow here to allow Durham any role in [[coal]] export. However, the abolition of the final special privileges of the bishopric in 1836 prompted the then bishop, van Mildert, to give his palace in the city's castle to a new university, only the third to be founded in England (after [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]]). Durham University is a major UK academic institution, and, along with the tourist industry, plays a major role in the city's economy.

The city of Durham benefited economically from the ecclesiastical presence in its midst, and as a local market centre, but it was not fitted to prosper once the powers of the Prince Bishops waned from the 16th century onwards. Although it was at the centre of a major coalfield, Newcastle rather than Durham was the chief commercial centre for the industry, and the River Wear was too shallow here to allow Durham any role in [[coal]] export. However, the abolition of the final special privileges of the bishopric in 1836 prompted the then bishop, van Mildert, to give his palace in the city's castle to a new university, only the third to be founded in England (after [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]]). Durham University is a major UK academic institution, and, along with the tourist industry, plays a major role in the city's economy.

[[Category:United Kingdom Towns and Cities]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Cities and Towns]]