Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

ADDITIONS to the BISHOPRICK of DƲRHAM.

[a] THat the great opinion our Ancestors had of the Sanctity of St. Cuthbert, was the occasion of their munificence to his Church; our Histories informs us, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is very evident from our Author. But he seems to have given him more than ever was bestow'd, when he tells us that King Egfrid gave him large Revenues in York. For his Charter (be it true or counterfeit) mentions no such thing. Simeon Dunelmensis indeed (or rather Abbot Turgot) tells us that Creac was given him by this King, Ut haberet Eboracum, iens, vel inde rediens, mansionem ubi requiescere posset. But this only intimates, that St. Cuthbert might have frequent occa∣sions to travel to York; probably, to attend the Court, which the Historian supposes to have been most com∣monly resident in that City.

[b] Nor can we properly say, that Guthrun the Dane (whom our Historians call also Guthredus, Cu∣thredus, Gormo, and Gurmundus) was Lieutenant to the great King Aelfred in the Kingdom of Northumber∣land,

any more than Aelfred was his Deputy in that of the West-Saxons. For they two by compact di∣vided the whole Kingdom betwixt them, and joyntly enacted Laws, which were to be mutually observ'd both by the English and Danes. And hence some Monks have taken occasion to unite them falsly, in granting Charters to Monasteries, &c.

[c] What vast Privileges and Immunities this Church had by the Liberality of Princes, we may learn in general from Mr. Camden; but may have a more particular view by the help of some observati∣ons upon that Head, extracted for me by Mr. Rudd Schoolmaster of Durham, out of the posthumous Pa∣pers of Mr. Mickleton, who had made large Collecti∣ons in order to the Antiquities of this County.

It's probable the Bishops were Counts Palatine before the Conquest; it appears at least they were so in the Conque∣rour's time. Their power was formerly very great, till part of it was taken away by the Statute of Henry 8. It was a common saying, that Quicquid Rex habet extra Co∣mitatum Dunelmensem, Episcopus habet intrà; nisi aliqua sit concessio, aut praescriptio in contrarium. They had power to levy Taxes, and make Truces with the Scots; to raise defensible persons within the Bishoprick, from 16 to 60 years of age. They had power also to make Barons, who, as well as their vassals, were bound to come to their Palace to advise them, and to give them observance and obedience in their Courts. And altho' the Canons for∣bid any Clergyman to be present when judgment of blood is given, the Bishops of Durham did and may sit in Court in their Purple-robes in giving judgment of death. Hence the saying, Solum Dunelmense judicat stola & ense. They had a Mint, and power to coyn money. The Courts, which in other places are held in the King's name, were, till the Statute of Henry 8. held here in the Bishop's; till which time he could make Justices of Assizes, of Oyer and Ter∣miner, and of the Peace; and all Writs went out in his name. All Recognizances, entred upon his Close-Rolls in his Chancery, and made to him, or in his name, were as valid within the County, as those made to the King without. He could exempt men from appearing at the Assizes, and being Jurors. He had a Register of Writs of as much authority, as that in the King's Courts. He hath yet his Court of Chancery, Common-Pleas, and County Court, and Copyhold or Halmot Court. A great part of the Land in the County is held of him as Lord Paramount in Capite. All the Moors and Wastes in the County to which no other can make title, belong to him; which could not be enclos'd without his grant. Neither could Freehold Lands be alie∣nated without his leave: they that did so, were oblig'd to sue to him for his Patent of Pardon. He pardon'd intrusi∣ons, trespasses, &c. He had villains or bondmen, whom he manumitted when he pleas'd. The Lands, Goods, and Chat∣tels of those that committed Treason are forfeited to the Bi∣shop. All forfeitures upon Outlawries or Felonies belong to him. He could pardon Felonies, Rapes, Trespasses, and other Misprisions. He had the fruits of Tenures by Wardships, Marriages, Liveries, Primier-seizins, Ouster le mains, &c. He gave licence to build Chapels, found Chantries and Hospitals, made Burroughs and Incorporations, Mar∣kets, Fairs, &c. He created several Officers by Patent, ei∣ther quamdiu se bene gesserint, quamdiu Episcopo placuerit; or for life, or lives; viz. his Temporal Chan∣cellor, Constable of the Castle of Durham; Great Cham∣berlain, Under-Chamberlain; Secretary, Steward, Trea∣surer, and Comptroller of his Houshold; Steward and Under-steward of the Manours or Halmot Courts, Sheriff, Proto∣notary, Clerk of the Chancery, Crown, and Peace; several Keepers of the Rolls, belonging to their respective Offices; Registers and Examiners in Chancery; Clerk of the County Court; Stewards of Burrough-Courts; Escheators, Feoda∣ries, Auditors and Under-Auditors; Clerks of the Receipt of the Exchequer; Supervisors of Lordships, Castles, Mines of Coal, Lead, and Iron; Coroners; Conservators of Rivers and Waters; Officers of the Marshalsea, or Clerks of the Market of Cities, Burroughs, and Towns; Keepers of his Seal of Ulnage, and of his Wardrobe and Harness. But none of his Patents are valid any longer than the Bishop's life that gives them, unless they be confirm'd by the Dean and Chapter. He had several Forests, Chaces, Parks, Woods, where he had his Foresters (who kept Courts in his name, and determin'd matters relating to the Forests, &c. or the Tenants of them) Parkers, Rangers, Pale-keepers. He was Lord Admiral of the Seas and Waters within the County Palatine; had his Vice-Admirals, and Courts of Admiralty, Judges, Registers, Examiners, &c. Officers of Beaconage, Anchorage, &c. he awarded Commissions to regulate wa∣ters, and passage of waters.

There have been several contests betwixt the Archbishop of York, and the Bishop of Durham, about Ecclesiastical Ju∣risdiction; the one attempting to exercise his Archiepiscopal ju∣risdiction in this Diocese the other claiming a peculiar im∣munity. Walter Gray Archbishop, profferr'd the Arch∣deacon of Durham the guariandship of Stanhop-Church, but he refus'd to accept it, as having it before in his own or the Bishop's right. Another Archbishop coming to visit the Priory, when the Bishop was absent at Rome, was forc'd to take Sanctuary in St. Nicholas Church; as he was af∣terwards, upon another attempt of the same nature: and when he was going to excommunicate them in his Sermon, was in danger of being kill'd, if he had not escap'd out of the Church: one of his Attendants lost an ear.

[d] Upon the river Tees lyes Percebridge,* 1.1 where was dug up an Altar with this Inscription:

[illustration] inscribed monument

This distinct mention of Condati, would tempt us to believe that this was the ancient Condate which Mr. Camden places in Cheshire. Which opinion one may close with the more freely; because nothing (at least that he has told us of) induc'd him to settle it at Congleton, beside the affinity of names.

[e] North from hence is Heighington* 1.2 (in Darling∣ton-ward) where Elizabeth Penyson founded a School in the 43d of Queen Elizabeth, to which Edward Kirkby, late Vicar, gave by Will 70 l.

[f] Of the Pits call'd Hell-Kettles,* 1.3 take this account, as I had it in a Letter from a very ingenious Gentle∣man, who view'd them.

SIR,

ACcording to the promise which I made you, I went to sound the depth of Hell-Kettles near Darlington. The name of bottomless pits made me provide my self with a line above two hundred fathoms long, and a lead weight proportionable, of five or six pound weight; but much smal∣ler preparations would have serv'd: for the deepest of them took but fifteen fathoms, or thirty yards of our line. I can∣not imagine what these Kettles have been, nor upon what grounds the people of the Country have suppos'd them to be bottomless. They look like some of our old wrought Coal-pits that are drown'd: but I cannot learn that any Coal, or other Mineral has ever been found thereabouts. They are full of water (cold, not hot, as Mr. Camden has been misinform'd) to the very brim, and almost the same level with the Tees which runs near them, so that they may have some subterraneal communication with that river. But the water in the Kettles (as I was inform'd) is of a different kind from the river-water: for it curdles milk, and will not bear soap. But this I did not try.

Below Darlington stands Yarum (bigger and better built than Darlington) a considerable Market: and about three miles below Yarum by Land (but eight or ten by water) stands Stockton, a considerable town well-built, and a Corporation, having a great trade in Lead and Butter: tho' about thirty years since it

had neither trade, nor houses but of clay, and t••atch'd

[g] Aukland* 2.1 (formerly call'd North-Aukland, sometimes Market-Aukland) is now call'd Bishop-Aukland, from the Bishop's house there; which was ruin'd by Sir Arthur-Haslerig, but magnifi∣cently repair'd by Bishop Cosins. The same learned and pious Prelate built likewise a stately Chapel, An. 1665. in which he was bury'd; founded also and en∣dow'd here an Hospital for two Men and two Wo∣men.

[h] In the Parish of Branspeth lyes Haircholme, commonly Hairum;* 2.2 whither 'tis reported some of the murderers of Thomas Becket fled after the fact, and built a Chapel there to his memory.

[i] At Durham,* 2.3 the late Bishop Dr. Jo. Cosins ex∣pended vast summs of money in beautifying his Pa∣lace, and erecting a Library, well furnisht with Books. The story of Aldwin's settlement here (as our Au∣thor has given it) is far from being so full as the Hi∣storian Turgot (whom he quotes) has deliver'd it. To omit the many pretended Miracles, and other passa∣ges of less moment, he says that the first Church erect∣ed at Dunholm by Bishop Aldwin was facta citissimè de virgis Ecclesiola; just such another structure as that which is s••id to have been first built at Glassenbury, whereof Sir Henry Spelman (Concil. T. 1. p. 11.) has given us a draught at large.

[k] At Finchale* 2.4 (call d in Saxon Pincanheal, by Henry Huntingdon Wincanhale, by Hovden Phincan∣hal, and by others Finchale; which difference has risen from the likeness of the Saxon p, ƿ, and f) there was a Synod held in the year 788.

[l] When Malmesbury tells us that the two Churches were upon the banks of the river, it is a manifest mi∣stake. For St. Paul's was at Girwy or Jarrow, some miles distance from Weremuth; as appears from all the rest of our Historians, and also f••om the Inscription Mr. Camden himse••f gives us a little after.

On the Southern bank of the Were stands Sunderland,* 2.5 a handsom populous town, built since our Author's time, and very much enrich'd by the Coal-trade. Were the Harbour so deep as to entertain Ships of the same burthen as the river Tine does, it would be no small loss to Newcastle.

It gave the title of Earl to Emanuel Lord Scrope of Bolton, created Jun. 19. 3 Car. 1. who dying without lawful issue, Henry Lord Spencer of Wormleighton was honour'd with this title by King Charles 1. and being slain the same year at the first battel at Newbury, was succeeded by Robert his son and heir.

Near Whitburn,* 2.6 not far from this place, were some Copper Coyns taken up within these few years, most whereof were Constantine's, with the Sun on the Re∣verse, and these words Soli invicto Comiti. One of them was of Maxentius, with something like a Tri∣umphal Arch on the reverse, and these words, Conser∣vatori Urbis. There were likewise one or two of Li∣cinius, and one or two of Maximianus.

[m] In the Inscription, the XVI. should be XV. For King Egfrid reigned no more than 15 years. And so (indeed) Sir James Ware has given it in his Notes upon Bede's History of the Abbots of Wiremuth. But it ought not from this Inscription to be inferr'd, that Ceolfrid was the Founder of this Monastery: since it appears from Bede's account, that he was only con∣stituted first Abbot of the place by Benedictus Biscopius, who sent him hither (with a Colony of about seven∣teen Monks) from Weremuth.

[n] Some years ago, upon the bank of Tine, was discover'd a Roman Altar; the figure and description whereof take here as it was deliver'd to the Royal So∣ciety by the ingenious and learned Dr. Lister.

[illustration] monument

Fig. 1.

[illustration] monument

Fig. 5.

[illustration] monument

Fig. 2.

[illustration] monument

Fig. 3.

[illustration] monument

Fig. 4.

* 2.7I have with much trouble got into my hands a piece of Roman Antiquity, which was but a very few years ago discover'd upon the south bank of the river Tine, near the Sheilds in Bishoprick. It is a ve∣ry large and fair Roman Altar, of one entire stone. But after all my cost and pains, I am very sorry to find the Inscription very ill defaced, that much of it is not legible. And I believe it hath been also mis∣handled by those who have endeavoured to read it; whereas if the remainder of the Letters had been ex∣actly measured, and the face black'd and lightly wash'd off again, as in prints, some things more might have been spelled.

As to the nature of the stone it self, it is of a coarse Rag, the same with that of the Pyramids at Burrow-Briggs. It is four foot high, and was ascended to by steps; which appeareth, in that all the sides, but the front, have two square holes near the bottom, which let in the irons that joyn'd it to the steps.

I have carefully designed it in all it's sides, and have given the plane of the top also; which, if you please, we will survey in order.

1. The back-side, opposite to the Inscription; on which is engraven, in bass-relief, a Flower-pot fur∣nished, I suppose with what pleased the Stone-cutter, for these men needed not to be more curious than the Priests themselves, who were wont to make use of herbs next hand to adorn the Altars, and therefore Verbenae is put for any kind of herb: yet if we will have it resemble any thing with us, I think it most like, if not truly Nymphaea, a known and common river-Plant.

2. One of the sides, which is somewhat narrower than the front or back: on this are engraved in Bass-relieve, the Cutting-knife (cesespita) and the Axe (securis). The Knife is exactly the same with that on the other Altar formerly by me mention'd in the Philosophical Collections of Mr. Hooke: but the Axe is different; for here it is headed with a long and crooked point, and there the head of the Axe is divided into three points.

3. The other side; on which are engraved, after the same manner, an Eure (Urceolus) and a Ladle, which serve for a Sympullum. This I call rather a Ladle than a Mallet, it being perfectly Dish-wise and hollow in the middle, although Camden is of an∣other opinion in that elegant Sculpt of the Cumber∣land Altar. And the very same Utensil I have seen and noted on the Ickley Altar, which is yet extant at Middleton Grange near that town; but the stone which Camden says supports a pair of stairs there (as at this day it does in the very road) is but an ill co∣py of it, and not the original.

4. The plane of the top; which is cut in the figure of a Bason (discus or lanx) with Ansae on each side, consisting of a pair of links of a chain, which rest upon, and fall over two rowles: and this was the Harth.

5. The Front; which hath an Inscription of nine lines in Roman letters, each letter a very little more than two inches deep of our measure; now remain∣ing as in the prefix'd sculpture, Fig. 5. which I would read thus: Dis deabusque Matribus pro Salute M. Aure∣lii Antonini Augusti Imperatoris — votum solvit lubens meritò ob reditum.

The Deae Matres are well interpreted by Selden. It is much his Safety and Return both vowed, should be so separated in the Inscription; but I have not Gruter by me to compare this with the like. Cara∣calla, say the Historians* 2.8, after his father's death at York, took upon him the command of the army alone, and the whole Empire; he went alone against the enemy, who were the Caledonii inhabiting be∣yond the wall which his father had built, he made peace with them, received their hostages, slighted their fortified places, and returned. And this seems to be confirmed by the Inscription; for undoubt∣edly upon this his last expedition alone, without his brother Geta and mother, was this Altar erect∣ed to him alone, at a place about two Stations on this side the wall. So that the vow might be as well understood of his return from this expedition, as for his safety and return to Rome; which me∣thinks should be true, or his mother and brother Geta would scarce have been left out, at least so ear∣ly. For yet the Army declared for them both, ac∣cording to their father's will.

Further, it seems also to have been erected by those who flatter'd him, and who were afterwards killed by him; and for this reason the persons names who dedicated it, seem to me to be purposely defa∣ced, the sixth and seventh lines of the Inscription being designedly cut away by the hollowness of them, and there not being the least sign of any letter re∣maining. And this, I suppose, might be part of their disgrace, as it was usual to deface and break the Sta∣tues and Monuments of persons executed, of which this monster made strange havock.

But since worn Inscriptions admit of various read∣ings, because some letters are worn out, and some more legible, whereby unprejudiced people may conceive them diversly, I will therefore tell you an∣other reading of part of the two first lines, which I do not disallow, but that it will agree well enough with the history of Severus, though his Apotheosis, or solemn deification, was not performed till he came to Rome, in the manner of which Funeral-pomp Herodian is very large: it was of that excellent Anti∣quary Dr. Johnson of Pomfret.

CONSERVATO
RI. B. PROS, &c.

The rest as follows in mine.

Which shews the height of flattery of those times. So that they paid their vows to the lately dead father the Conservator of Britain, for the safety of the son: and the story tells us how gladly he would have had him made a God long before, even with his own hand.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Percebridge
• * 1.2

  Heighing∣ton.
• * 1.3

  Hell-K••ttles.
• * 2.1

  Aukland.
• * 2.2

  ••••irum.
• * 2.3

  Durham.
• * 2.4

  Finchale.
• * 2.5

  S••••d••r••a••
• * 2.6

  W••••••••••••
• * 2.7

  ••. Li••ter's ••er.
• * 2.8

  〈…〉〈…〉. &c.