The Residences of the Bishop's of Durham: Archaeological and Historical Perspectives

Abstract

Bishops were amongst the wealthiest and most influential people in medieval England and Wales. They held a dual role as both spiritual leaders and secular lords, and their residences provided the infrastructure from which they enacted their duties. Therefore, understanding these buildings offers unique insights into the lives and duties of these people. In the case of the bishops of Durham, their residences were numerous and diverse, with only a few having received significant scholarly attention.

This thesis adopts a multifaceted approach to understanding these buildings. Using sources ranging from episcopal registers and itineraries, archaeological evidence and standing building reports, this thesis aims to be a holistic and wide-ranging study of the episcopal residences of the bishops of Durham with a consideration of how these buildings relate socially to the episcopal role.