Prior of Durham facts for kids
The Prior of Durham was like the leader of a special group of monks called the Durham Cathedral Priory. This group was part of the Roman Catholic Church. They started around 1083 when they moved from a place called Jarrow.
These leaders, the Priors, continued their role until 1540. That's when the king decided to close down many monasteries, an event known as the dissolution of the monasteries. After this, the priory became a different kind of church, a Church of England deanery church.
The very last Prior of Durham was a man named Hugh Whitehead. When the monastery closed, he became the first dean of the new church. A dean is also a church leader, but in a different system.
Who Were the Priors of Durham?
The Priors of Durham were important religious leaders. They managed the daily life and spiritual activities of the monks at Durham Cathedral. They were in charge for hundreds of years, from the late 1000s until the mid-1500s.
A Look at the Leaders Over Time
This list shows the different Priors who led the Durham Cathedral Priory. It tells you when they started and when their time as Prior ended. Sometimes, a Prior might have resigned (stepped down) or died while in office.
| Priors of St Cuthbert's Cathedral Priory, Durham | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Citation(s) | Notes |
| 1073x4 (Jarrow) 1083 (Durham) |
died 1087 | Aldwin | ||
| 1087 | resigned 1109 | Turgot | Became Bishop of St Andrews | |
| 1109 | died 1137 x 1138 | Algar | ||
| ?1138 | died 1149 | Roger | ||
| 1149 | died 1154 | Lawrence | ||
| 1154 | died 1158 | Absalom | ||
| 1161 x 1162 | resigned 1162 or 1163 | Thomas | Died 1173 | |
| 1163 | died 1189 | Germanus | ||
| 1189 | died 1212 x 1213 | Bertram | ||
| 1212 x 1213 | died 1218 | William | ||
| 1218 | died 1234 | Ranulf Kerneth | ||
| 1234 | died 1244 | Thomas de Melsonby | ||
| 1244 | resigned 1258 | Bertram de Middleton | Still alive in 1266 | |
| 1258 | resigned 1273 | Hugh de Darlington | ||
| 1273 | resigned 1285 | Richard de Claxton | ||
| 1286 | resigned 1290 | Hugh de Darlington (again) | ||
| elected 1290 | Richard de Hoton | Died in 1308. | ||
| appointed 1300 | Henry de Lusby | See above note | ||
| 1308 | resigned 1313 | William de Tanfield | Died 7 February 1314 | |
| 1313 | resigned 1321 | Geoffrey de Burdon | Still alive in 1333; previously prior of Finchale and prior of Lyytham | |
| elected 1321 | William de Guisborough | Elected 6 February, renounced election 8 February 1321 | ||
| 1321 | died 1341 | William de Cowton | ||
| 1341 | died 1374 | John Fossor | ||
| 1374 | died 1391 | Robert Berrington of Walworth | ||
| 1391 | died 1416 | John de Hemingbrough | ||
| 1416 | died 1446 | John de Washington | ||
| 1446 | resigned 1456 | William Ebchester | ||
| 1456 | died 1464 | John Burnby | ||
| 1464 | resigned 1479 | Richard Bell | ||
| 1479 | died 1484 | Robert Ebchester | ||
| 1484 | died 1494 | John Auckland | ||
| 1494 | 1519 | Thomas Castell | ||
| 1520 | office abolished 1540 | Hugh Whitehead | The monastery was surrendered to the king in 1540, after which a dean and twelve canons were appointed. Hugh Whitehead was this first dean; he died in 1551. | |
