A brief History of Durham City

A City with an artistic contrast of natural and environmental features. An 'Island-Hill', protected on three sides by water, the remaining steep approach being protected by a castle.
First signs of settlement date back, 4,000 years. 200.AD Romans built farm settlement. AD.726 Anglo-Saxons 'may' have had a settlement at Elvet. In AD 995. Followers looking for a safe burial place for St Cuthbert, from Vikings, built on a flat plain on top of the 'hill' (where the Cathedral now  stands) a wooden Church. A later stone one withstood vicious attacks from the Scots and Danes. The Norman invaders, settled here and in 1093 they began building a Cathedral and strengthening the Castle. The City became the North East's ruling seat of the Norman Prince-Bishops. In Henry VIII's reign severe malicious damage was caused to the Cathedral. 1640 Scottish invaders caused further damage. 1660 restoration work carried out.
The City has remained the seat of control over Durham County since Tudor times. County boomed with over 200 years of coal mining development, ending in the 1980's. Apart from Cathedral, most significant development has been the University, founded in 1832 in buildings around the Cathedral /Castle by the Church when Bishop moved to Bishop Auckland

NW.