ABSTRACT
The bishop of Durham occupied an eminent position within the northern counties, but his role was complex. His ecclesiastical influence was handi capped by the turbulent nature of parts of his diocese, especially border areas. His secular lordship, while substantial, was complicated. Hexhamshire was a liberty held by archbishops of York, outside the bishop’s control, as were the liberties of Tynedale and Redesdale, both of which were within the diocese but not the palatinate. Most of modern County Durham was within the palatinate, and so were Howdenshire, an enclave in North Yorkshire, Bedlingtonshire and Islandshire, enclaves in Northumberland long held by the see of St Cuthbert, and Norhamshire, surrounding the bishop’s castle on the Tweed. (Lomas 1996, 151-2) The diocese extended beyond the palatinate, covering Northumberland and Durham, including the principal town of the region, Newcastle upon Tyne. The bishop of Durham therefore exercised a variety of functions, rather than any simple overall jurisdiction.
