Durham City Church of St Giles

Has been described as a Possible Siege Work

There are masonry footings remains

NameDurham City Church of St Giles
Alternative Names
Historic CountryDurham
Modern AuthorityDurham
1974 AuthorityCounty Durham
Civil ParishDurham

On 14 March, 1143, William of St. Barbara was elected bishop in spite of Cumin's efforts, and shortly afterwards made his first attempt to oust the intruder. It appears that Roger Conyers, one of the episcopal barons, had refused to do homage to Cumin as his brethren had, and fearful of Cumin's anger, had fortified his house at Bishopton, some fourteen miles south of Durham. Thither the new bishop, somewhat unwillingly, proceeded towards the end of August. Many flocked to meet him, and escorted by Conyers and some other barons he proceeded towards the castle of Durham. The bishop's first attempt to oust the intruder was anything but successful. Cumin, disregarding the bishop's attempts to compromise, assumed the offensive, and on their approach drove back the episcopal troops, who retired to St. Giles's Church, situated on a height about a mile to the east of the castle. The next morning Cumin attacked St. Giles's, drove his opponents back, and fortified the church as an advance post from whence the bishop's troops were harried by frequent sallies of the garrison consisting of a company of men-at-arms and archers. (VCH, 1907)

Parish church. Part of the hospital of St. Giles founded 1112 AD; north nave wall c.1114; chancel late C12; tower early C13 and early C15; c.1873 south aisle and vestry, north porch. Sandstone, most coursed and squared, with ashlar dressings; porch snecked sandstone; plinth. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

The stone built church and the buildings of the hospital (possibly also stone built) would have provide ready accommodation for troop in 1143. The hospital (presumably functioning as a resting place for pilgrims to Durham) was moved in 1180. Although the church does have a tactically valuable position it may be that some of the bishops 'troops' were pilgrims, rather than trained soldiers, already based at the hospital, who retreated there out of familiarity rather than for military reasons.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ283426
Latitude54.7779693603516
Longitude-1.56014001369476
Eastings428390
Northings542650
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Jackson, M.J., 1996, Castles of Durham and Cleveland (Carlisle)
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1928, VCH Durham Vol. 3 (London) p. 12, 186-190 online transcription
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1907, VCH Durham Vol. 2 (London) p. 141 online copy

Journals

  • Ryder, P.F., 1996, 'Some Medieval Churches in County Durham' Durham Archaeological Journal Vol. 12 p. 61-91

Primary Sources

  • Arnold, T. (ed), 1882-5, Symeonis Monachi Opera Omnia (London: Rolls Series 75) Vol. 1 p. 152