Prestige Titles · Lordships of England

The Lord of Durham

The bishops who ruled the north like kings.

In short: Durham was ruled for centuries by its bishops, who held almost royal powers. They raised their own armies and even minted their own coins to guard the border with Scotland.

Durham's history

Durham grew up around a great cathedral and castle built on a rocky loop of the River Wear. They were raised to protect the shrine of St Cuthbert and to defend the north of England against invasion from Scotland.

The Lords of Durham

The Bishops of Durham were far more than churchmen. As "prince-bishops" of a County Palatine, they raised their own armies, held their own courts and even struck their own coins, ruling the region almost like independent kings on the Crown's behalf. Their extraordinary powers were not fully removed until 1836.

Notable figures:the Prince-Bishops of Durham

Why the title mattered

No other subject in England held power like the prince-bishops of Durham. The Crown granted it deliberately, trusting them to rule the dangerous Scottish border almost as sovereigns in their own right. To see how such titles compared with the ranks of the peerage, read the full order of precedence.

Prestige Titles has no connection to the historic lordship of Durham and sells neither land nor peerages. Our title pack lets you legally change your title to Lord.

Become a Lord

The prince-bishops who ruled Durham earned their power over centuries. You can become a Lord far more easily, with a genuine title pack of your own.

Lord Title Pack

£44.99£59.99

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Real parchment certificate · sealed Master Title Deed · a donation to the Woodland Trust