Durham, England, diocese of
Durham, England, diocese of
Ancient diocese , and the lineal continuation of the See of Lindisfarne (founded by Saint Aidan , 635 ), with Aldhun as first bishop , 995 . The bishop ‘s almost kingly power, whereby he was lord absolute within his own jurisdiction, was abolished in 1536 by Henry VIII ; but certain powers of the palatinate were later revived and remained in force until 1836 . The present cathedral , begun in 1093 , has a tower 214 feet high. The last Catholic bishop , Cuthbert Tunstall, was removed by Elizabeth in 1559 , the bishopric becoming a county palatine. During the Catholic uprising of ten years later Mass was celebrated in this last of the old cathedrals to be so distinguished.