History of BISHOP AUCKLAND

This market town is on the Roman road Dere Street that runs from York to
Corbridge, and is at the crossing of the river Wear.  The original
settlement probably pre-dates the Iron Age. The town is part of a group
of West Auckland, St Helens Auckland and East or as it became known later
Bishop Auckland.  The 'Auckland' is thought to have been a corruption of
Oakland.

80AD    Roman period Binchester Fort and administrative centre on Dere
        Street. Vinovium Roman camp built by Julius Agricola.

411     Camp abandoned by the Roman military.

675     Escomb Saxon Church, the oldest complete church in England still
        in use.

1016    The area was part of the kingdom of Cnut, King of Norway, Denmark
        and England, with a provincial capital nearby at Staindrop.

1016    The land was given to Aldhune for the See of Durham by Cnut (Canute)
        and probably the first Bishop's residence was built.

1066    William the Conqueror.

10??    The palatinate of Durham declared by William. Bishop Auckland was
        the location of the palace of the Prince Bishop, the residence of
        the Bishop of Durham and where he held court. 

1086    Domesday Book, Bernicia the kingdom north of the Tees to the
        Scottish border was not recorded, so the town was not surveyed.

1183    Bolden Book, shows that Auckland was the name in use at this time.

1200C   The Deanery at South Church

1293    St Andrews South Church built.

1350    The Bishop's Park of 800 acres was enclosed by a stone wall.

1535    Henry VIII reign, abolition of the monasteries.

1604    King James school established by royal charter.

1760    Auckland Castle Deer house.

1763    Jeremiah Dixon born in Cockfield surveyed the 'Mason and Dixon line'.

1840    Lord Eden of Windlestone Hall establishes Auckland as the capital
        of New Zealand (later moved to Wellington).

        The railway

1857    The railway Viaduct across the Wear was opened.

1891    Stanley Jefferson (Stan Laurel) was baptised at St Peter's Church
        and lived at 66 Princes Street.

1976    Rugby Club formed.

1995    The Viaduct re-opened for road traffic.