Colleges: Barnard Castle

A History of the County of Durham: Volume 2. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1907.

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'Colleges: Barnard Castle', in A History of the County of Durham: Volume 2, (London, 1907) pp. 129-130. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/durham/vol2/pp129-130 [accessed 18 March 2024]

37. THE COLLEGE OF BARNARD CASTLE

In February, 1477-8 Edward IV granted permission to his brother Richard, duke of Gloucester, to found and endow a college at Barnard Castle, within the castle there. The establishment was to consist of a dean, twelve chaplains, ten clerks, six choristers, and one clerk (sic), to celebrate divine offices in the castle chapel. It was to be dedicated to Christ, the Blessed Virgin, St. Margaret, and St. Ninian, and was to have land purchased for it not exceeding the yearly value of 400 marks. (fn. 1)

Whether or not this project was ever executed is not known; but as the licence of foundation appears to be the only document in existence relating to the college, it seems probable that in the increasing pressure of public business the duke forgot or omitted to carry out his pious intention.

Footnotes

  • 1. Pat. 17 Edw. IV, pt. 2, m. 16.