COLLEGES
31. THE COLLEGE OF DARLINGTON
It has been stated that when Bishop William
removed the secular clergy from Durham, he
established some of them at Darlington; (fn. 1) but
the church received its collegiate form and constitution from Bishop Pudsey, or at least was
entirely remodelled by him. (fn. 2) The college consisted of a dean, or as he was at first styled a
vicar, and four prebendaries. In the Taxation of
Pope Nicholas (1291), the revenues are rated
at £73 6s. 8d. (fn. 3)
In 1312 Bishop Kellaw made an inquiry
into the defects of the prebendal houses, and
gave orders for their repair. (fn. 4)
Bishop Neville materially altered the constitution of the college. In his time the prebendaries,
though richly endowed, neither resided themselves nor provided deputies, (fn. 5) so that the whole
charge of the parish fell on the vicar, Master
Richard Wytton. He was no longer able to
sustain the burden, his revenues being greatly
diminished, as well by the pestilence (the Black
Death) which was rife among the people as by
other misfortunes and accidents, in consequence
of which the name of vicar was no longer so
much honoured among the people. The bishop
accordingly (8 November, 1439) ordained that
the vicar should thenceforth be called dean; and
for the support of that dignity he erected one
additional prebend to be held with the deanery,
to consist of the oblations, mortuaries, altarage,
and offerings which the vicar then held, together
with his ancient manse. He also made an
arrangement by which the dean was to receive
the tithes of each of the other prebends in
succession for three years. (fn. 6)
In addition the bishop ordained (1443) that
every prebendary should provide one officiating
clerk, or in default forfeit five marks to the
dean. (fn. 7)
In 1535 (fn. 8) and 1548, (fn. 9) the revenues of the
college were valued at £53 6s. 11d. It was
dissolved in 1550, and the whole of the lands
and tithes vested in the crown, except a small
stipend reserved for an officiating minister. (fn. 10)
Vicars of Darlington (fn. 11)
Robert de Royston, occ. 1309
Richard de Hadington, occ. 1344
William de Welton, coll. 1354, p.m. Hadington
Robert de Hunmanby, occ. 1361
William Hoton, occ. 1398
William Hesel, occ. 1411
Stephen Austell, occ. 27 March, 1416
Richard Wytton, coll. 1428, p.r. Austell
Richard Bicheburn, occ. 1436
Richard Wytton, first dean
Deans of Darlington
Richard Wytton, nominated 1439
Roland Hardgyll, occ. 1451
Robert Symeson, occ. 14 August, 1466
Ralph Lepton, coll. 9 November, 1497, p. m.
R. Symeson (fn. 12)
Cuthbert Marshall, occ. 1548, (fn. 13) dean at the
dissolution