BILLINGHAM
The parish of Billingham included in 1831 the
townships of Billingham, Cowpen Bewley and Newton Bewley, and the chapelry of Wolviston, and had
an area of 8,970 acres. Wolviston and Newton
Bewley were assigned as a district chapelry in 1859
to the church of St. Peter at Wolviston, (fn. 1) and in
1862 a considerable area in the south and east of the
parish, including Haverton Hill, Port Clarence, and
Salt Holme, was formed into the ecclesiastical district
of Haverton Hill. (fn. 2) An Urban District Council of
sixteen members was formed in 1923 and the parish
divided into four wards. In 1920 a War Memorial
Hall was erected.
The old parish had 3 miles of foreshore on the
Tees Haven, and much of the land is low-lying and
marshy. In 1623 the tenants of Billingham complained
that their pastures on this low land, called 'The
Checkers,' 'The Cow-marsh,' and 'Hors-marsh,' were
constantly inundated by the tide, and in consequence
had much deteriorated. (fn. 3) On the higher ground both
arable and pasture land is very good. About 3,106 acres
are under cultivation, (fn. 4) and cereal crops, turnips, beans,
and peas are raised. The soil is various on a subsoil
of keuper marl and alluvium.
The township of Billingham, which is the most
westerly in the parish, is separated from Norton and
Stockton parishes by the Billingham Beck flowing
through low-lying meadows. In 1314 the Bishop of
Durham granted a special indulgence to those who
contributed to the building and repair of the bridge
and causeway between Billingham and Norton. (fn. 5) This
was probably on the high road from Stockton to Sunderland, which passes through the two villages. There
is an old road, however, which runs south-west from
Billingham village to the stream and is continued on
the other side as a lane leading to Norton. An arm
of Billingham Beck, diverted to form a millrace,
flows close by the village. This was presumably the
water-course which in 1366 the inhabitants were required to narrow between 'le Resschiters' and 'Flotherkere' (Flotter Carr, 1580), (fn. 6) so that it might keep
to its old channel. (fn. 7)
The village is a group of houses round the crossroads; the highway sends one branch north from this
point to Sunderland, the other north-east to West
Hartlepool. The old street-names include the
'Pekeshers' and 'Balyerawe.' (fn. 8) The church of St.
Cuthbert stands on high ground to the north-west of
the village, and forms a conspicuous landmark in the
low-lying country near the mouth of the Tees. In a
space before it is a cross, and here, no doubt, was the
pillory set up by the prior in 1418–19. (fn. 9) In the 15th
century an unauthorized market used to be held against
the wall of the churchyard on Sundays and feast days. (fn. 10)
The vicar was ordered to admonish his parishioners
on the subject in 1497. (fn. 11) Billingham made a stand
for the old religion in the 16th century. A witness
at the inquiry into the rebellion of the north in 1569
deposed that 'the hye alter stone is buried in the
quier there, and one read cope is also remaining in
the said church as yet undefaced.' (fn. 12) The trades of the
village included in the 14th century the making of
fish oil in the 'Pekeshers' and brewing. (fn. 13) In 1618
William and Robert Gibson sold a smelting house to
Richard Apelbye (fn. 14) and in 1720 Mary Bushe conveyed a brass furnace and corn-mill to Thomas
Corney. (fn. 15) In 1857 the village contained a brewery,
a malting, and a large skinnery. (fn. 16) There is still a
brewery here. The Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates
Co. have extensive works in the parish, and the
Clarence Brickworks are a short distance to the northeast. A lane runs south from the village to Billingham Mill, (fn. 17) and another, formerly the 'Ferrygait,' (fn. 18)
eastward to the old landing stage from which the
ferry crossed the Tees.
North-east of Billingham is the group of farmhouses called High, Middle, and Low Bellasis, and
near the second the manor-house of Bellasis with the
remains of a moat. In 1649 the manor-house was
described as consisting of 'a hall, a parlour, a larder or
milke house with chambers over them being very
ruinous,' one barn, one stable, and other out-houses. (fn. 19)
A garden city has lately been built by Lord Furness
at Bellasis for the employees of his shipyard. More
important than Bellasis at the present day is the
modern settlement of Haverton Hill on the banks of
the Tees to the south-east. It stands in the middle
of a ring of saltworks and has a station on the North
Eastern railway. The church of St. John is at the west
end, and there are Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist,
and United Methodist chapels. At Port Clarence, a
group of ironworks further east which is an outpost
of Middlesbrough, there is a Roman Catholic church,
built in 1879.
The Stockton to Sunderland road running north
from Billingham passes Billingham station on the
North Eastern railway and a pottery and brickworks
before it reaches Wolviston. Wolviston is a fair-sized
village, roughly square in shape, approached at its
corners by four roads. The site of the old church
is in the centre of the village in a street formerly
known as 'Northkevyll.' (fn. 20) The modern church stands
a short distance to the east. The village has Wesleyan
and United Methodist chapels. Wolviston Hall, on
its south side, is the residence of Mrs. Webster.
Mill Lane runs south-west to Wolviston Mill on the
banks of Billingham Beck, probably on the site of the
'Snawedon' or Wolviston Mill of the 15th and 16th
centuries. (fn. 21)
North-east of Wolviston on the road from that
village to West Hartlepool is the little village of
Newton Bewley. The present corn-mill at its east
end has replaced the old windmill. The site of the
manor-house of Bewley, from which the village is
named, is not certainly known, but there are traces of
a moat at Low Grange, a farm midway between
Newton and Cowpen, (fn. 22) and a tiny stream near by
would supply the necessary power for the water-mill
attached to the manor. (fn. 23)
The remaining township of Cowpen Bewley occupies the marshy ground on the banks of the Tees to
the north of Haverton Hill. The village, which
consists of one wide street with a narrow green in the
middle, is just above the marshes. On Cowpen
marsh were the old saltworks of the township, now
disused. Salt Holme, a large and important farm
between Cowpen Marsh and Haverton Hill, existed
in 1338, as part of the estate of the priory of
Durham. It was leased by Henry VIII in 1541 to
Roger Lascelles, and was granted in the same year to
the dean and chapter of Durham. (fn. 24) In 1649 it was
sold with the manor of Billingham (q.v.) by the
trustees of church lands. (fn. 25) It subsequently reverted
to the dean and chapter, and was part of the cathedral
estate in 1823. (fn. 26) It now belongs to Durham
University.
The inclosure of Billingham took place in about
1620. (fn. 27)
MANORS
BILLINGHAM was given to the
congregation of St. Cuthbert by Bishop
Ecgred (830–46), described as the
founder of the vill. (fn. 28) It was seized about thirty years
later by Ella, King of the Northumbrians, but seems
to have been recovered at his death. (fn. 29) Bishop Cutheard
granted it about 901 to Elfred son of Birchtulfinc,
who was seeking a settlement
out of reach of the Danes, and
became the bishop's vassal. (fn. 30)
Afterwards, however, Regenwald, King of the Danes,
ravaged that part of the
country, and gave the lands of
St. Cuthbert, from Billingham
to (Castle) Eden, to his knight
Scula. (fn. 31) Billingham was restored to the servants of St.
Cuthbert by William the Conqueror, who granted it in aid
of their maintenance. (fn. 32) It was
subsequently part of the possessions of the priory of
Durham, and appears in the forged charters of Bishop
William de St. Calais. (fn. 33) A charter of William II is
in existence granting Billingham to the monks, with
all the privileges they had in their lands between
Tyne and Tees. (fn. 34) There are also confirmations by
Henry II, Richard I, and John. (fn. 35)
Priory of Durham. Azure a cross paty between four lions argent.
These grants included the whole of Billingham,
which in the 14th century was held in three parts.
The prior had a grange or manor-house with a
garden, dove-house, and fish-pond. (fn. 36) There were a
few freeholds, (fn. 37) and the rest of the township was held
in 'husbandries' of nearly uniform size. (fn. 38) The farmers
of these husbandries had the usual organization of
tenants in the prior's vills, electing their officers and
allotting to each tenant his common of pasture in
their assembly or 'bierlawe.' (fn. 39) The men of Billingham, however, were specially favoured by the priors
in being allowed a 'gild hous,' (fn. 40) in which probably
these meetings were held. They ground their corn
either at Billingham Mill or one of the other mills
within the parish (fn. 41) and owed services to the manor of
Bellasis as well as to Billingham.
An important appurtenance of the manor was the
ferry over the Tees, which appears to have existed
from the 12th century. (fn. 42) It seems that only half the
responsibility and profit of the ferry belonged to the
prior, (fn. 43) the other half belonging to the lords of the
Yorkshire land across the river. In 1379–80 the prior
made a payment to Sir Thomas Boynton, then owner
of land on the opposite bank, (fn. 44) for half a ferry boat. (fn. 45)
The ferry existed till the 16th century, but was
'decayed' in 1580. (fn. 46)
On the Dissolution the manor of Billingham, with
the sixteen villeinage holdings, (fn. 47) and all its rents and
profits except the water-mill, was leased to John
Leigh of the Household. (fn. 48) In the same year (1541)
the possessions of St. Cuthbert here were granted to
the dean and chapter of Durham. (fn. 49) The manor was
seized under the Commonwealth by the Commissioners for Church Lands, and in 1649 was sold to
James Clement and John Pickersgill. (fn. 50) At about the
same date the water-mill of Billingham and a windmill there (fn. 51) were sequestered for the delinquency of
Captain Gascoigne Eden, then lessee. (fn. 52) After the
Restoration Billingham remained in the possession of
the dean and chapter till 1872, when part of the
manor was vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. (fn. 53)
In the early 13th century the priors claimed the
privilege of taking customs from ships landing at or
taking cargo from their land along the Tees bank. (fn. 54)
The claim was opposed by the Bishop of Durham,
who maintained that he had the sole right of taking
custom on the north bank as Peter Brus had on the
south. (fn. 55) Several witnesses testified that the priors had
in the past taken toll, (fn. 56) but by the final agreement or
'convenit' made with Bishop Poor in 1229 this
right was reserved to the bishop, leaving to the prior
only his ferry. (fn. 57) Robert of Holy Island, Bishop of
Durham (1274–83), granted the prior and convent
warren in Billinghamshire. (fn. 58) An unexplained grant
of view of frankpledge in Billingham, Newton, Bewley,
Cowpen, Wolviston and other places was made to
Ralph Fetherstonhaugh in June 1617, (fn. 59) while the see
was vacant.
The freeholds created here by various priors are
not of great importance. Gilbert son of Reginald de
Billingham surrendered his land here in the late
12th century for land in Wolviston. (fn. 60) A messuage
and 72 acres belonged in the early 13th century to
John son of Geoffrey, whose daughters and co-heirs
Agnes, Alice, and Margaret married respectively Henry
del Hay, Alexander de Kirkynsolagh, and William son
of William de Herle. (fn. 61) Alice and Alexander enfeoffed
of their share William de Herle, who added to his
48 acres a messuage and 6 acres purchased from
William Champenays. The holding, having passed
in turn to his son William and daughter Joan, finally
reverted to his sisters Sibil and Isabella, whose sons
David de Bicheburn and Roger de Herle were tenants
in 1336. (fn. 62) A third part of this freehold was granted
in mortmain to the prior and convent in or shortly
after 1379 as part of the endowment of John Fossor's
chantry. (fn. 63)
The most important freehold was that granted by
Thomas Melsanby (prior 1233–44) to Robert son
of Robert Rekelott, (fn. 64) to hold as his father had held it.
It consisted of 72 acres and a capital messuage, and
was next held by John son of Robert, (fn. 65) evidently the
John the Cowherd of Billingham who married the
sister of Richard Kellaw, Bishop of Durham, and was
treated with special favour in consequence by the
prior. (fn. 66) John's son William unsuccessfully claimed
common of pasture in 'Saltcroke' and 'Wylycroke'
in 1343. (fn. 67) He had a son Alan, who paid relief for
his lands in Billingham in 1349 (fn. 68) and made an
agreement with the prior in 1361. (fn. 69) Alan died
between 1390 and 1397. (fn. 70) A dispute with William
de Billingham, son of Alan, was settled in 1410. (fn. 71)
This William was succeeded by Thomas, who lived
till about 1442. (fn. 72) Before 1430, however, his
land at Billingham had passed to Robert Jakson. (fn. 73)
Robert paid a yearly rent of 13s. 4d. for his capital
messuage and 72 acres, and owed military service,
suit of court every fortnight, and works at the mill
and at the manor of Billingham. Most of these
services were redeemed in 1430 by a payment of 10s. (fn. 74)
The heir of Robert Jakson is not known, but it was
apparently his freehold for which the heirs of John
Hewetsone paid a rent of 20s. in 1539. (fn. 75) Thomas
Bainbridge held it in 1580, (fn. 76) and in 1612 this or a
later Thomas Bainbridge, with his son and heir John,
conveyed three messuages and 360 acres of arable
land, meadow and pasture in Billingham to Sir Henry
Anderson. (fn. 77) About five years later Sir Henry claimed
that this tenement, which was known as 'Billinghams
or Bainbridges,' carried with it a share in the
manorial rights of the dean and chapter, against
whom he brought a writ of partition. He succeeded
in securing the inclosure of the common lands, a
measure which caused great discontent among the
other tenants. There are records of their proceedings against him, the ground of which was that he
had no right to the soil of the pasture lands, but
only a right of common like themselves, and that his
claim to a ninth of the whole was in any case excessive. (fn. 78) The dispute dragged on for several years, and
the result was apparently unfavourable to Sir Henry. (fn. 79)
He was succeeded at Billingham by his son Henry,
but the later history of the estate is uncertain. (fn. 80)
BELLASIS
BELLASIS (Belasyse, xv cent.; Bellces, Belsis, xvi
cent.; Belsis, xviii cent.) gave its name to a local family
subsequently of Henknowle. According to tradition
this family came into possession of Bellasis soon after
the Conquest, (fn. 81) but nothing is known of it earlier.
Henry and Roger de Belasis witnessed 12th-century
charters of the Prior of Durham, (fn. 82) and a grant
of the vill by William de
Belasis to William son of
Robert is quoted in the family
pedigrees. (fn. 83) Sir Rowland de
Belasis, who lived at Bewley,
was among the knights of the
bishopric in 1264. (fn. 84) The
John de Belasis who held land
in Wolviston between 1270
and 1280 (fn. 85) may have been
lord of Bellasis, but it is possible that his family had
already alienated the manor to
the priory of Durham, to which
it certainly belonged in 1296. (fn. 86) The fact that certain
freehold tenants in Billingham holding under Prior
Thomas (1233–44) owed labour at the manor of
Bellasis (fn. 87) seems to indicate that it was acquired by the
priory considerably before that date. The tradition,
supported by a couplet formerly in a window of the
church of St. Andrew Auckland, that Bellasis was
exchanged by a John de Belasis for Henknowle, (fn. 88) is
curious, in view of the fact that Henknowle was
granted to John de Belasis as late as 1380 for
land at Wolviston. (fn. 89)
Bellasis. Argent a cheveron gules between three fleurs de lis azure.
In 1296 the manor was farmed by William son of
John. (fn. 90) It seems, however, that during most of the
next century the priors held it in their own hands. (fn. 91)
It was among the manors of which Prior Richard de
Hoton declared in 1305 that Bishop Antony had
disseised him. (fn. 92) In 1373 a lease for fifteen years was
granted to William Jakson of Cowpen, with provisions to protect the prior from loss if the value of
the arable land should have fallen at the end of his
term. He leased at the same time the services of
the sixteen bondage tenants of Billingham who owed
work at Bellasis. The rent was fixed at £6 13s. 4d. (fn. 93)
William Dicon held a similar lease in 1439 and
1446. (fn. 94) Eighteen years later the tenant was Ralph
Holtby. (fn. 95) By 1500 it had come into the possession of
Percival Lambton, (fn. 96) whose descendants held the
lease for 300 years. He died in 1501, (fn. 97) when
the rest of his lease for seventy years seems to
have passed to his son William. (fn. 98) The rent was
raised before 1539 to £9 6s. 8d. (fn. 99) William's son
Marmaduke, known as 'Blind Lambton,' died without issue, (fn. 100) leaving three sisters and co-heirs, Elizabeth,
Frances, and Alice, married respectively to John Eden
of Durham, William Skelton of Armswell, and Robert
Claxton. (fn. 101) The lease of Bellasis came by arrangement into the hands of John Eden, (fn. 102) to whose
descendants of West Auckland (q.v.) it was subsequently renewed. (fn. 103) At the sale of church lands
in 1649 Robert Eden, then the tenant, purchased
the manor from the trustees, thereby losing a sum of
£1,320 5s. when the sale was set aside. (fn. 104) His
descendants continued to lease it till the early years of
the 19th century, when Sir John Eden, bart., sold
his interest. (fn. 105) Bellasis House was among the possessions
in Billingham retained by the dean and chapter after
the settlement of 1872. (fn. 106)
Lambton. Sable a fesse between three lambs argent.
Eden. Gules a cheveron argent between three sheaves or with three scallops sable on the cheveron.
BEWLEY
BEWLEY (Beaulou, Beulu, xiii cent.; Bieuloue,
Beaulieu, xv cent.; Bewley, xvi, xvii cent.) probably
came to the priory of Durham by the grant of
Billingham (q.v.). The grange of the prior here is
mentioned in the time of Prior Thomas Melsanby
(1233–44), (fn. 107) and a manor-house was built by Prior
Hugh de Darlington between 1258 and 1273. (fn. 108) This
manor-house was the headquarters of the prior and
other officers of the priory when they stayed in this
neighbourhood. (fn. 109) They farmed the demesne during
the 13th and 14th centuries, and tenants of Blaxton
and Wolviston owed services here. (fn. 110) A water-mill, a
dove-house and a park were attached to the manor;
the two former are mentioned in the 14th century
and the latter in the 15th and 17th. (fn. 111) In 1446
Bewley was said to be in the hand of the lord only
for lack of tenants, (fn. 112) and in 1464 it was held by
William Thorp for a term of years. He paid a rent
of £10 3s. 4d. (fn. 113) The prior stayed here with the
Prior of Guisborough in 1501–2, (fn. 114) and in 1532–3
the bursar made a payment for repairs to the hall
and the steward's chamber. (fn. 115) George Davyson
was the farmer in 1536–7 (fn. 116) and Ralph Davyson,
perhaps his heir, in 1539. (fn. 117)
After the Dissolution Bewley and the demesne
lands were annexed to the 12th stall of Durham
Cathedral. (fn. 118) They were described as parcel of the
possessions of the cathedral in 1649, when they were
sold by the trustees for church lands with the manor
of Billingham to James Clement and John Pickersgill. (fn. 119)
The manor-house seems to have fallen into decay
during the 17th century, for it is not mentioned
after this sale. No remains of it appear to have
existed in Hutchinson's day. The demesnes were
probably then included in the manor of Newton.
COWPEN BEWLEY
COWPEN BEWLEY (Cupum, xii cent.; Coupon,
xiv cent.) may be supposed to have been included in
the charter of William the Conqueror granting
Billingham to the priory of Durham. It is specifically mentioned in confirmations of Henry II and
Richard I. (fn. 120) It was held in bondage or villeinage
tenements, the tenants of which elected their reeve
(praepositus) and made rules for the government of
the vill. (fn. 121) They ground their corn at the mill of
Newton. (fn. 122) There were fifteen bond tenants in 1300,
and the same number in 1536. (fn. 123) In 1539, however,
only ten are mentioned, the remainder of the land
being held by cottiers. (fn. 124) In the 13th and 14th
centuries the saltworks from which the priors derived
a large part of their revenues in Cowpen were
attached to various tenements and held on lease by
the tenants, a rent of salt being paid to the prior. (fn. 125)
In 1432–3 the tenants of the vill are first found holding the saltworks in common and paying £7 3s. 4d.
as an equivalent for a salt rent of 35 quarters
6 bushels 2 pecks. (fn. 126) This arrangement continued
throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. (fn. 127) In 1536
and 1580, however, the rent was £7 6s., the price of
36 quarters 4 bushels. (fn. 128) In 1539 the tenants of the
vill similarly leased the common bake-house. (fn. 129)
Six cottier tenants in Cowpen paid a rent called
Candlewick silver. (fn. 130)
The land of this township was divided in 1872
between the dean and chapter of Durham and the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners. (fn. 131)
The whole of NEWTON BEWLEY belonged from
an early date to the Priors of Durham, probably as
part of Billingham (fn. 132) (q.v.). It was held under them
in nine 'husbandries' or villeinage holdings, the rent
of which in 1539 was £4 0s. 0½d. each and three
cottier holdings. (fn. 133) The windmill was leased separately, (fn. 134) and there were no freeholds of any importance.
In 1358 an order was made that no tenant was to
exchange his land with another without licence. (fn. 135)
The vill was granted to the dean and chapter in
1541, (fn. 136) and was annexed to the cathedral till 1872,
when portions of it were vested in the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners. (fn. 137) The abolition of customary tenant
right in 1576 (fn. 138) caused some friction here. There are
two suits of the late 16th century setting forth the
grievances of tenants who could not obtain from the
dean and chapter new leases of what they claimed
were their ancestral holdings. (fn. 139) Two farms here were
sold by the trustees for church lands to Henry Barker
in 1650. (fn. 140)
Some land in WOLVISTON (Wlveston, Olvestona,
xi cent.; Wolston, Wolveston, xvi cent.) probably
passed to the church of St. Cuthbert by the grant of
Billingham. This did not include the whole vill,
however, for Wolviston occurs among the places
released to Bishop William de St. Calais by Robert,
Earl of Northumberland. (fn. 141) Bishop William perhaps
made a grant of it to the convent; the vill of Wolviston is introduced into the forged charters attributed
to him. (fn. 142) One carucate in Wolviston was 'restored'
to St. Cuthbert by Bishop Ranulf Flambard (1099–
1128). (fn. 143) It was then in the tenure of a certain
Clibert de Hetton. (fn. 144) Geoffrey Rufus, successor of
Ranulf Flambard, gave half a carucate here held by
Clibert son of Aelstan, probably the same tenant, to
buy a light in the chapter. (fn. 145) Finally, in 1185,
Roger de Kibblesworth, son of Clibert de Hetton,
surrendered to Prior German his tenancy in drengage (fn. 146)
in return for the vill of Cocken. (fn. 147)
Another holding bought in by the prior and convent during the 12th century was a freehold created
by themselves. Richard 'the engineer' quitclaimed to
Prior German all the land he held of him in Wolviston
in return for a carucate in Pittington. (fn. 148) Richard had
a tenant, Ralph son of Gamel son of Aelsi son of
Arkil, who held in drengage, a tenure dating from
before the Conquest. (fn. 149) He was perhaps the ancestor
of the William and Henry de Wolviston who quitclaimed land here to the prior in the 13th century. (fn. 150)
There still remained a large freehold in Wolviston
held by the Belasis family. Between 1270 and 1280
John de Billingham released to John de Belasis of
Wolviston and Alice his wife all the lands and tenements which he had in Wolviston by gift of John. (fn. 151)
Alice widow of John made a release to William de
Belasis in 1316. (fn. 152) In 1380 the whole estate of the
Belasis family, amounting to seven messuages, 160 acres
of land, and 8 acres of meadow, held of the prior
per certa servitia, was granted to the prior and convent
in exchange for the manor of Henknowle. (fn. 153) At the
same time the prior acquired land here late of John
de Wolviston, Richard de Aske, Robert de Masham,
and others, tenants of the priory. (fn. 154)
About 1384 some 500 acres in Wolviston were
held of the prior by free tenants. (fn. 155) The rest of the
vill was divided between bond tenants, of whom
in the 16th century there were thirteen, and
cottiers. (fn. 156) A water-mill was attached to it. (fn. 157)
The possessions of the priory were granted to the
dean and chapter in 1541. (fn. 158) One of their tenants
here, a certain William Thorpe, was among the
leaders in the agitation for tenant right settled in
1576. (fn. 159) Part of Wolviston was sold by the trustees
for church lands in 1654. (fn. 160) Since 1872 the cathedral
land in the township has been divided between the
dean and chapter and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. (fn. 161)
The Marquess of Londonderry also has land here.
CHURCHES
The church of ST. CUTHBERT
consists of a chancel 40 ft. by 15 ft. 8 in.,
with organ chamber on the north side,
clearstoried nave 63 ft. 4 in. by 13 ft., north and south
aisles each 10 ft. wide, south porch, and west tower
12 ft. square, (fn. 162) all these measurements being internal.
The earliest parts of the building are the tower
and the greater part of the nave walls, which are of
the pre-Conquest period, probably about the middle
of the 11th century, though an earlier date is quite
possible. There are several pieces of sculptured crossshafts built into the walls of the tower. (fn. 163) Six of these
fragments are on the south side of the tower at different
levels, some near the ground and some in the upper
stages, which seems to indicate that the stone crosses
then standing on the site were collected and used
when the tower was erected. (fn. 164) The extreme narrowness of the nave in comparison with its height marks
it as contemporary with the tower. Some pre-Conquest fragments have been found here also, one, now
at Durham, 'exhibiting two seated figures in which
the knees are treated in a conspicuous and unusual
manner.' (fn. 165) The original nave, however, does not appear to have extended so far eastward as at present, the
long masonry pier at the east end of the north arcade,
marking its extent in that direction, showing it to have
been about 48 ft. in length. The original squareended chancel would therefore occupy approximately
the easternmost bay of the existing nave.
Plan of Billingham Church
The first change in the plan occurred at the end of
the 12th century, when a north aisle was added, the
arcade being broken through the wall, leaving large
masses of the early masonry between the arches, with
'responds' on either side, the piers thus being on plan
a short-limbed cross. About 1200 the south arcade
was added, the nave extended eastward one bay, and
the chancel arch built, a new arch similar to the old
being erected at the east end of the north arcade. The
addition of a new chancel followed, the Transitional
character of the south arcade giving way to the fully
developed style of the 13th century. No further
alterations to the plan have since been made, with the
exception of the addition of the organ chamber in
modern times, though the building has undergone
many alterations and reconstructions. No evidence
remains as to the date of the original porch, and it
may therefore have been of late date. In the 15th
century the top of the tower was reconstructed, and
probably the north aisle wall raised and the buttresses
added. The nave roof and the south clearstory
windows were also apparently of 15th-century date,
but the latter have been restored. The building
underwent some changes in the 18th century, sash
windows being inserted in the south aisle, but no
structural alterations of importance appear to have
been made. Sir Stephen Glynne, who visited the
church in 1843, describes the chancel as of 'excellent
plain Early English work,' having 'four plain lancets
with rather obtuse heads' on either side. The clearstory windows were then closed and the exterior of
the building was 'patched and ragged.' 'The chancel,'
he proceeds, 'is long and of fine proportions, the
parapet moulded, with a corbel table below and a
string under the windows. The east end has the
parapet in an uncommon form: a kind of ellipse with
toothed ornaments. … The chancel is rather neat
within, and fitted up with stalls and desks before them,
and the wainscoting is not quite in character with the
ancient church. The roof of the chancel has plain
timbers, the rest of the church is ceiled within.' (fn. 166)
In 1846 the chancel (which is described as 'having
shrunk') (fn. 167) was taken down and rebuilt in the following year on the old foundations. The plaster ceiling
of the nave, which had only been put up a few years
before, was removed at the same time, and a fine old
oak roof revealed. The arches and piers of the nave
arcades were chiselled over. (fn. 168) There were restorations
in 1864–5, 1882–3, and in 1890, the whole of the
south aisle wall and the porch being taken down and
rebuilt and the nave roof and clearstory windows
reconstructed.
The chancel is of no antiquarian interest, except in
so far as it reproduces the older work. It is in the
13th-century style, with an east window of three
lancets, and is divided externally into four bays by
flat buttresses. There are four lancets on the south
side and three on the north, the westernmost bay
on that side being occupied by the organ chamber.
No ancient features have been retained, with the
exception of the pointed chancel arch, which is of
two slightly chamfered orders and springs from semicircular responds with moulded capitals and bases.
The capitals of the responds differ in detail, that
on the north side having a semi-octagonal abacus.
Externally the chancel has a straight parapet and
high-pitched green-slated roof.
Billingham Church from the South
The north arcade of the nave consists of five
pointed arches of two slightly chamfered orders
springing from masonry piers, the imposts of which
are chamfered on the underside with a triangular
groove above. The piers, as already stated, are each,
in section, a short-limbed cross slightly chamfered on
each angle, and the responds correspond. The
angles of the abaci are cut off and are ornamented on
the underside with a pellet ornament, some of which
are missing. The south arcade is much richer in
character, and consists of five pointed arches springing from circular piers with square plinths, on the
four corners of which are slender shafts attached to
the larger middle one. The base mouldings follow
the plan of the piers, but the capitals have square
moulded abaci with separate bell-shaped necks to
the piers and shafts with a fillet below. The
responds are similar in detail, but the small shafts of
that at the east end are octagonal in section, all the
others being circular. The arches are of two orders,
the outer order moulded on the nave side with an
edge roll and the inner with a pointed bowtel.
Towards the aisle the outer order is simply chamfered, and the inner order is moulded with two rolls.
The arches are inclosed by indented labels on the nave
face of the wall. (fn. 169) The nave walls above the arcades
and at the west end retain their ancient masonry,
but terminate externally in embattled parapets above
the clearstory and have gargoyles and grotesque heads
at the eastern angles. There are four clearstory
windows on the north and five on the south side,
those on the north being old square-headed openings
with splayed internal jambs and sloping sills. The
westernmost window on the south side is similar,
but the others are later adaptations of the older
openings, two of which have been widened and
made of two lights each. They are all squareheaded with trefoiled lights and stepped internal
sills, but outside are modern restorations. The roof
is of nine bays covered with slates, and over the east
gable are the remains of a sanctus bellcote.
The modern south aisle offers no features of interest,
except that some original detail is reproduced in a
double square buttress and lancet window at the east
end. The easternmost window in the south wall is
of three lights; the others are of two lights. The
aisle is under a lean-to leaded roof behind a straight
parapet. The porch has a slated roof with overhanging eaves, and built into its walls are several fragments
of mediaeval grave slabs and a piscina, the bowl of
which has been cut away. The windows of the
north aisle are all modern, but the walling is old.
The aisle is divided externally into four bays by
buttresses, those at the angles being diagonal. The
north doorway, which is now blocked, has a plain
pointed arch of a single chamfered order without
impost or hood mould, and at the east end is a
pointed recess high up in the wall with corbelled
sill.
The tower, which is about 70 ft. in height, is the
most interesting feature of the building. Externally
it is marked horizontally by two strings immediately
below and above the belfry stage, the lower part, which
internally consists of three stages, being quite plain.
The bottom story opens to the nave by a tall
narrow round-headed doorway with a plain arch in
two stones resting on chamfered imposts. The opening
is 2 ft. 9 in. wide at the bottom, slightly narrowing to
the top, and is 8 ft. 3 in. in height to the crown.
The chamber is roofed with a groined vault with
chamfered ribs, introduced probably in the 13th
century. The ribs spring at each angle from plain
corbels 4 ft. 5 in. above the floor, and the vault has
been cut through at a later period to give access to
the upper floors. A modern single-light window
has been inserted in the south wall. The second
internal stage has a narrow loop on the west side and
had formerly an opening to the nave, but the north
and south walls are blank. The third stage has a
large round-headed window on the south side which
is treated with a band of stripwork to the jambs
and round the extrados of the arch connected with
the opening by projecting impost stones. Above
this window is the first string-course, which is a
plain square projecting band of stone. In the stage
above are four round-headed belfry windows, one on
each face. The belfry is loftier than the other
internal stages, and the windows consist each of two
round-headed openings separated by a mid-wall
shaft in one stone, within an inclosing arch. The
windows are treated with stripwork to the jambs
and arches, and in the spandrel formed by the strips
to the outer and inner arches is a pierced hole, those
on the east and west sides being circular and the
others in the form of an eight-rayed star or octofoil
with pointed ends. The string-course above the
belfry windows is quite plain, like the one below,
but is probably, together with the short bit of walling
above it and the embattled parapet, of 15th-century
date. The whole of the walling is of rubble, and
there is a clock dial on the east side towards the
village. The lower stage is used as a clergy
vestry.
The font, which stands at the west end of the
nave, is contemporary with the south arcade, and
consists of a circular stone bowl on a moulded circular
shaft and base and octagonal plinth with corner
ornaments. The lower part of the bowl immediately
above the shaft and the upper part of the base are
carved with conventional flat leaf-ornament, and
there is a 17th-century carved oak pyramidal cover.
The oak chancel screen is of late 17th-century
date, and has a central doorway with gates and two
openings on each side divided by thick turned
balusters. The detail is simple and substantial, but
has been a good deal patched and restored. Near
the south doorway is an oak poor-box on a turned
baluster shaft inscribed 'Remember ye poore año
Do[mini] 1673.' The pulpit and all the other fittings
are modern. At the west end of the nave, high up
on the wall above the tower doorway, is a clock dial.
The church contains three brasses. The first
bears the figure of a priest vested in surplice with full
long sleeves, through which appear the sleeves of the
cassock, almuce, and a tippet of squirrel fur with a
fringe of pendant tails. The head is missing. The
inscription, which is a good deal worn, reads: 'Hic
iacet d[ominu]s Robert' Brerley nu[per] prebendarius siue
porc[]onarius [in] ecc[les]ia | [par]ochiali de Norton ac vicar'
ecc[les]ie | [par]ochialis de Belingh[am]; Dunelm[] dioc[] qui | obiit
. . . . die . . . a[nno] d[omin]i m'cccc° lxxx . . . . cui' aīe
[pro]picietur deus amen.' The second brass is inscribed:
'Orate pro a[nim]a Dñi Jo[han]is Necehm cap[ell?]i ac vicarij
q[uonda]m istius ecc[les]ie qui obijt in ffesto S[anct]i Nicholai
E[piscop]i Anno dñi mi[llessi]mo cccc° vjto cuius anime [pro]picietur
deus Amen.' The inscription on the third, which
is very much worn, reads: 'Hic jacet Wi[llel]m' Dyson
de Bellasys yomā qi obiit …die men[si]; Maij Anno
Dñi MCCCC …cui[us] aĩe … [dominu]s Amē.'
There is a ring of three bells, two cast by Lester
& Pack of London in 1759 and the third by John
Warner & Sons in 1857. (fn. 170)
The plate consists of a chalice of 1637 with the
mark of James Plummer of York; a paten of 1701
made by Seth Lofthouse of London and inscribed on
the back with the initials of Thomas and Margery
Davison, who presented it in 1712; a flagon of
1757 made by John Langlands of Newcastle, inscribed on the bottom 'Donum Ricardi Dongworth
Vicarii de Billingham 1761'; and another flagon of
1757 with the mark of Thomas Whipham and
Charles Wright of London, inscribed, 'Given to ye
Parish of Billingham A.D. 1758 By Thos Chapman,
D.D. Prebendary of Durham.' (fn. 171)
The registers begin in 1570.
The churchyard is entered at the south-east end
from the village through a modern lych-gate.
The church of ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST,
HAVERTON HILL, built in 1865, is of brick with
stone dressings, in the 13th-century style, and consists
of a chancel, nave, and western bell-turret. The living
is a vicarage in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of
Durham.
The church of ST. PETER, WOLVISTON, was
built in 1876, replacing an earlier building. It consists of a chancel, nave, north porch, and bell-turret.
The registers date from 1759.
ADVOWSON
The church of Billingham seems
to be first mentioned in the confirmatory charter of Henry II, by
which it was granted to the prior and convent. (fn. 172)
In the late 12th century it was the subject of dispute
between the prior and the bishop. A witness in the
case stated in 1228 that when Simon the Chamberlain, an incumbent of Billingham, was dying he (the
witness) was sent by Simon's son Henry to Prior
Bertram (1188–1212) asking him to defend the
church against any encroachment on the part of
the bishop. Henry held it for life, and it was
afterwards served by a monk of Durham. (fn. 173) The
rectory must, therefore, have been impropriated to
the priory. The right of the prior and convent to
the church was fully acknowledged by Bishop Richard
de Bury in 1343. (fn. 174) A vicarage had then been in
existence for at least fifty-two years. (fn. 175) In 1314 the
parish chaplains of Norton, Billingham, and Grindon
were ordered to admonish their parishioners to deliver
money left for the repair of bridges between Norton
and Billingham to the perpetual vicar of Billingham. (fn. 176)
The existence of the parochial chaplain may indicate
that the vicar was non-resident. This was the case in
1577–87, when John Magbray or Mackbrey was
vicar. A curate was in charge, and in 1587 the
parishioners complained that the sacraments had
sometimes been performed by strange curates, and
that one couple had had to go to Wolviston to be
married. (fn. 177) The advowson was granted in 1541 to
the dean and chapter, whose successors are now
patrons.
The rectory was leased in 1541 by Henry VIII to
John Leigh for twenty-one years, (fn. 178) but was shortly
afterwards granted to the dean and chapter, (fn. 179) and in
1555 it was annexed to the deanery. (fn. 180)
Rent was paid by free tenants in Billingham in
1430 to the light of the Blessed Virgin in the church. (fn. 181)
A chapel dependent on Billingham Church existed
at Wolviston from the time of Richard I. (fn. 182) It was
dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and in the 16th
century was said to belong to the gild of St. Mary
Magdalene. (fn. 183) It was granted by Elizabeth in 1572
to Percival Gunston and his heirs, (fn. 184) but seems to have
continued in use as late as 1634. (fn. 185) It was in ruins,
however, for some time before 1716, when the churchwardens by legal process freed it from the control of
the vicar of Billingham, and then rebuilt it with a
dedication in honour of St. Peter. (fn. 186) The living was
declared a rectory in 1866. (fn. 187) It is in the gift of the
dean and chapter.
Richard de Hoton, prior 1289–1308, built a chapel
at Bewley, (fn. 188) which is mentioned several times in the
14th and 16th centuries. (fn. 189)
CHARITIES
The Poor's Land, the origin of
which is unknown, consists of two
houses and 4 acres, producing together
£24 yearly; the net income is distributed in small
money doles by the incumbents and churchwardens
of the several ecclesiastical districts in the ancient
parish of Billingham.
In 1725 Ann Chapman by her will gave to the
poor £20, now represented by £20 4s. 1d. consols.
In 1790 Alice Gardner by her will gave £20 for
the poor. The legacy was augmented by accumulations to £60 consols.
In 1846 Robert Baiston by his will, proved at
York, gave £20 for the benefit of poor widows, now
represented by £17 10s. consols.
In 1894 Lawrence Featonby Holwell Shortt by
will, proved at London, gave £30 to the poor. The
legacy, less duty, was invested in £25 19s. 8d. consols.
The several sums of stock are held by the official
trustees, producing together £3 1s. 8d. yearly, which
is distributed in small money doles to the poor, principally to widows.
The charity of Thomas Newton, founded by will
dated 29 July 1820, is regulated by a scheme of the
Charity Commissioners of 20 January 1920. The
endowment consists of a sum of £108 2s. 5d. consols,
with the official trustees, which is applicable for the
benefit of deserving poor in the following proportions,
namely, two-fifths to the township of Newton Bewley
and one-fifth to each of the parishes of Norton,
Wolviston, and Billingham.
Church Lands.
There are certain lands in the
parish, the rents of which have been applied to the
support of the church at least from the year 1676.
The property consists of two grass fields containing
8 acres, 'The Half Moon,' formerly a public-house, a
field containing 4 acres, and a cottage, the whole
producing about £60 yearly. A sum of £17 3s. 3d.
consols with the official trustees represents proceeds of
sale of land to the Durham County Council. The
income is applied for the general purposes of the
parish church.
Site for a Sunday school and mission room, being
half an acre of land at Nelson Avenue, Haverton Hill,
conveyed by deed of 27 March 1922 from the Furness
Shipbuilding Co. and Marmaduke Viscount Furness
and others to Robert Boardman and others.
The Mary Trotter Charity is comprised in a
declaration of trust dated 24 November 1923. The
endowment consists of £398 9s. 1d. 5 per cent. War
Stock with the official trustees, and the dividends,
amounting to £19 18s. 6d. yearly, are applicable by
the vicar and churchwardens for the benefit of the
poor of the ecclesiastical parish of Billingham St.
Cuthbert.
For the schools see article on schools. (fn. 190)
Cowpen Bewley.
There is a field at Cowpen
Bewley, known as the Poor's Field, containing
3 a. 1 r. 26 p., the rent whereof, amounting to £8 a
year, is applied in support of the National school.
(See article on schools. (fn. 191) )
Wolviston.
In 1876 Lydia Wilson by her will,
proved at Durham, gave £100, the income to be
distributed to the poor of Wolviston and Newton
Bewley. The legacy was invested in £104 8s. 9d.
consols, with the official trustees, the annual dividends
of which, amounting to £2 12s., are distributed in
money doles.