Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/40

mSTORT OF BISHOP AVCKLAKD. 23 was shared in by the learned as well as the illiterate. He was brought up at Brasenose College, Oxford, where, 'tis said, ** he being a great student, had a great desire to know what his future might be in the world ; and to that purpose he went to one skilled in that way, to be satisfied in that particular, and 'twas said there was a lowde voyce spoke in the next roome, and told him that he should have a great priesthood, but be unfortunate in his children, and both these came very truly to passe." In the account rolls of Bishop Barnes we find the following entry : — To a goldsymih at Yorke for a plate to set over Mro. Barnes, 326. Mra Barnes was the first wife of that Bishop, and lies buried in the Church of St Andrew's Auckland, the above-named plate still marking her resting placa The next Bishop was Toby Matthews (1595), during whose episcopate we find that Auckland Castle entertained a Royal visitor. Charles I. when a boy, upon the accession of his father to the throne of England in 1603, being then a very weak child, and a second son only, he was left behind in Scotland under the care of Lord Dunfermlina A year or two afterwards, having become stronger, he was removed into England, and on his way south, sojourned for a while at Auckland, no doubt for a twofold reason — ^first, from the well-known kind heartedness of the Bishop, who is said to have been an able controversialist, an eloquent preacher, and much respected in private life ; and, secondly, from the beauty and healthfulness of the situation. During the year 1617, Auckland Castle was honoured by another Koyal visit On the 17th of April, King James I., on his progress into Scotland, arrived at Auckland Palace, and remained there till the 19tL How the good people of Auckland received his Majesty, or how he was entertained during his stay, is not recorded; but, there can be no doubt that an event of this kind would be looked upon with a considerable amount of interest and curiosity ; the aristocracy of the neighbourhood would be gathered together to do honour to their King, and the town would be all astir with excitement and in its holiday costume. Surtees says, that on the 8th of May following the events above narrated, " King James scolded Bishop James so roughly and roundly, in his own castle of Durham, that he retired to Auckland, and died three days afterwards of a violent fit of strangury, brought on by perfect Vexation." In the year 1633, on Friday, May 31st, the Castle of Auckland received once more within its walls King Charles L, as he was progressing to his realm and crown of Scotland, and who had on the previous day been hospitably entertained by Sir Henry Vane at Raby Castle. Thomas Morton was then Bishop of Durham, and his reception of his Sovereign would be, no doubt, upon a magnificent scale, but no particular account has been preserved of the proceedings of the day. Laud, Bishop of London, the Earls of Northumberland, Arundel, Pembroke, Southampton, and Holland, and the Marquis of Hamilton, were in attendance upon him. On the 4th February, 1647, King Charles made another and final visit to Auckland, but he was then a prisoner, having been a while before sold by his Scottish subjects to their fellow- traitors in England " But," says Eaine, " there was then no Bishop of Durham to extend to him the rites of homage or hospitality, or comfort ^^rn in his afflictions. Bishop Morton had been driven by the strong arm of successful treason from a home ennobled by his munificence, and consecrated by his piety ; and his castle was in the hands of those who soon afterwards murdered their King." In the register of St Helen's Auckland Church, under the above date, we find the following entry, made by a Mr. Vaux who was the curate at that time : — The same night oar gracious King Charles hdd at Christopher Dobson's house in Bishop Auckland. Christopher Dobson was an innkeeper, and had his residence in the first house on the right hand side as you enter Silver-street from the Market-place, and now belonging to Mr. William Edgar, Thishousewas used as an inn, and cockfighting was carried on in it, on an extensive scale, ai^ Digitized by Google