Treaty of Durham (1136)
Encyclopedia
The first treaty of Durham was a peace treaty
concluded between kings Stephen of England
and David I of Scotland
on 5 February 1136.
In January 1136, during the first months of the reign of Stephen, David I crossed the border and reached Durham
. He took Carlisle, Wark
, Alnwick
, Norham
and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. On 5 February 1136, Stephen reached Durham with an imposing troop of Flemish
mercenaries, and the Scottish king was obliged to negotiate. Stephen recovered Wark, Alnwick, Norham and Newcastle, and let David I retain Carlisle and a great part of Cumberland
and Lancashire
, and Doncaster
.
The English king asked the Scottish king to make him oath of allegiance, but David had already sworn one with his niece Empress Matilda
, heir to Henry I
from whom Stephen had usurped the throne. David I asked his son Henry, to make the oath, in return for which he was made Earl of the Honour of Huntingdon and Northampton
which up to that point had been held by his father.
Three years later, David I invaded the North of England again.
Peace treaty
A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more hostile parties, usually countries or governments, that formally ends a state of war between the parties...
concluded between kings Stephen of England
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
and David I of Scotland
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
on 5 February 1136.
In January 1136, during the first months of the reign of Stephen, David I crossed the border and reached Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
. He took Carlisle, Wark
Wark on Tweed
Wark on Tweed is a village in the English county of Northumberland. It lies about south west of Berwick-upon-Tweed...
, Alnwick
Alnwick
Alnwick is a small market town in north Northumberland, England. The town's population was just over 8000 at the time of the 2001 census and Alnwick's district population was 31,029....
, Norham
Norham
Norham is a village in Northumberland, England, just south of the River Tweed and the border with Scotland.It is the site of the 12th century Norham Castle, and was for many years the centre for the Norhamshire exclave of County Durham...
and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. On 5 February 1136, Stephen reached Durham with an imposing troop of Flemish
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
mercenaries, and the Scottish king was obliged to negotiate. Stephen recovered Wark, Alnwick, Norham and Newcastle, and let David I retain Carlisle and a great part of Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
and Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and Doncaster
Doncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
.
The English king asked the Scottish king to make him oath of allegiance, but David had already sworn one with his niece Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda
Empress Matilda , also known as Matilda of England or Maude, was the daughter and heir of King Henry I of England. Matilda and her younger brother, William Adelin, were the only legitimate children of King Henry to survive to adulthood...
, heir to Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
from whom Stephen had usurped the throne. David I asked his son Henry, to make the oath, in return for which he was made Earl of the Honour of Huntingdon and Northampton
Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title is associated with the ruling house of Scotland, and latterly with the Hastings family.-Early history:...
which up to that point had been held by his father.
Three years later, David I invaded the North of England again.