nued during his
episcopate, and the bishop swore the Church of Durham should have no
peace while he lived; threatened that if a monk should show himself
beyond his cloister he should lose his head; and once, when his servants
had beaten a monk, and the man complained, he replied that it was a pity
they did not kill him. He died at Peterborough in 1226.

#Richard le Poore# (1229-1237), who was the next bishop, elected
after the see had been vacant two years and four months, was translated
from Salisbury, where he had commenced building the new cathedral. He
ended the dispute between the monks and the Bishop of Durham by an
agreement known as "Le Convenit."

#Nicholas de Farnham# (1241-1248) became bishop after a three years'
dispute with the king. He resigned in 1248.

#Walter de Kirkham# (1249-1260), Dean of York, was next elected.

#Robert de Stitchill# (1261-1274), Prior of Finchale, succeeded him.
Dissensions again arose between the bishop and the monks. He died on his
return from France, where he had attended a council at Lyons. He was
buried in a monastery in France, but his heart was brought to Durham,
and buried in the chapter-house.

#Robert de Insula# (1274-1283), a native of Holy Island, as his name
suggests, was then elected bishop. His tenure of office was peaceful.

[Illustration: Stone Coffin Lid.]

#Anthony Bek# (1283-1310). The next bishop was of noble birth, the
son of Walter Bek, Baron of Eresby, in Lincolnshire. He took part with
Edward I. in his expedition to Scotland, and, being very wealthy, was of
great assistance to the king. His following consisted of twenty-six
standard bearers, one hundred and forty knights, and an army of five
thousand foot and five hundred horse. He was employed by the king, with
success, in many important State matters. In the year 1300 trouble again
arose with the monks. Some of them being dissatisfied with the Prior
Hotoun, the bishop proposed to hold a visitation. The prior refusing to
admit him unless he came unattended, the bishop deposed and
excommunicated him. The convent took sides, some with the bishop and
some with the prior, and it was only on the interference of the king
that a partial peace was restored. The quarrel soon reopened. Some men
made a complaint against the bishop. He had compelled them to take arms
under him in the Scottish war, and had imprisoned some who had returned
without leave. The barons upheld the men, and it led to them taking
sides