the college was also dissolved. Its revenues, were,
however, rescued, and in 1541 were handed over by the king to the newly
created dean and chapter. Thus the matter stood till 1650, when a
petition was presented to the Protector, showing the great disadvantages
to the North of England arising from the long distance of Oxford and
Cambridge, and praying that the houses of the dean and prebendaries
might be converted into a college. Cromwell took a favourable view of
the idea, and in a letter to Lenthall, the Speaker, in its support, he
says:--

"Truly it seems to me a matter of great concernment and importance,
as that which (by the blessing of God) may much conduce to the
promotion of learning and piety in these poore, rude, and ignorant
parts, there being also many concurring advantages to this place, as
pleasantness, and aptness of situation, healthfull aire, and plenty
of provisions, which seeme to favour and pleade for theire desires
therein."[7]

[7] Hutchinson, vol. i

Various delays occurred, however, and it was not until 1657 that the
Lord Protector issued his patent for the erection of the proposed
college, in a document consisting of twenty-three heads.

The college thus commenced made great progress, and would no doubt have
continued to do so, but for the constant opposition of the two great
universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Then followed the Restoration, and
with it came a reaction against all measures established during the
Protectorate. This feeling, combined with persistent petitions from the
universities, soon accomplished the downfall of the College.

Bishop Van Mildert, who was translated to Durham in 1826, during his
short episcopate saw many changes, not the least of which was the
successful revival of the scheme for a university. Powers were obtained
in 1832 for the training of students in divinity and the conferring of
degrees in other faculties. The new foundation was endowed out of the
revenues of the cathedral, and the bishop gave up the Castle of Durham
for the use of the college, besides financial assistance of L1000 for
the first year and L2000 for the following years until his death in
1836. The first warden was Dr Charles Thorp, Archdeacon and Canon of
Durham, but it was provided by an order, on the recommendation of the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners that in future the office of warden should
be permanently attached to the deanery, and that a canonry in