POLITICAL HISTORY 



The principal event of the nineteenth century in Durham was the 

 virtual abolition of the Palatinate privileges after the death of Bishop van 

 Mildert by an Act which separated the Palatinate jurisdiction from the see of 

 Durham and vested it in the crown. The idea originated with Lord Melbourne, 

 who rushed through the House of Commons a bill for the abolition of the 

 Palatinate. In the Lords, however, the local opposition to the measure was 

 conciliated by vesting the franchise in the crown, whereby the local courts 

 were preserved, with the exception of the county court, which was specifically 

 abolished. The Act was passed on 21 June, 1836.^*" Of the two courts 

 which survived, the Court of Pleas was abolished in 1873, whilst the Court 

 of Chancery of the County Palatine of Durham and Sadberge still exists — 

 the sole surviving symbol of the great powers formerly exercised by the 

 prince-bishops of Durham. 



"" Lapsley, op. cit. 204 ; Stat. 6 & 7 Will. IV, cap. 19. 



173 



