treaties of Durham

Durham, treaties of, 1136, 1139. In the struggle between Stephen and Matilda for the throne of England, David I of Scotland supported the latter, his niece. He occupied Northumberland but reached a settlement at Durham with Stephen in 1136. The agreement soon broke down but, despite a defeat in 1138 at the battle of the Standard, David negotiated similar terms in 1139, retaining Northumberland, save for Newcastle and Bamburgh.