Image of Lord Crewe used with
kind permission of Durham Castle Museum |
Nathaniel, Lord Crewe
Lord Crewe's Charity was established under the terms of the will of Nathaniel Crewe, Bishop of Durham, using wealth derived from his estates in the north-east of England. Nathaniel's ecclesiastical career rapidly advanced after he caught the attention of Charles II, in 1663. He had a close relationship with the king's brother, the Duke of York, later James II. It was through James' influence that Nathaniel was elected Bishop of Durham in 1674, a position he held until his death. After James was overthrown in 1688, Nathaniel retreated to Durham where he was noted for his charitable works.
He began courting Dorothy Forster of Bamburgh, but as he was 40 years her senior, consent was refused by her parents. After a short marriage (his first wife died in 1699) he returned to Dorothy, whom he married in 1700. Despite the age difference, it seems to have been a love match, but she predeceased him in 1715. It was through Dorothy that Nathaniel had acquired his Northumberland estates, which included farms, mines, mills and quarries. His will stated that any surplus revenue derived from them should be used for charitable purposes, to be administered by five trustees. |
