History Trail 7 - The Tuns at Sadberge (formerly The Three Tuns)

It is thought that the public house (which is Grade 2 listed) is built on the site of the ancient goal opposite the courthouse, where the old fish and chip shop stood on the corner of Hillside Terrace and the main east - west road through to Stockton.

The last trial in Sadberge was in 1437. The Assizes were held in Sadberge until about 1457 when they were removed to Durham.

There is some evidence in the cellar of tunnels, thought to be used for the safe movement and holding of prisoners connecting the courthouse to the cells. This was in early Saxon times when Sadberge was the centre of the Saxon wapentake linked to Saxon Kings, and was the administrative centre of Durham.

In 1189 Bishop Pudsey purchased the manor of Sadberge and the wapentake from Richard the First, who needed money for the crusades.  This linked both to the see of Durham and as a consequence the Saxon church became a private chapel.  

The area between Yorkshire and Northumberland was ruled by the Prince Bishops.