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The History of Sadberge
Sadberge is a village community of about 800 people, just off the A66 between Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees. Its origins lie deep in history, first as a Roman encampment on the Ryknield Way. Its hilltop setting made it an ideal signalling point and this continued into later times commemorated in “Beacon Hill”, which remains part of the parish.
After the Romans left Britain, Sadberge became the centre of Saxon administration between the rivers Tyne and Tees. “The Manor and Wapentake of Sadberge”, as it was then known, was part of Deira (the southern half of Northumbria). It was about prisoners from here that Pope Gregory famously punned, “Not Angles, but angels”, adding as is less well known, “Not from Deira, but de ira” (Latin for “from anger” – in other words no longer under the judgement of God). Our church of St Andrew stands on the site of one of the castles of the King of Deira. Since it probably contained some form of simple chapel, it is likely that Christian worship has been offered here for well over 1000 years.
During the 12th century, King Richard I sold the Manor and Wapentake of Sadberge to Bishop Hugh Pudsey to raise money for the Crusades. With the Manor went the title Earl of Sadberge and this is how the Bishops of Durham became known as “Prince Bishops”.
In later years Sadberge was created a county in its own right and the County Court was held here until the mid-17th century. After this, the assizes were held in Durham. However, right up to the ending of the county court system in the mid-20th century, when the summons went out, “the county of Sadberge” had to be summonsed along with the county of Durham!
With the loss of the assizes Sadberge was by-passed politically. With the building of a direct road between Darlington and Durham it was by-passed geographically. Its significance disappeared and with it the title Earl of Sadberge, which passed back to the Crown. One monument to this past, however, remains. An Ice Age “erratic boulder” stands on the village green, bearing a plaque commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Victoria “Queen of England, Empress of India, Countess of Sadberge”!
Of the ancient history, little remains physically, except for two weathered Saxon stones in the church porch – one depicting Christ trampling on Satan and the other Adam and Eve with the serpent. A Norman church was pulled down in the 1830’s, to be replaced by the present Victorian building to be seen in the photograph. The story goes that many of the old stones were used to shore up the banks of the River Skerne in Darlington. The vicar and village historian, the Revd William Lancaster Taylor discovered the Saxon stones built into the walls of the Star public house in the town, from where he managed to retrieve them.
Picture:Effigy of Richard the Lionheart |  |
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Present Day Sadberge
 | Sadberge remains a rural community. There are several (mixed) farms within the parish and a number of parishioners are agricultural workers. However, like most villages, there are now many residents, who commute to work in the surrounding towns. There is a village school (a church Voluntary Controlled foundation), but the roll is dropping because Sadberge is at present an ageing population. House prices make it difficult for young families to settle here. However, the Village Hall Association (led by a member of St Andrew’s congregation) works hard to maintain a genuine community spirit through its varied activities. Not surprisingly, the Post Office and shop (run by our wonderful Arthur!) is the hub of village news and everyone has been enthusiastically supporting various campaigns over the years to protect this vital village asset. There are two pubs – the Buck Inn (named after a local philanthropist) and the Three Tuns, which is on the site of the old Court House. (Rumour has it that an underground passage runs from its cellars to Gallows Hill!)
Though a small rural community, Sadberge has its connections with the wider world. A special link is with St James' church, Taichung in Taiwan, through Catherine Lee our mission partner. For several years Catherine has been working with the Church Mission Society. Her previous placement was in Tanzania, where she worked as a primary school teacher. In Taiwan she is continuing her work in education, and also helping the church with its administration. The photograph shows her literally sitting on top of the world, on an inflated globe at her commissioning service at Heighington, County Durham |
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