Surviving the Mid-Fifteenth-Century Recession: Durham Cathedral Priory, 1400–1520

Durham Cathedral Priory demonstrated remarkable resilience during the mid-fifteenth-century recession, achieving significant financial improvement despite economic stagnation in the North-East of England. By 1519/20, the priory had reduced combined arrears and decay from £540 to just £18 while increasing overall rents by £130. This success was driven by adaptive management strategies, including improved rent collection processes and repair practices, which enhanced efficiency. The study reveals that landlords actively engaged in leasing reforms, challenging the notion of passive decline during this period. These findings suggest regional economic recovery, as indicated by rent collection improvements, even when traditional indicators like cash tithe receipts failed to show signs of improvement.

Brown, A. T. (2010). Surviving the Mid-Fifteenth-Century Recession: Durham Cathedral Priory, 1400–1520. Northern History, 47(2), 209–231. https://doi.org/10.1179/007817210x12738429860707