COCKEN, a township in the parish of HOUGHTON
le SPRING, northern division of EASINGTON ward, county
palatine of DURHAM, 4 miles (N. N. E.) from Durham,
containing 59 inhabitants. Cocken was separated from
the constablery of West Rainton, and made a distinct
constablery, in 1726. It is situated on the river Wear:
coal is obtained in the neighbourhood. The manorhouse,
which is surrounded by beautiful scenery, became,
at the commencement of the present century,
the residence of a convent of nuns of the order of
St. Theresa, who were driven by the revohitionists
from their former settlement at Lier in Flanders, by
which they were deprived of all their property in that
country.