SHERBURN-HOUSE, a liberty (extra-parochial),
in the southern division of EASINGTON ward, county
palatine of DURHAM, 2 miles (E. by S.) from Durham,
containing 67 inhabitants. An hospital for lepers was
founded here, previously to 1181, by Hugh Pudsey,
Bishop of Durham: it was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene,
and its revenue, in the reign of Henry VIII.,
was certified as of the value of £142. 0. 4., the society
consisting of a master, several priests, and sixty-five
lepers. It is yet in being, having been incorporated in
1585, by Queen Elizabeth, for a master and thirty brethren,
and is still subject to the regulations then adopted i
the Bishop of Durham appoints the master, who must
be in holy orders, and of the degree of M. A. at least; and
the master nominates the brethren, who each receive a
handsome yearly stipend, besides being comfortably
lodged, fed, and clothed. At present this is one of the
most richly endowed charitable foundations in the
North of England, its income amounting to several
thousand pounds per annum. The hospital was enlarged
in 1819, by fifteen additional-lodging-houses, for
the accommodation of as many out-brethren, before
which period there were only fifteen inmates. The
building, to which is attached a chapel and apartments
for the master, is of a quadrangular form, situated in
an agreeable vale' on the eastern- side of Sherburn
water.