Archdeacon of Chichester
Encyclopedia
The post of Archdeacon of Chichester was created in the 12th Century, although the Diocese of Sussex was founded by St Wilfrid
the exiled Bishop of York in AD 681. The original location of the See was in Selsey
. The See was
moved to Chichester
in about 1075, by decree of the Synod of London
. The current incumbent is The Ven Douglas McKittrick.
After the Norman Conquest a uniform system of territorial archdeaconries was created to try and ensure that no settlement was more than a day's ride from the Bishop's seat. In 1070 the Council of Windsor decreed that bishops should appoint archdeacons to their churches. The archdeacon
acted as the bishop's deputy and representative and had the job of supervising parish churches in the diocese.
Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester
in the 13th century, produced a body of statutes that included the duties of his Archdeacons: "They were to administer justice for their proper fees, not demanding more for the expedition or delay of business. They were to visit the churches regularly to see the services were duly celebrated, the vessels and vestments in proper order, the canon of mass correctly followed and distinctly read."
The modern role of the Archdeacon in the Church of England
has not changed significantly since St Richard's time, their
main function is to be involved with legal and practical matters concerning visitations, clergy care, discipline matters, faculties and quinquennial inspections.
The Diocese of Chichester almost exactly covers the counties of East and West Sussex and the City of Brighton and Hove, stretching for nearly a hundred miles (160 km) along the south coast of England. The diocese has three archdeaconries, namely the Archdeaconry of Horsham, the Archdeaconry of Lewes and Hastings, as well as the Archdeaconry of Chichester.
From its creation in the 12th Century, until recently, the Archdeacon of Chichester was actually based in Chichester; however since 2002 that base has moved to Church House in Hove, East Sussex.
In the following list of archdeacons the entries up to 1900 were taken from "Chichester Diocese Clergy Lists; or clergy succession from the earliest time to the year 1900", written and compiled by the historian Rev. George Hennessy; B.A. Hennessy was Priest-in-charge of St Peters-le-Poer, Muswell Hill, London (1884 to 1903). In his book he lists his sources both manuscripts and books, from the Public Record Office
, the British Museum
, parish register
s and the Bishops register. The earliest document he cites is that of the Patent Rolls
which was begun in 1204.
Wilfrid
Wilfrid was an English bishop and saint. Born a Northumbrian noble, he entered religious life as a teenager and studied at Lindisfarne, at Canterbury, in Gaul, and at Rome; he returned to Northumbria in about 660, and became the abbot of a newly founded monastery at Ripon...
the exiled Bishop of York in AD 681. The original location of the See was in Selsey
Selsey
Selsey is a seaside town and civil parish, about seven miles south of Chichester, in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. Selsey lies at the southernmost point of the Manhood Peninsula, almost cut off from mainland Sussex by the sea...
. The See was
moved to Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
in about 1075, by decree of the Synod of London
Council of London (1075)
The Council of London in 1075 AD was a council of the Roman Catholic church in England held by the new Norman archbishop of Canterbury Lanfranc five years after his installation. Other attendees included Gisa and William the Norman...
. The current incumbent is The Ven Douglas McKittrick.
After the Norman Conquest a uniform system of territorial archdeaconries was created to try and ensure that no settlement was more than a day's ride from the Bishop's seat. In 1070 the Council of Windsor decreed that bishops should appoint archdeacons to their churches. The archdeacon
Archdeacon
An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church...
acted as the bishop's deputy and representative and had the job of supervising parish churches in the diocese.
Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester
Bishop of Chichester
The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the Counties of East and West Sussex. The see is in the City of Chichester where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity...
in the 13th century, produced a body of statutes that included the duties of his Archdeacons: "They were to administer justice for their proper fees, not demanding more for the expedition or delay of business. They were to visit the churches regularly to see the services were duly celebrated, the vessels and vestments in proper order, the canon of mass correctly followed and distinctly read."
The modern role of the Archdeacon in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
has not changed significantly since St Richard's time, their
main function is to be involved with legal and practical matters concerning visitations, clergy care, discipline matters, faculties and quinquennial inspections.
The Diocese of Chichester almost exactly covers the counties of East and West Sussex and the City of Brighton and Hove, stretching for nearly a hundred miles (160 km) along the south coast of England. The diocese has three archdeaconries, namely the Archdeaconry of Horsham, the Archdeaconry of Lewes and Hastings, as well as the Archdeaconry of Chichester.
From its creation in the 12th Century, until recently, the Archdeacon of Chichester was actually based in Chichester; however since 2002 that base has moved to Church House in Hove, East Sussex.
In the following list of archdeacons the entries up to 1900 were taken from "Chichester Diocese Clergy Lists; or clergy succession from the earliest time to the year 1900", written and compiled by the historian Rev. George Hennessy; B.A. Hennessy was Priest-in-charge of St Peters-le-Poer, Muswell Hill, London (1884 to 1903). In his book he lists his sources both manuscripts and books, from the Public Record Office
Public Record Office
The Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives...
, the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
, parish register
Parish register
A parish register is a handwritten volume, normally kept in a parish church or deposited within a county record office or alternative archive repository, in which details of baptisms, marriages and burials are recorded.-History:...
s and the Bishops register. The earliest document he cites is that of the Patent Rolls
Patent Rolls
The Patent Rolls are primary sources for English history, a record of the King of England's correspondence, starting in 1202....
which was begun in 1204.
Archdeacons of Chichester
Sources for list: Hennessy. Chichester Diocese. For 12th C to 1900 pp. 2 – 3; Hobbs. Chichester Cathedral. For 20th C. Appendix A. p. 338.; Diocese of Chichester website for current Archdeacon.High Medieval
- 1120: Henry
- res. 1176: John de Meleburn
- res. 1178: Seffrid IISeffrid II-Life:Little is known of Seffrid's ancestry, but given the unusual name he shared with Seffrid I, bishop of Chichester from 1125 to 1145, the two were probably related. He probably studied law at Bologna, for there was a Seffrid the Englishman at Bologna at the proper time, and Pope Celestine III...
- 1179: Joceline: SilvesterSilvesterSilvester is used in some countries as a name for New Year's Eve, including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and Slovenia.The origin of the name is Saint Sylvester's Day in the Roman Catholic Church, named...
- 1203: Henry de Cornhill
- 1205: Joscelinus
- 1232: William Durand: Walter
- 1244: John ClimpingJohn ClimpingJohn Climping was a medieval Bishop of Chichester.-Life:Climping was a clerk of Ranulf of Wareham by 18 July 1220. By 1232 he was a canon of Chichester Cathedral and was named Archdeacon of Chichester by December 1242. He was then Chancellor of Chichester by 17 July 1247 as well as rector of...
- 1259: Geoffrey de Gates
- 1290: Robert
Late Medieval
- 1307: Gervase
- 1317: Robert Leyset
- ?–1350: John Langley
- 1350: Adam de Houton
- 1356: Simon de Bredon
- 1356: Walter de Alderbury
- 1356–1357: John de Sculthorpe
- 1358–1359: John Pipe
- 1366: Robert de Walton
- ?–1370: Henry Folvyle
- 1370: William Wardene
- 1382: Simon Russell
- 1388: Lambert Threkingham
- 1395–d. 1413: John Thomas
- 1398: William Read
- 1404: Thomas Harlyng
- 1412: John Lindfield
- exch. 1439: John Faukes
- 1440: William Walesby
- 1443–1444: William Normanton
- 1454: Simon de Gredon Simon Gredon
- 1478: Peter Huse
- 1481: Henry Boleyn STP
- 1481: John Coke LLDLegum DoctorLegum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
- 1495: Gerrard Borrett
Early modern
- 1509: Robert Chapel
- 1512: William Norbury
- 1531–1532: John Worthyall BDBachelor of DivinityIn Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
- 1551: John Jewell
- 1555: Alban Langdale
- 1559: Richard Tremayne
- 1560: Thomas Spencer AMMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
- 1571: John ColdwellJohn Coldwell-Life:He was born at Faversham. He graduated B.A. at St. John's College, Cambridge in 1555, where he became a Fellow and graduated M.A. in 1558. He graduated M.D. in 1564....
- 1575: Thomas Gillingham
- 1580: John Langworth STP
- 1586: William Stone STBBachelor of Sacred TheologyThe Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
- 1596: Henry Ball STP
- 1603: Thomas Pattenson STB
- 1607–1608: Roger AndrewesRoger AndrewesDr Roger Andrewes was an English churchman and academic, archdeacon and Chancellor at Chichester Cathedral in the English Church...
STB - 1635: Laurence Pay
- 1639–1640: James Marsh STP
- 1643: Henry HammondHenry HammondHenry Hammond was an English churchman.-Early life:He was born at Chertsey in Surrey on 18 August 1605, the youngest son of John Hammond, physician. He was educated at Eton College, and from age 13 at Magdalen College, Oxford, becoming demy or scholar in 1619. On 11 December 1622 he graduated B.A....
STP - 1660: Jasper MayneJasper MayneJasper Mayne was an English clergyman, translator, and a minor poet and dramatist.Mayne was baptized at Hatherleigh, Devon, on 23 November 1604, and educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford...
STP - 1672: Oliver Whitby STB
- 1679: Josiah Pleydell
- 1707–1708: James Barker AM
- 1736: Thomas Ball AM
- 1771: Thomas Hollingbery DDDoctor of DivinityDoctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
- 1792: John Buckner MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
Late modern
- 1802: Charles Alcock LLBBachelor of LawsThe Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
- 1803: Thomas Taylor LLD
- 1808: Charles Webber MA
- 1840: Henry Edward Manning MA
- 1851: James GarbettJames GarbettJames Garbett was a British academic and clergyman, who became Archdeacon of Chichester.He was a Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford. He was an opponent of the Oxford Movement, and an Evangelical....
MA - 1879: John Russell Walker MA
- 1887: Francis Mount MA
- 1903: Edward Elwes MA
- 1914: Herbert Jones MA
- 1920: Benedict Hoskyns MA
- 1934–1945: Charles Clarke MA
- 1946: Lancelot MasonLancelot MasonThe Ven Lancelot Mason MBE, MA was an eminent Anglican priest in the third quarter of the 20th century.He was born on 22 July 1905 and educated at RN College Osborne, RN College Dartmouth and Trinity College, Cambridge...
MA - 1973: Frederick Kerr-Dineen MA
- 1975: Richard EyreRichard Eyre (priest)Richard Montague Stephens Eyre is an Anglican priest. He was the Dean of Exeter from 1981 to 1995.Eyre was educated at Charterhouse School and Oriel College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1957 and began his ministry as a curate at St Mark’s Portsea. After this he was a tutor at Chichester...
MA - 1981: Keith Hobbs MA
- 1991: Michael Brotherton MA
- 2002–present: Douglas McKittrick
See also
- Chichester CathedralChichester CathedralThe Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
- Diocese of ChichesterDiocese of ChichesterThe Diocese of Chichester is a Church of England diocese based in Chichester, covering Sussex. It was created in 1075 to replace the old Diocese of Selsey, which was based at Selsey Abbey from 681. The cathedral is Chichester Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Chichester...
- Deans of Chichester
- Selsey AbbeySelsey AbbeySelsey Abbey was almost certainly built at Church Norton, Selsey, Sussex, England. It was founded in 683AD, and became the seat of the Sussex bishopric, until it was moved in 1075AD to Chichester.-Historical Context :...