Bishop of Bath and Wells
Encyclopedia
The Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England
Diocese of Bath and Wells
in the Province of Canterbury
in England
.
The present diocese covers the vast majority of the (ceremonial) county of Somerset
and a small area of Dorset
. The Episcopal seat
is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew
in the city of Wells
in Somerset. The Bishop's residence is The Palace
, Wells
.
The current bishop is the Right Reverend Peter Price, the seventy-seventh Bishop of Bath and Wells, who signs Peter Bath: et Well:. The current bishop is permitted to sit in the House of Lords
as one of the Lords Spiritual
.
became the seat of its own Bishop of Wells from 909. King William Rufus granted Bath to a royal physician, John de Villula, Bishop of Wells and Abbot of Bath, who was permitted to move his episcopal seat for Somerset
from Wells to Bath in 1090, thereby becoming the first Bishop of Bath. He planned and began a much larger church as his cathedral
, to which was attached a priory, with the bishop's palace beside it.
In 1197 Bishop Savaric FitzGeldewin
officially moved his seat to Glastonbury Abbey
with the approval of Pope Celestine III
. However, the monks there would not accept their new Bishop of Glastonbury and the title of Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury was used until the Glastonbury claim was abandoned in 1219. His successor, Jocelin of Wells
, then returned to Bath, again under the title, Bishop of Bath. The official episcopal title became Bishop of Bath and Wells under a Papal ruling of 3 January 1245.
By the 15th century Bath Cathedral was badly dilapidated. Oliver King
, Bishop of Bath and Wells, decided in 1500 to rebuild it on a smaller scale. The new cathedral was completed just a few years before Bath Priory was dissolved in 1539. Then Henry VIII
considered this new cathedral redundant, and it was sold to the people of Bath to form their parish church. The last bishop in communion with Rome was deprived in 1559 but the succession of bishops has continued to the present day.
The diocese and the episcopate are today part of the Anglican Communion
.
. In "The Foretelling
", the first episode of The Black Adder
, Edmund falsely claims the bishop as one of the people he killed in battle. The episode "Money
" from Blackadder II
features a psychotically violent and self-described "colossal pervert" bishop of this title, called "The Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells". Others are mentioned in at least two skits by Monty Python
and yet another in the BBC radio comedy Absolute Power.
Neil Gaiman
's 2008 work The Graveyard Book
features a character named the Bishop of Bath and Wells - he is one of a trio of ghouls who spirit the main character away.
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...
Diocese of Bath and Wells
Diocese of Bath and Wells
The Diocese of Bath and Wells is a diocese in the Church of England Province of Canterbury in England.The diocese covers the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in the tiny city of...
in the Province of Canterbury
Province of Canterbury
The Province of Canterbury, also called the Southern Province, is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The present diocese covers the vast majority of the (ceremonial) county of Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
and a small area of Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
. The Episcopal seat
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
in the city of Wells
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
in Somerset. The Bishop's residence is The Palace
Bishop's Palace, Wells
The Bishop's Palace, Wells, Somerset, England, is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years....
, Wells
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
.
The current bishop is the Right Reverend Peter Price, the seventy-seventh Bishop of Bath and Wells, who signs Peter Bath: et Well:. The current bishop is permitted to sit in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
as one of the Lords Spiritual
Lords Spiritual
The Lords Spiritual of the United Kingdom, also called Spiritual Peers, are the 26 bishops of the established Church of England who serve in the House of Lords along with the Lords Temporal. The Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian, is not represented by spiritual peers...
.
History
Somerset originally came under the authority of the Bishop of Sherborne, but WellsWells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
became the seat of its own Bishop of Wells from 909. King William Rufus granted Bath to a royal physician, John de Villula, Bishop of Wells and Abbot of Bath, who was permitted to move his episcopal seat for Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
from Wells to Bath in 1090, thereby becoming the first Bishop of Bath. He planned and began a much larger church as his cathedral
Bath Abbey
The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England...
, to which was attached a priory, with the bishop's palace beside it.
In 1197 Bishop Savaric FitzGeldewin
Savaric FitzGeldewin
Savaric fitzGeldewin was an Englishman who became Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury in England. Related to his predecessor as well as to the German Emperor Henry VI, he was elected bishop on the urging of his predecessor, who urged his election on the cathedral chapter of Bath...
officially moved his seat to Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction....
with the approval of Pope Celestine III
Pope Celestine III
Pope Celestine III , born Giacinto Bobone, was elected Pope on March 21, 1191, and reigned until his death. He was born into the noble Orsini family in Rome, though he was only a cardinal deacon before becoming Pope...
. However, the monks there would not accept their new Bishop of Glastonbury and the title of Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury was used until the Glastonbury claim was abandoned in 1219. His successor, Jocelin of Wells
Jocelin of Wells
Jocelin of Wells, also known as Jocelinus Thoteman or Jocelin Troteman, was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was the brother of Hugh de Wells, who became Bishop of Lincoln. Jocelin became a canon of Wells Cathedral before 1200, and was elected bishop in 1206...
, then returned to Bath, again under the title, Bishop of Bath. The official episcopal title became Bishop of Bath and Wells under a Papal ruling of 3 January 1245.
By the 15th century Bath Cathedral was badly dilapidated. Oliver King
Oliver King
Oliver King was a Bishop of Exeter and Bishop of Bath and Wells who restored Bath Abbey after 1500.-Life:Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, King became a priest and was appointed Bishop of Exeter on 1 October 1492, consecrated on 3 February 1493. He was then translated to the see of...
, Bishop of Bath and Wells, decided in 1500 to rebuild it on a smaller scale. The new cathedral was completed just a few years before Bath Priory was dissolved in 1539. Then Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
considered this new cathedral redundant, and it was sold to the people of Bath to form their parish church. The last bishop in communion with Rome was deprived in 1559 but the succession of bishops has continued to the present day.
The diocese and the episcopate are today part of the Anglican Communion
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
.
In popular culture
Fictional bishops of this title repeatedly appear in the BBC television comedy BlackadderBlackadder
Blackadder is the name that encompassed four series of a BBC1 historical sitcom, along with several one-off instalments. All television programme episodes starred Rowan Atkinson as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, Baldrick...
. In "The Foretelling
The Foretelling
"The Foretelling" was the first episode of the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder . It introduces Edmund Blackadder , and opens with a narrative dispelling the popular depiction of King Richard III of England as a scheming murderer...
", the first episode of The Black Adder
The Black Adder
The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, directed by Martin Shardlow and produced by John Lloyd...
, Edmund falsely claims the bishop as one of the people he killed in battle. The episode "Money
Money (Blackadder)
"Money" is the fourth episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was set in Elizabethan England from 1558 to 1603.-Plot:...
" from Blackadder II
Blackadder II
Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 9 January 1986 to 20 February 1986...
features a psychotically violent and self-described "colossal pervert" bishop of this title, called "The Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells". Others are mentioned in at least two skits by Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
and yet another in the BBC radio comedy Absolute Power.
Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's 2008 work The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book is a children's fantasy novel by English author Neil Gaiman. The story is about a boy named Nobody Owens, who after his family is murdered is adopted and raised by the occupants of a graveyard...
features a character named the Bishop of Bath and Wells - he is one of a trio of ghouls who spirit the main character away.
Pre-Reformation bishops
| Bishops of Wells | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| –925 | Athelm Athelm Athelm was an English churchman, who was the first Bishop of Wells, and later Archbishop of Canterbury.-Biography:... |
Formerly a monk Monk A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose... at Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction.... . Consecrated Consecration Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups... circa 909. Translated Translation (ecclesiastical) Translation is the technical term when a Bishop is transferred from one diocese to another.This can be* From Suffragan Bishop status to Diocesan Bishop*From Coadjutor bishop to Diocesan Bishop*From one country's Episcopate to another... to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... between 923 and September 925. |
|
| –925 | –928 | Wulfhelm Wulfhelm Wulfhelm was Bishop of Wells before being promoted to the Archbishopric of Canterbury about 926.-Biography:Wulfhelm was elected and consecrated Bishop of Wells between 923 and September 925. Wulfhelm was translated from the Bishopric of Wells to be Archbishop of Canterbury in about 926... |
Consecrated between circa 923 and 925. Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... between January 926 and 928. |
| –928 | 937 or 938 | Alphege Alphege of Wells Alphege was the third Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells. He was consecrated in 923, and died around 937.-External links:*... |
Consecrated between January 926 and 928. Died in office. Also recorded as Ælfheah. |
| 937 or 938 | 956 | Wulfhelm II Wulfhelm II Wulfhlem II was the fourth Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells. He was consecrated in 938, and died around 956.-External links:*... |
Consecrated in 937 or 938. Died in office. |
| 956 | 973 | Byrhthelm | Formerly a monk Monk A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose... at Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction.... . Consecrated in 956. Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... in 959, but deposed and translated back to Wells in the same year. Died in office on 15 May 973. |
| 973 or 974 | 975 | Cyneweard | Formerly Abbot Abbot The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery... of Milton Milton, Dorset The former town Milton in Dorset was cleared by the local landowner, Joseph Damer, in the 1770s. This was a result of a fashion amongst English landowners to improve the amenity of their homes by converting surrounding farmland into open parkland... . Consecrated in 973 or 974. Died in office on 28 June 975. |
| –979 | 996 | Sigar Sigar of Wells Sigar was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells.Sigar was a monk at Winchester before becoming abbot of Glastonbury Abbey about 970. He was consecrated in 975 and died 28 June in either 996 or 997.-External links:*... |
Formerly Abbot of Glastonbury (–975). Consecrated between 975 and 979. Died in office on 28 June 996. |
| 996 | 998 or 999 | Ælfwine | Consecrated in 996 or 997. Died in office on 29 August in 998 or 999. |
| 998 or 999 | 1013 | Lyfing | Formerly Abbot Abbot The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery... of Chertsey Abbey Chertsey Abbey Chertsey Abbey, dedicated to St Peter, was a Benedictine monastery located at Chertsey in the English county of Surrey.It was founded by Saint Erkenwald, later Bishop of London, in 666 AD and he became the first abbot. In the 9th century it was sacked by the Danes and refounded from Abingdon Abbey... . Consecrated in 998 or 999. Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... in 1013. |
| 3–18 | 1–24 | Aethelwine | Consecrated between 1013 and 1018. Expelled circa 1021/1023 and 1024 in favour of Brihtwine. |
| 1–24 | unknown | Brihtwine Brihtwine Brihtwine was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells. He was consecrated in 1013, was expelled to restore his predecessor Aethelwine, but was restored and died thirteen days after Aethelwine.-References:... |
Expelled. |
| unknown | unknown | Aethelwine (again) | Restored but expelled a second time. |
| unknown | before 1024 | Brihtwine Brihtwine Brihtwine was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells. He was consecrated in 1013, was expelled to restore his predecessor Aethelwine, but was restored and died thirteen days after Aethelwine.-References:... (again) |
Restored. Died in office before 1024. |
| before 1024 | 1033 | Merewith Merewith Merewith was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Wells. He was abbot of Glastonbury Abbey prior to being consecrated bishop about 1024. He died on either 11 April or 12 April 1033.... |
Consecrated before 1024. Died in office on 11 or 12 April 1033. |
| 1033 | 1060 | Dudoc Dudoc - Life :Dudoc was a native of Lorraine or of Saxony. He was a priest for Cnut before being named Bishop of Wells by Cnut in 1033. He was consecrated 11 June 1033.... |
Consecrated on 11 June 1033. Died in office on 18 January 1060. |
| 1061 | 1088 | Gisa | Previously chaplain Chaplain Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel... to King Edward the Confessor Edward the Confessor Edward the Confessor also known as St. Edward the Confessor , son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066.... . Elected bishop after 18 January 1060 and consecrated on 15 April 1061. Died in office in 1088. Also recorded as Giso. |
| 1088 | 1090 | John of Tours John of Tours John of Tours was a medieval Bishop of Wells in England who moved the diocese seat to Bath. He was a native of Tours and was King William I of England's doctor before becoming a bishop... |
Consecrated Bishop of Wells in July 1088. Became Bishop of Bath when he moved the see from Wells to Bath in 1090. |
| Bishops of Bath | |||
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1090 | 1122 | John of Tours John of Tours John of Tours was a medieval Bishop of Wells in England who moved the diocese seat to Bath. He was a native of Tours and was King William I of England's doctor before becoming a bishop... |
Moved the see from Wells to Bath in 1090. Died in office between 29 and 30 December 1122. Also recorded as John de Villula. |
| 1123 | 1135 | Godfrey Godfrey of Bath -Life:Godfrey was a native of Leuven and was chaplain to Adeliza of Leuven, second wife of King Henry I of England before and after her marriage to the king. He came with her to England when she married Henry I.... |
Formerly chaplain to Queen Consort Adeliza Adeliza of Louvain Adeliza of Louvain, sometimes known in England as Adelicia of Louvain, also called Adela and Aleidis; was queen consort of the Kingdom of England from 1121 to 1135, the second wife of Henry I... . Nominated on 25 March and consecrated on 26 August 1153. Died in office on 16 August 1135. |
| 1136 | 1166 | Robert Robert of Bath Robert or sometimes Robert of Lewes was a medieval English Bishop of Bath.-Life:Robert was a native of England, but his ancestry was Flemish, probably of noble birth. His birthdate and when he became a monk are not known. He was a Cluniac and a monk of Lewes Priory and a protege of Henry of Blois... |
Previously a monk at Lewes Priory Lewes Priory The Priory of St Pancras was the first Cluniac house in England and had one of the largest monastic churches in the country. It was set within an extensive walled and gated precinct laid out in a commanding location fronting the tidal shore-line at the head of the Ouse valley to the south of Lewes... . Consecrated on 22 March and received possession of the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... circa 22 March 1136. Died in office on 31 August 1166. |
| 1166 | 1174 | See vacant | |
| 1174 | 1191 | Reginald fitz Jocelin Reginald Fitz Jocelin Reginald fitz Jocelin was a medieval Bishop of Bath and an Archbishop of Canterbury-elect in England. A member of an Anglo-Norman noble family, he was the son of a bishop, and was educated in Italy... |
Previously Archdeacon of Wiltshire. Elected bishop in late April 1173 and consecrated on 23 June 1174. He became Archbishop-elect of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... on 27 November 1191, but before appeals against his election were heard, he died on 26 December 1191. |
| 1192 | 1197 | Savaric FitzGeldewin Savaric FitzGeldewin Savaric fitzGeldewin was an Englishman who became Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury in England. Related to his predecessor as well as to the German Emperor Henry VI, he was elected bishop on the urging of his predecessor, who urged his election on the cathedral chapter of Bath... |
Formerly Archdeacon of Northampton (1175–1192). Elected bishop by the monks of Bath Abbey Bath Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England... between 27 November and 26 December 1191 and consecrated on 20 September 1192. Also became Abbot of Glastonbury in 1193. He moved the Episcopal seat Cathedra A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches... from Bath Bath Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England... to Glastonbury Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction.... in 1197. |
| Bishops of Bath and Glastonbury | |||
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1197 | 1205 | Savaric FitzGeldewin Savaric FitzGeldewin Savaric fitzGeldewin was an Englishman who became Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury in England. Related to his predecessor as well as to the German Emperor Henry VI, he was elected bishop on the urging of his predecessor, who urged his election on the cathedral chapter of Bath... |
After moving the Episcopal seat Cathedra A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches... from Bath Bath Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England... to Glastonbury Glastonbury Abbey Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction.... in 1197, he was styled Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury. Died in office on 8 August 1205. |
| 1206 | 1219 | Jocelin of Wells Jocelin of Wells Jocelin of Wells, also known as Jocelinus Thoteman or Jocelin Troteman, was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was the brother of Hugh de Wells, who became Bishop of Lincoln. Jocelin became a canon of Wells Cathedral before 1200, and was elected bishop in 1206... |
Previously Canon Canon (priest) A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule .... of Wells Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace.... . Elected bishop on 3 February and consecrated on 28 May 1206. He was styled Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury until 1219, thereafter Bishop of Bath. |
| Bishops of Bath | |||
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1219 | 1242 | Jocelin of Wells Jocelin of Wells Jocelin of Wells, also known as Jocelinus Thoteman or Jocelin Troteman, was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was the brother of Hugh de Wells, who became Bishop of Lincoln. Jocelin became a canon of Wells Cathedral before 1200, and was elected bishop in 1206... |
Previously styled Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury until 1219, thereafter Bishop of Bath. Died in office on 19 November 1242. |
| 1242 | 1244 | See vacant | |
| 1244 | 1245 | Roger of Salisbury | Formerly Precentor Precentor A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" .... of Salisbury Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture.... (1227–1244). Elected bishop by the monks of Bath Abbey Bath Abbey The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England... on 6 February 1243 and consecrated on 11 September 1244. Became Bishop of Bath and Wells on 3 January 1245. |
| Bishops of Bath and Wells | |||
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1245 | 1247 | Roger of Salisbury | Following a papal ruling, the episcopal title changed to Bishop of Bath and Wells on 3 January 1245. Died in office on 21 December 1247. |
| 1248 | 1264 | William of Bitton I William of Bitton I William of Bitton, usually known as William of Bitton I was a medieval English Bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:... |
Formerly Archdeacon of Wells (1238–1248). Elected bishop before 24 February and consecrated on 14 June 1248. Died in office on 3 April 1264. |
| 1265 | 1266 | Walter Giffard Walter Giffard Walter Giffard was Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York.-Family:Giffard was the son of Hugh Giffard, of Boyton in Wiltshire; his mother was Sibyl, the daughter and co-heiress of Walter de Cormeilles. Walter was born about 1225, and may have been the oldest son. Hugh and Sybil were... |
Elected bishop on 22 May 1264 and consecrated on 4 January 1265. Also Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... (1265–1266). Translated to York Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man... on 15 October 1266. |
| 1267 | 1274 | William of Bitton II William of Bitton II William of Bitton, usually known as William of Bitton II was a medieval Bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:... |
Formerly Archdeacon of Wells (3–1367). Elected bishop on 10 February and consecrated after 17 April 1267. Died in office on 4 December 1274. |
| 1275 | 1292 | Robert Burnell Robert Burnell Robert Burnell was an English bishop who served as Lord Chancellor of England from 1274 to 1292. A native of Shropshire, he served as a minor royal official before entering into the service of Prince Edward, the future King Edward I of England... |
Formerly Archdeacon of York (1270–1275). Elected bishop on 23 January and consecrated on 1275. Became Archbishop-elect of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... (1278–1279) and Bishop-elect of Winchester Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and... (1280). Also Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... (1274–1292). Died in office on 25 October 1292. |
| 1293 | 1302 | William of March William of March William of March was a medieval Lord High Treasurer of England and a Bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:William was always referred to as magister, and may have attended and graduated from Oxford University. He was controller of the wardrobe from 1283 to 1290 and Dean of St. Martin's-le-Grand before... |
Formerly Dean of St. Martin's-le-Grand and Lord Treasurer Lord High Treasurer The post of Lord High Treasurer or Lord Treasurer was an English government position and has been a British government position since the Act of Union of 1707. A holder of the post would be the third highest ranked Great Officer of State, below the Lord High Chancellor and above the Lord President... . Elected bishop on 28 January and consecrated on 17 May 1293. Died in office before 19 June 1302. |
| 1302 | 1308 | Walter Haselshaw Walter Haselshaw Walter Haselshaw was a medieval English Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was elected 7 August 1302 and consecrated 4 November 1302. He died 11 December 1308.-References:... |
Formerly Dean of Wells Dean of Wells The Dean of Wells is the head of the Chapter of Wells Cathedral in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The current Dean is the Very Revd John Clarke, who lives in The Dean's Lodging, 25 The Liberty, Wells.-List of the Deans of Wells:*1140–1164 Ivo... (1295–1302). Elected bishop on 7 August and consecrated on 4 November 1302. Died in office on 11 December 1308. |
| 1309 | 1329 | John Droxford | John Drokensford; formerly Keeper of the wardrobe and acting Lord Treasurer Lord High Treasurer The post of Lord High Treasurer or Lord Treasurer was an English government position and has been a British government position since the Act of Union of 1707. A holder of the post would be the third highest ranked Great Officer of State, below the Lord High Chancellor and above the Lord President... . Elected bishop on 5 February and consecrated on 9 November 1309. Died in office on 9 May 1329 |
| 1329 | 1363 | Ralph of Shrewsbury Ralph of Shrewsbury Ralph of Shrewsbury was a Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was elected 2 June 1329 and consecrated 3 September 1329... |
Elected on 2 June and consecrated on 3 September 1329. Died in office on 14 August 1363. |
| 1363 | 1366 | John Barnet John Barnet John Barnet was a Bishop of Worcester then Bishop of Bath and Wells then finally Bishop of Ely.Barnet was selected Bishop of Worcester about 16 December 1361, and consecrated on 20 March 1362... |
Translated from Worcester Bishop of Worcester The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury... . Appointed on 24 December 1363 and received the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... on 6 april 1364. Translated to Ely Bishop of Ely The Bishop of Ely is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Ely in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese roughly covers the county of Cambridgeshire , together with a section of north-west Norfolk and has its see in the City of Ely, Cambridgeshire, where the seat is located at the... on 15 December 1366. |
| 1367 | 1386 | John Harewell John Harewell John Harewell was a Roman Catholic Bishop of Bath and Wells in medieval England.Harewell came from Harwell in Berkshire . He was in the employ of the Black Prince before being selected, on 14 December 1366, as Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was consecrated on 7 March 1367 and died around 16 July... |
Previously Chancellor of Gascony Gascony Gascony is an area of southwest France that was part of the "Province of Guyenne and Gascony" prior to the French Revolution. The region is vaguely defined and the distinction between Guyenne and Gascony is unclear; sometimes they are considered to overlap, and sometimes Gascony is considered a... and chaplain to the Black Prince Edward, the Black Prince Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Aquitaine, KG was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainault as well as father to King Richard II of England.... . Appointed bishop on 14 December 1366 and consecrated on 7 March 1367. Died in office between 29 June and 14 July 1386. |
| 1386 | 1388 | Walter Skirlaw Walter Skirlaw Walter Skirlaw was an English bishop and diplomat. He was Bishop of Durham from 1388 to 1406... |
Translated from Coventry & Lichfield Bishop of Lichfield The Bishop of Lichfield is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 4,516 km² of the counties of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands. The bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral Church of the Blessed... . Appointed on 18 August and received the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... on 3 November 1386. Translated to Durham on 3 April 1388. |
| 1388 | 1400 | Ralph Ergham Ralph Ergham Ralph Ergham was the English bishop of Salisbury from 1375 to 1388, and then bishop of Bath and Wells from 1388 to 1400.... |
Translated from Salisbury Bishop of Salisbury The Bishop of Salisbury is the ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of Salisbury in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers much of the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset... . Appointed on 3 April and received the temporalities on 13 September 1388. Died in office on 10 April 1400. |
| 1400 | 1401 | (Richard Clifford Richard Clifford Richard Clifford was a Bishop-elect of Bath and Wells, Bishop of Worcester and Bishop of London as well as Lord Privy Seal.Clifford was appointed Lord Privy Seal on 14 November 1387, and resigned on 4 November 1401.... ) |
Appointed on 12 May 1400, but, before consecration, translated to Worcester Bishop of Worcester The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury... on 19 August 1401. |
| 1401 | 1407 | Henry Bowet Henry Bowet Henry Bowet was both Bishop of Bath and Wells and Archbishop of York.-Life:Bowet was a royal clerk to King Richard II of England, and at one point carried letters of recommendation to Pope Urban VI from the king.... |
Formerly Canon Canon (priest) A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule .... of Wells Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace.... . Appointed bishop on 19 August 1401 and consecrated on 20 November 1401. Translated to York Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man... on 7 October 1407. |
| 1407 | 1424 | Nicholas Bubwith Nicholas Bubwith Nicholas Bubwith was a Bishop of London, Bishop of Salisbury and Bishop of Bath and Wells as well as Lord Privy Seal and Lord High Treasurer.Bubwith was Lord Privy Seal from 2 March 1405 to 4 October 1406... |
Translated from Salisbury Bishop of Salisbury The Bishop of Salisbury is the ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of Salisbury in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers much of the counties of Wiltshire and Dorset... . Appointed on 7 October and received the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... on 2 December 1407. Died in office on 27 October 1424. |
| 1424 | 1443 | John Stafford | Formery Dean of Wells Dean of Wells The Dean of Wells is the head of the Chapter of Wells Cathedral in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. The current Dean is the Very Revd John Clarke, who lives in The Dean's Lodging, 25 The Liberty, Wells.-List of the Deans of Wells:*1140–1164 Ivo... (1423–1424). Elected bishop between 14 November and 19 December 1424. Consecrated on 27 May 1425. Also Lord Treasurer Lord High Treasurer The post of Lord High Treasurer or Lord Treasurer was an English government position and has been a British government position since the Act of Union of 1707. A holder of the post would be the third highest ranked Great Officer of State, below the Lord High Chancellor and above the Lord President... (1422–1426) and Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... (1432–1450). Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... on 13 May 1443. |
| 1443 | 1465 | Thomas Beckington Thomas Beckington Thomas Beckington was the Bishop of Bath and Wells and King's Secretary in medieval England.-Life:... |
Formerly Archdeacon of Buckingham (1424–1443). Appointed bishop on 24 July and consecrated on 13 October 1443. Also the Keeper of the Privy Seal Lord Privy Seal The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state... (1443–1444). Died in office on 14 January 1465. |
| 1465 | 1491 | Robert Stillington Robert Stillington Robert Stillington was Bishop of Bath and Wells and a courtier under Edward IV of England. He twice served as Edward#s Lord Chancellor and in 1483, he was instrumental in the accession of Richard III, leading to reprisals under Henry VII.-Life:Stillington was Archdeacon of Wells when he was made... |
Formerly Archdeacon of Taunton (1450–1465). Appointed bishop on 30 October 1465 and consecrated on 16 March 1466. Also intermittently Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... between 1460 to 1473. Died in office before 15 May 1491. |
| 1492 | 1494 | Richard Foxe Richard Foxe Richard Foxe was an English churchman, successively Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester, Lord Privy Seal, and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.-Life:... |
Translated from Exeter Bishop of Exeter The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature.... . Appointed on 8 February and received the temporalities Temporalities Temporalities are the secular properties and possessions of the Christian Church. It is most often used to describe those properties that were used to support a bishop or other religious person or establishment. Its opposite description would be the spiritualities.In the Middle Ages, the... on 4 May 1492. Translated to Durham on 30 July 1494. |
| 1495 | 1503 | Oliver King Oliver King Oliver King was a Bishop of Exeter and Bishop of Bath and Wells who restored Bath Abbey after 1500.-Life:Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, King became a priest and was appointed Bishop of Exeter on 1 October 1492, consecrated on 3 February 1493. He was then translated to the see of... |
Translated from Exeter Bishop of Exeter The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature.... . Appointed on 6 November 1495 and received the temporalities on 6 January 1496. Died in office before 1503. |
| 1504 | 1518 | Cardinal Adriano Castellesi Adriano Castellesi Adriano Castellesi, also known as Cardinal Adrian, Corneto, Adrian of Castello or Adriano de Castello was an Italian cardinal and writer.-Biography:Castellesi was born at Corneto.... |
Translated from Hereford Bishop of Hereford The Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury.The see is in the City of Hereford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Ethelbert which was founded as a cathedral in 676.The Bishop's residence is... . Appointed on 2 August and received possession of the temporalities on 13 October 1504. Deprived of the see by Pope Leo X Pope Leo X Pope Leo X , born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici, was the Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. He was the last non-priest to be elected Pope. He is known for granting indulgences for those who donated to reconstruct St. Peter's Basilica and his challenging of Martin Luther's 95 Theses... on 5 July 1518. |
| 1518 | 1523 | Cardinal Thomas Wolsey | Archbishop of York Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man... (1514–1530) and Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... (1515–1529). Appointed in commendam In Commendam In canon law, commendam was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice in trust to the custody of a patron... the see of Bath and Wells on 27 July 1518, but exchanged it to the see of Durham on 26 March 1523. |
| Sources: | |||
Bishops during the Reformation
| Bishops of Bath and Wells during the Reformation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1523 | 1541 | John Clerk John Clerk (bishop) John Clerk was an English bishop. He was educated at Cambridge University, and went on to serve under Cardinal Wolsey in a variety of capacities. He was also useful in a diplomatic capacity to both Wolsey and Henry VIII of England.... |
Formerly Master of the Rolls Master of the Rolls The Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the second most senior judge in England and Wales, after the Lord Chief Justice. The Master of the Rolls is the presiding officer of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal... (1522–1523) and Dean of Windsor Dean of Windsor The Dean of Windsor is the spiritual head of the Canons of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Dean chairs meetings of the Chapter of Canons as primus inter pares.-List of Deans of Windsor:* William Mugge, 1348* Walter Almaly, 1380... (1519–1523). Appointed bishop on 26 March and consecrated on 6 December 1523. Accepted royal supremacy in 1534. Died in office on 31 January 1541. |
| 1541 | 1547 | William Knight | Formerly Secretary of State Secretary of State (England) In the Kingdom of England, the title of Secretary of State came into being near the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I , the usual title before that having been King's Clerk, King's Secretary, or Principal Secretary.... to Henry VIII Henry VIII of England Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France... (1526–1528) and Prebendary Prebendary A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral... of St Paul's Old St Paul's Cathedral Old St Paul's Cathedral is a name used to refer to the medieval cathedral of the City of London which until 1666 stood on the site of the present St Paul's Cathedral. Built between 1087 and 1314 and dedicated to St Paul, the cathedral was the fourth church on the site at Ludgate Hill... (1517–1541). Nominated bishop on 9 April and consecrated on 29 May 1541. Died in office on 29 September 1547. |
| 1548 | 1553 | William Barlow William Barlow (bishop of Chichester) William Barlow was an English Augustinian prior turned bishop of four dioceses, a complex figure of the Protestant Reformation. Aspects of his life await scholarly clarification... |
Translated from St David's Bishop of St David's The Bishop of St David's is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of St David's.The succession of bishops stretches back to Saint David who in the 6th century established his seat in what is today the city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, founding St David's Cathedral. The current Bishop of St... . Nominated on 3 February 1548. Resigned before 4 October 1553. Later became 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 1559. |
| 1554 | 1559 | Gilbert Bourne Gilbert Bourne Gilbert Bourne was the last Roman Catholic Bishop of Bath and Wells, England.-Life to the death of Mary I:Bourne was son of Philip Bourne, of Worcestershire... |
Formerly Prebendary Prebendary A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral... of St Paul's Old St Paul's Cathedral Old St Paul's Cathedral is a name used to refer to the medieval cathedral of the City of London which until 1666 stood on the site of the present St Paul's Cathedral. Built between 1087 and 1314 and dedicated to St Paul, the cathedral was the fourth church on the site at Ludgate Hill... and Lord President of Wales and the Marches. Nominated bishop on 13 March and consecrated on 1 April 1554. Deprived between 18 October 1559 and 11 January 1560. Died on 10 September 1569. |
| Sources: | |||
Post-Reformation bishops
| Post-Reformation Bishops of Bath and Wells | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | Until | Incumbent | Notes |
| 1560 | 1581 | Gilbert Berkeley Gilbert Berkeley Gilbert Berkeley was an English churchman, a Marian exile and then bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:He took the degree of B.D. at Oxford about 1539, according to Anthony à Wood. He was rector of Attleborough in 1544, according to 19th-century sources, though the Dictionary of National Biography... |
Nominated on 11 January and consecrated on 24 March 1560. Died in office on 2 November 1590. |
| 1581 | 1584 | See vacant | |
| 1584 | 1590 | Thomas Godwin Thomas Godwin (bishop) Thomas Godwin was an English bishop, who presided over the Diocese of Bath and Wells.Thomas Godwin was both born and died in Wokingham in Berkshire.From 1567 to 1584 he was Dean of Canterbury.... |
Formerly Dean of Canterbury Dean of Canterbury The Dean of Canterbury is the head of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Christ Church, Canterbury, England. The office of dean originated after the English Reformation, and its precursor office was the prior of the cathedral-monastery... (1567–1584). Nominated bishop on 25 July and consecrated on 13 September 1584. Died in office on 19 November 1590. |
| 1590 | 1592 | See vacant | |
| 1593 | 1608 | John Still John Still John Still , bishop of Bath and Wells enjoyed considerable fame as a preacher and disputant. He was formerly reputed to be the author of the early English comedy drama Gammer Gurton's Needle .-Career:... |
Formerly Master of Trinity College, Cambridge (1577–1593). Nominated bishop on 13 January and consecrated on 11 February 1593. Died in office on 26 February 1608. |
| 1608 | 1616 | James Montague James Montague (bishop) James Montague was an English bishop.-Life:He was the son of Sir Edward Montague of Boughton, and grandson of Edward Montagu.... |
Formerly Dean of Worcester Dean of Worcester The Dean of Worcester is the head of the Chapter of Worcester Cathedral in Worcester, England. The most current Dean is the Very Rev Peter Gordon Atkinson who lives at The Deanery, College Green, Worcester.-List of Deans:... (1604–1608). Nominated bishop on 21 March and consecrated on 17 April 1608. Translated to Winchester Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and... on 4 October 1616. |
| 1616 | 1626 | Arthur Lake | Formerly Dean of Worcester Dean of Worcester The Dean of Worcester is the head of the Chapter of Worcester Cathedral in Worcester, England. The most current Dean is the Very Rev Peter Gordon Atkinson who lives at The Deanery, College Green, Worcester.-List of Deans:... (1608–1616). Elected on 17 October and consecrated on 8 December 1616. Died in office on 4 May 1626. |
| 1626 | 1628 | William Laud William Laud William Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. One of the High Church Caroline divines, he opposed radical forms of Puritanism... |
Translated from St David's Bishop of St David's The Bishop of St David's is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of St David's.The succession of bishops stretches back to Saint David who in the 6th century established his seat in what is today the city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, founding St David's Cathedral. The current Bishop of St... . Nominated bishop of Bath & Wells on 20 June and confirmed on 18 September 1626. Translated to London Bishop of London The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey... on 15 July 1628. |
| 1628 | 1629 | Leonard Mawe Leonard Mawe Leonard Mawe was a Bishop of Bath and Wells and a Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge and Trinity College, Cambridge.-Life:... |
Nominated on 14 July and consecrated on 7 September 1628. Also Master of Trinity College, Cambridge (1625–1628). Died in office on 2 September 1629 |
| 1629 | 1632 | Walter Curle Walter Curle Walter Curle was an English bishop, a close supporter of William Laud. Born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, he was educated at St Albans School and at Christ's College, Cambridge , transferring to Peterhouse , of which college he later was elected Fellow.He was bishop of Winchester from 1632 to 1647... |
Translated from Rochester Bishop of Rochester The Bishop of Rochester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the west of the county of Kent and is centred in the city of Rochester where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin... . Elected on 29 October and confirmed on 4 December 1629. Translated to Winchester Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and... on 16 November 1632. |
| 1632 | 1646 | William Piers William Piers William Piers was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1621 to 1624, Bishop of Peterborough from 1630 to 1632 and Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1632 to his death in 1670.-Life:... |
Translated from Peterborough Bishop of Peterborough The Bishop of Peterborough is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Peterborough in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the counties of Northamptonshire, Rutland and the Soke of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire... . Nominated on 19 November and confirmed on 13 December 1632. Deprived of the see when the English episcopy was abolished by Parliament on 9 October 1646. |
| 1646 | 1660 | The see was abolished during the Commonwealth Commonwealth of England The Commonwealth of England was the republic which ruled first England, and then Ireland and Scotland from 1649 to 1660. Between 1653–1659 it was known as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland... and the Protectorate The Protectorate In British history, the Protectorate was the period 1653–1659 during which the Commonwealth of England was governed by a Lord Protector.-Background:... . |
|
| 1660 | 1670 | William Piers William Piers William Piers was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1621 to 1624, Bishop of Peterborough from 1630 to 1632 and Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1632 to his death in 1670.-Life:... (again) |
Returned when the see was restored in 1660. Died in office on 30 April 1670. |
| 1670 | 1672 | Robert Creighton Robert Creighton Robert Creighton or Crichton was a Scottish royalist churchman who became Bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:He was son of Thomas Creighton and Margaret Stuart, who claimed kinship with the ancient Lords of Ruthven, and was born at Dunkeld, Perthshire. He was educated at Westminster, and in 1613 was... |
Formerly Dean of Wells Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace.... (1660–1670. Nominated on 2 May and consecated on 19 June 1670. Died in office on 20 November 1672. |
| 1673 | 1684 | Peter Mews Peter Mews Peter Mews was an English Royalist theologian and bishop.-Life:Mews was born at Caundle Purse in Dorset, and was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, London, and at St John's College, Oxford, of which he was scholar and fellow.When the Civil War broke out in 1642, Mews joined the Royalist... |
Formerly Dean of Rochester (1670–1673). Nominated on 23 November 1672 and consecrated 6 February 1673. Translated to Winchester Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and... on 22 November 1684. |
| 1685 | 1690 | Thomas Ken Thomas Ken Thomas Ken was an English cleric who was considered the most eminent of the English non-juring bishops, and one of the fathers of modern English hymnology.-Early life:... |
Formerly Canon Canon (priest) A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule .... of Winchester Winchester Cathedral Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe... (1669–1685). Nominated on 24 November 1684 and consecrated on 25 January 1685. Deprived of the see on 1 February 1690 for not taking the oaths Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Act 1688 The Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Act 1688 was an Act of the Parliament of England passed in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution. The Act required all office-holders, Members of Parliament and clergy to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy for the new monarchs, William III and Mary II... to the sovereigns William and Mary The phrase William and Mary usually refers to the coregency over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, of King William III & II and Queen Mary II... . Died on 19 March 1711. |
| 1691 | 1703 | Richard Kidder Richard Kidder Richard Kidder was an English Anglican churchman, Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1691 to his death. He was a noted theologian.He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was a sizar, from 1649, graduating 1652. He became a Fellow there in 1655, and vicar of Stranground,... |
Formerly Dean of Peterborough (1689–1691). Nominated on 11 June and consecrated on 30 August 1691. Died in office on 26 November 1703. |
| 1704 | 1727 | George Hooper George Hooper George Hooper was a learned and influential high churchman of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. He served as bishop of the Welsh diocese, St Asaph, and later for the diocese of Bath and Wells, as well as chaplain to members of the royal family.-Early life:George Hooper was born... |
Translated from St Asaph Bishop of St Asaph The Bishop of St Asaph heads the Church in Wales diocese of St Asaph.The diocese covers the counties of Conwy and Flintshire, Wrexham county borough, the eastern part of Merioneth in Gwynedd and part of northern Powys. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of St Asaph in the town of... . Nominated on 23 December 1703 and confirmed on 14 March 1704. Died in office on 6 September 1727. |
| 1727 | 1743 | John Wynne John Wynne John Wynne was Bishop of St Asaph and of Bath and Wells , having previously been Principal of Jesus College, Oxford .-Life:... |
Translated from St Asaph Bishop of St Asaph The Bishop of St Asaph heads the Church in Wales diocese of St Asaph.The diocese covers the counties of Conwy and Flintshire, Wrexham county borough, the eastern part of Merioneth in Gwynedd and part of northern Powys. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of St Asaph in the town of... . Nominated on 19 September and confirmed on 11 November 1727. Died in office on 15 July 1743. |
| 1743 | 1773 | Edward Willes Edward Willes Bishop Edward Willes was Anglican clergyman who was Bishop of St David's and later Bishop of Bath and Wells and one of the most prominent English cryptanalysts of his time.... |
Translated from St David's Bishop of St David's The Bishop of St David's is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of St David's.The succession of bishops stretches back to Saint David who in the 6th century established his seat in what is today the city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, founding St David's Cathedral. The current Bishop of St... . Nominated on 13 September and confirmed on 12 December 1743. Died in office on 24 November 1773. |
| 1774 | 1802 | Charles Moss | Translated from St David's Bishop of St David's The Bishop of St David's is the ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of St David's.The succession of bishops stretches back to Saint David who in the 6th century established his seat in what is today the city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, founding St David's Cathedral. The current Bishop of St... . Nominated on 23 April and confirmed on 2 June 1774. Died in office on 13 April 1802. |
| 1802 | 1824 | Richard Beadon Richard Beadon Richard Beadon DD was Master of Jesus College, Cambridge 1781–1789 and later Vice-Chancellor of the University, Bishop of Gloucester and Bishop of Bath and Wells.-Life:... |
Translated from Gloucester Bishop of Gloucester The Bishop of Gloucester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the County of Gloucestershire and part of the County of Worcestershire and has its see in the City of Gloucester where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church... . Nominated on 27 April and confirmed on 2 June 1802. Died in office on 21 April 1824. |
| 1824 | 1845 | George Law | Translated from Chester Bishop of Chester The Bishop of Chester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chester in the Province of York.The diocese expands across most of the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, including the Wirral Peninsula and has its see in the City of Chester where the seat is located at the Cathedral... . Nominated on 8 May and confirmed on 8 June 1824. Died in office on 22 September 1845. |
| 1845 | 1854 | The Hon Richard Bagot Richard Bagot (bishop) Richard Bagot was an English cleric.He was a son of William Bagot, 1st Baron Bagot of Blithfield Hall, Staffordshire... |
Translated from Oxford Bishop of Oxford The Bishop of Oxford is the diocesan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Oxford in the Province of Canterbury; his seat is at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford... . Nominated on 15 October and confirmed on 12 November 1845. Died in office on 15 May 1854. |
| 1854 | 1869 | The Rt Hon The Lord Auckland | Translated from Bishop of Sodor and Man Bishop of Sodor and Man The Bishop of Sodor and Man is the Ordinary of the Diocese of Sodor and Man in the Province of York in the Church of England. The diocese covers the Isle of Man. The see is in the town of Peel where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of St German, elevated to cathedral status on 1... . Nominated on 2 June and confirmed on 1 July 1854. Resigned as bishop on 6 September 1869 and died on 25 April 1870. |
| 1869 | 1894 | Lord Arthur Hervey | Formerly Archdeacon of Sudbury (1862–1869). Nominated on 11 November and consecrated 21 December 1869. Died in office on 9 June 1894. |
| 1894 | 1921 | George Kennion | Translated from Adelaide Anglican Diocese of Adelaide The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide is based in Adelaide, South Australia. The diocese is a part of the Province of South Australia of the Anglican Church of Australia and a part of the Anglican Communion. The current Archbishop of Adelaide is the Most Reverend Jeffrey Driver.-List of Bishops and... in Australia. Nominated on 24 August and confirmed on 17 October 1894. Resigned on 1 August 1921 and died on 19 May 1922. |
| 1921 | 1937 | Wynne Willson | Nominated on 6 October and consecrated on 1 November 1921. Resigned on 1 October 1937 and died on 15 October 1946. |
| 1937 | 1943 | Francis Underhill Francis Underhill Francis Underhill Francis Underhill Francis Underhill (16 May 1878 - 24 January 1943. was an Anglican bishop in the first half of the 20th century.Underhill was educated at Shrewsbury School and Exeter College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1901 and was a curate at St Paul's Swindon and St Thomas the... |
Nominated on 6 October and consecrated on 30 November 1937. Died in office on 24 January 1943. |
| 1943 | 1945 | William Wand | Translated from Brisbane Anglican Diocese of Brisbane The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane is based in Brisbane, Australia. The diocesan bishop's seat is St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. The current Archbishop of Brisbane is the Most Reverend Phillip Aspinall, who is also the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.The diocese stretches from the inner... . Nominated on 23 September and confirmed on 27 October 1943. Translated to London Bishop of London The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey... on 22 August 1945. |
| 1946 | 1960 | Harold Bradfield | Nominated on 5 March and consecrated on 1 May 1946. Died in office on 1 May 1960. |
| 1960 | 1975 | Edward Henderson | Translated from Tewkesbury Bishop of Tewkesbury The Bishop of Tewkesbury is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after the town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.... . Nominated on 1 July and confirmed 19 July 1960. Resigned on 31 May 1975 and died in 1986. |
| 1975 | 1988 | John Bickersteth John Bickersteth John Monier Bickersteth KCVO was Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1975 to 1987, and Clerk of the Closet from 1979-1989. Educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford he was ordained in 1951 and began his career with a Curacy at St Matthew Moorfield's Bristol... |
Translated from Warrington Bishop of Warrington The Bishop of Warrington is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool, in the Province of York, England. The title takes its name after the town of Warrington in Cheshire.-List of the Bishops of Warrington:... . Nominated on 15 October and confirmed on 12 December 1975. Also Clerk of the Closet Clerk of the Closet The College of Chaplains of the Ecclesiastical Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom is under the Clerk of the Closet, an office dating from 1437. It is normally held by a diocesan bishop, who may however remain in office after leaving his see... (1979–1989). Retired in 1988. |
| 1988 | 1991 | George Carey George Carey George Leonard Carey, Baron Carey of Clifton PC, FKC is a former Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1991 to 2002. He was the first modern holder of the office not to have attended Oxford or Cambridge University... |
Formerly Principal Principal (academia) The Principal is the chief executive and the chief academic officer of a university or college in certain parts of the Commonwealth.-Canada:... of Trinity Theological College, Bristol Trinity College, Bristol Trinity College Bristol is a Christian college affiliated to the Church of England, though students come from different denominations. It is located in Stoke Bishop in Bristol, England, next to the University of Bristol's residential halls... (1982–1988). Nominated and consecrated bishop in 1988. Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... in 1991. |
| 1991 | 2001 | Jim Thompson Jim Thompson (bishop) James Lawton "Jim" Thompson was an Anglican bishop. He was firstly the area Bishop of Stepney from 1978 to 1991 and later the diocesan Bishop of Bath & Wells in succession to George Carey who had become Archbishop of Canterbury... |
Translated from Stepney Bishop of Stepney The Bishop of Stepney is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of London, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Stepney, an inner-city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets... . Nominated and confirmed in 1991. Retired in 2001 and died in 2003. |
| 2002 | present | Peter Price | Translated from Kingston-upon-Thames Bishop of Kingston-upon-Thames The Bishop of Kingston-upon-Thames, often referred to simply as Bishop of Kingston, is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Southwark, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Kingston upon Thames, a settlement in south-west... . Nominated in 2001 and enthroned in 2002. |
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