List of Archdeacons of Chichester

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.[1] The current incumbent is The Ven Douglas McKittrick.[2]

After the Norman Conquest a uniform system of territorial archdeaconries was created to try to 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.[3]

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."[4]

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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[6][7]

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).[8] In his book he lists his sources both manuscripts and books, from the Public Record Office, the British Museum, parish registers and the Bishops register. The earliest document he cites is that of the Patent Rolls which was begun in 1204.[9]

Contents

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

Late Medieval

Early modern

Late modern

Abbreviations

c. - circa; d. - died; exch. - exchanged; res. - resigned

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Kelly. The Bishopric of Selsey in Mary Hobbs. Chichester Cathedral:An Historic Survey. pp.1 - 10
  2. ^ Diocese of Chichester — Other Staff
  3. ^ Bartlett. England under the Norman and Angevine Kings pp.388 - 389
  4. ^ Stephens. The South Saxon Diocese. p.67
  5. ^ Synodical Government. p.65
  6. ^ a b Diocese of Chichester Website
  7. ^ The Brighton Evening Argus. Announcing McKittrick replacing Michael Brotherton and moving to Hove. [1]
  8. ^ Baggs. A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate (1980), pp. 29-32
  9. ^ Hennessy.Chichester Diocese. Introduction. pp. iii - v.

References