Archdeacon of St Albans

The Archdeacon of St Albans is an ecclesiastical post in the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury.

History[edit]

Before the Dissolution of the Monasteries and Henrican reforms of the 16th century, there were Archdeacons of St Albans from within the Abbey. Registers list archdeacons starting in 1420, but this old "abbey archdeaconry" is supposed to have been created in the reign of Henry III (13th century).

The "diocesan archdeaconry" was newly constituted from St Albans Abbey's parishes in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire in 1550;^[1] it remained a part of the Diocese of London until 1845, when it and was transferred to the diocese of Rochester, at which point its boundaries were made to coincide with those of Hertfordshire. Thirty years later, the archdeaconries of Essex, of Colchester, and of St Albans were taken from the Rochester diocese to create the Diocese of St Albans in 1878.^[2] Shortly after the two Essex archdeaconries were erected into the Diocese of Chelmsford in 1914, the St Albans diocese received the ancient county archdeaconry of Bedford from the Diocese of Ely; there has once again been a third archdeaconry since the split on 1 January 1997 of the Hertford archdeaconry from the Archdeaconry of St Albans.

List of archdeacons[edit]

Medieval[edit]

From the 13th century, there was an archdeaconry within the Abbey's jurisdiction. These "abbey archdeacons" were monks from the abbey monastery:

1415–bef. 1420: John Blebury
1420–bef. 1425: John Hatfield
1425–bef. 1435: William Alnwick/Alnewyke (possibly the Bishop of Norwich and of Lincoln)
1435–bef. 1437: John Peyton
1437–bef. 1441: John Hatfield
1441–bef. 1446: Stephen London
1446–bef. 1450: William Albon
1450–bef. 1476: William of Wallingford
1476–bef. 1478: Nicholas Boston
1478–bef. 1490: John Rothebury
1490–bef. 1494: John Thornton
1494–bef. 1495: Thomas Newland/Newlonde
1495–bef. 1505: Richard Runham
1505–bef. 1506: John Stonewell/Stonywell
1506: John Killingworth
1506–bef. 1509: John Albon
1509–bef. 1512: John Mainard/Maynard
1512–bef. 1514: Richard Runham
1514–bef. 1517: Thomas Marshall
1517–bef. 1531: Thomas Kyngesbury^[3]
1531: Egidius Ferrers
1531–bef. 1539: Thomas Kyngesbury
1539–1550: William East/Este

Early modern[edit]

On 1 April 1550, letters patent annexed the abbey's parishes to the Diocese of London. Not long after, the diocesan archdeaconry was erected and East (re-)appointed:

1550–bef. 1557 (res.): William Este
26 February 1557–bef. 1560 (deprived): James Dugdale (deprived)
17 July 1560–bef. 1581 (res.): David Kempe
3 January 1581–bef. July 1581 (res.): Giles Lawrence
5 July 1581–aft. 1602: William Hutchinson
bef. 1626–bef. 1631 (d.): Thomas Raymond
14 November 1631 – 25 June 1644 (d.): Thomas Westfield (in commendam as Bishop of Bristol from 1642)

19 December 1660–bef. 1664 (d.): Mark Frank
30 June 1664 – 24 April 1671 (d.): Christopher Shute
28 April 1671 – 19 July 1683 (d.): William Bell
9 August 1683–bef. 1688 (d.): Edward Carter
4 June 1688–bef. 1713 (d.): John Cole
21 April 1713–September 1715 (d.): Lionel Gatford
6 October 1715 – 13 September 1738 (d.): Philip Stubbs
14 October 1738 – 1741 (res.): Fifield Allen (afterwards Archdeacon of Middlesex)
14 June 1741 – 29 August 1754 (d.): John Cole
13 September 1754 – 12 August 1781 (d.): James Ibbetson
5 September 1781 – 1788 (res.): Samuel Horsley (afterwards Bishop of St David's)
8 January 1789 – 1813 (res.): Joseph Pott (afterwards Archdeacon of London)
4 January 1814–bef. 1816 (res.): Robert Hodgson
23 January 1816 – 9 June 1839 (d.): John Watson
17 June 1839 – 1840 (res.): William Hale (afterwards Archdeacon of Middlesex)
16 October 1840 – 28 August 1845 (res.): Charles Burney (afterwards Archdeacon of Colchester)

The archdeaconry, by this point covering all Hertfordshire, was transferred to Rochester diocese by Order in Council on 8 August 1845

13 January 1846 – 25 November 1883 (d.): Anthony Grant (also Archdeacon of Rochester, 1863–1882)

Late modern[edit]

1884–1909 (res.): Walter Lawrance (also the first Dean of St Albans from 1900)^[4]
1909–1933 (ret.): Kenneth Gibbs (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[5]
1933–31 December 1935 (d.): Arthur Parnell^[6]
1936–1942 (res.): Aylmer Skelton (also suffragan Bishop of Bedford from 1939; afterwards Bishop of Lincoln)^[7]
1942–1951 (res.): Thomas Wood (also suffragan Bishop of Bedford from 1948)^[8]
1951–1962 (ret.): Charles Cockbill (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[9]
1962–1973 (ret.): Basil Snell (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[10]
1973–1974 (res.): Peter Mumford (afterwards suffragan Bishop of Hertford)^[11]
1974–1981 (res.): David Farmbrough (afterwards suffragan Bishop of Bedford)^[12]
1982–1987 (ret.): Edward Norfolk (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[13]
1987–1998 (ret.): Philip Davies (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[14]
1999–2002 (res.): Richard Cheetham (afterwards area Bishop of Kingston)^[15]
2003–2007 (ret.): Helen Cunliffe (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[16]
2008–2020 (ret.): Jonathan Smith (afterwards archdeacon emeritus)^[17]^[18]
14 March 2020 – 2 February 2023 (res.): Jane Mainwaring^[19]^[20] (became Bishop of Hertford)^[21]
20 May 2023 – present: Charles Hudson^[22]^[23]

References[edit]

^ Horn, Joyce M. (1969), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 1, pp. 9–11
^ Horn, Joyce M. (1974), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 3, pp. 45–47
^ He proved the wills of Richard and Joan Willows of Winslow
^ "Lawrance, Walter John". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Gibbs, Kenneth Francis". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Parnell, Arthur Henry". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Skelton, Henry Aylmer". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Wood, Claud Thomas Thellusson". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Cockbill, Charles Shipley". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Snell, Basil Clark". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Mumford, Peter". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Farmbrough, David John". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Norfolk, Edward Matheson". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Davies, Philip Bertram". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Cheetham, Richard Ian". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Cunliffe, Helen Margaret". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ People News January 2020 | Diocese of St Albans
^ "Smith, Jonathan Peter". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ "Jane Mainwaring to be our next Archdeacon". 7 December 2019.
^ @Chris41863802 (14 March 2020). "Wonderful to see Hitchin Vicar Jane Mainwaring collated as Archdeacon of St Albans this afternoon. #blessed…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ "(Order of Service) Eucharist with the Ordination and Consecration..." (PDF). Canterbury Cathedral. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
^ "New Archdeacon of St Albans". Diocese of St Albans. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
^ @StAlbansCath (20 May 2023). "Congratulations to the Revd Canon Charles Hudson..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023 – via Twitter.

Sources[edit]

Madden, Bandinel et al. (1st ed.) & Nichols (2nd ed.). Collectanea Topographica & Genealogica, Vol. VII p. 302
Hardy & Le Neve: Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae: or a calendar of the principal..., Volume 2. pp. 344–345
Horn, Joyce M. (1969), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 1, pp. 14–16
Horn, Joyce M. (1974), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 3, p. 59

External links[edit]

Records of the Archdeaconry of St Alban's (National Archives)

[1] Horn, Joyce M. (1969), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 1, pp. 9–11

[2] Horn, Joyce M. (1974), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 3, pp. 45–47

[3] He proved the wills of Richard and Joan Willows of Winslow

[4] "Lawrance, Walter John". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[5] "Gibbs, Kenneth Francis". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[6] "Parnell, Arthur Henry". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[7] "Skelton, Henry Aylmer". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[8] "Wood, Claud Thomas Thellusson". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[9] "Cockbill, Charles Shipley". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[10] "Snell, Basil Clark". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[11] "Mumford, Peter". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[12] "Farmbrough, David John". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[13] "Norfolk, Edward Matheson". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[14] "Davies, Philip Bertram". Who's Who & Who Was Who. Vol. 1920–2014 (April 2014 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[15] "Cheetham, Richard Ian". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[16] "Cunliffe, Helen Margaret". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[17] People News January 2020 | Diocese of St Albans

[18] "Smith, Jonathan Peter". Who's Who. Vol. 2014 (December 2013 online ed.). A & C Black. Retrieved 23 November 2014. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[19] "Jane Mainwaring to be our next Archdeacon". 7 December 2019.

[20] @Chris41863802 (14 March 2020). "Wonderful to see Hitchin Vicar Jane Mainwaring collated as Archdeacon of St Albans this afternoon. #blessed…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[21] "(Order of Service) Eucharist with the Ordination and Consecration..." (PDF). Canterbury Cathedral. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.

[22] "New Archdeacon of St Albans". Diocese of St Albans. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.

[23] @StAlbansCath (20 May 2023). "Congratulations to the Revd Canon Charles Hudson..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023 – via Twitter.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

v t e Archdeacons of St Albans
Medieval	John Blebury John Hatfield William Alnwick/Alnewyke John Peyton John Hatfield Stephen London William Albon William of Wallingford Nicholas Boston John Rothebury John Thornton Thomas Newland/Newlonde Richard Runham John Stonewell/Stonywell John Killingworth John Albon John Mainard/Maynard Richard Runham Thomas Marshall Thomas Kyngesbury Egidius Ferrers Thomas Kingsbury/Kyngesbury William East/Este
Early modern	William Este James Dugdale David Kempe Giles Lawrence William Hutchinson Thomas Raymond Thomas Westfield Mark Frank Christopher Shute William Bell Edward Carter John Cole Lionel Gatford Philip Stubbs Fifield Allen John Cole James Ibbetson Samuel Horsley Joseph Pott Robert Hodgson John Watson William Hale Charles Burney Anthony Grant
Late modern	Walter Lawrance Kenneth Gibbs Arthur Parnell Aylmer Skelton Thomas Wood Charles Cockbill Basil Snell Peter Mumford David Farmbrough Edward Norfolk Philip Davies Richard Cheetham Helen Cunliffe Jonathan Smith Jane Mainwaring Charles Hudson

v t e Diocese of St Albans
St Albans Cathedral St Mary's Church, Luton Abbey Gate House, St Albans Holywell Lodge, St Albans
Office holders	Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans Richard Atkinson, Bishop suffragan of Bedford Jane Mainwaring, Bishop suffragan of Hertford AEO: Bishop suffragan of Richborough (vacant) & Rob Munro, Bishop suffragan of Ebbsfleet Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans Janet Mackenzie, Archdeacon of Hertford Dave Middlebrook, Archdeacon of Bedford Charles Hudson, Archdeacon of St Albans
Historic offices	Bishops suffragan of Colchester and of Barking, Archdeacons of Colchester and of Essex (all moved to Diocese of Chelmsford, 1914)