Bishops

Bath and Wells Diocese 1541-1857

BISHOPS

William Knight D.C.L. 1541-1547.

Congé d'élire 9 Apr. 1541 (Cal. Wells 11 253). El. 21 Apr. (Lamb., Reg. Cranmer f. 264v). Warrant for royal assent 5 May (L. & P. xvi no. 878 (29)); issued 13 May (Lamb., Reg. Cranmer f. 262v). Abp's conf. 24 May (ibid. ff. 261v-269). Cons. by bp. of Rochester and suffragan bps. of Dover and Bedford 29 May (ibid. f. 269v). Temps. 30 May (L. & P. xvi no. 878 (82)). D. 29 Sept. 1547 (Brit. Libr., Lansd. MS. 980 f. 54/57).

William Barlow D.D. 1548-1553.

Trans. from St. Davids by Edward VI 3 Feb. 1548 (no el.) (fn. 1) (C.P.R. 1547-8 p. 263; Cal. Wells 11 266). Res. by 4 Oct. 1553 (Cal. Wells 11 276; C.P.R. 1553-4 pp. 6, 7).

Gilbert Bourne B.D. 1554-1559/60.

Congé d'élire 13 March 1554 (C.P.R. 1553-4 p. 6; Cal. Wells 11 277). Royal assent to el. 28 March (C.P.R. 1553-4 p. 7). Cons. 1 Apr. by bps. of London, Winchester and Durham (Canterbury cath. libr., Reg. N f. 38). Temps. 20 Apr. (C.P.R. 1553-4 p. 8). Papal conf. 6 July (Hierarchia Catholica, ed. C. Eubel and others (Münster, 1913-68) 111 130). Depriv. 18 Oct. 1559/11 Jan. 1560 (Foedera, ed. T. Rymer (The Hague, 1735-45) vi iv 86; Cal. Wells 11 281-2).

Gilbert Berkeley D.D. 1560-1581.

Congé d'élire 11 Jan. 1560 (C.P.R. 1558-60 p. 447; Cal. Wells 11 282). El. 29 Jan. (Cal. Wells 11 282; Reg. Parker 1 94). Royal assent 20 March (Reg. Parker 1 93; C.P.R. 1558-60 p. 408). Abp's conf. 23 March (Reg. Parker 1 92-5). Cons. 24 March (ibid. p. 95). Temps. 10 July (C.P.R. 1558-60 p. 452). D. 2 Nov. 1581 (Godwin, p. 444).

Thomas Godwyn B.M., D.D. 1584-1590.

Royal letters missive 25 July 1584; congé d'élire 27 July (Cal. Wells 11 306). El. 10 Aug. (Lamb., Reg. Whitgift 1 f. 17; Cal. Wells 11 307). Royal assent 29 Aug. (Lamb., Reg. Whitgift 1 f. 14v). Abp's conf. 11 Sept. (ibid. ff. 13v-19v). Cons. 13 Sept. (ibid. f. 18v). Enthr. 1 Oct. (Ledger Book 1683-1705 f. 28). D. 19 Nov. 1590 (m.i., Wokingham, Berks.) (Godwin, pp. 445-6).

John Still D.D. 1593-1608.

Congé d'élire and letters missive 13 Jan. 1593 (Cal. Wells 11 325). El. 23 Jan. (ibid. p. 326; Lamb., Reg. Whitgift 11 f. 11v). Royal assent 7 Feb. (Lamb., Reg. Whitgift 11 f. 9v). Abp's conf. 10 Feb. (ibid. ff. 9-14v). Cons. 11 Feb. (ibid. f. 13v). Enthr. 19 Feb. (Cal. Wells 11 327). Temps. 23 March (P.R.O., C 66/1402). D. 26 Feb. 1608 (m.i., Wells cath.) (Wells Cath. p. 146).

James Montague D.D. 1608-1616.

Warrant for congé d'élire and letters missive 21 March 1608 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1603-10 p. 416); issued 22 March (Cal. Wells 11 355). El. 29 March (ibid.; Lamb., Reg. Bancroft f. 66v). Royal assent 7 Apr. (Lamb., Reg. Bancroft f. 64v). Abp's conf. 15 Apr. (ibid. ff. 63v-70). Cons. 17 Apr. (ibid. f. 68v; W. Camden, Annals, in A Complete Hist. of England (London, 1706) 11 643). Enthr. 14 May (Cal. Wells 11 356). Trans. to Winchester 1616.

Arthur Lake D.D. 1616-1626.

El. 17 Oct. 1616 (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 1 f. 76; Cal. Wells 11 371). Royal assent 18 Oct. (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 1 f. 74). Abp's conf. 6 Dec. (ibid. ff. 73-78v). Cons. 8 Dec. (ibid. f. 78v; W. Camden, Annals, in A Complete Hist. of England (London, 1706) 11 646). Enthr. 3 Jan. 1617 (Cal. Wells 11 372). D. 4 May 1626 (m.i., Wells cath.) (Wells Cath., p. 61; Laud's Autobiography, p. 69).

William Laud D.D. 1626-1628.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Laud, bp. of St. Davids, 27 July 1626 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1625-6 p. 570). El. 16 Aug. (Cal. Wells 11 385; Laud's Autobiography, p. 71). Royal assent 1 Sept. (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 11 f. 98v). Abp's conf. 18 Sept. (ibid. ff. 97v-103). Temps. 19 Sept. (Laud's Autobiography, p. 83). Trans. to London 1628.

Leonard Mawe D.D. 1628-1629.

Congé d'élire and letters missive 14 July 1628 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1628-9 p. 211). El. 24 July (Cal. Wells 11 388; Lamb., Reg. Abbot 11 f. 151). Royal assent 15 Aug. (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 11 f. 151). Abp's conf. 5 Sept. (ibid.). Cons. 7 Sept. (ibid.). Did homage to king for temps. 25 Sept. (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1628-9 p. 337). D. 2 Sept. 1629 (Brit. Libr., Lansd. MS. 984 ff. 79/124, 174/269).

Walter Curle D.D. 1629-1632.

Curle, bp. of Rochester, el. 29 Oct. 1629 (Cal. Wells 11 391; Lamb., Reg. Abbot 111 f. 9). Royal assent 23 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 111 f. 7). Abp's conf. 4 Dec. (ibid. ff. 6-12). Enthr. 24 Dec. (Cal. Wells 11 391). Trans. to Winchester 1632.

William Peirs D.D. 1632-1670.

Congé d'élire 19 Nov. 1632 (Cal. Wells 11 396). Peirs, bp. of Peterborough, el. 26 Nov. 1632 (ibid.; Lamb., Reg. Abbot 111 f. 72v). Royal assent 7 Dec. (Lamb., Reg. Abbot 111 f. 70r-v). Abp's conf. 13 Dec. (ibid. ff. 69-75v). Temps. 20 Dec. (P.R.O., C 66/2605). Enthr. 4 Jan. 1633 (Cal. Wells 11 397). D. 30 Apr. 1670 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1670 p. 238).

Robert Creyghton I (fn. 2) D.D. 1670-1672.

Warrant 3 Jan. 1668 for congé d'élire and letters missive for Creyghton, on supposed d. of Peirs (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1667-8 p. 154). Congé d'élire and letters missive 2 May 1670, on actual d. of Peirs (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1670 p. 195). El. 25 May (CA 1666-83 p. 21; Lamb., Reg. Sheldon f. 66v; Cal. S.P. Dom. 1670 p. 238). Royal assent 8 June (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1670 p. 261) or 11 June (Lamb., Reg. Sheldon f. 64r-v). Licence alibi consecrari 16 June (Canterbury cath. libr., Reg. 28 f. 77). Abp's conf. 17 June (Lamb., Reg. Sheldon ff. 63-70). Cons. 19 June (ibid. f. 69v). Temps. 27 June (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1670 p. 299). Enthr. by proxy 5 July (CA 1666-83 p. 23). D. 20 Nov. 1672 (Lamb., Reg. Sheldon f. 243v) or 21 Nov. (m.i., Wells cath.) (Wells Cath. pp. 205-6).

Peter Mews D.C.L. 1673-1684.

Warrant 23 Nov. 1672 for congé d'élire and letters missive (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1672-3 p. 196); issued 25 Nov. (Wells cath. libr., Documents series 111, box 4, 180). El. 19 Dec. (CA 1666-83 p. 45; Lamb., Reg. Sheldon f. 105v). Warrant 4 Jan. 1673 for royal assent (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1672-3 p. 394); issued 15 Jan. (Lamb., Reg. Sheldon f. 103v). Abp's conf. 7 Feb. (ibid. ff. 102v-109). Cons. 9 Feb. (ibid. f. 108v). Warrant 10 Feb. for temps. (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1672-3 p. 540). Enthr. by proxy 28 Feb. (CA 1666-83 p. 47). Trans. to Winchester 1684.

Thomas Ken D.D. 1685-1690.

Warrant for congé d'élire and letters missive 24 Nov. 1684 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1684-5 p. 217). El. 16 Dec. (Cal. Wells 11 456; Lamb., Reg. Sancroft f. 113). Warrant 26 Dec. for royal assent (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1684-5 p. 266); issued 9 Jan. 1685 (Lamb., Reg. Sancroft f. 111). Abp's conf. 17 Jan. (ibid. ff. 109v-116v). Cons. 25 Jan. (ibid. f. 116). Warrant 28 Jan. for temps. (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1684-5 p. 301). Enthr. 6 Feb. (Cal. Wells 11 456). Depriv. 1 Feb. 1690 as non-Juror (fn. 3) (cf. Cal. S.P. Dom. 1690-1 p. 342).

[William Beveridge D.D. 1691.]

Warrant 22 Apr. 1691 for congé d'élire and letters missive (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1690-1 p. 342), but he refused bpc. (Bishop Burnet's Hist. of his own Time, ed. M. J. Routh (Oxford, 1833) iv 137n; A Vindication of their Majesties' Authority to fill the Sees of the Deprived Bishops . . . occasioned by Dr. B-'s refusal of the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells (London, 1691)).

Richard Kidder D.D. 1691-1703.

Warrant 11 June 1691 for congé d'élire and letters missive (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1690-1 p. 409); issued 22 June (Cal. Wells 11 718). El. 14 July (ibid. p. 469; Lamb., Reg. Tillotson f. 71v). Warrant 18 July for royal assent (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1690-1 p. 452); issued 23 July (Lamb., Reg. Tillotson f. 69). Abp's conf. 29 Aug. (ibid. ff. 67v-76). Licence alibi consecrari s.d. (Canterbury cath. libr., Reg. 30 ff. 53v-54). Cons. 30 Aug. (Lamb., Reg. Tillotson f. 75). Warrant 1 Sept. for temps. (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1690-1 p. 507). Enthr. 25 Sept. (Cal. Wells 11 470). D. 26 Nov. 1703 (m.i., Wells cath.) (Wells Cath. pp. 158-9).

George Hooper D.D. 1704-1727.

Warrant for congé d'élire and letters missive for Hooper, bp. of St. Asaph, 23 Dec. 1703 (Cal. S.P. Dom. 1703-4 p. 263); issued 7 Jan. 1704 (Cal. Wells 11 719). El. 25 Jan. (ibid. p. 483; Lamb., Reg. Tenison 1 f. 72). Royal assent 2 March (Lamb., Reg. Tenison 1 f. 70). Warrant for temps. 7 March (P.R.O., SP 44/151 p. 108). Abp's conf. 14 March (Lamb., Reg. Tenison 1 ff. 68v-76). Enthr. by proxy 3 Apr. (Cal. Wells 11 483). D. 6 Sept. 1727 (Hist. Reg. Chron. 1727, xii 36).

John Wynne D.D. 1727-1743.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Wynne, bp. of St. Asaph, 28 Sept. 1727 (P.R.O., C 209/2; Cal. Wells 11 517). El. 13 Oct. (Cal. Wells 11 517; Lamb., Reg. Wake 11 f. 4v; Lond. Gaz. no. 6623). Royal assent 2 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Wake 11 f. 2r-v; P.R.O., C 209/2). Abp's conf. 11 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Wake 11 ff. 1-7v). Temps. 30 Nov. (P.R.O., C 209/2). Enthr. 7 Dec. (Cal. Wells 11 517). D. 15 July 1743 (m.i., Northop, Flints.) (Brit. Libr., Add. MS. 5829 f. 9v).

Edward Willes D.D. 1743-1773.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Willes, bp. of St. Davids, pubd. 13 Sept. 1743 (Lond. Gaz. no. 8257); issued 16 Sept. (P.R.O., C 209/9; Cal. Wells 11 721-2). El. 30 Sept. (Lamb., Reg. Potter f. 153; Cal. Wells 11 541). Royal assent 18 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Potter ff. 149-50; P.R.O., C 209/9). Abp's conf. 12 Dec. (Lamb., Reg. Potter ff. 147v-158). Temps. 15 Dec. (P.R.O., C 209/9). Enthr. by proxy 10 Jan. 1744 (Cal. Wells 11 541, 722). D. 24 Nov. 1773 (m.i., Westminster abbey) (Hist. and Ant. Westminster 11 204; D/D/B Reg. 28 f. 93).

Charles Moss D.D. 1774-1802.

congé d'élire and letters missive for Moss, bp. of St. Davids, pubd. 26 Apr. 1774 (Lond. Gaz. no. 11451); issued 3 May (P.R.O., C 209/19). El. 16 May (Lamb., Reg. Cornwallis f. 149v). Royal assent 24 May (ibid. f. 147; P.R.O., C 209/19). Abp's conf. 2 June (Lamb., Reg. Cornwallis ff. 145v-153v). Temps. 14 June (P.R.O., C 209/19). D. 13 Apr. 1802 (The Times, 15 Apr.).

Richard Beadon D.D. 1802-1824.

Congé d'élire 27 Apr. 1802 (P.R.O., Index 16816); congé d'élire and letters missive for Beadon, bp. of Gloucester, pubd. 12 May (Lond. Gaz. no. 15479). El. 8 May (Lamb., Reg. Moore f. 379; CA 1792-1817 p. 230). Royal assent 15 May (Lamb., Reg. Moore f. 375v). Abp's conf. 2 June (ibid. ff. 373-384v). Enthr. 7 June (CA 1792- 1817 p. 236). Temps. 10 June (P.R.O., Index 16816). D. 21 Apr. 1824 (m.i., Wells cath.) (Wells Cath. p. 93).

George Henry Law D.D. 1824-1845.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Law, bp. of Chester, pubd. 8 May 1824 (Lond. Gaz. no. 18026); issued 17 May (P.R.O., Index 16816). El. 27 May (CA 1817-32 p. 143; Lamb., Reg. Sutton 1 f. 367). Royal assent 28 May (Lamb., Reg. Sutton 1 f. 364r-v; P.R.O., Index 16816). Abp's conf. 8 June (Lamb., Reg. Sutton 1 ff. 362v- 371v). Temps. 19 June (P.R.O., Index 16816). Enthr. 21 June (CA 1817-32 p. 143). Letters patent issued 19 Dec. 1843 empowering bp. of Salisbury to exercise all functions (spiritual and temporal) of Law on account of his mental incapacity (Lamb., Reg. Howley pp. 477-81; P.R.O., Index 16816). D. 22 Sept. 1845 (Gent. Mag. 1845, new ser., xxiv 529-31).

Hon. Richard Bagot D.D. 1845-1854.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Bagot, bp. of Oxford, pubd. 15 Oct. 1845 (Lond. Gaz. no. 20518); issued 28 Oct. (P.R.O., Index 16816). El. 6 Nov. (CA 1841-55 p. 89; Lamb., Reg. Howley p. 526). Royal assent 7 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Howley p. 521; P.R.O., Index 16816). Abp's conf. 12 Nov. (Lamb., Reg. Howley pp. 518-33). Temps. 29 Nov. (P.R.O., Index 16816). Enthr. 18 Dec. (CA 1841-55 p. 96). D. 15 May 1854 (Gent. Mag. 1854, new ser., xlii 71-2).

Robert John Eden D.D. 1854-1869. 3rd Baron Auckland.

Congé d'élire and letters missive for Eden, bp. of Sodor and Man, pubd. 2 June 1854 (Lond. Gaz. no. 21558); issued 7 June (P.R.O., Index 16816). El. 15 June (CA 1841- 55 p. 243; Lamb., Reg. Sumner p. 182). Royal assent 27 June (Lamb., Reg. Sumner pp. 176-7; P.R.O., Index 16816). Abp's conf. 1 July (Lamb., Reg. Sumner pp. 174-89). Temps. 12 July (P.R.O., Index 16816). Enthr. 14 July (CA 1841-55 p. 249). Res. 6 Sept. 1869; d. 25 Apr. 1870 (The Times, 27 Apr. 1870, p. 12).