The Archdeacon of Wilts (or Wiltshire) is a senior cleric in the Diocese of Salisbury, England. The archdeacon is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy[1] in five deaneries: Marlborough, Pewsey, Calne, Bradford and Devizes.[2]
Sue Groom has been the Archdeacon of Wilts since 22 February 2016.[3]
History
The first recorded archdeacons in Salisbury diocese occur soon after the Norman Conquest (as they do across England) and there were apparently four archdeacons from the outset. However, no territorial titles are recorded until after c. 1139. The archdeacons at that time were (in order of seniority) the Archdeacons of Dorset, Berkshire, Sarum and Wiltshire. The role is now generally called Archdeacon of Wilts, but both names have been used commonly throughout history.
Allocation of parishes to deaneries
Many changes were made to the allocation of parishes to deaneries in 1951.[4] The parishes of Charlton, Wilsford and North Newnton were transferred to Wilts from the archdeaconry of Sarum in 1955.[5]
List of archdeacons
References
Sources
- Greenway, Diana E. (1991), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300, vol. 4, pp. 33–37
- Horn, Joyce M. (1962), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1300–1541, vol. 3, pp. 13–14
- Horn, Joyce M. (1986), Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1541–1857, vol. 6, pp. 18–19