Bishop of Carlisle

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Bishop of Carlisle
Bishopric
anglican
Diocese of Carlisle.PNG
Coat of arms
Incumbent:
vacant (acting: the Bishop of Penrith)
Location
Ecclesiastical province York
ResidenceBishop's House, Keswick (since 2009)
Rose Castle, Dalston (until 2009)
Information
First holder Æthelwold
Established1133
Diocese Carlisle
Cathedral Carlisle Cathedral

The Bishop of Carlisle is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle in the Province of York.

Contents

The diocese covers the county of Cumbria except for Alston Moor and the former Sedbergh Rural District. The see is in the city of Carlisle where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity which was a collegiate church until elevated to cathedral status in 1133.

The diocese was created in 1133 by Henry I out of part of the Diocese of Durham. It was extended in 1856 taking over part of the Diocese of Chester. The residence of the bishop was Rose Castle, Dalston, until 2009; [1] the current bishop is the first to reside in the new Bishop's House, Keswick.

The see is vacant as of 31 August 2023, following the retirement of 67th bishop James Newcome. [2]

History

Early times

The original territory of the diocese first became a political unit in the reign of King William Rufus (1087–1100), who made it into the Earldom of Carlisle, which covered most of the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland. In 1133, during the reign of his successor, Henry I, a diocese was erected in the territory of the earldom, the territory being subtracted from the Diocese of Durham. This happened despite there being locally a strong Celtic element that looked to Glasgow for episcopal administration. As the first bishop, the king secured the appointment of his former confessor, Æthelwulf (1133–1155), an Englishman, Prior of the Augustinian Canons, whom he had established at Carlisle in 1102, though at the time of his consecration Æthelwulf seems to have been Prior of the Augustinian house at Nostell in Yorkshire. An efficient administrator, he ruled the diocese until his death in 1156 and succeeded in imparting a certain vigour to diocesan life. Among other initiatives, he built a moderate-sized Norman minster of which the transepts and part of the nave still exist. To serve this cathedral he introduced his own Augustinian brethren, with the result that Carlisle was the only see in England with an Augustinian cathedral chapter, the other monastic cathedral chapters in England consisting of Benedictine monks. There was only one archdeaconry, that of Carlisle.

Of the next bishop, Bernard, little is known, and after his death, in or about 1186, there was a long vacancy, during which the diocese was administered by another Bernard, Archbishop of Ragusa. During this period Carlisle suffered severely from the incursions of the Scots, and early in the reign of Henry III the king complained to the Pope that Carlisle had revolted in favour of Scotland, and that the canons had elected a bishop for themselves. The reigning papal legate, Philip of Dreux, punished this action by exiling the canons and appointing Hugh, Abbot of Beaulieu, a good administrator, as bishop.

It was important to the English government to have a reliable prelate at Carlisle, as they constantly looked to the bishop to attend to Scottish affairs, negotiate treaties, and generally play the part of diplomat. The next bishop was Walter Malclerk, formerly agent of King John, and a prominent figure in the reign of Henry III. Always a patron of the Friars Preachers, he introduced both Dominicans and Franciscans into the city and diocese. He resigned his see in 1246 in order to join the Order of St. Dominic. About this time a new choir was begun and carried to completion, only to be destroyed in the great fire of 1292.

A fresh beginning was made by the energetic Bishop John de Halton (1292–1324), a favourite of Edward I, and for nearly a hundred years the building of the present choir proceeded, though with many interruptions. Its chief glory is the great East window, remarkable both for its own beauty and as marking a transition from the earlier style to the perfection of tracery. During this time the see was governed by a line of bishops, busy and useful diplomats in their day, but not remarkable in other respects. Bishop John Kirkby took an active role in Border military actions, defeating a Scottish raid in 1345 and commanding English troops at the battle of Neville's Cross in the following year. [3] Thomas Merke was a close friend of Richard II, who was later tried for high treason under Henry IV and deprived. The subsequent bishops were scholars, frequently employed in negotiating truces and treaties with Scotland, and several of them were Chancellors of Oxford or of Cambridge University.

Tudor Period

Among this generation of scholar diplomats was Cardinal Thomas Wolsey's friend, John Kite (1521–1537), who remained faithful to his master, and who supported him in the poverty of his latter days.

The last of the bishops in communion with Rome was Owen Oglethorpe, a kindly-tempered man who was prevailed on to crown Elizabeth when no other bishop could be found to do it. This was an act he afterwards much regretted. On Christmas Day after the Queen’s accession he disobeyed the note she sent him in the Chapel Royal forbidding him to elevate the Sacred Host in her presence. His refusal to take the Oath of Supremacy led to his being deprived of his title along with the other bishops, and he died a prisoner 31 December 1559. Under Owen Ogelthorp Carlisle was a poor diocese, and when the Reformers plundered the churches they found little but a chalice in each, and even of these some were of tin.

After Ogelthorp's deprivation and death, Bernard Gilpin was to succeed him in Carlisle but he refused though much pressed to it, the Bishopric was conferred on one John Best, who was consecrated 2 March 1560. Bishop John Best was the first post-Marian Anglican Bishop at Carlisle. Bishop Best was the 31st Bishop of Carlisle from 2 May 1561 to his death on 22 May 1570.

Subsequent Centuries

The cathedral, originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, received its current dedication at the time of the Reformation.

The diocese was extended in 1856 by the addition of part of the Diocese of Chester.

List of bishops

Bishops of Carlisle
FromUntilIncumbentNotes
11331156 Æthelwold Adelulf; Prior of St Oswald's, Nostell.
11561186 See vacant
1186 Paulinus of Leeds Master of St. Leonard's hospital, York; elected at Richard I's wish, but declined.
11861203See vacant
12031214 Bernard Translated from Ragusa by Pope Innocent III; received royal assent 1204.
12141218See vacantScottish occupation 1216 to 1217.
12181223 Hugh of Beaulieu Abbot of Beaulieu Abbey.
12231246 Walter Mauclerk Walter Mauclerc; also Lord Treasurer 1227–33; resigned 1246.
12461254 Silvester de Everdon Previously Archdeacon of Chester and Keeper of the Great Seal.
12551256 Thomas Vipont Thomas de Veteri Ponte; previously Rector of Greystoke.
1256 Robert de Sancta Agatha Previously Archdeacon of Northumberland; elected but declined; later Archdeacon of Durham.
12581278 Robert de Chauncy Robert de Chause; Previously Archdeacon of Bath; chaplain to the queen.
1278 William Langton William de Langeton or William of Rotherfield; Dean of York; elected but refused.
12801292 Ralph of Irton Ralph de Ireton or Ralph Ireton; Prior of Gisborough Priory.
12921324 John de Halton John de Halghton; Canon of Carlisle.
1325 William Ayremyn Canon of York; elected 7 Jan 1325, but quashed 13 Feb 1325.
13251332 John Ross John de Rosse or John Ross; son of Lord de Ros. Canon of Hereford; appointed by Pope John XXII.
13321352 John Kirkby John de Kirkeby; Canon of Carlisle.
1352 John Horncastle John de Horncastle; elected but set aside by Pope Clement VI before consecration.
13531362 Gilbert Welton Gilbert de Wilton.
13631395 Thomas Appleby Thomas de Appleby; Canon of Carlisle.
1396 Robert Reed Robert Reade; translated from Waterford and Lismore; translated to Chichester.
13971400 Thomas Merke Thomas Merkes or Thomas Merks; deprived and imprisoned 10 January 1400, pardoned the following year, thereafter served as a deputy and acting bishop in Winchester.
14001419 William Strickland
14201423 Roger Whelpdale Provost of Queens' College, Cambridge.
14231429 William Barrow William Barrowe; translated from Bangor.
14291449 Marmaduke Lumley Previously Archdeacon of Northumberland and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; also Lord Treasurer 1446–9; translated to Lincoln.
14501452 Nicholas Close Previously Archdeacon of Colchester; translated to Lichfield & Coventry.
14521462 William Percy Also Chancellor of the University of Cambridge 1451–6.
14621463 John Kingscote John Kingscotes; previously Archdeacon of Gloucester.
14641468 Richard Scroope Richard Scrope; Rector of Fen-Ditton, Cambridgeshire.
14681478 Edward Story Also Chancellor of the University of Cambridge 1468–9; translated to Chichester.
14781495 Richard Bell Previously Prior of Durham; resigned; died 1496.
14951502 William Senhouse William Sever or William Seveyer; Abbot of St Mary's Abbey, York; translated to Durham.
15031508 Roger Leyburn Richard Leyburn; Archdeacon of Durham.
15081520 John Penny Translated from Bangor.
15211537 John Kite Translated from Armagh; titular Archbishop of Thebes 1521–37.
15371556 Robert Aldrich Provost of Eton and Canon of Windsor.
15571559 Owen Oglethorpe Dean of Windsor; crowned Elizabeth I 15 January; deprived 26 June; died 31 December 1559.
1560 Bernard Gilpin BDDeclined the bishopric on the death of Oglethorpe.
15601570 John Best Prebendary of Wells.
15701577 Richard Barnes Previously suffragan Bishop of Nottingham 1567–70; later translated to Durham.
15771598 John May Prebendary of Ely.
15981616 Bp Henry Robinson.jpg Henry Robinson Provost of The Queen's College, Oxford.
16161621 No image.svg Robert Snoden Robert Snowden or Snowdon; Prebendary of Southwell.
16211624 No image.svg Richard Milbourne Translated to St David's.
16241626 No image.svg Richard Senhouse Dean of Gloucester.
16261629 Bp Francis White.jpg Francis White Dean of Carlisle; translated to Norwich.
16291642 Bp Barnaby Potter.jpg Barnaby Potter Provost of Queen's College, Oxford.
16421646 James Ussher by Sir Peter Lely.jpg James Ussher in commendam only; Archbishop of Armagh; deprived of the see when the English episcopy was abolished by Parliament on 9 October 1646; died 1656.
16461660The see was abolished during the Commonwealth and the Protectorate. [4] [5]
16561660See vacantEpiscopacy abolished during the English Interregnum.
16601664 AbRichardSterne.jpg Richard Sterne Master of Jesus College, Cambridge; translated to York.
16641684 Edward Rainbowe.jpg Edward Rainbowe Edward Rainbow; Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
16841702 ThomasSmithBpOfCarlisle.jpg Thomas Smith Dean of Carlisle.
17021718 Bp William Nicolson by Michael Dahl.jpg William Nicolson Archdeacon and Prebendary of Carlisle; translated to Derry.
17181723 Samuel Bradford.jpg Samuel Bradford Prebendary of Westminster; translated to Rochester.
17231734 John Waugh (bishop).jpg John Waugh Dean of Gloucester.
17341747 SirGeorgeFlemingBt2.jpg Sir George Fleming, Bt. Dean of Carlisle.
17471762 Richard Osbaldeston.jpg Richard Osbaldeston Dean of York; translated to London.
17621768 Charles Lyttelton.jpg Charles Lyttelton Dean of Exeter.
17691787 Law, Edmund (1703-1787), by George Romney, 1781.jpg Edmund Law Archdeacon of Carlisle.
17871791 John Douglas by Robert Muller.jpg John Douglas Canon-resident of St Paul's; translated to Salisbury.
17911808 Abp Edward V-Harcourt by Thomas Phillips (crop).jpg The Hon Edward Venables-Vernon Later Venables-Vernon-Harcourt; translated to York.
18081827 Bp Samuel Goodenough.jpg Samuel Goodenough Died in office.
18271856 Hugh Percy (Bishop). 001a.jpg The Hon Hugh Percy Translated from Rochester; died in office.
18561860 Bishop HM Villiers.jpg The Hon Henry Montagu Villiers Canon of St Paul's; translated to Durham.
18601869 Bp Samuel Waldegrave DD.jpg The Hon Samuel Waldegrave Canon of Salisbury; died in office.
18691891 Harvey Goodwin 1870.png Harvey Goodwin Dean of Ely.
18921904 John W Bardsley by Alexander Bassano.jpg John Bardsley Translated from Sodor and Man.
19051920 J W Diggle Bp Carlisle, Rotary.jpg John Diggle
19201946 Bp HH Williams by RG Eves.jpg Henry Williams Resigned 1946; died 1961.
19461966 No image.svg Thomas Bloomer Resigned 1966; died 1984.
19661972 No image.svg Cyril Bulley Previously suffragan Bishop of Penrith; resigned 1972; died 1989.
19721989 No image.svg David Halsey Previously suffragan Bishop of Tonbridge; died 2009.
19891999 No image.svg Ian Harland Previously suffragan Bishop of Lancaster; died 2008.
20002009 No image.svg Graham Dow Previously suffragan Bishop of Willesden.
20092023 Official portrait of The Lord Bishop of Carlisle crop 2, 2022.jpg James Newcome Previously suffragan Bishop of Penrith.
2023acting No image.svg Rob Saner-Haigh, Bishop of PenrithActing diocesan bishop during vacancy in See.

Assistant bishops

Among those who served as assistant bishops of the diocese were:

Honorary assistant bishops — retired bishops taking on occasional duties voluntarily — have included:

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References

Notes
  1. "Talks held over future of Rose Castle". BBC. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  2. "New Bishop of Carlisle is set to be enthroned". Westmorland Gazette. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  3. Burgess, John Christians in Cumbria Kendal 1982 p18 ISBN   0900811153
  4. Plant, David (2002). "Episcopalians". BCW Project. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  5. King, Peter (July 1968). "The Episcopate during the Civil Wars, 1642-1649". The English Historical Review . Oxford University Press. 83 (328): 523–537. doi:10.1093/ehr/lxxxiii.cccxxviii.523. JSTOR   564164.
  6. "Danson, Ernest Denny Logie" . Who's Who . A & C Black.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  7. "Graham, Andrew Alexander Kenny" . Who's Who . A & C Black.(Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Bibliography