Bishop of Ely
Encyclopedia
The Bishop of Ely is the Ordinary
of the Church of England
Diocese of Ely
in the Province of Canterbury
. The diocese roughly covers the county of Cambridgeshire
(with the exception of the Soke of Peterborough
), together with a section of north-west Norfolk
and has its see
in the City of Ely
, Cambridgeshire, where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity
. The current bishop is the Rt Revd Stephen Conway
, the 69th Lord Bishop of Ely, who signs +Stephen Elien:. The Bishops of Ely now reside in the Bishop's House, Ely, the former Cathedral Deanery. Bishop Conway became Bishop of Ely in 2010, translated from the Diocese of Salisbury
, where he was Bishop of Ramsbury
.
The roots of the diocese of Ely
are ancient and the area of Ely
was part of the patrimony of Saint Etheldreda
. Prior to the elevation of Ely Cathedral
as the seat of the diocese, it existed as first as a convent
of religious sisters and later as a monastery. It was led by first by an abbess
and later by an abbot
. The convent was founded in the city in 673. After St Etheldreda's death in 679 she was buried outside the church. Her remains were later translated inside, the foundress being commemorated as a great Anglican saint
. The monastery, and much of the city of Ely, were destroyed in the Danish invasions that began in 869 or 870. A new Benedictine
monastery was built and endowed on the site by Saint Athelwold
, Bishop of Winchester
, in 970, in a wave of monastic refoundations which also included Peterborough
and Ramsey
. In the Domesday Book
in 1086, the Bishop of Ely is referenced as a landholder of Foxehola
. This became a cathedral in 1109, after a new Diocese of Ely
was created out of land taken from the Diocese of Lincoln
. From that time, the line of bishops begins.
, IV, xix):
This district was assigned in 649 to saint Æthelthryth
, daughter of Anna
, king of the East Angles, as a dowry in her marriage with Tonbert of the South Girvii. After her second marriage to Ecgfrith of Northumbria
, she became a nun, and in 673 returned to Ely and founded a monastery on the site of the present cathedral. As endowment she gave it her entire principality of the isle, from which subsequent Bishops of Ely derived their temporal power. Æthelthryth died in 679, and her shrine became a place of pilgrimage. In 870 the monastery was destroyed by the Danes, having already given to the Church four sainted abbesses, Saints Æthelthryth, her sister Seaxburgh
, the latter's daughter Ermenilda
, and Ermenilda's daughter Werburgh
. Probably under their rule there was a community of monks as well as a convent of nuns, but when in 970 the monastery was restored by King Edgar and Bishop Ethelwold it was a foundation for monks only.
For more than a century the monastery flourished, and about the year 1105 Abbot Richard suggested the creation of the See of Ely, to relieve the enormous Diocese of Lincoln
. The pope's brief erecting the new bishopric was issued 21 November 1108, and on 17 October 1109 King Henry I
granted his charter, the first bishop being Hervé le Breton
, or Harvey (1109–1131), former Bishop of Bangor
. The monastery church thus became one of the "conventual" cathedrals. Of this building the transepts and two bays of the nave already existed, and in 1170 the nave as it stands to-day (a complete and perfect specimen of late Norman work) was finished. As the bishops succeeded to the principality of St Etheldreda they enjoyed palatine power and great resources.
The Bishops of Ely frequently held high office in the State and the roll includes many names of famous statesmen, including eight Lord Chancellors and six Lord Treasurers. The Bishops of Ely spent much of their wealth on their cathedral
, with the result that Ely can show examples of gothic architecture of many periods. They also had a London residence called Ely Place
.
Among the bishops Geoffry Riddell (1174–1189) built the nave and began the west tower, Eustace (1198–1215) the West Porch, while Hugh de Northwold (1229–1254) rebuilt the Norman choir and John Hotham (1316–1337) rebuilt the collapsed central tower – the famous Octagon. Bishop Hugh (or Hugo) de Balsham
(1258–1286) founded Peterhouse
, the first college at the University of Cambridge
, while Bishop John Alcock (1486–1500) was the founder of Jesus College
.
Bishop Goodrich was a reformer and during his episcopate the monastery was dissolved. The last bishop in communion with the see of Rome was Thomas Thirlby. Since the Reformation, notable bishops have included Lancelot Andrewes
, Matthew Wren
, Peter Gunning
and Simon Patrick
.
Ordinary
In those hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ecclesiastical law system, an ordinary is an officer of the church who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute the church's laws...
of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Diocese of Ely
Diocese of Ely
The Diocese of Ely is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Ely, who sits at Ely Cathedral in Ely. There is one suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. The diocese now covers Cambridgeshire and western Norfolk...
in the Province of Canterbury
Province of Canterbury
The Province of Canterbury, also called the Southern Province, is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England...
. The diocese roughly covers the county of Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
(with the exception of the Soke of Peterborough
Soke of Peterborough
The Soke of Peterborough is an historic area of England that is traditionally associated with the City and Diocese of Peterborough, but considered part of Northamptonshire...
), together with a section of north-west Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
and has its see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
in the City of Ely
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Ely is a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, England, 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about by road from London. It is built on a Lower Greensand island, which at a maximum elevation of is the highest land in the Fens...
, Cambridgeshire, where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
. The current bishop is the Rt Revd Stephen Conway
Stephen Conway
Stephen David Conway is the current Bishop of Ely, and was until 6 December 2010 the Bishop of Ramsbury.Conway was educated at Archbishop Tenison's Grammar School, Keble College, Oxford and Selwyn College, Cambridge. After a period of study at Westcott House, Cambridge he was ordained in 1987...
, the 69th Lord Bishop of Ely, who signs +Stephen Elien:. The Bishops of Ely now reside in the Bishop's House, Ely, the former Cathedral Deanery. Bishop Conway became Bishop of Ely in 2010, translated from the Diocese of Salisbury
Diocese of Salisbury
The Diocese of Salisbury is a Church of England diocese in the south of England. The diocese covers Dorset and most of Wiltshire and is a constituent diocese of the Province of Canterbury. The diocese is led by the Bishop of Salisbury and the diocesan synod...
, where he was Bishop of Ramsbury
Bishop of Ramsbury (Anglican)
The Anglican Bishop of Ramsbury is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury, in the Province of Canterbury, England...
.
The roots of the diocese of Ely
Diocese of Ely
The Diocese of Ely is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Ely, who sits at Ely Cathedral in Ely. There is one suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. The diocese now covers Cambridgeshire and western Norfolk...
are ancient and the area of Ely
Ely, Cambridgeshire
Ely is a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, England, 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about by road from London. It is built on a Lower Greensand island, which at a maximum elevation of is the highest land in the Fens...
was part of the patrimony of Saint Etheldreda
Æthelthryth
Æthelthryth is the proper name for the popular Anglo-Saxon saint often known, particularly in a religious context, as Etheldreda or by the pet form of Audrey...
. Prior to the elevation of Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
as the seat of the diocese, it existed as first as a convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
of religious sisters and later as a monastery. It was led by first by an abbess
Abbess
An abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey....
and later by an abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
. The convent was founded in the city in 673. After St Etheldreda's death in 679 she was buried outside the church. Her remains were later translated inside, the foundress being commemorated as a great Anglican saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
. The monastery, and much of the city of Ely, were destroyed in the Danish invasions that began in 869 or 870. A new Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monastery was built and endowed on the site by Saint Athelwold
Æthelwold of Winchester
Æthelwold of Winchester , was Bishop of Winchester from 963 to 984 and one of the leaders of the tenth century monastic reform movement in Anglo-Saxon England....
, Bishop of Winchester
Bishop of Winchester
The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
, in 970, in a wave of monastic refoundations which also included Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew – also known as Saint Peter's Cathedral in the United Kingdom – is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the...
and Ramsey
Ramsey Abbey
Ramsey Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey located in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, England, southeast of Peterborough and north of Huntingdon, UK.-History:...
. In the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
in 1086, the Bishop of Ely is referenced as a landholder of Foxehola
Foxhall, Suffolk
Foxhall is a civil parish in the Suffolk Coastal district of Suffolk, England, a few miles east of Ipswich. It is adjacent to the parishes of Kesgrave to the north, Martlesham to the north east, Brightwell to the east, Purdis Heath to the south and the borough of Ipswich to the west. The three...
. This became a cathedral in 1109, after a new Diocese of Ely
Diocese of Ely
The Diocese of Ely is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Ely, who sits at Ely Cathedral in Ely. There is one suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon. The diocese now covers Cambridgeshire and western Norfolk...
was created out of land taken from the Diocese of Lincoln
Diocese of Lincoln
The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. The present diocese covers the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire.- History :...
. From that time, the line of bishops begins.
History
The earliest historical notice of Ely is given by the Venerable Bede who writes (Historia ecclesiastica gentis AnglorumHistoria ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum
The Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum is a work in Latin by Bede on the history of the Christian Churches in England, and of England generally; its main focus is on the conflict between Roman and Celtic Christianity.It is considered to be one of the most important original references on...
, IV, xix):
- "Ely is in the province of the East AnglesKingdom of the East AnglesThe Kingdom of East Anglia, also known as the Kingdom of the East Angles , was a small independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom that comprised what are now the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk and perhaps the eastern part of the Fens...
, a country of about six hundred families, in the nature of an island, enclosed either with marshes or waters, and therefore it has its name from the great abundance of eels which are taken in those marshes."
This district was assigned in 649 to saint Æthelthryth
Æthelthryth
Æthelthryth is the proper name for the popular Anglo-Saxon saint often known, particularly in a religious context, as Etheldreda or by the pet form of Audrey...
, daughter of Anna
Anna of East Anglia
Anna was King of East Anglia from the early 640s until his death. Anna was a member of the Wuffingas family, the ruling dynasty of the East Angles. He was one of the three sons of Eni who ruled East Anglia, succeeding some time after Ecgric was killed in battle by Penda of Mercia...
, king of the East Angles, as a dowry in her marriage with Tonbert of the South Girvii. After her second marriage to Ecgfrith of Northumbria
Ecgfrith of Northumbria
King Ecgfrith was the King of Northumbria from 670 until his death. He ruled over Northumbria when it was at the height of its power, but his reign ended with a disastrous defeat in which he lost his life.-Early life:...
, she became a nun, and in 673 returned to Ely and founded a monastery on the site of the present cathedral. As endowment she gave it her entire principality of the isle, from which subsequent Bishops of Ely derived their temporal power. Æthelthryth died in 679, and her shrine became a place of pilgrimage. In 870 the monastery was destroyed by the Danes, having already given to the Church four sainted abbesses, Saints Æthelthryth, her sister Seaxburgh
Seaxburh of Ely
Seaxburh ; also Saint Sexburga of Ely, was the queen of King Eorcenberht of Kent, as well as an abbess and a saint of the Christian Church....
, the latter's daughter Ermenilda
Ermenilda of Ely
Saint Eormenhild is a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon saint. Later hagiography makes her the daughter of King Eorcenberht of Kent and St. Seaxburh of Ely, and wife to Wulfhere of Mercia, with whom she had a daughter, St. Wærburh, and a son, Coenred...
, and Ermenilda's daughter Werburgh
Werburgh
Werburh or Wærburh is an English saint and the patron saint of Chester....
. Probably under their rule there was a community of monks as well as a convent of nuns, but when in 970 the monastery was restored by King Edgar and Bishop Ethelwold it was a foundation for monks only.
For more than a century the monastery flourished, and about the year 1105 Abbot Richard suggested the creation of the See of Ely, to relieve the enormous Diocese of Lincoln
Diocese of Lincoln
The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. The present diocese covers the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire.- History :...
. The pope's brief erecting the new bishopric was issued 21 November 1108, and on 17 October 1109 King Henry I
Henry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
granted his charter, the first bishop being Hervé le Breton
Hervey le Breton
Hervey le Breton was a Breton cleric who became Bishop of Bangor in Wales and later Bishop of Ely in England. Appointed to Bangor by King William II of England, when Normans were advancing into Wales, Hervey was unable to remain in his diocese when the Welsh began to drive the Normans back from...
, or Harvey (1109–1131), former Bishop of Bangor
Bishop of Bangor
The Bishop of Bangor is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor.The diocese covers the counties of Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and a small part of Montgomeryshire...
. The monastery church thus became one of the "conventual" cathedrals. Of this building the transepts and two bays of the nave already existed, and in 1170 the nave as it stands to-day (a complete and perfect specimen of late Norman work) was finished. As the bishops succeeded to the principality of St Etheldreda they enjoyed palatine power and great resources.
The Bishops of Ely frequently held high office in the State and the roll includes many names of famous statesmen, including eight Lord Chancellors and six Lord Treasurers. The Bishops of Ely spent much of their wealth on their cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
, with the result that Ely can show examples of gothic architecture of many periods. They also had a London residence called Ely Place
Ely Place
Ely Place is a gated road at the southern tip of the London Borough of Camden in London, England. It is the location of the Old Mitre Tavern and is adjacent to Hatton Garden.-Origins:...
.
Among the bishops Geoffry Riddell (1174–1189) built the nave and began the west tower, Eustace (1198–1215) the West Porch, while Hugh de Northwold (1229–1254) rebuilt the Norman choir and John Hotham (1316–1337) rebuilt the collapsed central tower – the famous Octagon. Bishop Hugh (or Hugo) de Balsham
Hugh de Balsham
-Life:Nothing is known of Balsham's background, although during the dispute over his election he was alleged to have been of servile birth. He was a Benedictine monk at Ely, and appears first as sub-prior of the cathedral chapter there...
(1258–1286) founded Peterhouse
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...
, the first college at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, while Bishop John Alcock (1486–1500) was the founder of Jesus College
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
.
Bishop Goodrich was a reformer and during his episcopate the monastery was dissolved. The last bishop in communion with the see of Rome was Thomas Thirlby. Since the Reformation, notable bishops have included Lancelot Andrewes
Lancelot Andrewes
Lancelot Andrewes was an English bishop and scholar, who held high positions in the Church of England during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. During the latter's reign, Andrewes served successively as Bishop of Chichester, Ely and Winchester and oversaw the translation of the...
, Matthew Wren
Matthew Wren
"Matthew Wren" is also a British actor who appeared in BBC children's show Trapped!.Matthew Wren was an influential English clergyman and scholar.-Life:...
, Peter Gunning
Peter Gunning
Peter Gunning was an English Royalist church leader, Bishop of Chichester and later of Ely.-Life:He was born at Hoo St Werburgh, in Kent, and educated at The King's School, Canterbury, and Clare College, Cambridge, where he became a fellow in 1633. Having taken orders, he advocated the Royalist...
and Simon Patrick
Simon Patrick
Simon Patrick was an English theologian and bishop.-Life:He was born at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on 8 September 1626, and attended Boston Grammar School. He entered Queens College, Cambridge, in 1644, and after taking orders in 1651 became successively chaplain to Sir Walter St. John and vicar...
.
Convent of sisters (673–870)
- EtheldredaÆthelthrythÆthelthryth is the proper name for the popular Anglo-Saxon saint often known, particularly in a religious context, as Etheldreda or by the pet form of Audrey...
(673–679) - SeaxburhSeaxburh of ElySeaxburh ; also Saint Sexburga of Ely, was the queen of King Eorcenberht of Kent, as well as an abbess and a saint of the Christian Church....
(sister of Etheldreda) (679–c.699) - ErmenildaErmenilda of ElySaint Eormenhild is a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon saint. Later hagiography makes her the daughter of King Eorcenberht of Kent and St. Seaxburh of Ely, and wife to Wulfhere of Mercia, with whom she had a daughter, St. Wærburh, and a son, Coenred...
(daughter of Seaxburh and Eorcenberht of KentEorcenberht of KentEorcenberht of Kent was king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Kent from 640 until his death, succeeding his father Eadbald....
) (c.699–c.700) - Werburh (born c.675, daughter of Ermenilda and Wulfhere of MerciaWulfhere of MerciaWulfhere was King of Mercia from the end of the 650s until 675. He was the first Christian king of all of Mercia, though it is not known when or how he converted from Anglo-Saxon paganism. His accession marked the end of Oswiu of Northumbria's overlordship of southern England, and Wulfhere...
) - ?
Benedictine monastery (970–1109)
- Brythnoth (970—)
- Thurstan (—1072) — the last Saxon abbot
- Theodwin (secular governor)
- Godfrey (secular governor)
- SimeonSimeon (abbot)Simeon was a relative of King William I of England and the brother of Walkelin, Bishop of Winchester. It was through his brother's influence that Simeon was made prior of Winchester, then in 1082 Abbot of Ely, where he began work on the present building...
(1082–1094) — began building the cathedral - [vacancy]
- Richard FitzRichard de ClareDe ClareThe de Clare family of Norman lords were associated with the Welsh Marches, Suffolk, Surrey, Kent and Ireland. They were descended from Richard fitz Gilbert, who accompanied William the Conqueror into England during the Norman conquest of England.-Origins:The Clare family descends from Gilbert...
(1100–1107) — the last abbot
List of bishops (1109—)
From then on, Ely was under the bishop of Ely.| Tenure | Incumbent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1109 to 1131 | Hervey le Breton Hervey le Breton Hervey le Breton was a Breton cleric who became Bishop of Bangor in Wales and later Bishop of Ely in England. Appointed to Bangor by King William II of England, when Normans were advancing into Wales, Hervey was unable to remain in his diocese when the Welsh began to drive the Normans back from... |
Translated from Bangor Bishop of Bangor The Bishop of Bangor is the Ordinary of the Church in Wales Diocese of Bangor.The diocese covers the counties of Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and a small part of Montgomeryshire... |
| 1133 to 1169 | Nigel | |
| 1174 to 1189 | Geoffrey Ridel | Died in office |
| 1189 to 1197 | William Longchamp William Longchamp William Longchamp , sometimes known as William de Longchamp or William de Longchamps, was a medieval Lord Chancellor, Chief Justiciar, and Bishop of Ely in England. Born to a humble family in Normandy, he owed his advancement to royal favour. Although contemporary writers accused Longchamp's father... |
|
| 1198 to 1215 | Eustace | |
| 1215 to 1219 | Robert of York Robert of York Robert of York was a medieval Bishop of Ely elect.Robert was elected to Ely about 14 April 1215 but his election was quashed before 11 May 1219 due to the prior election of Geoffrey de Burgo. Both elections were quashed by Pope Honorius III... |
election quashed 1219 |
| 1220 to 1225 | John of Fountains John of Fountains -Life:John was abbot of Fountains Abbey by 13 December 1211, when he was blessed at Melrose by the bishop of Down. Nothing is known of his family or background before this event... |
|
| 1225 to 1228 | Geoffrey de Burgh | |
| 1229 to 1254 | Hugh of Northwold Hugh of Northwold -Life:Hugh was born in the parish of Northwold in Norfolk, the son of Peter and Emma. He became a monk at Abbey of Bury St Edmunds in 1202.Hugh was elected Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds on 7 August 1213... |
|
| 1255 to 1256 | William of Kilkenny William of Kilkenny William of Kilkenny was a Lord Chancellor of England and Bishop of Ely.-Life:William may be the same William of Kilkenny who was elected Bishop of Ossory in 1231, but resigned the office in 1232 before being consecrated. Whether that William is the same William that later became Bishop of Ely, the... |
|
| 1258 to 1286 | Hugh de Balsham Hugh de Balsham -Life:Nothing is known of Balsham's background, although during the dispute over his election he was alleged to have been of servile birth. He was a Benedictine monk at Ely, and appears first as sub-prior of the cathedral chapter there... |
|
| 1286 to 1290 | John Kirkby John Kirkby John Kirkby was an English ecclesiastic and statesman.-Life:Kirkby first appears in the historical record in the chancery during the reign of King Henry III of England... |
|
| 1290 to 1298 | William of Louth William of Louth -Life:William probably was born in Louth, Lincolnshire but his parentage is unknown. William attended a university and held a university degree. He probably held an office in the chancery under King Henry III of England. Soon after the coronation of King Edward I of England, Edward appointed... |
|
| 1298 to 1299 | John Salmon John Salmon -Life:Salmon's family was hereditary goldsmiths to the diocese of Ely. His parents were Salomon and Alice, and he was the eldest of three brothers. He entered the Benedictine priory of Ely sometime before 1291... |
Monks' candidate; opposed Langton; election quashed |
| 1298 to 1299 | John Langton John Langton John Langton was a chancellor of England and Bishop of Chichester-Life:Langton was a clerk in the royal chancery, serving as the first Master of the Rolls from May 1286, and became chancellor in 1292... |
King Edward I of England Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons... 's candidate; opposed Salmon; election quashed |
| 1299 to 1302 | Ralph Walpole Ralph Walpole -Life:Walpole was Archdeacon of Ely by 6 February 1272.Walpole was elected to the see of Norwich on 11 November 1288 and consecrated on 20 March 1289.Walpole was translated to the see of Ely on 5 June 1299. He died on 20 March 1302.-References:... |
Translated from Bishop of Norwich Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided... |
| 1302 to 1310 | Robert Orford Robert Orford Robert Orford was a medieval Bishop of Ely.Orford was elected to Ely on 14 April 1302 and consecrated on 28 October 1302. He died on 21 January 1310.-References:... |
|
| 1310 to 1316 | John Ketton John Ketton John Ketton was a medieval Bishop of Ely.Ketton was elected to Ely on 2 March 1310 and consecrated on 6 September 1310. He died on 14 May 1316.-References:... |
|
| 1316 to 1337 | John Hotham John Hotham (bishop) John Hotham was a medieval Bishop of Ely.Hotham was elected to Ely about 20 June 1316 and consecrated on 3 October 1316.Hotham was appointed Lord High Treasurer of England on 27 May 1317 and left that office before 10 June 1318.... |
|
| 1337 to 1345 | Simon Montacute Simon Montacute Simon Montacute was a medieval Bishop of Worcester and Bishop of Ely.Montacute was nominated to the see of Worcester on 11 December 1333 and consecrated on 8 May 1334. and was then translated to the see of Ely on 14 March 1337. As bishop of Ely, he was involved in the foundation of Peterhouse,... |
translated from Bishop of Worcester Bishop of Worcester The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury... |
| 1345 to 1361 | Thomas de Lisle Thomas de Lisle Thomas de Lisle was a medieval Bishop of Ely.He was elected to Ely on 15 July 1345 and consecrated in July of 1345. He had his servants burn down some of the houses belonging to Blanche of Lancaster, Baroness Wake of Liddell. He was rebuked by Edward III and ordered to pay damages, but after that... |
|
| 1362 to 1366 | Simon Langham | |
| 1367 to 1373 | John Barnet John Barnet John Barnet was a Bishop of Worcester then Bishop of Bath and Wells then finally Bishop of Ely.Barnet was selected Bishop of Worcester about 16 December 1361, and consecrated on 20 March 1362... |
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| 1374 to 1388 | Thomas Arundel Thomas Arundel Thomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:... (Thomas FitzAlan Thomas Arundel Thomas Arundel was Archbishop of Canterbury in 1397 and from 1399 until his death, an outspoken opponent of the Lollards.-Family background:... ) |
Translated to York Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man... |
| 1388 to 1425 | John Fordham John Fordham John Fordham was Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Ely.Fordham was keeper of the privy seal of Prince Richard from 1376 to 1377 and Dean of Wells before being named Lord Privy Seal in June of 1377. He held that office until December of 1381.... |
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| 1426 to 1435 | Philip Morgan | Translated from Bishop of Worcester Bishop of Worcester The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury... |
| 1438 to 1443 | Lewis of Luxembourg Lewis of Luxembourg Lewis of Luxembourg was a medieval Archbishop of Rouen and Bishop of Ely.Lewis was elected to Rouen in 1436. He was the leading native administrator/collaborator with the Lancastrian regime in France. As its position weakened, his own fortunes and even personal safety became precarious... |
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| 1444 to 1454 | Thomas Bourchier (Thomas Bourgchier) |
Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... |
| 1454 to 1478 | William Grey | |
| 1479 to 1486 | John Morton | Translated to Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group... |
| 1486 to 1500 | John Alcock John Alcock (bishop) -Biography:Alcock was born at Beverley in Yorkshire, son of Sir William Alcock, Burgess of Kingston upon Hull and educated at Cambridge. In 1461 he was made dean of Westminster, and his subsequent promotion was rapid in both church and state. In the following year he was made Master of the Rolls,... |
Translated from Worcester Bishop of Worcester The Bishop of Worcester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury, England. He is the head of the Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury... |
| 26 September 1501 to 24 August 1505 | Richard Redman | Translated from Exeter Bishop of Exeter The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature.... ; died in office |
| 17 July 1506 to 1515 | James Stanley James Stanley (bishop) James Stanley , scion of a distinguished aristocratic family, was Bishop of Ely from 1506 to 1515. His father was Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby.... |
Constituted by Papal Bull Papal bull A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it.... |
| 1515 to 1534 | Nicholas West Nicholas West Nicholas West , English bishop and diplomatist, was born at Putney, and educated at Eton and at King's College, Cambridge, of which he became a fellow in 1486.... |
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| 1534 to 10 May 1554 | Thomas Goodrich Thomas Goodrich Thomas Goodrich was an English ecclesiastic and statesman.-Life:He was a son of Edward Goodrich of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire and brother of Henry Goodricke of Ribston Hall, North Yorkshire.... (Thomas Goodricke Thomas Goodrich Thomas Goodrich was an English ecclesiastic and statesman.-Life:He was a son of Edward Goodrich of East Kirkby, Lincolnshire and brother of Henry Goodricke of Ribston Hall, North Yorkshire.... ) |
Died in office |
| 1554 to 5 July 1559 | Thomas Thirlby Thomas Thirlby Thomas Thirlby was an English bishop. While he acquiesced in the Henrician schism, with its rejection in principle of the Roman papacy, he remained otherwise loyal to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church during the English Reformation.... |
Translated from Norwich Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided... ; deprived |
| 1559 to 22 July 1581 | Richard Cox Richard Cox (bishop) Richard Cox was an English clergyman, who was Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Ely.-Biography:Cox was born of obscure parentage at Whaddon, Buckinghamshire, in 1499 or 1500.... |
Died in office |
| 1600 to 1609 | Martin Heton Martin Heton -Life:His father George Heton was prominent in the London commercial world and as a church reformer. His mother Joanna was daughter of Martin Bowes, Lord Mayor of London in 1545. He was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.... |
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| 1609 to 1619 | Lancelot Andrewes Lancelot Andrewes Lancelot Andrewes was an English bishop and scholar, who held high positions in the Church of England during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. During the latter's reign, Andrewes served successively as Bishop of Chichester, Ely and Winchester and oversaw the translation of the... |
Translated from Chichester Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the Counties of East and West Sussex. The see is in the City of Chichester where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity... ; translated to Winchester Bishop of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and... |
| 1619 to 1628 | Nicholas Felton Nicholas Felton Nicholas Felton was an English academic, bishop of Bristol from 1617 to 1619, and then bishop of Ely.-Life:He was born in Great Yarmouth, and educated at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. He was rector of St Mary-le-Bow church in London, from 1597 to 1617; and also rector at St Antholin, Budge Row... |
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| 1628 to 1631 | John Buckeridge John Buckeridge John Buckeridge was an English churchman.He was a son of William Buckeridge of Basildon, Berkshire, but was born in Wiltshire. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood and at St John's College, Oxford, his maternal grandfather being cousin to the founder, Sir Thomas White... |
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| 1631 to 1638 | Francis White | |
| 1638 to 1667 | Matthew Wren Matthew Wren "Matthew Wren" is also a British actor who appeared in BBC children's show Trapped!.Matthew Wren was an influential English clergyman and scholar.-Life:... |
Translated from Norwich Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided... |
| 1667 to 1675 | Benjamin Lany | |
| 1675 to 6 July 1684 | Peter Gunning Peter Gunning Peter Gunning was an English Royalist church leader, Bishop of Chichester and later of Ely.-Life:He was born at Hoo St Werburgh, in Kent, and educated at The King's School, Canterbury, and Clare College, Cambridge, where he became a fellow in 1633. Having taken orders, he advocated the Royalist... |
Translated from Chichester Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese covers the Counties of East and West Sussex. The see is in the City of Chichester where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity... ; died in office |
| 1684 to 1691 | Francis Turner Francis Turner (bishop) Francis Turner D.D. was Bishop of Ely, one of the seven bishops who petitioned against the Declaration of Indulgence and one of the nine bishops who refused to take the oath of allegiance to William III.-Family and education:... |
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| 1691 to 1707 | Simon Patrick Simon Patrick Simon Patrick was an English theologian and bishop.-Life:He was born at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on 8 September 1626, and attended Boston Grammar School. He entered Queens College, Cambridge, in 1644, and after taking orders in 1651 became successively chaplain to Sir Walter St. John and vicar... |
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| 1707 to 1714 | John Moore John Moore (Bishop of Ely) John Moore was an English cleric, scholar, and book collector. He was bishop of Norwich and bishop of Ely .... |
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| 1714 to 4 August 1723 | William Fleetwood William Fleetwood William Fleetwood was an English preacher, Bishop of St Asaph and Bishop of Ely, remembered by economists and statisticians for constructing a price index in his Chronicon Preciosum of 1707.-Life:... |
Translated from St Asaph; died in office |
| 1723 to 1738 | Thomas Green Thomas Green (bishop) -Life:He was born in Norwich, and educated at Norwich grammar school and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1679 and became a Fellow in 1680.... |
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| 1738 to 1748 | Robert Butts Robert Butts (bishop) Robert Butts was an English churchman and strong partisan of the administration of Sir Robert Walpole, successively Bishop of Norwich and Bishop of Ely.-Life:... |
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| 1748 to 1754 | Thomas Gooch Thomas Gooch -Life:Gooch was born to Thomas Gooch of Yarmouth, and educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, which he entered in 1691. He graduated B.A. in 1694, and M.A. in 1698. He became chaplain to Henry Compton, Bishop of London, and preached at his funeral in 1713. Subsequently he was chaplain to... |
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| 1754 to 1771 | Matthias Mawson Matthias Mawson Matthias Mawson was an English churchman and academic, Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Bishop of Llandaff, Bishop of Chichester, and Bishop of Ely.-Life:... |
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| 1771 to 1781 | Edmund Keene Edmund Keene Edmund Keene was an English churchman and academic, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, Bishop of Chester and Bishop of Ely.-Life:He was the third but second surviving son of Charles Keene, and younger brother of Sir Benjamin Keene, and was born at King's Lynn, Norfolk... |
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| 1781 to 1808 | James Yorke | |
| 1808 to 1812 | Thomas Dampier Thomas Dampier -Life:He was eldest son of Dr Thomas Dampier, who was lower master at Eton College and from 1774 Dean of Durham. He was educated at Eton, and in 1766 elected to King's College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. 1771, M.A. 1774, D.D. 1780... |
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| 1812 to 1836 | Bowyer Sparke | |
| 1836 to 1845 | Joseph Allen Joseph Allen (bishop) Joseph Allen, DD was a British clergyman. He was the son of William Allen and his wife Nelly Livesey. William Allen was a partner in Manchester's first Bank, Byrom, Allen, Sedgwick, and Place but was made bankrupt in 1788 on the failure of the Bank... |
Translated from Bristol Bishop of Bristol The Bishop of Bristol heads the Church of England Diocese of Bristol in the Province of Canterbury, in England.The present diocese covers parts of the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire together with a small area of Wiltshire... |
| 1845 to 1864 | Thomas Turton Thomas Turton Thomas Turton, DD was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. He was Dean of Peterborough, Bishop of Ely and composer of Anglican hymns.... |
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| 1864 to 1873 | Harold Browne | |
| 1873 to 1886 | James Woodford | |
| 1886 to 1905 | Lord Alwyne Compton | |
| 1905 to 1924 | Frederic Chase | |
| 1924 to 1933 | Leonard White-Thomson | |
| 1934 to 1941 | Bernard Heywood | |
| 1941 to 1957 | Edward Wynn Edward Wynn Harold Edward Wynn OGS was an Anglican bishop.He was born on 15 January 1889 and educated at Mercers' School, London and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Ordained in 1912, his first post was as Chaplain of Jesus College, Cambridge a period interrupted by World War I service as a Chaplain to the Forces... |
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| 1957 to 1964 | Noel Hudson | |
| 1964 to 1977 | Edward Roberts | |
| 1977 to 1990 | Peter Walker | |
| 1990 to 2000 | Stephen Sykes Stephen Sykes Stephen Whitefield Sykes retired as Principal of St John's College, Durham at the end of August 2006. He was formerly the Church of England Bishop of Ely and held professorial chairs in divinity at both Durham University and Cambridge University.Sykes studied at St John's College, Cambridge,... |
Resigned |
| 2000 to 2010 | Anthony Russell Anthony Russell Anthony John Russell was the previous Bishop of Ely in the Church of England.Russell was educated at Uppingham School, St Chad's College, Durham University and Trinity College Oxford, where he earned a DPhil degree... |
previously Area Bishop of Dorchester |
| 2010 onwards | Stephen Conway Stephen Conway Stephen David Conway is the current Bishop of Ely, and was until 6 December 2010 the Bishop of Ramsbury.Conway was educated at Archbishop Tenison's Grammar School, Keble College, Oxford and Selwyn College, Cambridge. After a period of study at Westcott House, Cambridge he was ordained in 1987... |
previously Bishop of Ramsbury Bishop of Ramsbury (Anglican) The Anglican Bishop of Ramsbury is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Salisbury, in the Province of Canterbury, England... |