Clerk of the Closet
Encyclopedia
The College of Chaplains of the Ecclesiastical Household
of the Sovereign
of the United Kingdom
is under the Clerk of the Closet, an office dating from 1437. It is normally held by a diocesan bishop
, who may however remain in office after leaving his see. The current Clerk is the Lord Bishop of Guildford
, Christopher Hill.
The Clerk of the Closet is responsible for advising the Private Secretary to the Sovereign
on the names for candidates to fill vacancies in the Roll of Chaplains to the Sovereign. He presents Bishops for Homage
to the Sovereign; examines any theological books to be presented to the Sovereign; and preaches annually in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. He receives a salary of £7 a year.
The Deputy Clerk of the Closet
, an office dating from 1677, is the Domestic Chaplain to the Sovereign, and Sub-dean of the Chapel Royal
, and is the sole full-time clerical member of the Household.
Other members of the royal family may also have their own Clerk of the Closet.
Ecclesiastical Household
The Ecclesiastical Household is a part of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. Reflecting the different constitutions of the Churches of England and of Scotland, there are separate Ecclesiastical Households in each nation.-England:...
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
is under the Clerk of the Closet, an office dating from 1437. It is normally held by a diocesan bishop
Diocesan bishop
A diocesan bishop — in general — is a bishop in charge of a diocese. These are to be distinguished from suffragan bishops, assistant bishops, coadjutor bishops, auxiliary bishops, metropolitans, and primates....
, who may however remain in office after leaving his see. The current Clerk is the Lord Bishop of Guildford
Bishop of Guildford
The Bishop of Guildford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Guildford in the Province of Canterbury.The title was first created as a suffragan see in the Diocese of Winchester in 1874. The suffragan bishop of Guildford assisted the Bishop of Winchester in overseeing the diocese...
, Christopher Hill.
The Clerk of the Closet is responsible for advising the Private Secretary to the Sovereign
Private Secretary to the Sovereign
The Private Secretary to the Sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, as distinct from the Great Officers of the Household. The Private Secretary is the principal channel of communication with Her Majesty's Government and the...
on the names for candidates to fill vacancies in the Roll of Chaplains to the Sovereign. He presents Bishops for Homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to the Sovereign; examines any theological books to be presented to the Sovereign; and preaches annually in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. He receives a salary of £7 a year.
The Deputy Clerk of the Closet
Deputy Clerk of the Closet
The Deputy Clerk of the Closet is the Domestic Chaplain to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. The office was created in 1677. Since 1931, the Deputy Clerk is also the sub-dean of the Chapel Royal...
, an office dating from 1677, is the Domestic Chaplain to the Sovereign, and Sub-dean of the Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
, and is the sole full-time clerical member of the Household.
Other members of the royal family may also have their own Clerk of the Closet.
List of Clerks of the Closet of the Sovereign's Household
- Christopher Hill, Bishop of GuildfordBishop of GuildfordThe Bishop of Guildford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Guildford in the Province of Canterbury.The title was first created as a suffragan see in the Diocese of Winchester in 1874. The suffragan bishop of Guildford assisted the Bishop of Winchester in overseeing the diocese...
2005- - Jonathan BaileyJonathan BaileyJonathan Sansbury Bailey, KCVO was Bishop of Dunwich from 1992 to 1995, Bishop of Derby from 1995 to 2005, and Clerk of the Closet from 1997 to 2005.-Early life:...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, Bishop of DerbyBishop of DerbyThe Bishop of Derby is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Derby in the Province of Canterbury, UK.The diocese was formed from part of the Diocese of Southwell in 1927 under King George V and roughly covers the county of Derbyshire...
1997-2005 - John WaineJohn WaineJohn Waine KCVO was Bishop of Chelmsford from 1986 to 1996; and previously Bishop of Saint Edmundsbury and Ipswich from 1978 to 1986, Bishop of Stafford, 1975–1978. He also served as Clerk of the Closet from 1989 to 1997, and in retirement served as a lay member on the Press Complaints Commission...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of ChelmsfordBishop of ChelmsfordThe Bishop of Chelmsford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford in the Province of Canterbury.The current bishop is the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the 10th Bishop of Chelmsford, who signs Stephen Chelmsford...
1989-1997 - John BickerstethJohn BickerstethJohn Monier Bickersteth KCVO was Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1975 to 1987, and Clerk of the Closet from 1979-1989. Educated at Rugby School and Christ Church, Oxford he was ordained in 1951 and began his career with a Curacy at St Matthew Moorfield's Bristol...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of Bath and WellsBishop of Bath and WellsThe Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England.The present diocese covers the vast majority of the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in...
1979-1989 - Gordon FallowsGordon FallowsWilliam Gordon Fallows KCVO, known as Gordon Fallows, was a Church of England bishop from the broad church tradition. He served as the sixth suffragan Bishop of Pontefract and subsequently fourth diocesan Bishop of Sheffield...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of SheffieldBishop of SheffieldThe Bishop of Sheffield is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Sheffield in the Province of York.The title was first created as a suffragan see in the Diocese of York in 1901. The only suffragan bishop of Sheffield assisted the Archbishop of York in overseeing the diocese...
1975-1979 - Roger WilsonRoger Plumpton WilsonThe Rt Rev Roger Plumpton Wilson, KCVO was Bishop of Wakefield and later Chichester in the mid 20th century. Born into an ecclesiastical family, he was educated at Winchester College and Keble College, Oxford and ordained in 1936...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of ChichesterBishop of ChichesterThe 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...
1963-1975 - Percy Herbert, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of NorwichBishop of NorwichThe 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...
1942-1963 - Cyril GarbettCyril GarbettCyril Forster Garbett GCVO PC was an Anglican clergyman, and Archbishop of York from 1942 until 1955.-Early life:...
, GCVO Bishop of WinchesterBishop of WinchesterThe 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...
1937-1942 - Thomas Banks StrongThomas Banks StrongThomas Banks Strong GBE was an English theologian who was Bishop of Ripon and Oxford. He was also Dean of Christ Church, Oxford and served as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University during the First World War....
, GBE Bishop of OxfordBishop of OxfordThe Bishop of Oxford is the diocesan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Oxford in the Province of Canterbury; his seat is at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford...
1925-1937 - Hubert Murray BurgeHubert Murray BurgeHubert Murray Burge DD was headmaster of Winchester College and later Bishop of Oxford in the first half of the 20th century.-Life:Born on 9 August 1862 and educated at Bedford School, Marlborough and University College, Oxford, his first post after graduation was as a Schoolmaster at Wellington...
, Bishop of OxfordBishop of OxfordThe Bishop of Oxford is the diocesan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Oxford in the Province of Canterbury; his seat is at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford...
1918-1925 - William Boyd-Carpenter, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of Ripon 1903-1918 - Randall Davidson, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
Bishop of RochesterBishop of RochesterThe Bishop of Rochester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the west of the county of Kent and is centred in the city of Rochester where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
1891-1903 - Henry PhilpottHenry Philpott (bishop)Henry Philpott was a distinguished scholar of the University of Cambridge. He matriculated at St Catharine's College, Cambridge in 1825 and graduated as Senior Wrangler and 2nd Smith's prizeman in 1829...
, Bishop of WorcesterBishop of WorcesterThe 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...
1865-1891 - John GrahamJohn Graham (bishop)John Graham was an English churchman and academic. He was master of Christ's College, Cambridge from 1830 to 1848 and Bishop of Chester from 1848 to 1865.-Life:...
, Bishop of ChesterBishop of ChesterThe Bishop of Chester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chester in the Province of York.The diocese expands across most of the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, including the Wirral Peninsula and has its see in the City of Chester where the seat is located at the Cathedral...
1849-1865 - Edward StanleyEdward Stanley (bishop)Edward Stanley FRS was a British clergyman and Bishop of Norwich between 1837 and 1849.Born in London into a notable Cheshire family, Stanley was the second son of Sir John Stanley, 6th Baronet, and the younger brother of John Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley of Alderley.Educated at St John's College,...
, Bishop of NorwichBishop of NorwichThe 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...
1837-1849 - Robert James CarrRobert James CarrRobert James Carr was an English churchman, bishop of Chichester in 1824 and bishop of Worcester in 1831.-Life:The son of the Rev. Colston Carr, a schoolmaster at Twickenham, who was afterwards vicar of Ealing, he was born at Twickenham. He received his primary education in his father's school...
, Bishop of ChichesterBishop of ChichesterThe 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...
1827-1837 - George PelhamGeorge Pelham (bishop)George Pelham was a Church of England bishop, serving in the sees of Bristol , Exeter and Lincoln . He began his career as Vicar of Hellingly in Sussex in 1800....
, Bishop of ExeterBishop of ExeterThe 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....
1815-1827 - William JacksonWilliam Jackson (bishop)William Jackson was an Anglican cleric, serving as bishop of Oxford and Clerk of the Closet....
, Bishop of OxfordBishop of OxfordThe Bishop of Oxford is the diocesan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Oxford in the Province of Canterbury; his seat is at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford...
1813-1815 - Richard Hurd, Bishop of WorcesterBishop of WorcesterThe 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...
1781-1808 - William BullerWilliam BullerWilliam Buller was Bishop of Exeter from 1792 to 1796.He was born at the Downes, near Crediton, to parents John Francis Buller and Rebecca Trelawney....
(later Bishop of ExeterBishop of ExeterThe 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....
) 1763-1773 - John ThomasJohn Thomas (bishop of Winchester)John Thomas was an English bishop.He was educated at Charterhouse School and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. in 1719 and became Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford in 1720....
1757-1763 - John Gilbert 1752-1757 later Archbishop of YorkArchbishop of YorkThe 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...
- Joseph ButlerJoseph ButlerJoseph Butler was an English bishop, theologian, apologist, and philosopher. He was born in Wantage in the English county of Berkshire . He is known, among other things, for his critique of Thomas Hobbes's egoism and John Locke's theory of personal identity...
???? - 1752 - Henry Egerton 1737-1746
- Charles TrimnellCharles TrimnellCharles Trimnell was an English bishop. He was a Whig in politics, and known for his attacks on High Church views, writing on the subordination of the Church of England to the state...
1714-1723 - Samuel Pratt 1706-1714
- James Canaries 1691-92 (representing Scottish Episcopalian Church)
- Hon. John Montagu 1695–1702
- Thomas BurnetThomas BurnetThomas Burnet , theologian and writer on cosmogony.-Life:He was born at Croft near Darlington in 1635. After studying at Northallerton Grammar School under Thomas Smelt, he went to Clare Hall, Cambridge in 1651. There he was a pupil of John Tillotson...
1691-1695 - John TillotsonJohn TillotsonJohn Tillotson was an Archbishop of Canterbury .-Curate and rector:Tillotson was the son of a Puritan clothier at Haughend, Sowerby, Yorkshire. He entered as a pensioner of Clare Hall, Cambridge, in 1647, graduated in 1650 and was made fellow of his college in 1651...
1689-1691 - Sir Edward PetreEdward PetreSir Edward Petre, 3rd baronet SJ was an English Jesuit who became a close adviser to King James II and was appointed a privy councillor.-Early life:...
S.J. 1687-1693 (after 1689 in exile with James IIJames II of EnglandJames II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
) - Thomas SpratThomas SpratThomas Sprat , English divine, was born at Beaminster, Dorset, and educated at Wadham College, Oxford, where he held a fellowship from 1657 to 1670.Having taken orders he became a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral in 1660...
1685-1687 - Henry ComptonHenry Compton-Early life:Compton was born the sixth and youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Northampton, educated at The Queen's College, Oxford, and then travelled in Europe. After the restoration of Charles II he became cornet in a regiment of horse, but soon quit the army for the church...
1675-1681 - John DolbenJohn DolbenJohn Dolben was an English priest and Church of England bishop and archbishop.-Life:He was the son of William Dolben , prebendary of Lincoln and bishop-designate of Gloucester. He was educated at Westminster School under Richard Busby and at Christ Church, Oxford. He fought on the Royalist side at...
1664-1675 - John EarleJohn Earle (bishop)John Earle was an English bishop.-Life:He was born at York, but the exact date is unknown. He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, but moved to Merton, where he obtained a fellowship...
1651-1664 - Gilbert SheldonGilbert SheldonGilbert Sheldon was an English Archbishop of Canterbury.-Early life:He was born in Stanton, Staffordshire in the parish of Ellastone, on 19 July 1598, the youngest son of Roger Sheldon; his father worked for Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford; he...
1646-1651 - Richard StewardRichard StewardRichard Steward or Stewart was an English royalist churchman, clerk of the closet to Charles I and designated Dean of St. Paul's and Westminster, though not able to take up his position because of the wartime circumstances.-Life:...
1636-1646 - Matthew WrenMatthew 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:...
1633-1636 - William JuxonWilliam JuxonWilliam Juxon was an English churchman, Bishop of London from 1633 to 1649 and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1660 until his death.-Life:...
1632-1633 - Walter BalcanquhallWalter BalcanquhallWalter Balcanquhall was a Scottish clergyman who became a staunch royalist and supporter of the church policy of Charles I of England.-Life:...
1617-1621 (represented the Church of ScotlandChurch of ScotlandThe Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
at the Synod of DortSynod of DortThe Synod of Dort was a National Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618-1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy initiated by the rise of Arminianism. The first meeting was on November 13, 1618, and the final meeting, the 154th, was on May 9, 1619...
) - Richard NeileRichard NeileRichard Neile was an English churchman, bishop of several English dioceses and Archbishop of York from 1631 until his death.-Early life:...
1603-1632 - John RuddJohn Rudd (cartographer)John Rudd was a Tudor cartographer and clergyman.In 1561 he was given two years' leave from his duties as Vicar of Dewsbury and Rector of Thornhill to travel the country with the objective of mapping England...
1540s
Clerks of the Closet in other Royal Households
- Henry BurtonHenry Burton (Puritan)Henry Burton , was an English puritan. Along with John Bastwick and William Prynne, Burton's ears were cut off in 1637 for writing pamphlets attacking the views of Archbishop Laud.-Early life:...
, Clerk of the Closet to Henry Frederick, Prince of WalesHenry Frederick, Prince of WalesHenry Frederick Stuart, Prince of Wales was the elder son of King James I & VI and Anne of Denmark. His name derives from his grandfathers: Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and Frederick II of Denmark. Prince Henry was widely seen as a bright and promising heir to his father's throne... - William StanleyWilliam Stanley (dean)William Stanley was an English churchman and college head, Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, Archdeacon of London and Dean of St Asaph.-Life:...
, Clerk of the Closet to Queen MaryMary II of EnglandMary II was joint Sovereign of England, Scotland, and Ireland with her husband and first cousin, William III and II, from 1689 until her death. William and Mary, both Protestants, became king and queen regnant, respectively, following the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the deposition of...
1689-1694 - Lancelot BlackburneLancelot BlackburneLancelot Blackburne , was an English clergyman, who became Archbishop of York, and – in popular belief – a pirate....
, Clerk of the Closet to Caroline of AnsbachCaroline of AnsbachCaroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state... - Isaac MaddoxIsaac MaddoxIsaac Maddox 27th July 1697-27th September 1759) was an Anglican clergyman, successively bishop of St Asaph and of Worcester. He was a member of the Royal Society. -Life:Isaac was the son of a Dissenter, Edward Maddox, stationer of London...
, Clerk of the Closet to Caroline of AnsbachCaroline of AnsbachCaroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state...
1729-1736 - Joseph ButlerJoseph ButlerJoseph Butler was an English bishop, theologian, apologist, and philosopher. He was born in Wantage in the English county of Berkshire . He is known, among other things, for his critique of Thomas Hobbes's egoism and John Locke's theory of personal identity...
, Clerk of the Closet to Caroline of AnsbachCaroline of AnsbachCaroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the ruler of a small German state...
1736-37 - Francis AyscoughFrancis AyscoughFrancis Ayscough was a tutor to George III and Clerk of the Closet to his father Frederick, Prince of Wales and later Dean of Bristol Cathedral.-Biography:...
, Clerk of the Closet to Frederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
1736-51 - Samuel Squire, Clerk of the Closet to the Prince of WalesGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
1756- - Edward YoungEdward YoungEdward Young was an English poet, best remembered for Night Thoughts.-Early life:He was the son of Edward Young, later Dean of Salisbury, and was born at his father's rectory at Upham, near Winchester, where he was baptized on 3 July 1683. He was educated at Winchester College, and matriculated...
, Clerk of the Closet to Princess Augusta of Saxe-GothaPrincess Augusta of Saxe-GothaPrincess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was Princess of Wales between 1736 and 1751, and Dowager Princess of Wales thereafter. She was one of only three Princesses of Wales who never became queen consort...
1761-1765