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Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
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The Bishop of Exeter is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury.[2] The current bishop is Mike Harrison, since 2024.[3]

Key Information

From the first bishop until the sixteenth century the Bishops of Exeter were in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. However, during the Reformation the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, at first temporarily and later more permanently. Since the Reformation, the Bishop and Diocese of Exeter has been part of the reformed and catholic Church of England. The bishop's residence is The Bishop's Palace, Exeter.[4]

History

[edit]
The Anglo-Saxon dioceses after 950

Roman episcopal organization survived the fall of the Roman Empire in south-western Britain, which became the British kingdom of Dumnonia. In about 700, Aldhelm, abbot of Malmesbury wrote a letter to King Geraint of Dumnonia and his bishops.[5] However, by this time eastern Devon had been conquered by the Anglo-Saxons and was part of the diocese of Bishop of Winchester, covering the whole of Wessex. In around 705 The diocese was divided in two and Aldhelm was appointed the first Bishop of Sherborne, covering eastern Devon. Over the next two centuries western Devon was conquered.[6]

Crediton

[edit]

In about 909 the diocese of Sherborne was divided and the Diocese of Crediton was created to cover Devon and Cornwall.[7] Crediton was chosen as the site for its cathedral possibly due it having been the birthplace of Saint Boniface and the existence of a monastery there.[8]

In 1046, Leofric became the Bishop of Crediton. Following his appointment he decided that the see should be moved to the larger and more culturally significant and defensible walled town of Exeter. In 1050, King Edward the Confessor authorised that Exeter was to be the seat of the bishop for Devon and Cornwall and that a cathedral was to be built there for the bishop's throne. Thus, Leofric became the last diocesan Bishop of Crediton and the first Bishop of Exeter.[8]

Exeter

[edit]

The two dioceses of Crediton and Cornwall, covering Devon and Cornwall, were permanently united under Edward the Confessor by Lyfing's successor Leofric, hitherto Bishop of Crediton, who became first Bishop of Exeter under Edward the Confessor, which was established as his cathedral city in 1050. At first the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Peter, founded by Athelstan in 932, rebuilt in 1019, etc., finally demolished 1971, served as the cathedral.

The bishop of Exeter signs his name as his Christian name or forename followed by Exon., abbreviated from the Latin Episcopus Exoniensis ("Bishop of Exeter").

Cathedral

[edit]
Main article: Exeter Cathedral
‘South Tower of Exeter Cathedral’, attributed to W. Davey, about 1800-1830

The present cathedral was begun by William de Warelhurst in 1112, the transept towers he built being the only surviving part of the Norman building, which was completed by Marshall at the close of the twelfth century. The cathedral is dedicated to St Peter.

As it now stands, the cathedral is in the decorated style. It was begun by Peter Quinel (1280–1291), continued by Bytton and Stapeldon, and completed, much as it has since remained, by John Grandisson during his long tenure of 42 years.

In many respects Exeter cathedral resembles those of France rather than others found in England. Its special features are the transept towers and the choir, containing much early stained glass. There is also an episcopal throne, separated from the nave by a choir screen (1324) and a stately West front. In a comparison with certain other English cathedrals, it is perhaps disadvantaged by the absence of a central tower and a general lack of elevation, but it is undoubtedly very fine.

Organisation

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The bishops of Exeter, like the general population of the diocese, always enjoyed considerable independence, and the see was one of the largest and richest in England. The remoteness of the see from London prevented it from being bestowed on statesmen or courtiers, so that over the centuries the roll of bishops possessed more capable scholars and administrators than in many other sees. The result was a long and stable line of bishops, leading to active Christian observance in the area.

The diocese contained 604 parishes grouped in four archdeaconries: Cornwall, Barnstaple, Exeter, and Totnes. There were Benedictine, Augustinian, Premonstratensian, Franciscan and Dominican religious houses, and four Cistercian abbeys.

Modern history

[edit]

This wealthy diocese was forced to cede land during the reign of Henry VIII, when Vesey was obliged to surrender fourteen of twenty-two manors, and the value of the see was reduced to a third of what it had been. Vesey, despite his Catholic sympathies, held the see until 1551, when he finally had to resign, and was replaced by the Bible translator Miles Coverdale. Following the accession of Mary, in 1553, Vesey was restored, but died soon after in 1554. He was succeeded by James Turberville, the last Catholic Bishop of Exeter. Turberville was removed from the see by the Reformist Elizabeth I in 1559, and died in prison, probably in or about 1570.

Henry Phillpotts served as Bishop of Exeter from 1830 to his death in office in 1869. He was England's longest serving bishop since the 14th century. The diocese was divided in 1876 along the border of Devon and Cornwall, creating the Diocese of Truro (but five parishes which were at the time in Devon were included in this diocese as they had always been within the Archdeaconry of Cornwall). The diocese covers the County of Devon. The see is in the City of Exeter where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter which was founded as an abbey possibly before 690. The current incumbent is Mike Harrison.[9]

List of bishops

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Pre-Conquest

[edit]
Bishops of Crediton
From Until Incumbent Notes
c.909 934 Eadwulf
934 c.952/53 Æthelgar
953 972 Ælfwold I
973 977 Sideman Died on 30 April 977 or 1 or 2 May 977.
c.977/79 c.986/87 Ælfric
c.986/87 ? Ælfwold II
? c.990 Alfred of Malmesbury[10]
? c.1011/15 Ælfwold III
c.1011/15 c.1019/23 Eadnoth
1027 1046 Lyfing Also Bishop of Cornwall and Worcester; died in March 1046.
1046 1050 Leofric Consecrated on 19 April 1046; also Bishop of Cornwall; became the first Bishop of Exeter in 1050.
In 1050, Leofric transferred the see to Exeter.[8]
Source(s):[11][12]

Pre-Reformation

[edit]
Dates of reign Name Portrait Arms[13]
1050–1072[14] Leofric Pre-heraldic
1072–1103 Osbern FitzOsbern Pre-heraldic
1107–1138 William Warelwast Pre-heraldic
1138–1155 Robert Warelwast Pre-heraldic
1155–1160 Robert of Chichester Pre-heraldic
1161–1184 Bartholomew Iscanus Pre-heraldic
1186–1191 John the Chanter Pre-heraldic
1194–1206 Henry Marshal Pre-heraldic
1206–1214[15] Vacant
1214–1223 Simon of Apulia
1224–1244[16] William Briwere
1245–1257[17] Richard Blund
1258–1280[18] Walter Branscombe
1280–1291[19] Peter Quinel
1291–1307[20] Thomas Bitton
1308–1326 Walter de Stapledon
1326–1327 James Berkeley
1327[21] John Godeley
1327–1369 John Grandisson
1370–1394[22] Thomas de Brantingham
1395–1419 Edmund Stafford
1419[23] John Catterick
1420–1455[24] Edmund Lacey
1455–1456[25] John Hales
1458–1465[26] George Neville
1465–1478 John Booth
1478–1487[27] Peter Courtenay
1487–1492[28] Richard Foxe
1493–1495[28] Oliver King
1496–1502[29] Richard Redman
1502–1504[30] John Arundel
1505–1519 Hugh Oldham

During the Reformation

[edit]
Dates of reign Name Portrait Arms
1519–1551[31][11][32][33] John Vesey
1551–1553[34][11][32][33] Myles Coverdale
1553–1554[35][11][32][33] John Vesey
1555–1560[11][32][33] James Turberville

Post-Reformation

[edit]
Post-Reformation Bishops of Exeter
From Until Incumbent Notes
1560 1571 William Alley Also recorded as William Alleyn
1571 1578 William Bradbridge
1579 1594 John Woolton
1595 1597 Gervase Babington Translated to Worcester
1598 1621 William Cotton
1621 1626 Valentine Cary
1627 1641 Joseph Hall Translated to Norwich
1642 1646 Ralph Brownrigg Deprived of the see when the English episcopacy was abolished by Parliament on 9 October 1646; died 1659.
1646 1660 The see was abolished during the Commonwealth and the Protectorate.[36][37]
1660 1662 John Gauden Translated to Worcester
1662 1667 Seth Ward Translated to Salisbury
1667 1676 Anthony Sparrow Translated to Norwich
1676 1688 Thomas Lamplugh Translated to York
1689 1707 Sir Jonathan Trelawny, Bt. Translated from Bristol; later translated to Winchester
1708 1716 Ofspring Blackall
1717 1724 Lancelot Blackburne Translated to York
1724 1742 Stephen Weston
1742 1746 Nicholas Clagett Translated from St David's
1747 1762 George Lavington
1762 1777 Frederick Keppel
1778 1792 John Ross
1792[38] 1796 William Buller
1797 1803 Reginald Courtenay Translated from Bristol
1803 1807 John Fisher Translated to Salisbury
1807 1820 George Pelham Translated from Bristol; later translated to Lincoln
1820 1830 William Carey Translated to St Asaph
1830 Christopher Bethell Translated from Gloucester; later translated to Bangor
1831 1869 Henry Phillpotts
1869 1885 Frederick Temple Translated to London
1885 1900 Edward Bickersteth
1901 1903 Herbert Edward Ryle Translated to Winchester
1903 1916 Archibald Robertson
1916 1936 Lord William Cecil
1936 1948 Charles Curzon Translated from Stepney
1949 1973 Robert Mortimer
1973 1985 Eric Mercer Translated from Birkenhead
1985 1999 Hewlett Thompson Translated from Willesden
1999 2013[39] Michael Langrish Translated from Birkenhead
2014 2023 Robert Atwell Translated from Stockport;[40] retired 30 September 2023.[41]
2024 present Mike Harrison Translated from Dunwich, 25 September 2024.[3]


Source(s):[11][32]

Assistant bishops

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Among those who have served as assistant bishops of the diocese have been:

See also

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References

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Sources

[edit]
  • Some text adapted from Catholic Encyclopaedia, 1908.
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bishop of Exeter

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from Grokipedia
The Bishop of Exeter is the diocesan bishop and principal ordinary of the within the , overseeing ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the county of in southwest . The , established as one of 's largest by geographical area and encompassing over 500 parishes with more than 600 churches, primarily serves rural communities while maintaining urban centers like . The bishop's resides in , a medieval structure symbolizing the see's continuity from its formal creation in 1050 under Bishop Leofric, who consolidated earlier episcopal traditions in the region. Historically, incumbents of the see have wielded significant influence, extending beyond spiritual leadership to administrative reforms, educational patronage, and occasional political involvement, as seen in bishops like Walter Stapledon, who financed royal endeavors in the amid turbulent national events. The office's evolution reflects broader dynamics, including Reformation-era shifts where figures such as John Vesey navigated royal policies on monastic dissolution and doctrinal changes. In contemporary terms, the Bishop of Exeter participates in the Church's synodal governance and, as a senior diocesan, holds a provisional right to a seat among the in the , advocating on matters of , , and . Notable for its rural outreach and commitment to parochial ministry, the bishopric continues to address modern challenges in clergy deployment and community engagement within Devon's diverse landscape.

Historical Origins

Pre-Conquest Period

The Christianization of Devon drew from Roman influences during the late empire, with Christianity potentially established by the 4th century AD, though evidence is largely speculative and confined to archaeological finds rather than structured episcopal organization. Post-Roman Celtic traditions persisted amid the collapse of Roman administration, but Devon lacked distinct bishoprics, with missionary activities evidenced by sparse inscriptions and place-name survivals indicating early monastic or hermitic presences rather than diocesan hierarchies. Under Anglo-Saxon expansion, Devon's ecclesiastical oversight fell within the broader Diocese of , founded in 705 by King to administer western , including Dorset, , , and . served as its inaugural bishop, promoting learning and church foundations, with royal patronage from Ine enabling the consolidation of Christian amid ongoing pagan resistances. This arrangement reflected first-principles reliance on monarchical support for ecclesiastical stability, as Wessex kings leveraged bishoprics to legitimize territorial control without evidence of localized Devon sees prior to the . Documentary records remain fragmentary due to Viking incursions from the onward, which ravaged southwestern religious sites and interrupted episcopal continuity; raids intensified after 835, with major disruptions like the 997 sacking of foreshadowing broader instability. No continuous succession of bishops dedicated to is attested before Sherborne's oversight, underscoring the region's integration into wider diocesan structures amid causal pressures from invasions and sparse literacy.

See of Crediton

The minster church at originated as a monastic foundation in the early , serving as a collegiate establishment under royal patronage from the West Saxon kings, which facilitated its role as a regional hub amid the of . By the late , 's strategic position—centrally located in the lowlands, with accessible routes to coastal and inland areas—enabled efficient oversight of missionary activities extending into sparsely Christianized territories, including efforts to align Celtic traditions in with Anglo-Saxon norms. In 909, the Diocese of was formally established by separating from the expansive Diocese of Sherborne, with Eadwulf appointed as the first recorded bishop, marking the transition from informal minster oversight to a dedicated responsible for pastoral and administrative functions across . Preceding this, figures like Putta, an earlier bishop associated with the Devon region and possibly holding the see at Bishop's Tawton before its relocation toward , underscore the evolving consolidation of authority amid Viking disruptions and West Saxon expansion. The see's growth into a major center owed much to sustained royal endorsement, as evidenced by land grants and defensive priorities under kings like Alfred and his successors, which bolstered its infrastructure and clerical community against external threats. Crediton functioned as the primary base for the until 1050, encompassing missionary outreach that integrated peripheral areas; notably, in 931, King Æthelstan's partitioning of the see created a short-lived separate bishopric for under Conan, with the River Tamar as boundary, reflecting attempts to formalize ecclesiastical control over Cornish submissions following military campaigns, though oversight reverted to Crediton bishops thereafter. This arrangement highlighted Crediton's causal advantages: its inland security, fertility for sustaining a priory, and proximity to royal burhs like , which collectively sustained ten bishops over 140 years, fostering doctrinal uniformity and estate management without the vulnerabilities of coastal sites.

Norman Conquest and Transfer to Exeter

In 1050, Bishop Leofric (1046–1072) translated the episcopal see from Crediton to Exeter, consecrating the minster church of St. Peter as the new cathedral site. This move, endorsed by King Edward the Confessor and aligned with papal directives from Leo IX to situate bishoprics in major urban centers for administrative efficiency, shifted the diocese—encompassing Devon and Cornwall—to a more defensible location amid threats from Welsh incursions and potential Viking raids. Exeter's Roman-era walls and strategic position provided superior fortification compared to rural Crediton, enhancing ecclesiastical security without altering diocesan boundaries. Leofric simultaneously reformed the chapter by adopting the Rule of Chrodegang, establishing a community of secular canons to govern the new establishment, which laid foundational structures for clerical organization. Following the of 1066, the see remained in , with Leofric retaining his position until his death in 1072; then appointed the Norman cleric Osbern (1072–1103) as successor, integrating the bishopric into broader Anglo-Norman ecclesiastical reforms emphasizing loyalty to the crown. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Osbern's tenure over extensive episcopal demesnes, including manors at Crediton, Bishopsteignton, Dawlish, and others in Devon, confirming continuity of holdings totaling significant taxable resources under royal oversight. These entries highlight minimal disruption to diocesan estates despite the Conquest's upheavals, such as the 1068 siege of Exeter, while underscoring Norman administrative scrutiny of church lands to assert fiscal control. The transition reinforced Exeter's role as a fortified ecclesiastical hub, with Osbern initiating early enhancements to cathedral fabric amid Norman prioritization of stone construction over Anglo-Saxon timber precedents.

Medieval Development

Episcopal Authority and Cathedral Establishment

The initiation of Exeter Cathedral's Romanesque structure under William Warelwast from 1107 exemplified the consolidation of episcopal authority in the , transforming the see into a prominent center. Warelwast, appointed in 1107 as nephew of , demolished the prior Saxon church and directed the construction of a new Norman edifice, including substantial transeptal towers, a , , and initial , thereby asserting the bishop's spiritual and temporal dominance over the . This project, foundational to the cathedral's enduring role as the bishop's seat, underscored the prelate's capacity to mobilize resources for monumental architecture amid post-Conquest stabilization. Construction progressed under successors, with Bishop Robert de (1138–1155) continuing the work and Bishop Henry de Marisco completing the core Romanesque framework by 1206, incorporating an extended terminating in an , a , north porch, and elements. Funding primarily stemmed from episcopal estates' revenues, augmented by royal concessions such as King John's grant of tin tithes from and mines, and local impositions including an obolum per household at , reflecting the bishop's integrated fiscal authority over agrarian and extractive domains. Medieval bishops of Exeter exercised extensive temporal powers through ownership of manors across and , where they held seigneurial rights to convene courts, enforce customs, and collect rents and taxes, as documented in episcopal charters granting tenurial privileges and pipe rolls detailing assessments on church lands. These mechanisms enabled bishops to sustain cathedral projects and diocesan administration, with from the 12th and 13th centuries recording sheriffs' accounts of royal dues from episcopal holdings, thereby evidencing the interplay between lordship and oversight. The cathedral's fortified character, particularly its massive towers completed by around 1200, causally reinforced episcopal influence during feudal conflicts by serving as a defensible within Exeter's walled circuit, offering refuge and projecting unassailable power against baronial or regional threats in an era of decentralized violence. This architectural emphasis on durability not only symbolized the bishop's quasi-feudal status but practically deterred encroachments on diocesan prerogatives, aligning with broader patterns where prelates leveraged stone fortifications to safeguard .

Relations with Crown and Papacy

The medieval bishops of Exeter maintained intricate relations with the English Crown, frequently serving in secular capacities that underscored their integration into royal governance while exposing vulnerabilities to political exigencies. Bishops often acted as royal treasurers, counselors, and judges, leveraging ecclesiastical authority to support monarchical administration; for example, late medieval prelates from the diocese participated in the king's judicial processes, reflecting a broader pattern where episcopal expertise in law and finance advanced crown interests. Such roles fostered alliances but precipitated tensions during crises like the Anarchy (1135–1153), when the Church mediated between contending factions, with bishops navigating oaths of fealty to the Crown alongside papal directives on ecclesiastical neutrality. Conflicts with the Papacy arose primarily over provisions to the see and diocesan benefices, as popes increasingly asserted direct appointment rights in the , clashing with crown prerogatives and local electoral customs. The 1327 provision of John Grandisson by , exploiting the vacancy to override the chapter's preferred candidate, exemplified this intrusion, fueling English resistance codified later in the Statute of Provisors (1351). Grandisson's own register records over 200 papal provisions to and livings between 1327 and 1369, many contested by the bishop for undermining diocesan discipline and revenues, as curial taxes and eroded local control. These disputes highlighted causal frictions: papal fiscal demands on appointees strained episcopal finances, prompting bishops to petition while defending crown-backed liberties. The diocese's economic self-sufficiency, rooted in control of Devon tin production, mitigated dependencies on either power, enabling assertive stances in jurisdictional quarrels. Episcopal manors encompassed rights, with leases on workings generating fixed yields—such as 90 marks annually plus £10 from specific sites under early 14th-century patents—augmenting ordinary revenues from lands and tithes. This mineral wealth, distinct from crown minting monopolies, afforded bishops leverage to resist overreach, as tin tolls funded projects and litigation without royal or papal subsidies, preserving autonomy amid dual allegiances.

Key Medieval Bishops and Their Contributions

John Grandisson (1327–1369), the longest-serving medieval bishop of Exeter, enacted comprehensive administrative reforms to strengthen diocesan governance and clerical standards. In 1330, he promulgated constitutions for the , mandating regular chapter meetings, precise record-keeping of revenues, and oversight of vicars choral to curb and ensure liturgical performance. These statutes emphasized discipline, prohibiting canons from engaging in trade or and requiring residence to foster accountability, drawing on earlier episcopal models but tailored to local needs evident in visitation records revealing widespread laxity. Grandisson's register documents over 1,500 folios of decretals, ordinations, and inquiries, reflecting rigorous enforcement that elevated the chapter's efficiency. Grandisson's legacy extended to infrastructure and , where he directed episcopal resources toward enduring projects. He financed the completion of Cathedral's west front and between 1330 and 1360, incorporating intricate Gothic funded partly through appropriated benefices yielding annual incomes documented in his accounts. In , he endowed a at St. John's Hospital in around 1340, stipulating instruction in Latin and for poor scholars, which integrated with the cathedral's scholarly milieu. His personal collection of over 100 manuscripts, including theological and liturgical works, bolstered the cathedral , originally seeded in the but systematically expanded under his patronage to support clerical training. Preceding Grandisson, Walter Stapledon (1308–1326) laid foundational contributions to educational infrastructure. He established , in 1314 with statutes promoting and studies, endowing it with lands generating £40 annually by 1320 to sustain fellows and scholars from the . Stapledon also allocated funds from episcopal estates toward rebuilding Cathedral's and aisles post-1310 fire damage, commissioning effigies and structural reinforcements verified in surviving fabric analysis. These efforts, rooted in his treasurership under Edward II, enhanced diocesan prestige without overextending temporal holdings, as audited in royal exchequer rolls.

Reformation and Early Modern Period

Impact of the English Reformation

The English Reformation profoundly altered the Bishopric of Exeter through enforced doctrinal changes and substantial asset forfeitures, beginning under Henry VIII's Henrician phase. The 1534 Act of Supremacy required bishops to acknowledge royal headship over the church, a mandate to which incumbent John Veysey (bishop 1519–1551) adhered, explicitly affirming support against papal authority in correspondence with Thomas Cromwell in 1536. The dissolution of monasteries from 1536 to 1541 dismantled dependent houses within the diocese, such as Plympton Priory, redirecting their revenues to the crown while sparing core episcopal estates initially, though Veysey faced pressures to lease or alienate manors to fund royal demands. By the late 1540s, these encroachments had reduced the see's holdings from approximately thirty-two lordships and manors to about three, curtailing financial autonomy and foreshadowing further depredations. Under Edward VI's Edwardian reforms, the bishopric underwent accelerated Protestantization, culminating in the appointment of Miles Coverdale as the first explicitly Protestant bishop in December 1551, following Veysey's deprivation. Coverdale, a translator and reformer, enforced the 1549 , mandating vernacular services that supplanted Latin rites amid the crown's broader campaign against traditional practices, including the 1547 Chantries Act's suppression of intercessory endowments. This shift exacerbated tensions in , where the 1549 —ignited by parishioners at Sampford Courtenay compelling their priest to revert to the Latin —revealed widespread clerical and lay resistance, with rebels besieging and articulating grievances over eroded customs. Visitation efforts post-rebellion documented uneven compliance, as many clergy, rooted in conservative traditions, exhibited reluctance or outright opposition, contributing to the crown's reliance on military suppression under . The era's asset seizures compounded fiscal strain, with Edward VI's regime inventorying and confiscating additional episcopal properties to finance wars and reforms, directly impairing diocesan governance and clerical stipends. Coverdale's brief tenure (1551–1553) thus operated within a landscape of diminished resources and lingering defiance, where enforced liturgical changes prioritized doctrinal uniformity over local entrenchment, setting precedents for the see's reconfiguration under Protestant despite of causal disruptions to stability.

Bishops Amid Religious Conflicts

William Alley, appointed Bishop of Exeter in 1560 under , played a key role in implementing the , which mandated Protestant conformity and penalized Catholic . Upon assuming the see, Alley conducted inspections revealing persistent Catholic adherence, including among prominent such as Sir John Arundell, prompting enforcement actions aligned with statutes against non-attendance at Anglican services. In 1561, he issued statutes for emphasizing reformed worship standards, such as vernacular services and clerical conduct befitting Protestant doctrine, thereby consolidating the diocese's alignment with the Act of Uniformity. During the , bishops of navigated escalating tensions between crown loyalism and parliamentary puritanism, culminating in the . Joseph Hall, serving from 1627 to 1641, exemplified episcopal defense of the established church's against nonconformist pressures, while his sympathies—rooted in opposition to Presbyterian disruptions—positioned him among the "" clergy. Although translated to before the war's peak, Hall's tenure in reflected broader episcopal alignment with royal authority; subsequent incumbents faced sequestration by in the 1640s, as diocesan properties and revenues were confiscated from those deemed disloyal, disrupting governance amid strongholds in the . The Restoration of Charles II in 1660 reversed these upheavals, reinstating the episcopal hierarchy through royal nominations and the Act of Uniformity (1662), which required clerical subscription to the Book of Common Prayer. In Exeter, this facilitated the prompt resumption of traditional diocesan administration, with church courts revived by 1661 to address moral and spiritual offenses via admonitions, fines, and excommunication. Episcopal acta from the era, preserved in diocesan records, verify the reassertion of authority over clergy and laity, marking a return to pre-war structures despite lingering nonconformist dissent.

Post-Reformation Consolidation

Following the religious upheavals of the previous centuries, the Diocese of Exeter experienced administrative stabilization in the 18th and early 19th centuries, with bishops emphasizing continuity in governance and amid the rationalist influences of the Enlightenment, which encouraged pragmatic ecclesiastical management over doctrinal fervor. Bishops such as Ofspring Blackall (1708–1716) and George Lavington (1746–1762) focused on routine diocesan administration, including the collation of benefices and oversight of parochial clergy, as documented in surviving episcopal registers that record hundreds of institutions to livings annually across and . These registers reveal a system where the bishop held rights to over 200 benefices, distributing them primarily to university-educated candidates, often prioritizing administrative competence and loyalty to the established church over evangelical zeal, thereby consolidating Anglican orthodoxy against Methodist encroachments. Bishops played roles in local Poor Law implementation, serving as justices of the peace who enforced the Elizabethan statute's parish-based relief system, supplemented in by a 1697 parliamentary act establishing incorporated workhouses for the city's poor. This involvement extended to advocating measured reforms, as seen in early 19th-century efforts by Bishop Henry Phillpotts (1831–1869) to adjust relief scales and protect pauper rights, reflecting a causal link between episcopal magisterial duties and the diocese's exacerbated by agricultural shifts. acts, peaking in the late , impacted church lands by privatizing common fields and holdings, prompting bishops to negotiate parliamentary bills that preserved tithes while adapting to intensified farming, though often at the expense of smallholders' customary access. Georgian-era absenteeism among Exeter bishops, driven by mandatory attendance in the for legislative sessions, diminished direct pastoral supervision, with archdeacons handling visitations and ordinations in the bishop's stead—a pattern common to Hanoverian prelates but traceable to earlier precedents where political obligations trumped residency. This delegation sustained diocesan functions but fostered complacency in clerical discipline, as evidenced by infrequent triennial visitations and reliance on proxy , ultimately reinforcing institutional stability over dynamic until the 1830s.

Modern Era

19th-Century Reforms and Doctrinal Disputes

Henry Phillpotts, Bishop of Exeter from 1830 to 1869, aligned with principles influenced by the Tractarian movement, emphasizing sacramental efficacy and episcopal authority in doctrinal matters. He issued charges to his promoting a robust view of and the , countering evangelical reductions of sacramental grace, as seen in his 1842 visitation address. Phillpotts supported ecclesiastical reforms to address clerical abuses, including opposition to pluralities through advocacy in parliamentary debates on , though his stance led to tensions with reformers favoring broader liberalization. The Gorham case (1847–1850) exemplified doctrinal disputes under Phillpotts' episcopate, testing Anglican views on . When presented to the vicarage of Brampford Speke, evangelical clergyman underwent doctrinal examination by Phillpotts, who rejected his institution on grounds that Gorham denied infants receive regenerating grace in —a position Phillpotts deemed incompatible with the Book of Common Prayer's . The Court of Arches upheld the refusal in 1849, but Gorham appealed to the Judicial Committee of the , which ruled on 8 March 1850 that Gorham's conditional view of regeneration (dependent on divine will rather than the sacrament's inherent efficacy) was not heretical and aligned with permissible Anglican interpretations. This outcome undermined sacramentalism, prompting Phillpotts to protest the Privy Council's doctrinal authority as a secular body lacking theological competence, and it fueled Tractarian critiques of state interference in church matters. Industrialization spurred in the , particularly in Cornwall's areas and Devon's ports, necessitating reforms in parochial . Regional population expanded rapidly, with Cornwall's growth rate accelerating to about 30% per three decades by due to booms, straining existing parishes amid . In response, new ecclesiastical districts and parishes were established, supported by national initiatives like the Church Building Acts, which facilitated over 600 new Anglican churches across by the 1850s to serve burgeoning congregations; the participated in this expansion to accommodate displaced rural migrants and urban workers. Phillpotts' administration oversaw such adaptations, though doctrinal divides complicated unified implementation.

20th-Century Challenges and Adaptations

The Diocese of Exeter confronted pressures in the , marked by declining attendance and the welfare state's encroachment on traditional church roles in education and social welfare. Postwar bishops emphasized moral theology to address societal shifts, with Robert Mortimer (1949–1973), the diocese's longest-serving 20th-century bishop and the Church of England's preeminent ethicist, influencing key reforms including the Divorce Reform Act 1969 and engaging in debates over the Wolfenden Committee's recommendations on , rejecting rigid public-private moral distinctions. Mortimer's contributions extended to opposing the in the , positioning the diocese amid tensions between ecclesiastical tradition and liberalizing legislation. The 1944 Education Act prompted adaptations in the diocese's extensive network of voluntary schools, enabling "aided" status with state funding for infrastructure while retaining Anglican control over religious education and appointments, thus preserving confessional influence amid national secular curricula. This dual system mitigated financial strains from wartime disruptions and interwar poverty, though it required diocesan boards to align with local authorities on secular standards. From the 1970s, debates on ordaining women challenged diocesan conservatism, with early General Synod motions in 1975 reflecting broader Anglican divisions; Exeter's rural character inclined toward opposition in preliminary synods, delaying local implementation until national provisions in 1994. Financial rationalizations post-1944, accelerated by the ' formation in 1948, centralized endowment management and sales, stabilizing Exeter's parochial incomes amid inflation and pastoral reorganization.

Contemporary Bishops and Recent Developments

The Right Reverend Hewlett Thompson served as Bishop of Exeter from 1995 to 2000, during a period when the engaged in ecumenical initiatives, including partnerships with Roman Catholic and other Christian bodies in . His tenure addressed pastoral challenges amid broader shifts toward interdenominational cooperation, though specific diocesan outcomes remained modest amid national trends of declining attendance. Michael Langrish succeeded as the 70th Bishop of Exeter from 2000 to 2013, focusing on rural ministry and community engagement in Devon's expansive countryside. Under his leadership, the navigated early responses to concerns, aligning with emerging national protocols following high-profile abuse cases elsewhere in the Church. Langrish retired in June 2013 after 13 years, having emphasized local mission amid static or declining active membership, reflective of patterns seen in the 2001 census where Devon's Christian identification stood at around 70% but began eroding. The experienced a vacancy following Langrish's retirement, filled by Robert Atwell from 2014 until 2024, during which safeguarding audits intensified in response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Atwell advocated for institutional redress mechanisms, pressing government in 2022 for support in compensating victims of historical clerical abuse. An independent 2024 audit affirmed the 's and cathedral's safeguarding as "robust," with persistent training and oversight, though broader Church-wide scrutiny persisted. In June 2024, the Rt. Rev'd Dr. Mike Harrison, formerly of , was appointed the 72nd Bishop of Exeter, with formal election in June and enthronement on 2 November 2024 at . Harrison has prioritized rural parishes, drawing on his experience to address isolation in Devon's 800-plus churches serving a of approximately 1.2 million, where the 2021 recorded Christian affiliation at 52.3%, down from 67.5% in 2011. Recent diocesan efforts under his early leadership include bolstering volunteer-led ministry amid national shortages, with empirical data showing a 13.4% drop in stipendiary across the Church from 2015 to 2024.

Role and Responsibilities

Diocesan Leadership and Governance

The Bishop of Exeter serves as the chief pastor and executive within the Diocese of Exeter, overseeing the spiritual and administrative functions of approximately 500 parishes across and eastern . Under the Canons of the , which build upon the foundational Canons of 1603, the bishop holds responsibility for ordaining and licensing , ensuring they meet doctrinal standards and receive to minister in specific roles. The bishop administers the sacrament of confirmation diocese-wide and conducts regular episcopal visitations to inspect parishes, conduct, and church fabric, enforcing discipline where necessary through processes. These duties extend to collaboration with suffragan bishops but remain centralized under the diocesan bishop's , promoting uniformity in and . Governance includes direct supervision of the four archdeaconries—Exeter, Barnstaple, Plymouth, and Totnes—where the bishop appoints archdeacons to handle day-to-day clergy oversight, deanery synods, and glebe properties, while retaining veto power over major decisions. The bishop also presides over the Exeter Cathedral chapter, consulting on residentiary canons' roles and integrating cathedral activities with broader diocesan mission. To address pastoral exigencies like clergy shortages and shifting demographics, the initiates and approves reorganisation schemes under the Pastoral Measure 1983, including mergers and dissolutions; for instance, a scheme dissolving a took effect on 1 January 2025, with ongoing consultations suspending faculties amid potential consolidations. Such measures reflect adaptive governance to sustain ministry in under-resourced areas, often involving multi- to optimize limited resources.

National Influence and House of Lords Duties

The Bishop of Exeter serves as a Lord Spiritual in the upon attaining seniority among the 21 eligible beyond the five ex officio seats held by the Archbishops of and and the Bishops of , Durham, and . Seniority is calculated from the date of appointment as a , ensuring that longer-serving incumbents, such as Robert Atwell (appointed 2014 and introduced to the House on 15 November 2021), precede newer appointees like Mike Harrison (enthroned 2 November 2024). This system prioritizes episcopal experience over diocesan size or progressive alignment, maintaining historical precedence in seating arrangements on the spiritual benches, where bishops are positioned by rank nearest the throne. In the , the Bishop of Exeter contributes to legislative scrutiny and voting on bills impacting and , including marriage law, educational standards, and bioethical issues. , including Exeter's representatives, have engaged in debates on conscience protections during same-sex marriage amendments, opposing workplace against traditional marriage views. On , they have defended mandatory Christian collective worship in schools against secular alternatives, as seen in opposition to bills scrapping faith-based assemblies. Bioethical interventions occur in scrutiny of life-related legislation, with bishops collectively providing ethical perspectives rooted in amid broader secular pressures. Atwell, for instance, addressed constraints potentially limiting religious expression (10 December 2021) and supported recognition mechanisms aligning with international duties (2022-23 session). These duties extend the bishop's influence beyond the diocese, representing orthodox Anglican positions in a chamber where secularizing trends—evidenced by declining religious observance data and legislative pushes for ethical —challenge traditional frameworks. records indicate variable participation, with Atwell present for 15 divisions between September 2021 and September 2023, reflecting selective engagement on pertinent issues rather than routine voting. This role underscores causal links between episcopal advocacy and policy outcomes, as votes have historically influenced amendments preserving religious exemptions in family and ethical laws.

Support from Suffragan and Assistant Bishops

The Diocese of Exeter employs two suffragan bishops to assist the in episcopal duties, enabling targeted pastoral oversight across its extensive territory without compromising the bishop's primacy. The Bishop suffragan of Plymouth, a position dating to 1892, primarily handles responsibilities in the southern deaneries, including confirmations, ordinations, and mission support in the archdeaconries of Plymouth and . Similarly, the Bishop suffragan of , established in 1917, focuses on the northern and central areas, overseeing the archdeaconries of and through similar delegated functions. This territorial bifurcation supports efficient delegation, as suffragans address localized clergy development and congregational needs, allowing the to prioritize strategic leadership and ecumenical relations. For instance, suffragans lead regional initiatives such as rural ministry programs and engagement, drawing on their proximity to parishes for hands-on involvement. Retired and honorary assistant bishops provide supplementary aid, often assisting with overflow confirmations or advisory roles. , who served as Bishop suffragan of from 1996 to 2004, continued as an honorary assistant bishop in the until 2019, exemplifying how such figures extend episcopal capacity amid growing administrative demands. This layered assistance empirically distributes workload, as evidenced by diocesan patterns of increased regional ordinations and mission outputs correlated with suffragan-led efforts.

Doctrinal Controversies and Disputes

Baptismal Regeneration and the Gorham Case

In 1847, the Rev. , an Evangelical clergyman, was presented by the Crown to the vicarage of Brampford Speke in the Diocese of Exeter. Bishop Henry Phillpotts, a advocate of sacramental efficacy, refused to institute Gorham after private examination revealed his rejection of —the doctrine that confers regenerating grace , independent of the recipient's faith or moral disposition. Phillpotts deemed Gorham's position, which emphasized baptism as a sign and seal of regeneration occurring through later faith rather than inherently through the rite, incompatible with the Church of England's formularies, particularly the and . Gorham appealed the refusal to the Court of Arches, the of , which in 1849 upheld Phillpotts' decision, affirming that Gorham's views deviated from the Church's teaching on al grace. The case escalated to the Judicial Committee of the , a secular , which on March 8, 1850, reversed the Arches ruling by a vote of eight to three. The judgment held that the Church's and articles did not mandate a strict ex opere operato interpretation of regeneration in infants, allowing for Gorham's conditional view that the sacrament's efficacy often awaits confirmatory faith; it explicitly rejected the insistence on automatic spiritual renewal at as non-essential to . Phillpotts initially repudiated the verdict, questioning the Privy Council's spiritual authority and threatening of judicial figures, but complied under royal order, instituting Gorham on May 28, 1850. The decision eroded claims to enforce sacramental realism against Evangelical interpretations, establishing oversight in doctrinal disputes and prioritizing liturgical breadth over rigid exegesis. It intensified intra-Anglican divisions, with Tractarian leaders like citing it as evidence of Protestant dominance undermining catholic heritage, contributing to defections to ; subsequent clerical subscriptions to formularies reflected polarized interpretations, as Evangelicals gained leverage in appointments and High Churchmen increasingly invoked episcopal vetoes or synodal appeals. This causal rift persisted in verifiable patterns of diocesan and ritual controversies through the 1850s, underscoring the Church's vulnerability to state adjudication over first-order theological questions.

High Church-Evangelical Tensions

During the episcopate of Henry Phillpotts (1830–1869), tensions between High Church discipline and evangelical nonconformity manifested in the Diocese of Exeter through the bishop's rigorous enforcement of clerical conformity, targeting evangelicals suspected of doctrinal laxity or insufficient adherence to traditional practices. Phillpotts, a staunch man with minimal sympathy for evangelical emphases on personal conversion over sacramental ritual, scrutinized and disciplined clergy who deviated from his expectations, as evidenced by visitation records and correspondence from the to that highlight his particular aversion to evangelical nonconformists. These conflicts arose from broader Anglican party divisions, where evangelicals grew wary of High Church bishops wielding patronage to favor ritual-oriented appointments, exacerbating intra-diocesan friction over liturgical and doctrinal priorities. Evangelical clergy in Exeter resisted such oversight, prioritizing scriptural literalism—rooted in the ' sola scriptura foundation—as a bulwark against perceived excesses like undue emphasis on or ceremonialism that risked veering toward Roman Catholic parallels without empirical warrant from precedents. This stance aligned evangelicals with a causal realism favoring direct over accumulated traditions, viewing high church innovations as unsubstantiated accretions that diluted core Protestant reforms. Phillpotts' approach, conversely, reflected a conservative emphasizing episcopal prerogative, which evangelicals critiqued as overreach stifling biblical fidelity. Such dynamics persisted into the early 20th century under Bishop Henry William Boyd (1916–1936), where episcopal authority clashed with dissenting evangelical elements, notably in responses to conscientious objectors. In 1917, Boyd advocated imprisoning "political" objectors—often from nonconformist or low-church backgrounds—in to expose them to German air raids as a therapeutic shock to realign their views with national duty, framing as a curable aberration rather than principled stance. This "bomb therapy" prescription underscored ongoing tensions, as bishops sought to impose conformity amid wartime pressures, contrasting with evangelical scriptural appeals to pacifist texts like the , which prioritized non-resistance over state imperatives absent explicit divine mandate. These episodes highlight how Exeter's bishops navigated intra-Anglican divides by asserting hierarchical control against evangelical individualism grounded in personal biblical interpretation.

Modern Theological Debates

In April 2018, Michael Langrish, former Bishop of Exeter (2000–2013), participated in a delegation to that met government officials shortly after Western airstrikes targeting alleged chemical weapons sites, prompting him to publicly question the evidence attributing a gas attack in Douma to the Assad regime. Langrish stated that the delegation found "no evidence" during their visit to the site and expressed skepticism toward Western intelligence claims, aligning with a broader critique of interventionist narratives that some Anglican leaders viewed as insufficiently verified amid conflicting reports from on-the-ground observers and later OPCW whistleblower concerns. This stance reflected a theological emphasis on empirical caution in just war doctrine and , contrasting with endorsements from other church figures who accepted government assessments without reservation. The Diocese of Exeter has navigated debates on and with a commitment to upholding traditional marriage doctrine while accommodating internal diversity, as evidenced by its bishops' 2023 response to General 's approval of Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples. This framework permits blessings in non-liturgical settings but explicitly reaffirms Holy Matrimony as between one man and one woman, a position the Exeter bishops described as balancing pastoral provision with doctrinal integrity amid Synod divisions. On women bishops, the diocese supported legislative changes in 2014 enabling their consecration, yet voting patterns in diocesan synods have often favored measures preserving complementary roles, contributing to slower compared to more progressive sees like or . Empirical data from Church of England statistics indicate that dioceses maintaining conservative doctrinal stances, including , exhibit relative stability in compared to those adopting progressive revisions more aggressively; for instance, overall CofE fell 28.7% from 2015 to 2024, but orthodox-leaning networks report growth or retention rates up to 1.2% in regular worshippers, correlating with resistance to changes on sexuality and authority. Analyses of denominations further substantiate that alignment with progressive ideologies on issues like same-sex rites precedes steeper declines, with conservative bodies gaining adherents through emphasis on scriptural fidelity over cultural accommodation. 's approach, prioritizing causal links between and communal cohesion, has thus mitigated membership erosion amid national trends.

List of Bishops

Pre-Conquest Bishops

The bishopric covering and was established at in 909, carved from the diocese of , with Eadwulf as its first recorded bishop. of these early prelates are fragmentary, derived primarily from surviving charters and ecclesiastical annals, such as those preserved in traditions, which document occasional grants and attestations but leave significant gaps attributable to Viking incursions and regional instability disrupting continuity. No comprehensive episcopal registers exist from this era, and attributions rely on cross-referenced diplomatic evidence rather than unbroken successions. The following table enumerates the known pre-Conquest bishops of the Crediton see, with approximate tenures based on charter attestations and later historical compilations:
BishopTenure (approximate)Notes
Eadwulf909–931First bishop; received a grant from King Æthelstan in 930 for lands at Sandford; buried at Crediton.
Æthelgar934–953Successor to Eadwulf; later translated to Ramsbury; evidence from sparse charters.
Ælfwold I953–973Attested in limited documents; period of relative stability post-Viking threats.
Sidemann973–977Short tenure; death noted in annals amid succession uncertainties.
Ælfric977–1001Longer episcopate; involved in regional church administration during renewed Danish pressures.
Lyfing1015?–1046Also held Cornwall see briefly; united dioceses under Edward the Confessor; gaps prior reflect conquest disruptions.
Leofric1046–1072Translated from Crediton to Exeter in 1050 at royal behest for defensibility; first Bishop of Exeter; pre-Conquest until 1066, with inventory of library donations evidencing cultural patronage.
Succession lapses, such as between Sidemann and Ælfric, underscore the precariousness of ecclesiastical offices amid tenth-century upheavals, with no bishops reliably attested for prior to 909 despite earlier missionary activity at sites like Bishop's Tawton. The transfer to under Leofric marked a pivotal consolidation, enhancing urban security against seaborne threats, though pre-Conquest episcopal influence remained tied to minster communities and royal grants rather than centralized governance.

Pre-Reformation Bishops

The Pre-Reformation bishops of the Diocese of Exeter held office from the late until the 1530s, with appointments generally involving by the , confirmation via royal , and papal provision or bulls, as documented in papal registers such as the Hierarchia Catholica and surviving episcopal acta starting from the mid-13th century. These bishops administered a see encompassing and , overseeing ecclesiastical governance amid feudal obligations to the crown. The following table enumerates the bishops from Osbern FitzOsbern onward, with tenures derived from contemporary records:
BishopTenureNotes on Appointment/Origin
Osbern FitzOsbern1072–1103Norman cleric; appointed by William the Conqueror.
William Warelwast1107–1137Nephew of William Rufus; papal confirmation.
Robert of Chichester1138–1155Translated from Salisbury; royal and papal assent.
Bartholomew Iscanus1161–1184Italian scholar; elected and provided by Alexander III.
John the Chanter1186–1191Local dean; chapter election confirmed by Urban III.
Henry Marshal1194–1206Brother of William Marshal; royal influence evident.
Simon de Apulia1214–1223Italian; papal provision under Innocent III.
William Briwere1224–1244English administrator; elected post-interdict.
Richard Blund1245–1257From Glastonbury; chapter election, papal bull.
Walter Bronescombe1258–1280First register extant; elected amid baronial wars.
Peter Quinel1280–1291French origin; provided by Martin IV.
Thomas de Bitton1292–1307From Bitton, Gloucestershire; elected by chapter.
Walter de Stapledon1308–1326Devon native; royal clerk, murdered in London.
John Grandisson1327–1369From Grandisson family; papal provision, long tenure.
Thomas de Brantingham1370–1394Translated from Rochester; royal service background.
Edmund Stafford1395–1419From Stafford family; elected, papal confirmation.
John Catterick1419Translated from Coventry; brief tenure before death.
Edmund Lacey1420–1455Translated from Norwich; register details pastoral acts.
George Neville1458–1476From noble Neville line; appointed amid Yorkist shifts.
Peter Courtenay1478–1492Royal cousin; translated from peninsula sees.
Richard Foxe1492–1494Resigned for Winchester; key royal counselor.
Hugh Oldham1505–1519From Lancashire; founder of Manchester Grammar.
John Veysey1519–1551Pluralist cleric; last pre-schism tenure, resigned later.

Reformation-Era Bishops

The see of Exeter experienced significant instability during the era (1533–1660), as successive monarchs imposed doctrinal shifts that led to the deprivation, exile, or replacement of bishops whose sympathies did not align with the state religion. Under Henry VIII's break with , Bishop John Veysey (in office from 1519) complied by surrendering monastic properties to but retained Catholic practices, resulting in his deprivation in September 1551 under the Protestant . Miles Coverdale, a key figure in English translation and advocate for Lutheran reforms, was consecrated in December 1551 and enforced and Protestant liturgy in the amid state-directed visitations documented in royal records. His tenure ended abruptly with Edward's death; Coverdale was deprived in 1553 under Mary I and exiled to continental Protestant communities. Veysey's brief restoration in August 1553 allowed limited Catholic revival before his in December 1554, after which James Turberville, a staunch Catholic and former Westminster dean, held the see from 1555 to 1559, reinstating traditional rites until deprived following Elizabeth I's accession and the 1559 Act of Supremacy. William Alley, a former converted to , succeeded in 1560, promoting services and anti-papal preaching as evidenced in his diocesan injunctions and state correspondence emphasizing conformity to the . Alley's in 1571 led to William Bradbridge's short episcopate (1571–1572), marked by efforts to consolidate Elizabethan reforms despite local recusant resistance noted in dispatches. John followed from 1579 to 1594, steadfastly upholding Protestant orthodoxy through synodal decrees against Catholic survivalism. Subsequent bishops under Elizabeth and the early Stuarts enjoyed longer but still precarious tenures amid factional tensions. Gervase Babington served briefly from 1595 to 1597 before translation to Worcester, while William Cotton (1598–1621) navigated Jacobean policies, ordaining clergy aligned with Calvinist leanings per episcopal registers. Valentine Carey (1621–1626) and Joseph Hall (1627–1641), the latter a defender of episcopacy against Puritan critiques in his writings, faced growing Laudian pressures; Hall's state papers reveal his resistance to Arminian innovations while maintaining royal allegiance. Ralph Brownrigg (1642–1659), appointed under Charles I, supported ceremonialism but was sequestered by in 1646 during the Civil War, dying in deprivation as Commonwealth records attest to his exile and property losses. John Gauden's appointment in 1660 bridged to the Restoration, with his royalist pamphlet (1651) evidencing prior loyalty to the amid episcopal vacancies. This era's episcopal turnover, averaging under a decade per incumbent, underscores the Crown's direct control over appointments via royal nominations confirmed by , as chronicled in historical episcopal biographies.
BishopTenureKey Alignment and Events
John Veysey1519–1551 (deprived); restored 1553–1554Catholic; surrendered assets to Henry VIII but ousted for insufficient Protestant zeal under Edward VI; brief Marian restoration.
Miles Coverdale1551–1553Protestant reformer; implemented Edwardine changes, exiled under Mary I.
James Turberville1555–1559Catholic; deprived post-Elizabethan settlement.
William Alley1560–1571Protestant; enforced Elizabethan uniformity.
William Bradbridge1571–1572Protestant; short term amid recusancy challenges.
John Woolton1579–1594Protestant; synodal anti-Catholic measures.
Gervase Babington1595–1597Protestant; translated elsewhere.
William Cotton1598–1621Jacobean moderate; Calvinist ordinations.
Valentine Carey1621–1626Conformist; brief tenure.
Joseph Hall1627–1641Episcopalian defender; resisted extremes.
Ralph Brownrigg1642–1659Royalist; sequestered in Civil War.
John Gauden1660Restoration royalist; prior anti-regicide advocacy.

Post-Reformation Bishops

The post-Reformation bishops of , commencing after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, have overseen the amid evolving ecclesiastical and societal changes in .
BishopTenure
John Gauden1660–1662
Seth Ward1662–1667
Anthony Sparrow1667–1676
Thomas Lamplugh1676–1688
Jonathan Trelawny1689–1707
Offspring Blackall1708–1716
Lancelot Blackburn1717–1724
Stephen Weston1724–1741
Nicholas Clagett1742–1746
George Lavington1747–1762
Frederick Keppel1762–1777
John Ross1778–1792
William Buller1792–1796
Henry Reginald Courtenay1797–1803
1803–1807
George Pelham1807–1820
William Carey1820–1830
Christopher Bethell1830
Henry Phillpotts1831–1869
1869–1885
Edward Henry Bickersteth1885–1900
Herbert Edward Ryle1901–1903
Archibald Robertson1903–1916
Cecil (Rupert Ernest William Gascoyne-Cecil)1916–1936
Charles Edward Curzon1936–1948
Robert Cecil Mortimer1949–1973
Eric Arthur John Mercer1973–1985
Geoffrey Hewlett Thompson1985–1999
Michael Laurence Langrish2000–2013
Robert Atwell2015–2023
Michael Robert Harrison2024–present
Notable among these is Henry Phillpotts, who held the see for 38 years, the longest tenure in the post-Reformation period. advanced to , marking a significant progression. Michael Harrison represents the most recent appointment, confirmed on 25 September 2024 and enthroned on 2 November 2024.

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