Bishop of Lincoln

Bishop of Lincoln. The Bishop of Lincoln is the ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury. The present diocese covers the historic county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The bishop's seat (cathedra) is located at the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral, a landmark of English Gothic architecture. The office is one of the oldest bishoprics in England, with a history stretching from the Anglo-Saxon period through the Norman Conquest to the present day.

History

The origins of the bishopric lie in the late 7th century when the Kingdom of Lindsey was evangelized, with an early episcopal see possibly at Leicester. Following the Viking invasions, the see was re-established at Dorchester-on-Thames in the Kingdom of Wessex. After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror moved many sees to more defensible urban centers. In 1072, he appointed Remigius de Fécamp to transfer the seat from Dorchester-on-Thames to the important city of Lincoln, a move confirmed by the Council of London (1075). This established the vast medieval Diocese of Lincoln, which became the largest in England, stretching from the River Thames to the Humber. The diocese was significantly reduced in size during the English Reformation and subsequent centuries, notably with the creation of the Diocese of Peterborough in 1541 and the Diocese of Oxford in 1542.

List of bishops

A continuous list of bishops begins with Remigius in 1072. Notable early medieval bishops include Robert Bloet, a prominent advisor to King Henry I, and Hugh of Lincoln, later canonized as Saint Hugh of Lincoln, who began the rebuilding of the cathedral after an earthquake. The list includes influential figures from the High Middle Ages such as Robert Grosseteste, a renowned scholar and bishop who clashed with Pope Innocent IV. During the English Reformation, bishops like John Longland witnessed the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The 17th century saw bishops such as John Williams, who served as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal under James VI and I. The succession continues through the Victorian era with bishops like Christopher Wordsworth, a noted scholar, to modern holders of the office including Robert Hardy and the current bishop, Stephen Conway.

Diocese and jurisdiction

The modern Diocese of Lincoln is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire, excluding the area historically part of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. It is subdivided into three archdeaconries: the Archdeaconry of Lincoln, the Archdeaconry of Stow and Lindsey, and the Archdeaconry of Boston. The bishop is assisted by two suffragan bishops: the Bishop of Grimsby and the Bishop of Grantham. The diocesan synod and bishop's council administer the diocese's affairs. Key institutions within its jurisdiction include Lincoln Theological College (now part of the University of Lincoln) and numerous historic churches and Grade I listed buildings.

Residences and properties

The traditional episcopal residence was the Bishop's Palace, Lincoln, located beside the cathedral, now an English Heritage property. Another significant medieval palace was at Buckden Palace in Buckden, used from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The bishop also held a residence at Nettleham Palace, now a ruin. Since the 19th century, the official residence has been the Bishop's House, Lincoln, located on Eastgate near the cathedral. The diocese also maintains administrative offices at the Old Palace, Lincoln. Historically, bishops held numerous manor houses and estates across the vast medieval diocese, including properties in Banbury and Thame.

Notable bishops

Several bishops have achieved significant historical, scholarly, or ecclesiastical prominence. Robert Grosseteste (bishop 1235–1253) was a pioneering scientist, philosopher, and reformer who influenced Roger Bacon and later scholars. Hugh of Lincoln (bishop 1186–1200) was a beloved pastoral figure and the first Carthusian saint in England. Henry Burghersh (bishop 1320–1340) served as Lord Chancellor and was a key financier for Edward III during the early stages of the Hundred Years' War. Thomas Wolsey (bishop 1514–1530) held the see *in commendam* while serving as Lord Chancellor and a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. In the modern era, Edward King (bishop 1885–1910) was a leading figure in the Oxford Movement and a revered pastoral bishop.

Category:Anglican diocesan bishops in England Category:Diocese of Lincoln Category:Bishops of Lincoln Category:History of Lincolnshire