Archbishops of Canterbury

According to the Dictionary of Dates, 

"Canterbury (Kent) was the capital of Ethelbert, King of Kent, who reigned 560-616. He was converted to Christianity by Augustin in 596, upon whom he bestowed many  favours, giving him land for an abbey and cathedral, dedicated to Christ, 602. St,. Martin´s church is said to be the oldest Saxon church in Britain. (...)

The Archbishop is primate and metropolitan of all England, and the first peer in the realm, having precedency of all officers of state, and of all dukes not of the blood royal."

In earlier centuries, the accession to the throne wasn´t as secured as it is today (the last 300 years). So every contender for the English crown not only had to have the citizens of the largest towns, but also the current Archbishop of Canterbury by his side. The Archbishop, with very few exceptions, is the one who places the crown on the Queen´s or King´s head. After this act, only the Sovereign Her-/ Himself is allowed to put the heavy crown on (for example when a new parliamentary session begins with the speech of the Sovereign), which can become increasingly difficult in later years. 

The list of the Archbishops of Canterbury begins with St. Augustine (or Austin), who died on 26 May 605 after three years in "office", more than 1,400 years ago.

Many archbishops have played a significant role in English (or later British) history. If you´re interested, I can recommend the book Cantuar - The Archbishops in their Office by Edward Carpenter (several editions), which not only shows the Archbishop of the day and his pious work, but also his more or less important part in context with history. Several archbishops were murdered or beheaded, or even died on the stake. If everything went right, the Holy man crowned a Sovereign or wed a royal couple, if something went wrong, the King sentenced him to death. Nowadays, the Archbishop of Canterbury is a less endangered species, of course. While it was common in earlier centuries that he died in office (of old age or other reasons), the modern Archbishop retires and enjoys a life after.

Picture on the right: Lambeth Palace from the river (the Thames), 1697;

picture on the left above: The murder of Archbishop Thomas à Becket, 1170, in Canterbury Cathedral.

As one can imagine, finding a signature from those rude days is quite a challenge, so I concentrated my collection and this list on more recent centuries. The current one, Rowan Douglas Williams, is the 104th Archbishop.

All Archbishops, while in "office", sign with their first name (usually the first letter) and "Cantuar" or abbreviated "Cant." ("Canterbury" in Latin). Before this highest office, most had already important offices and signed accordingly as, for example, Archbishop of York ("... Ebor"), Bishop of London, or Chester. The signatures since the Victorian archbishops are fairly easy to come by, usually on free-franks, letters (desirable on "Lambeth Palace"-stationary, the residence of the archbishop in London) or photos in more recent years.

William Laud (1573-1645), Archbishop: 1633-1645). He was educated in  St. John´s college, Oxford, but made himself unpopular with the university authorities by his open antipathy to the dominant Puritanism.Nevertheless, his abilities and unselfish churchmanship soon won him friends and patrons. Laud became president of his old college (1611), Archdeacon of Huntingdon (1615), Dean of Gloucester (1616), Bishop of St. Davids (1621), Dean of the Chapel Royal and Privy Councillor (1626), Bishop of London (1628) and finally Archbishop of Canterbury (1633). After the Duke of Buckingham´s assassination (1628), he had virtually become the first Minister of the Crown, working with King Charles I towards absolutism in Church and State. He was to raise the Church of England to its rightful position as a branch of the Church Catholic. To achieve this, he drew up a list of 'Orthodox' and 'Puritan' ministers, whom he proceeded to separate by scolding, suspending and depriving. In Scotland, his measures led to the 'Biship´s war', and this to the meeting of the 'Long Parliament' which impeached him of treason in and sent him to tower in 1640. He was urged to escape but didn´t, and in 1645 the Archbishop was beheaded on Tower Hill.   

1645 - 1660 vacant seat during the Commonwealth.

William Juxon (1582-1663), Archbishop 1660-63. After studying law at Oxford, he took holy orders and served in different positions in and around Oxford, among them as vicar and rector. In 1621, he succeeded his friend William Laud (see above) as president of St. John´s college, and after several other important posts, he again followed Laud as Bisop of London, which he remained until 1649. In 1636, he was made Lord High Treasurer by King Charles I and effectively led the government (again suceeding Laud). During the civil war, he lived undisturbed at his Fulham Palace, and finally, he attended King Charles I during his trial and received his last words on the scaffold (30 Jan. 1649). At the restoration, he became Archbishop of Canterbury and took part in the new King´s coronation. Due to his short time as Archbishop, his usual signature that can be found is "Guil: London" as Bishop of London.

Gilbert Sheldon (1598-1677), Archbishop 1663-77.

William Sancroft (1617-93), Archbishop 1678-90.

John Tillotson (1630-94), Archbishop 1691-94.

Thomas Tenison (1636-1715), Archbishop 1694-1715. He was educated at Cambridge. As vicar of St. Andrew-the Great (Cambridge), he gained credit by his ministrations during the plague (1665). In 1680, he became rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (London). He ministered to the illegitimate son of King Charles II, the Duke of Momnouth, when he was executed (1685). Tenison joined the seven bishops in their celebrated declaration (when King James II wanted to turn the country back to Catholicism), which led to the 'Glorious Revolution' in Dec. 1688 (King William III and Queen Mary II followed King James). In 1689, he was made Archdeacon of London , 1691-94 Bishop of Lincoln, before he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1694. Tenison was a commissioner of the Union and one of the signers of the "Union Act" which united England and Scotland in 1707. A strong supporter of the Hanoverian succession, he was one of three officers of State to whom, on the death of Queen Anne (1st Aug. 1714), was entrusted the duty of appointing a regent until the arrival of King George I, whom he crowned on 31st Oct. 1714. 

William Wake (1657-1737), Archbishop 1716-37. He was educated at Oxford. 1682-85, he was chaplain to the English ambassador in Paris, the Viscount Preton. After the "Glorious Revolution" (1688), he became a preacher at Gray´s Inn until 1696, and at about the same time (1689-1702) was also canon of Christ Church, Oxford and rector of St. James´s (1693-1706). From 1705 on, he served as Bishop of Lincoln, until he became Archbishop of Canterbury in early 1716. As Archbishop, he negotiated for union with the French Jansenists (1717-20), later also published theological treatises. He bequeathed his library to Christ Church, Oxford, where he had studied and worked for much of his life.

John Potter (c1674-1747), Archbishop 1737-47. At the age of 14 he entered Oxford University and since 1693 he published several significant books. In 1704, he became chaplain to Archbishop Tenison, and shortly afterwards was made chaplain-in-ordinary to Queen Anne. Since 1708, he was professor and canon of Christ Church, Oxford, and from 1715 on he was Bishop of Oxford, until he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury after William Wake´s passing.

Thomas Herring (1693-1757), Archbishop 1747-57. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (1713). 1727-33, he was preacher in Lincoln´s Inn, among other functions, where he had been a friend of Philip Yorke, then solicitor general (later, as Lord Hardwicke, served as Lord Chancellor for almost 20 years). It seems that this friendship helped to advance quickly. Since 1728, he was a chaplain to King George II, then 1737-43, he was Bishop of Bangor. In 1743, Herring became Archbishop of York until he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. He repaired Lambeth and Croydon palaces and left benefactions to the sons of the clergy and Corpus Christi College.

Matthew Hutton (1693-1758), Archbishop 1757-58.

Thomas Secker (1693-1768), Archbishop 1758-68. He studied medicine in London, Paris and Leiden until receiving his MD degree in Leiden in 1721. He changed his mind, however, decided to take orders, graduated and was ordained in 1722. After several posts he became rector of St James's in 1733 and Bishop of Bristol in 1735. In 1737, he was appointed Bishop of Oxford, until he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1758. On the left his signature as Bishop of Oxford from a document, 1756.

Frederick Cornwallis (1713-1783), Archbishop 1768-83. The seventh son of Charles, 4th Baron Cornwallis, he was educated at Eton and the Christ´s College, Cambridge (until 1737). His aristocratic connections helped to ascend quickly, so among other posts he was canon at Windsor (1746), Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (1750) and Dean of St. Paul´s. (1766). As Archbishop of Canterbury since 1768, he was "noted for his hospitality at Lambeth" (DNB). His signature, I assume, during his time at Christ´s College.

John Moore (1730-1805), Archbishop: 1783-1805. He studied at Oxford and became tutor of the sons of the second Duke of Marlborough. Moore served as dean of Canterbury 1771-75, then as Bishop of Bangor, until he became Archbishop in 1783.

Charles Manners-Sutton (1755-1828), Archbishop: 1805-28. He studied in Cambridge. After several posts he served as Dean of Windsor, where he became a favourite of the royal family, until he became Archbishop of Canterbury after John Moore´s passing.

William Howley (1766-1848), Archbishop: 1828-48. He studied in Oxford, where afterwards he had several posts including professor and canon. 1813-28, he was Bishop of London, where he supported penalities against Queen Caroline (King George IV´s wife). After Howley had become Archbishop in 1828, he opposed Catholic emancipation (1829) and parliamentary reform (1831), a.o. After the coronation of Queen Victoria on 28 June 1838, he confessed that "we ought to have had a full rehearsal" - he forced the ruby ring on to her fourth finger (which was intended for her fifth) and seeked for the orb only to find that she had received it from another´s hand. He "was so confused and puzzled and knew nothing and went away" (according to a biography on the Queen).
Above right a signature from an envelope (1837) and an alternate version from a letter (1833).

John Bird Sumner (1780-1862), Archbishop: 1748-1862. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge. While serving in different functions, he published several theological works. In 1828, he was appointed Bishop of Chester, in 1848 Archbishop of Canterbury. More progressive than his predecessor, he voted for Catholic relief and for the Reform Bill.

Charles Thomas Longley (1794-1868), Archbishop: 1862-68. He studied in Oxford, later became Bishop of Ripon (1836-56), of Durham (1856-60) and Archbishop of York, until he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury following Sumner´s passing. It was during his time in office that the "Lambeth Conference" was established in 1867, a meeting of the bishops of the English Church (from all over the world) that takes place about every ten years.

Archibald Campbell Tait (1811-1882), Archbishop: 1868-82. Born in Edinburgh, he became the first Scottish Archbishop of Canterbury in 1868. Before that, he was brought up as a Presbyterian, until he entered the Church of England in 1836. After holding several posts, he was appointed Bishop of London in 1856. Tait´s son-in-law, Randall Thomas Davidson (future Archbishop) published his biography in 1891. According to several publications, "no Archbishop probably since the Reformation had so much weight in parliament or in the country generally".

Edward White Benson (1829-1896), Archbishop: 1883-96. He was educated at Cambridge. Among many posts he was the first master of Wellington College (1859-72) and Bishop of London before being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1883 a few weeks after Tait´s passing. His three sons made themselves a name in the literary world.

Frederick Temple (1821-1902), Archbishop: 1896-1902. He studied at Oxford, classics and mathematics. Worked much in the educational field by publishing studies and serving as headmaster at several schools. Temple helped in creating the docese of Truro (1876; Edward White Benson became the first Bishop in 1877). As Archbishop, he officiated at Queen Victoria´s funeral and King Edward VII´s coronation (1901/2).

Randall Thomas Davidson (1848-1930), Archbishop: 1903-28. The son-in-law of Archbishop Tait, he was educated at Oxford and became a priest in 1875. He was Dean of Windsor since 1883 and was on confidential terms with Queen Victoria. Davidson was Bishop of Rochester (1891-95) and of Winchester (1895-1903), before he followed Frederick Temple as Archbishop a few weeks after Temple´s passing. He resigned in 1928 and was created Baron Davidson of Lambeth.

Cosmo Gordon Lang (1864-1945), Archbishop: 1928-42. He was educated at Glasgow University and Oxford, became a priest in 1891. As a chaplain to Queen Victoria, he began his lifelong association with the royal family. Lang served as Bishop of Stepney (1901-09) and Archbishop of York (1909-28) before succeeding as Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1936, Lang, together with Prime Minister Baldwin, negotiated King Edward VIII´s abdication. Lang resigned in 1942 and was created Baron Lang of Lambeth.     

William Temple (1881-1944), Archbishop: 1942-44. The son of Frederick Temple, he was educated at Oxford and became a priest in 1909. After serving as Bishop of Manchester (1921-29) and Archbishop of York (1929-42), he succeeded Lang as Archbishop of Canterbury in the middle of the second world war. An outspoken advocate of social reform, he didn´t shy away of criticizing the current governments.

Geoffrey Francis Fisher (1887-1972), Archbishop: 1945-61. Educated at Oxford, he became a priest in 1913. As headmaster of Repton school (1914-32, following William Temple), Bishop of Chester (1932-39) and London (1939-45), Fisher showed great administrative skills, his dioceses functioned well. When Temple died rather unexpected in October 1944, Prime Minister Churchill appointed Fisher as Archbishop. He put a huge amount of effort in revising the Church of England´s canon law, which had been in force since 1603. He is also remembered for his visit to Pope John XXIII in 1960, the first meeting between an Archbishop of Canterbury and a Pope since the Reformation, and also for crowning the young Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the first carried live on TV. He retired in 1961 and was created Baron Fisher of Lambeth.

Arthur Michael Ramsey (1904-1988), Archbishop: 1961-74. He was born in Cambridge as son of a Cambridge academic, educated at Repton School (where Dr. Geoffrey Fisher was headmaster at the time), and Cambridge - of course. After several other posts, Ramsey became Bishop of Durham (1952-56) and Archbishop of York (1956-61), before Prime Minister Macmillan appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury, against the recommandation of his predecessor Fisher. He worked for Church unity, making a visit to Pope Paul VI in 1966. He retired in 1974 and was created Baron Ramsey of Lambeth. 

Frederick Donald Coggan (1909-2000, right), Archbishop: 1974-80. Born in London, he was educated at Cambridge. Coggan worked in the educational field before he became Bishop of Bradford (1956-61) and then Archbishop of York (1961-74). In 1978, he met the new-elected Pope John Paul II. After his time as Archbishop of Canterbury, he was created Baron Coggan of Canterbury and of Sissinghurst in 1980.

Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie (1921-2000), Archbishop: 1980-91. He was educated at Oxford and served in the Scots Guards during the second world war. In 1951, Runcie became a priest. After serving as bishop of St. Albans (1970-80), he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. His office was marked by the Pope´s visit to Canterbury, the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana (1981) and the war with Argentina (over the Falkland Islands), after which he urged reconciliation rather than triumphalism. His successor was announced in 1990, and in 1991 Runcie retired. He was created Baron Runcie of Cuddesdon.

George Leonard Carey (1935-), Archbishop: 1991-2003. Born in London to working-class parents, he left school at the age of 15 without any qualifications. After National Service spent in Egypt and Iraq, he felt called to the priesthood. After Carey graduated from the London School of Divinity, he became curate of St. Mary´s Islington (1962-66), then spent ten years teaching in theological colleges. After serving as Bishop of Bath and Wells (1987-90), Carey was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. He represented the modern and liberal aspects of the Church of England. To his own regret, there were no royal weddings during his time in office, but three funerals (Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother). After he retired in 2003, he was created Baron Carey of Clifton. 

Rowan Douglas Williams (1950-), Archbishop: 2003-. He was educated at Cambridge, where, from 1977 on (after researches at Oxford on Christianity in Russia), he spent nine years in academic work. 1986-92, Williams was professor on theology at Oxford. He became Bishop of Monmouth (1992-2000) and Archbishop of Wales (2000-02), before he was elected as Archbishop of Canterbury in July 2002, enthroned in February 2003.