Editing Archbishop of Canterbury

{{Short description|Senior bishop of the Church of England}}
{{Redirect|Primate of All England|the Primate of England|Archbishop of York}}
{{For|a list of archbishops|List of archbishops of Canterbury}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox diocese
| jurisdiction    =
| name            =
| archbishopric     = Canterbury
| border            = Anglican
| image             = 
| coat              = File:Arms ArchbishopOfCanterbury.svg
| coat_size         = 200px
| coat_caption      = Arms of the [[diocese of Canterbury]]: ''Azure, an [[crosier|episcopal staff]] in pale or surmounted by a [[Pall (heraldry)|pall]] proper edged and fringed of the second charged with four crosses pattée fitchée [[Sable (heraldry)|sable]]''
| incumbent         = Vacant
| incumbent_note    = since 7 January 2025
| style             = [[The Most Reverend]] and [[Right Honourable]] (otherwise [[His Grace]])
<!-- -- Locations -- -->
| province          = [[Province of Canterbury|Canterbury]]
| residence         = {{Unbulleted list|[[Lambeth Palace]]|[[Old Palace, Canterbury|Old Palace]]}}
<!-- -- Information -- -->
| established       = {{Start date|597}}
| cathedral         = [[Canterbury Cathedral]]
| first_incumbent   = [[Augustine of Canterbury]]
| diocese           = [[Diocese of Canterbury|Canterbury]]
<!-- -- Website -- -->
| website           = {{official URL}}
| latin             =
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| flag              =
| country           =
| territory         =
| metropolitan      =
| headquarters      =
| denomination      = Anglican
| parishes          =
| churches          =
| rite              =
| sui_iuris_church  =
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}}

{{AnglicanCommunion}}

The '''archbishop of Canterbury''' is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the [[Church of England]], the [[Primus inter pares|ceremonial head]] of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]] and the bishop of the [[diocese of Canterbury]]. The first archbishop was [[Augustine of Canterbury]], the "Apostle to the English", who was sent to England by Pope [[Gregory the Great]] and arrived in 597.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 November 2012 |title=Announcement of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury |url=http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2692/announcement-of-the-105th-archbishop-of-canterbury |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112052627/http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2692/announcement-of-the-105th-archbishop-of-canterbury |archive-date=12 November 2012 |access-date=14 November 2012 |work=Archbishop of Canterbury Website}}</ref> The position is currently vacant following the resignation of [[Justin Welby]], the [[List of Archbishops of Canterbury|105th]] archbishop, effective 7 January 2025.<ref name="res-order">Orders in Council, 18 December 2024, page 42. [https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-18-List-of-Business.pdf] [https://web.archive.org/web/20241222132816/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-18-List-of-Business.pdf Archived, 22 December 2024]</ref> During the vacancy the official functions of the office have been delegated primarily to the archbishop of York, [[Stephen Cottrell]], with some also undertaken by the bishop of London, [[Sarah Mullally]], and the bishop of Dover, [[Rose Hudson-Wilkin]].<ref>{{cite news|date=6 January 2025 |title=Justin Welby lays down archbishop's staff as Church of England urged to undergo 'complete reform' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/justin-welby-archbishop-canterbury-resigns-bishop-staff-b2674734.html |first=Jabel |last=Ahmed |work=The Independent |accessdate=6 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Hattie |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=Archbishop Welby spends final day at Lambeth Palace in private |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/10-january/news/uk/archbishop-welby-spends-final-day-at-lambeth-palace-in-private |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=[[Church Times]]}}</ref>

From Augustine until [[William Warham]], the archbishops of Canterbury were in [[full communion]] with the [[Catholic Church]] and usually received the [[pallium]] from the [[pope]]. During the [[English Reformation]], King [[Henry VIII]] broke communion with Rome and proclaimed himself the [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England|head of the Church of England]]. [[Thomas Cranmer]], appointed in 1533, was the first Protestant archbishop of Canterbury and would become one of the most important figures in the development of [[Anglicanism]]. 

The archbishop is appointed by the [[British monarch]] on the advice of the [[prime minister of the United Kingdom]] and formally elected by the [[college of canons]] of Canterbury Cathedral. In practice, however, candidates are chosen by the [[Crown Nominations Commission]], a Church of England body which advises the prime minister.<ref name=Bailey>{{cite news|last=Bailey|first=Pippa|date=12 November 2024 |title=The race for Lambeth Palace|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/religion/2024/11/race-lambeth-palace-archbishop-of-canterbury-justin-welby|work=The New Statesman|access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Cabinet Office]] |date=15 Nov 2024 |title=Archbishop of Canterbury appointment process |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/archbishop-of-canterbury-appointment-process |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=[[gov.uk]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Appointing a new Archbishop of Canterbury |publisher=The Church of England | url=https://www.churchofengland.org/about/governance/archbishops/canterbury-crown-nominations-commission/appointing-new-archbishop-canterbury | access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> The Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments wrote to General Synod members regarding appointment of a successor to Justin Welby in January 2025; meetings up to September 2025 were expected, to [[shortlist]] candidates.<ref>{{cite web | last=Knott | first=Stephen | title=Nominating the next Archbishop of Canterbury |publisher=Anglican Ink| date=22 January 2025 | url=https://anglican.ink/2025/01/21/nominating-the-next-archbishop-of-canterbury/}}</ref>

== Present roles and status ==

Currently the archbishop fills four main roles:<ref>[http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/104 Archbishop's Roles and Responsibilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214105116/http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/104 |date=14 February 2008 }}, Archbishop of Canterbury website. Retrieved 8 February 2008.</ref>

# bishop of the [[diocese of Canterbury]], which covers the [[East Kent|eastern]] parts of the County of [[Kent]]. Founded in 597, it is the oldest [[episcopal see|see]] in the English church.
# [[metropolitan archbishop]] of the [[province of Canterbury]], which covers the southern two-thirds of England.
# the senior [[primate (bishop)|primate]] and chief religious figure of the Church of England (the [[British sovereign]] is the [[supreme governor]] of the church). Along with their colleague the [[archbishop of York]] they chair the [[General Synod of the Church of England|General Synod]] and sits on or chairs many of the church's important boards and committees; power in the church is not highly centralised, however, so the two archbishops can often lead only through persuasion. The archbishop of Canterbury plays a central part in national ceremonies such as [[coronation of the British monarch|coronations]]; due to their high public profile, their opinions are often in demand by the news media.
# spiritual leader of the [[Anglican Communion]]. The archbishop, although without legal authority outside England, is recognised by convention as {{lang|la|[[primus inter pares]]}} ("first among equals") of all Anglican [[primate (bishop)|primates]] worldwide. Since 1867 the archbishop has convened more or less decennial meetings of worldwide Anglican bishops, the [[Lambeth Conferences]].

In the last two of these functions, they have an important [[ecumenical]] and [[Interfaith dialogue|interfaith]] role, speaking on behalf of Anglicans in England and worldwide.

The archbishop's main residence is [[Lambeth Palace]] in the [[London Borough of Lambeth]]. They also have lodgings in the Old Palace, [[Canterbury]], located beside [[Canterbury Cathedral]], where the [[Chair of St Augustine]] sits.

As holder of one of the "five great sees" (the others being [[Archbishop of York|York]], [[Bishop of London|London]], [[Bishop of Durham|Durham]] and [[Bishop of Winchester|Winchester]]), the archbishop of Canterbury is ''ex officio'' one of the [[Lords Spiritual]] of the [[House of Lords]]. They are one of the highest-ranking people in England and the highest ranking non-royal in the [[United Kingdom order of precedence|United Kingdom's order of precedence]].

Since [[Henry VIII]] broke with [[Catholic Church|Rome]], the archbishops of Canterbury have been selected by the English (British since the [[Acts of Union 1707|Act of Union]] in 1707) monarch. Since the 20th century, the appointment of archbishops of Canterbury conventionally alternates between [[Anglo-Catholics]] and [[Evangelical Anglicanism|Evangelicals]].<ref>[http://www.archbishopofyork.org/154?q=archbishops The Archbishop of Canterbury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722105024/http://www.archbishopofyork.org/154?q=archbishops |date=22 July 2011 }}, website of the Archbishop of York. Retrieved 31 March 2009.</ref>

The most recent archbishop, [[Justin Welby]] was the 105th holder of the office; he was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 4 February 2013. As archbishop he signed himself as ''+ Justin Cantuar''. On 12 November 2024, he announced his decision to resign;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sinmaz |first=Emine |date=2024-11-12 |title=Justin Welby says he will step down as archbishop of Canterbury |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/12/justin-welby-step-down-archbishop-canterbury |access-date=2024-11-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> he did so effective 7 January 2025.<ref name="res-order" />

Two  other former archbishops were living {{As of|2025|lc=y}}: [[George Carey]] (born 1935), the 103rd archbishop; and [[Rowan Williams]] (born 1950), the 104th archbishop.

=== Additional roles ===

In addition to their office, the archbishop holds a number of other positions; for example, they are joint president of the [[Council of Christians and Jews]] in the United Kingdom. Some positions they formally hold ''[[ex officio]]'' and others virtually so (the incumbent of the day, although appointed personally, is appointed because of their office). Amongst these are:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldreg/reg06.htm|title=Register of Lords' interests|access-date=15 August 2007|publisher=[[House of Lords]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807023334/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldreg/reg06.htm|archive-date=7 August 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of [[Canterbury Christ Church University]]<ref name="arch">{{cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/News/newsRelease.asp?newspk=597 |title=Archbishop installed as first Chancellor |publisher=[[Canterbury Christ Church University]] |date=12 December 2005 |access-date=7 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928021041/http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/News/newsRelease.asp?newspk=597 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref>
* [[Visitor]] for the following academic institutions:
** [[All Souls College, Oxford]]
** [[Selwyn College, Cambridge]]
** [[Merton College, Oxford]]
** [[Keble College, Oxford]]
** [[Ridley Hall, Cambridge]]
** The [[University of Kent]] (main campus located in [[Canterbury]])
** [[King's College London]]
** [[University of King's College]]
** [[Sutton Valence School]]
** [[Benenden School]]
** [[Cranbrook School, Kent|Cranbrook School]]
** [[Haileybury and Imperial Service College]]
** [[Harrow School]]
** [[King's College School, Wimbledon]]
** [[The King's School, Canterbury]]
** [[St John's School, Leatherhead]]
** [[Marlborough College]]
** [[Dauntsey's School]]
** [[Wycliffe Hall, Oxford]] (also Patron)
* Governor of [[Charterhouse School]]
* Governor of [[Wellington College, Berkshire|Wellington College]]
* Visitor, [[Dulwich Estate|The Dulwich Charities]]
* Visitor, [[Whitgift Foundation]]
* Visitor, Hospital of the Blessed [[Trinity]], Guildford<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance --> (Abbot's Fund)
* Trustee, [[Bromley & Sheppard's Colleges|Bromley College]]
* Trustee, [[Allchurches Trust]]
* President, Corporation of [[Church House, Westminster]]
* Director, [[Diocese of Canterbury|Canterbury Diocesan]] Board of Finance
* Patron, [[St Edmund's School Canterbury]]
* Patron, [[University of King's College|The University of King's College]], [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]]
* Patron, The [[Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks]]
* Patron, [[Prisoners Abroad]]
* Patron, The [[Kent Savers Credit Union]]
* Patron, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 September 2021 |title=Justin Welby becomes patron of mental health charity |url=https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/justin-welby-becomes-patron-of-mental-health-charity |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2021 |website=Premier. Christian News |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922180903/https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/justin-welby-becomes-patron-of-mental-health-charity }}</ref>

=== Ecumenical and interfaith ===

The archbishop is also a president of [[Churches Together in England]] (an [[ecumenical]] organisation).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Presidents of Churches Together in England|url=http://www.churches-together.net/Articles/61446/Churches_Together_in/About_Us/The_Presidents_of.aspx|publisher=Churches Together in England|access-date=23 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226205837/http://www.churches-together.net/Articles/61446/Churches_Together_in/About_Us/The_Presidents_of.aspx|archive-date=26 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Geoffrey Fisher]], 99th archbishop of Canterbury, was the first since 1397 to visit Rome, where he held private talks with [[Pope John XXIII]] in 1960. In 2005, Rowan Williams became the first archbishop of Canterbury to attend a papal funeral since the Reformation. He also attended the inauguration of [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. The 101st archbishop, [[Donald Coggan]], was the first to attend a papal inauguration, that of [[Pope John Paul II]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hickman|first=Baden|title=Lord Coggan of Canterbury|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/may/19/guardianobituaries.religion|access-date=23 February 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 May 2000}}</ref>

Since 2002, the archbishop has co-sponsored the [[Alexandria Middle East Peace process]] with the [[Grand Mufti of Egypt]]. In July 2008, the archbishop attended a conference of Christians, Jews and Muslims convened by the [[king of Saudi Arabia]] at which the notion of the "clash of civilizations" was rejected. Delegates agreed "on international guidelines for dialogue among the followers of religions and cultures."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/articles/2008/special-reports/080719-madrid-conference.html |title=Madrid Interfaith Dialogue Conference: Beginning of a Process|publisher=Saudi-US Relations Information Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515085122/http://www.saudi-us-relations.org/articles/2008/special-reports/080719-madrid-conference.html|archive-date=15 May 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=6 May 2014}}</ref> Delegates said that "the deepening of moral values and ethical principles, which are common denominators among such followers, would help strengthen stability and achieve prosperity for all humans."<ref>{{cite book|last=Niles|first=D. Preman|title=Resisting the threats to life: covenanting for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation|date=1989|publisher=WCC Publications|location=Geneva|isbn=9782825409640}}</ref>

== Origins ==

[[File:Angl-Canterbury-Arms.svg|thumb|right|upright|Arms of the [[episcopal see|see]] of Canterbury. Nearly 500 years after the [[English Reformation|Reformation]], the arms still depict the [[pallium]], a symbol of the authority of the Pope and metropolitan archbishops.]]

It has been suggested that the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] province of [[Roman Britain|Britannia]] had four archbishops, seated at [[Londinium]] (London), [[Eboracum]] ([[York]]), [[Lindum Colonia]] ([[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]]) and [[Corinium Dobunnorum]] ([[Cirencester]]).<ref>Wacher, J., ''The Towns of Roman Britain'', Batsford, 1974, especially pp. 84–86.</ref> However, in the 5th and 6th centuries Britannia began to be overrun by [[pagan]], [[Germanic peoples]] who came to be known collectively as the [[Anglo-Saxons]]. Of the kingdoms they created, [[Kingdom of Kent|Kent]] arguably had the closest links with European politics, trade and culture, because it was conveniently situated for communication with [[continental Europe]]. In the late 6th century, King [[Æthelberht of Kent]] married a Christian [[Franks|Frankish]] princess named [[Bertha of Kent|Bertha]], possibly before becoming king, and certainly a number of years before the arrival of the first Christian mission to England.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02519a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Bertha<!-- Bot generated title -->].</ref> He permitted the preaching of Christianity.<ref>[[Bede]], ''[[Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum|Ecclesiastical History]]'', i, 25.</ref>

The first archbishop of Canterbury was Saint [[Augustine of Canterbury]] (not to be confused with Saint [[Augustine of Hippo]]), who arrived in Kent in 597 AD, having been sent by [[Pope Gregory I]] on a mission to the English. He was accepted by [[Æthelberht of Kent|King Æthelbert]], on his conversion to Christianity, about the year 598. It seems that Pope Gregory, ignorant of recent developments in the former Roman province, including the spread of the [[Pelagian heresy]], had intended the new archiepiscopal sees for England to be established in London and York.<ref>Bede, ''Ecclesiastical History'', i, 29.</ref> In the event, Canterbury was chosen instead of London, owing to political circumstances.<ref>Brooks, N., ''The Early History of the Church of Canterbury'', Leicester University Press, 1984, pp. 3–14.</ref> Since then the archbishops of Canterbury have been referred to as occupying the [[Chair of St. Augustine]].

A gospel book believed to be directly associated with St Augustine's mission survives in the [[Parker Library, Corpus Christi College]], University of Cambridge<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance -->, England. Catalogued as Cambridge ''Manuscript 286'', it has been positively dated to 6th-century Italy and this bound book, the [[St Augustine Gospels]], is still used during the swearing-in ceremony of new archbishops of Canterbury.

Before the break with papal authority in the 16th century, the Church of England was an integral part of the [[Western Christianity|Western European church]]. Since the break the Church of England, an [[Christian state|established national church]], still considers itself part of the broader Western Catholic tradition (although this is not accepted by the Roman Catholic Church which regards Anglicanism as schismatic<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5JBSw4m9azYC&q=+Roman+Catholic+Church++Anglicanism++schismatic&pg=PP1|title=Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church: Reflections on Recent Developments|last=Cavanaugh|first=Stephen E.|date= 2011|publisher=Ignatius Press|isbn=978-1-58617-499-6|language=en}}</ref> and does not accept Anglican holy orders as valid) as well as being the "mother church" of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The ''Report of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales'' (1835) noted the net annual revenue for the Canterbury see was £19,182.<ref>''The National Enclopaedia of Useful Knowledge'', Vol.III, Charles Knight, London, 1847, p. 362</ref>

== Province and Diocese of Canterbury ==

[[File:CanterburyCathedral.png|thumb|View of [[Canterbury Cathedral]] from the north west {{circa|1890–1900}}]]

The archbishop of Canterbury exercises metropolitical (or supervisory) jurisdiction over the [[Province of Canterbury]], which encompasses thirty of the forty-two dioceses of the Church of England, with the rest falling within the [[Province of York]]. The four Welsh dioceses were also under the province of Canterbury until 1920 when they were transferred from the [[established church]] of England to the [[Disestablishment of the Church in Wales|disestablished Church in Wales]].

The archbishop of Canterbury has a ceremonial provincial ''curia'', or court, consisting of some of the senior bishops of their [[Province of Canterbury|province]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/events/EnthronementofRW2003.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202170108/http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/events/EnthronementofRW2003.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Order of Service from the Enthronement of the 104th Archbishop in 2003|archive-date=2 February 2007}}</ref> The [[bishop of London]]&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;the most senior cleric of the church with the exception of the two archbishops&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;serves as Canterbury's provincial [[Dean (Church)|dean]], the [[bishop of Winchester]] as [[Chancellor (ecclesiastical)|chancellor]], the [[bishop of Lincoln]] as vice-chancellor, the [[bishop of Salisbury]] as [[precentor]], the [[bishop of Worcester]] as chaplain and the [[bishop of Rochester]] as [[cross-bearer]].

Along with [[Primacy of Canterbury|primacy over the archbishop of York]], the archbishop of Canterbury also has a precedence of honour over the other bishops of the Anglican Communion. They are recognised as ''primus inter pares'', or first amongst equals. They do not, however, exercise any direct authority in the provinces outside England, except in certain minor roles dictated by Canon in those provinces (for example, they are the judge in the event of an ecclesiastical prosecution against the archbishop of Wales). They do hold [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitical]] authority over several [[extra-provincial Anglican churches]], and they serve as ''ex officio'' [[bishop of the Falkland Islands]].

{{As of|2024}} the archbishop has four [[suffragan]] bishops:
* The [[bishop of Dover]] is given the additional title of "bishop in Canterbury" and empowered to act almost as if the bishop of Dover were the [[diocesan bishop]] of the [[Diocese of Canterbury]], since the archbishop is so frequently away fulfilling national and international duties.
* Two further suffragans, the [[bishop of Ebbsfleet]] and the [[bishop of Richborough]], are [[provincial episcopal visitor]]s for the whole [[Province of Canterbury]], licensed by the archbishop as "flying bishops" to provide oversight throughout the province to parishes which for conscience' sake cannot accept that women can be ordained in the Sacrament of Ordination in the Church of England.
* The [[bishop of Maidstone]] provides alternative episcopal oversight for the province of Canterbury for particular members who take a conservative evangelical view of male headship. On 23 September 2015, [[Rod Thomas (bishop)|Rod Thomas]] was consecrated bishop of Maidstone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5545/suffragan-bishop-of-maidstone-announced|title = Articles}}</ref> Previously the bishop of Maidstone was an actual suffragan bishop working in the diocese, until it was decided at the diocesan synod of November 2010 that a new bishop would not be appointed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canterburydiocese.org/diocesansynodnews/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615003605/http://www.canterburydiocese.org/diocesansynodnews/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=Canterbury Diocese – Synod News|archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

== Styles and privileges ==

{{Hatnote|"Primate of All England" redirects here.}}

The archbishops of Canterbury and  York are both styled as "The Most Reverend"; retired archbishops are styled as "The Right Reverend". The archbishop is, by convention, appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] and may, therefore, also use the style of "[[The Right Honourable]]" for life, unless later removed from the council. In formal documents, the archbishop of Canterbury is referred to as "The Most Reverend <!-- Father in God, is now omitted -->[[Forenames]], by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan". In debates in the House of Lords, the archbishop is referred to as "The Most Reverend Primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury". "The Right Honourable" is not used in either instance. They may also be formally addressed as "Your Grace" or, more informally, as "Archbishop".

The surname of the archbishop of Canterbury is not always used in formal documents; often only the first name and see are mentioned. The archbishop is legally entitled to sign their name as "Cantuar" (the [[Latin]] for Canterbury). The right to use a title as a legal signature is only permitted to bishops, [[peers of the Realm]] and peers by courtesy.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Justin Welby as archbishop of Canterbury usually signed as "''+Justin Cantuar:''".

In the [[Order of precedence in England and Wales|English and Welsh order of precedence]], the archbishop of Canterbury is ranked above all individuals in the realm, with the exception of the sovereign and members of the [[British Royal Family|royal family]].<ref>''[[Whitaker's Almanack]]'', 2008, p. 43 – Precedence, England and Wales</ref> Immediately below them is the [[lord chancellor]] and then the archbishop of York.

The archbishop of Canterbury awards academic degrees, commonly called "[[Lambeth degree]]s".

== Residences ==

[[File:Lambeth Palace London 240404.jpg|thumbnail|right|upright=1.4|The Archbishop of Canterbury's official London residence and office is [[Lambeth Palace]], photographed looking east across the [[River Thames]]]]

The archbishop of Canterbury's official residence and office in London is [[Lambeth Palace]]. They also have an apartment within the [[Old Palace, Canterbury|Old Palace]], next to [[Canterbury Cathedral]] which incorporates some 13th-century fabric of the medieval Archbishop's Palace.

Former seats of the archbishops include:

* [[Croydon Palace]]: the summer residence of the archbishops from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
* [[Addington Palace]]: purchased as a replacement for Croydon Palace in 1807; sold in 1897.
* [[Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone]]: constructed in the 1390s, the palace was seized by the Crown at the time of the Reformation.
* [[Otford Palace]]: a medieval palace, rebuilt by Archbishop Warham {{circa|1515}} and forfeited to the Crown by Thomas Cranmer in 1537.
* [[Archbishop's Palace, Charing]]: a palace existed from at least the 13th century; seized by the Crown after the Dissolution. Remnants survive as a farmhouse.
* [[Knole House]]: built by Archbishop Bourchier in the second half of the 15th century, it was forfeited to the Crown by Archbishop Cranmer in 1538.

== List of recent archbishops ==

{{main|List of archbishops of Canterbury}}
{{see also|Assistant Bishop of Canterbury}}

Since 1900, the following have served as archbishop of Canterbury:<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Ben|title=Archbishops of Canturbury|url=https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Archbishops-of-Canterbury/|access-date=31 January 2020|website=Historic UK}}</ref>

* 1896–1902: [[Frederick Temple]]
* 1903–1928: [[Randall Davidson]]
* 1928–1942: [[Cosmo Gordon Lang]]
* 1942–1944: [[William Temple (bishop)|William Temple]]
* 1945–1961: [[Geoffrey Fisher]]
* 1961–1974: [[Michael Ramsey]]
* 1974–1980: [[Donald Coggan]]
* 1980–1991: [[Robert Runcie]]
* 1991–2002: [[George Carey]]
* 2002–2012: [[Rowan Williams]]
* 2013–2025: [[Justin Welby]]

== Archbishops who became peers ==

From 1660 to 1902, all the archbishops of Canterbury died in office. In 1928, two years before his death, Randall Davidson became the first <!-- at least since 1640, probably ever --> to voluntarily resign his office. All his successors except William Temple (who died in office in 1944) have also resigned their office before death.

All those who retired have been given [[peerage]]s: initially hereditary baronies (although both recipients of such titles died without male heirs and so their titles became extinct on their deaths), and [[life peerage]]s after the enactment of the [[Life Peerages Act 1958]]. Such titles have allowed retired archbishops to retain the seats in the [[House of Lords]] which they held ''ex officio'' before their retirement.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Archbishop !! Title !! Notes
|-
| [[Randall Davidson]]
| [[Baron Davidson of Lambeth]] in 1928
| Extinct in 1930
|-
| [[Cosmo Gordon Lang]]
| [[Baron Lang of Lambeth]] in 1942
| Extinct in 1945
|-
| [[Geoffrey Fisher]]
| [[Baron Fisher of Lambeth]] for life in 1961
| Extinct in 1972
|-
| [[Michael Ramsey]]
| [[Baron Ramsey of Canterbury]] for life in 1974
| Extinct in 1988
|-
| [[Donald Coggan]]
| [[Baron Coggan]] for life in 1980
| Extinct in 2000
|-
| [[Robert Runcie]]
| [[Baron Runcie]] for life in 1991
| Extinct in 2000
|-
| [[George Carey]]
| [[Baron Carey of Clifton]] for life in 2002
| Extant
|-
| [[Rowan Williams]]
| [[Baron Williams of Oystermouth]] for life in 2013
| Extant (retired from the House in 2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2020-09-02/debates/44EDE44D-7BFD-4FE3-B916-5ABE37EEB123/RetirementsOfMembers|title=Retirements of Members – Hansard – UK Parliament}}</ref>)
|-
|}

== See also ==

* [[Accord of Winchester]]
* [[Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople]]
* [[Religion in the United Kingdom]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=uOsAAAAAMAAJ The Archbishopric of Canterbury, from Its Foundation to the Norman Conquest]'', by John William Lamb, published 1971, Faith Press, from [[Google Book Search]]

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