The Archdeacon of Sarum is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Salisbury, England. He or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy[1] within the five area deaneries of the Sarum archdeaconry, which cover the geographical areas of Alderbury, Chalke (west of Salisbury), Salisbury, Heytesbury and Stonehenge (north of Salisbury).[2]
The post is currently held by the Ven Alan Jeans.[3]
The first recorded archdeacons in Salisbury diocese occur soon after the Norman Conquest (as they do across England) and there were apparently four archdeacons from the outset. However, no territorial titles are recorded until after c. 1139. The archdeacons at that time were (in order of seniority) the Archdeacons of Dorset, Berkshire, Sarum and Wiltshire.
The position was redefined in 1843, having been previously generally known as the Archdeaconry of Salisbury; the role is now generally called Archdeacon of Sarum, but both names have been used commonly throughout history.
Many changes were made to the allocation of parishes to deaneries in 1951.[4] The parishes of Charlton, Wilsford and North Newnton were transferred from Sarum to the archdeaconry of Wilts in 1955.[5]
High Medieval[edit]
Late Medieval[edit]
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Early modern[edit]
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