metropolitan diocese of Canterbury

Home > History > Modern Europe > British and Irish History

Canterbury, metropolitan diocese of The diocese, comprising east Kent, was founded in 601 at the instigation of Pope Gregory the Great, four years after Augustine's arrival in Kent. The boundaries of the diocese itself have changed little. The number of sees in the Canterbury province, however, has varied from 12 in 735 to 29 today. Disestablishment removed the Welsh bishoprics in 1920. In the late 8th cent. the short‐lived metropolitan status of Lichfield almost eclipsed Canterbury. Pope Leo's decision to restore the primacy to Canterbury was confirmed by a synod at Clofesho in 803. Since Gregory's blueprint for two provinces of Canterbury and York left their relationship unclear, York claimed independence from Canterbury. The dispute reached a peak in 1070 when Lanfranc demanded obedience from Thomas of York, but following a council at Winchester in 1072, Canterbury's precedence was confirmed. It arose a gain in 1118 and continued until Innocent VI (1352–62) resolved the question. York was to have metropolitan authority over the north as ‘primate of England’, Canterbury to have national precedence as ‘primate of all England’. Though still retaining his diocesan seat at Canterbury, the archbishop's official residence as primate since c.1185 has been at Lambeth palace.