Dean and Canons of Windsor

Ecclesiastical body of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle

St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, left, 1848.
The stalls for the Dean and Canons in the chapel
Rubbing of monumental brass in Eton College Chapel, of Roger Lupton (d.1540) with his coat-of-arms below. Lupton's hair displays the tonsure of a cleric. He wears the mantle of a Canon of Windsor (based in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle), displaying on his left shoulder a Cross of St George within a circle

The Dean and Canons of Windsor are the ecclesiastical body of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.[1]

Foundation

The college of canons was established in 1348 by letters patent of King Edward III. It was formally constituted on the feast of St Andrew the Apostle, 30 November 1352, when the statutes drawn up by William Edington, bishop of Winchester, as papal delegate, were solemnly delivered to William Mugge, the warden of the college.[2]

Accepting that the process of foundation took several years to complete, the college takes the year 1348 as its formal date of foundation.

Costume

Three ancient monumental brasses survive depicting canons of Windsor, wearing the mantle of the Order of the Garter, purple in colour, with a circular badge on the left shoulder, displaying: Argent, a cross gules (a Saint George's Cross):[3]

  1. c. 1370. Roger Parkers, North Stoke, Oxfordshire (half effigy with inscription; head lost).
  2. 1540. Roger Lupton, LL.D., Provost of Eton College and Canon of Windsor. Eton College Chapel (mantle worn over fur-lined cassock; no surplice).
  3. 1558. Arthur Cole, S.T.B., President of Magdalen, at Magdalen College, Oxford. Showing a very ornate mantle worn over cassock and surplice.

The long cords which fasten the mantle are well represented at North Stoke and Magdalen College. In the two later examples it is gathered. On the Eton brass the mantle is fastened at the neck. The lost effigy of John Robyns, d. 1558, of which the inscription remains in St George's Chapel, may have shown him wearing the mantle.[4] Brasses of canons of Windsor are found showing them vested in copes, without the Garter badge, as at Thurcaston, Leicestershire. (John Mershdcn, 1425), and at Harrow (Simon Marcheford, 1442). A brass was discovered in 1890 at Bennington, near Stevenage, Hertfordshire, showing a small mutilated effigy of a priest in a cope with a round badge (possibly a rose) on the left shoulder. The cope has an orphrey. This has been supposed to represent a Canon of Windsor.[5]

Suspension of canonries

Section 9 of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840 provided for the suspension of eight of the canonries at St George's. It required that the first two vacant canonries should be suspended, the next filled, the next two suspended, the next filled, the next two suspended, the next filled, and the next two suspended.[6]

Current chapter

As of 2 September 2023:[7]

  • Dean of WindsorChristopher Cocksworth (from November 2023)[8]
  • Vice-Dean, and Warden of St George's House — Hueston Finlay (canon since 25 September 2004 and warden since September 2005;[9] steward 2006–2009;[10] treasurer since 2012;[11] Vice-Dean since before July 2017)[12]
  • Canon Precentor and Chaplain — Martin Poll (canon and chaplain since 1 October 2012 installation;[13] precentor since before July 2017)[14]
  • Canon Steward and Treasurer — Mark Powell (since 1 February 2016 installation)[15]
Minor Canons
  • Succentor and School Chaplain — Jonathan Coore

Deans of Windsor

See Dean of Windsor for chronological list.

Canons of the First Stall

  • 1. Hugh Whytchirche 1352–1375
  • 2. John Landyran 1376
  • 3. Richard de Bokelly, alias Flandreyn 1376–1377
  • 4. William Dole 1377–1403
  • 5. William Lane 1403–1404
  • 6. Walter Mabeley 1404–1407
  • 7. Robert Wolveden 1407–1412
  • 8. Thomas Hanley 1412–1413
  • 9. John Meresden, Mersdon or Mershden 1413–1425
  • 10. Roger Gates 1425–1430
  • 11. John Pye 1430–1439
  • 12. William Brewster 1439–1465
  • 13. Thomas Downe 1465–1479
  • 14. John Arundel 1479–1496
  • 15. Thomas Jane 1496–1500
  • 16. William Cokkes 1500–1512
  • 17. Robert Birkenshaw or Bekensall 1512–1525
  • 18. Miles Welles or Wyllen 1526–1535
  • 19. Simon Symonds 1535–1551
  • 20. Richard Turner 1551–1553
  • 21. William Este 1554–1557
  • 22. William Pye 1557
  • 23. John Bowles or Bockle 1557–1558
  • 24. Edward Morecroft 1560–1580
  • 25. John King 1580–1607
  • 26. Mordecai (Murdoch) Alden 1607–1615
  • 27. John King 1615–1638
  • 28. Samuel Baker 1638–1639
  • 29. Thomas Browne 1639–1673
  • 30. Robert Young 1673–1716
  • 31. William Derham 1716–1735
  • 32. George Stephens 1735–1751
  • 33. Balthasar Regis 1751–1757
  • 34. John Bostock 1757–1786
  • 35. John Fisher 1786–1803
  • 36. William Beaumont Busby 1803–1808
  • 37. Hon. Henry Ryder 1808–1812
  • 38. Hon. Henry Cockayne Cust 1813–1861

Canonry of the First Stall suspended 1861 by Act of 1840.

Canons of the Second Stall

Canonry of the Second Stall then suspended by Act of 1840.

Canons of the Third Stall

Canonry of the Third Stall suspended by Act of 1840.

Canons of the Fourth Stall

Canonry suspended by Act of 1840.

Canons of the Fifth Stall

  • 1. Reginald Lodington 1351–1365
  • 2. Stephen de Estnore 1365–1368
  • 3. John Saxton 1368–1382
  • 4. Nicholas Slake 1382–1394
  • 5. William Spigurnell 1394–1425
  • 6. John Snell 1425–1431
  • 7. Thomas Damet or Dannet 1431–1436
  • 8. Richard Wyot 1436–1449
  • 9. John Arundel 1449–1459
  • 10. Richard Bowyer 1459–1471
  • 11. John Vaughan 1471–1499
  • 12. Richard Payne 1499–1507
  • 13. William Atkinson 1507–1509
  • 14. John Chambre (Chamber) 1509–1549
  • 15. Ottuell (Ottiwell) Hollinshed 1550–1554
  • 16. John Browne 1554–1572
  • 17. Robert Johnson 1572–1625
  • 18. John King 1625–1638
  • 19. William Brough 1638–1671
  • 20. Peter Scot (Scott) 1671–1689
  • 21. John Hern 1690–1707
  • 22. Thomas Goddard 1707–1731
  • 23. William George 1731–1748
  • 24. Theophilus Lowe 1748–1769
  • 25. Thomas Dampier 1769–1774
  • 26. John James Majendie 1774–1783
  • 27. Hon. George Hamilton 1783–1787
  • 28. William Langford 1787–1814
  • 29. Charles Proby 1814–1859
  • 30. Hon. Charles Leslie Courtenay 1859–1894
  • 31. Richard Gee 1894–1902
  • 32. Clement Smith 1902–1921[16]
  • 33. Vacancy 1921–1974
  • 34. Anthony Oakley Dyson 1974–1977
  • 35. Vacancy 1977–1981
  • 36. John David Treadgold 1981 – 1989
  • 37. Michael Anthony Moxon 1990 – 1998
  • 38. Barry Thompson 1998–2004
  • 39. Hueston Edward Finlay 2004 –

Canons of the Sixth Stall

Canons of the Seventh Stall

  • 1. Robert Burnham (Bernham) 1351–1362
  • 2. Hugh de Briddeham 1363–1372
  • 3. Richard Raundes (Randes) 1372–1400
  • 4. Richard Kingston (Kyngeston) 1400–1402
  • 5. Henry Spicer (Spisour) 1402–1437
  • 6. John Kette 1437–1452
  • 7. John Hore 1452–1474
  • 8. Edmund Audley 1474–1480
  • 9. Oliver Dynham (Denham) 1480–1500
  • 10. Roger Lupton 1500–1540
  • 11. John London 1540–1543
  • 12. Francis Mallett 1543–1570
  • 13. Roger Browne 1571–1601
  • 14. John Chamber 1601–1604
  • 15. Richard Field 1604–1616
  • 16. Edmund Wilson 1616–1617
  • 17. Godfrey Goodman 1617–1656
  • Interregnum 1656–1660
  • 18. George Hall 1660–1662
  • 19. Henry Carpenter 1662
  • 20. Peter Mews 1662–1673
  • 21. Thomas Doughty 1673–1701
  • 22. George Verney, 12th Baron Willoughby de Broke, 1701–1714
  • 23. John Pelling 1715–1750[19][20]
  • 24. John Fulham 1750–1777
  • 25. Anthony Shepherd 1777–1796
  • 26. Thomas Powys 1796–1797
  • 27. Edward Northey 1797–1828
  • 28. William Canning 1828–1860

Canonry suspended in 1860 by Act of 1840.

Canons of the Eighth Stall

Canonry of the Eighth Stall suspended by the Act of 1840.

Canons of the Ninth Stall

current

Canons of the Tenth Stall

  • 1. Robert Shutlingdon 1352–1353
  • 2. John de Newbery 1353–1355
  • 3. Henry Warner, alias Blunt 1355–1368
  • 4. John Aleyn 1368–1373
  • 5. Richard Postell 1373–1400
  • 6. Robert Gough (Gowe) 1400–1432
  • 7. William Brewster 1432–1437
  • 8. Robert Thurgarton 1437–1438
  • 9. John Howden 1438–1449
  • 10. Thomas Passhe 1449–1489
  • 11. William Creton (Cretyng) 1489–1519
  • 12. Richard Sydnor 1519–1534
  • 13. Robert Aldrich (Aldridge) 1534–1537
  • 14. Henry Williams 1537–1554
  • 15. Thomas Slythurst 1554–1559
  • 16. Henry Ryley 1560–1586
  • 17. William Harrison 1586–1593
  • 18. Thomas White 1593–1624
  • 19. Nathaniel Giles 1624–1644
  • Interregnum 1644–1660
  • 20. George Evans 1660–1702
  • 21. William Fleetwood 1702–1708
  • 22. John Adams 1708–1720
  • 23. William Wade 1720–1733
  • 24. Edmund Marten (Martin) 1733–1751
  • 25. Erasmus Saunders 1751–1756
  • 26. James Yorke 1756–1762
  • 27. Robert Hort 1762–1773
  • 28. William Buller 1773–1784
  • 29. Edward Wilson 1784–1804
  • 30. William Long 1804–1835

Canonry of the Tenth Stall suspended by the Act of 1840.

Canons of the Eleventh Stall

Canons of the Twelfth Stall

  • 1. Walter Nothurst 1353–1360
  • 2. John Loryng (Lorenges, Lothereyn) 1360–1387
  • 3. Thomas Butiller (Boteler) 1387–1389 (appointed Dean 1389)
  • 4. John Boor 1389–1402
  • 5. Thomas More 1402–1422
  • 6. Thomas Duryche 1422–1435
  • 7. Thomas Lisieux (Lyseux or Lysures) 1435–1442
  • 8. John Drury (Drewery, alias Salisbury) 1442–1446
  • 9. John Bury 1446–1472
  • 10. William Towres (Towrys, Tours) 1472–1485
  • 11. Thomas Hutton 1485–1487
  • 12. John Baily (Baylie) 1488–1495
  • 13. Edward Willoughby 1495–1508
  • 14. John Oxenbridge 1509–1522
  • 15. Gamaliel Clifton 1522–1541
  • 16. Anthony Barker 1541–1551
  • 17. Nicholas Udall 1551–1554
  • 18. William Ermested 1554–1558
  • 19. George Mason 1560–1562
  • 20. William Harward 1562–1589
  • 21. Robert (Richard) Chaloner 1589–1621
  • 22. Thomas Oates 1621–1623
  • 23. John Elly (Ellis) 1623–1639
  • 24. George Gillingham 1639–1668
  • 25. John Butler 1669–1682
  • 26. John Barrow 1682–1684
  • 27. John Fitzwilliams 1685–1691
  • 28. John Hartcliffe 1691–1712
  • 29. Francis Brown 1713–1724
  • 30. James Barclay 1724–1750
  • 31. John Sumner 1751–1772
  • 32. John Foster 1772–1773
  • 33. Roger Mostyn 1774–1775
  • 34. Montague North 1775–1779
  • 35. William Arnald 1779–1802
  • 36. Hon. Edward Legge 1802–1805
  • 37. Hon. Jacob Marsham 1805–1840

Twelfth Stall suspended under the Act of 1840.

References

  1. ^ "Dean & Canons of Windsor". St George's House Windsor Castle. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  2. ^ Ollard, Sidney Leslie (1950). Fasti Wyndesoriensis. The Deans and Canons of St. George's Chapel. Historical monographs relating to St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Vol. 8.
  3. ^ Druitt, Herbert (1906). A manual of costume as illustrated by monumental brasses. Alex. Moring.
  4. ^ Field, J. E. (May 1887). "Brasses of Canons of Windsor". The Antiquary. XV: 212–214.
  5. ^ Transactions of the Cambridge University Association of Brass Collectors. Vol. II. London: Headley Bros. 1894. p. 24.
  6. ^ Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840 (c. 113), section 9.
  7. ^ "Dean & Canons". stgeorges-windsor.org. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Christopher Cocksworth to be appointed the Dean of Windsor". Diocese of Coventry. 20 June 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Dean and Canons". Archived from the original on 14 October 2004. Retrieved 20 July 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ^ "Dean and Canons". Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ^ "The Dean & Canons of Windsor". Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. ^ "Services and Music from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 July 2017" (PDF). 2 July 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  13. ^ "New Canon of Windsor Installed". n.d. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  14. ^ "Summer 2017 Services and Music Booklet" (PDF). 17 July 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  15. ^ a b "New Canon of Windsor". 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016.
  16. ^ "No. 27420". The London Gazette. 28 March 1902. p. 2153.
  17. ^ "Canon Alan Coldwells – Obituaries". The Independent. London. Retrieved 13 March 2011.[dead link]
  18. ^ "New Canon of Windsor". College of St George – Windsor Castle. 23 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  19. ^ "The Reverend John Pelling, D.D". Victoria & Albert Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  20. ^ Portraits of John Pelling at the National Portrait Gallery, London
  21. ^ Slee, Colin (23 November 2009). "Stephen Verney obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  22. ^ Stanesby, Derek (25 September 1996). "Obituary: Canon G. B. Bentley". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  23. ^ "The Rev Canon John White, CVO's Biography". Debretts.com. 27 June 1942. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2011.