Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Kent, Rochester Cathedral [Map]

Rochester Cathedral is in Rochester, Kent [Map].

616 Death of Æthelberht King of Kent

633 Battle of Hatfield Chase

673 Synod of Hertford

1554 Consecration of new Bishops

1672 Battle of Solebay

Rochester Cathedral [Map]. List of Priors and Deans.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 604. This year Augustine (age 64) consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and Justus. Mellitus he sent to preach baptism to the East-Saxons. Their king was called Seabert, the son of Ricola, Ethelbert's (age 54) sister, whom Ethelbert placed there as king. Ethelbert also gave Mellitus the bishopric of London; and to Justus he gave the bishopric of Rochester, which is twenty-four miles from Canterbury, Kent [Map].

In 604 Archbishop Justus was was appointed the first Bishop of Rochester.

Death of Æthelberht King of Kent

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 616. This year died Ethelbert (age 66), king of Kent, the first of English kings that received baptism: he was the son of Ermenric. He reigned fifty-six winters, and was succeeded by his son Eadbald. And in this same year had elapsed from the beginning of the world five thousand six hundred and eighteen winters. This Eadbald renounced his baptism, and lived in a heathen manner; so that he took to wife the relict of his father. Then Laurentius, who was archbishop in Kent, meant to depart southward over sea, and abandon everything. But there came to him in the night the apostle Peter, and severely chastised him19, because he would so desert the flock of God. And he charged him to go to the king, and teach him the right belief. And he did so; and the king returned to the right belief. In this king's days the same Laurentius, who was archbishop in Kent after Augustine, departed this life on the second of February, and was buried near Augustine. The holy Augustine in his lifetime invested him bishop, to the end that the church of Christ, which yet was new in England, should at no time after his decease be without an archbishop. After him Mellitus, who was first Bishop of London, succeeded to the archbishopric. The people of London, where Mellitus was before, were then heathens: and within five winters of this time, during the reign of Eadbald, Mellitus died. To him succeeded Justus, who was Bishop of Rochester, whereto he consecrated Romanus bishop.

Note 19. Literally, "swinged, or scourged him." Both Bede and Alfred begin by recording the matter as a vision, or a dream; whence the transition is easy to a matter of fact, as here stated by the Norman interpolators of the "Saxon Annals".

Around 624 Bishop Romanus was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

Battle of Hatfield Chase

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 633. This year King Edwin (age 47) was slain by Cadwalla and Penda, on Hatfield moor, on the fourteenth of October [Note. Some sources say 12 Oct 633]. He reigned seventeen years. His son Osfrid was also slain with him. After this Cadwalla and Penda went and ravaged all the land of the Northumbrians; which when Paulinus saw, he took Ethelburga (age 28), the relict of Edwin, and went by ship to Kent. Eadbald and Honorius received him very honourably, and gave him the bishopric of Rochester, where he continued to his death.

In 655 Bishop Ithamar was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

Around 669 Bishop Putta was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

673 Synod of Hertford

Bede. 673. "In the name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who reigns for ever and for ever, and governs his church, it was thought meet that we should assemble, according to the custom of the venerable canons, to treat about the necessary affairs of the church. We met on the 24th day of September, the first indiction, at a place called Hertford, Hertfordshire [Map], myself, Theodore (age 71), the unworthy bishop of the see of Canterbury, appointed by the Apostolic See, our fellow-priest and most reverend brother, Bisi, bishop of the East Angles; also by his proxies, our brother and fellow-priest, Wilfrid, bishop of the nation of the Northumbrians, as also our brothers and fellow priests, Putta, bishop of the Kentish castle, called Rochester; Eleutherius, bishop of the West Saxons, and Winfrid, bishop of the province of the Mercians. When we were all met together, and were sat down in order, I said, ' I beseech you, most dear brothers, for the love and fear of our Redeemer, that we may all treat in common for our faith; to the end that whatsoever has been decreed and defined by the holy and revered fathers, may be inviolably observed by all.' This and much more I spoke tending to the preservation of the charity and unity of the church; and when I had ended my discourse, I asked every one of them in order, whether they consented to observe the things that had been formerly canonically decreed by the fathers ? To which all our fellow-priests answered, ' It so pleases us, and we will all most willingly observe with a cheerful mind whatever is laid down in the canons of the holy fathers.' I then produced the said book of canons, and publicly showed them ten chapters in the same, which I had marked in several places, because I knew them to be of the most importance to us, and entreated that they might be most particularly received by them all.

In 676 Bishop Cwichhelm was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Bede. 676. In the year of our Lord's incarnation 676, when Ethelred, king of the Mercians, ravaged Kent with a powerful army, and profaned churches and monasteries, without regard to religion, or the fear of God, he among the rest destroyed the city of Rochester, Kent [Map]; Putta, who was bishop, was absent at that time, but when he understood that his church was ravaged, and all things taken away, he went to Sexwulf, bishop of the Mercians, and having received of him a certain church, and a small spot of land, ended his days there in peace; in no way endeavouring to restore his bishopric, because (as has been said above) he was more industrious in spiritual than in worldly affairs; serving God only in that church, and going wherever he was desired, to teach church music. Theodore (age 74) consecrated Cuichelm bishop of Rochester in his stead; but he, not long after, departing from his bishopric for want of necessaries, and withdrawing to other parts, Gebmund was substituted in his place.

In 676 Bishop Putta was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

Around 678 Bishop Gedmund was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

In 678 Bishop Gedmund of Rochester was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

In 678 Bishop Cwichhelm resigned the see of Rochester.

In 693 Bishop Tobias was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 727. This year died Tobias, Bishop of Rochester: and Archbishop Bertwald consecrated Aldulf bishop in his stead.

In 727 Bishop Aldwulf of Rochester was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

In 740 Bishop Dunn was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 801. Her wæs gehadod Beornmod bisc to Hrofes ceastre2.

Note 801. [Collation]. This year Beornmod was ordained Bishop of Rochester.

Note 2. D. places this entry in this form under the year 801; but repeats it in the form in which it occurs in E. under the year 802.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 802 Her aðeostrade se mona on dagunge on xiii kt Iañr. ⁊ Beornmod wæs gehalgod to b to Rofeceastre þy ilcan geare.

Note 802. This year was the moon eclipsed, at dawn, on the thirteenth day before the calends of January; and Bernmod was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Between 868 and 880 Bishop Swithulf was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 986. This year the king (age 20) invaded the bishopric of Rochester [Map]; and this year came first the great murrain of cattle in England.

In 1058 Bishop Siward was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 09 Aug 1108 Archibishop Ralph d'Escures was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Florence of Worcester. 1125. Simon, the bishop-elect of Worcester, went to Canterbury in company with Godfrey, bishop of Bath, and, having been ordained priest by the archbishop on Saturday in Whitsunweek [23rd May]1, was on the following day consecrated with great pomp bishop of the holy mother church of Worcester. John, archdeacon of Canterbury, receiving consecration as bishop of Rochester at the same time. Richard, bishop of Hereford, David of Bangor, Godfrey of Bath, and Sigefred of Chichester assisted at the consecration.

Note 1. A repetition of a former entry.

On 28 Jun 1131 Bishop Robert de Bethune was consecrated at Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Monumental Effigies. Statue of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England on the West Front of Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Monumental Effigies. Statue of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England on the West Front of Rochester Cathedral [Map].

On 26 Dec 1226 Bishop Henry de Sanford was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 09 May 1227 Bishop Henry de Sanford was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 16 May 1227 Bishop Henry de Sanford was enthroned Bishop of Rochester.

On 27 Oct 1277 Bishop Walter de Merton (age 72) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Bishop Walter de Merton: Around 1205 he was born.

Monumental Effigies. Laurence Saint Martin Bishop of Rochester (died 1274) in Rochester Cathedral [Map]

In 1419 Cardinal John Kempe (age 39) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 12 Nov 1421 Bishop John Langdon was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 07 Jun 1422 Bishop John Langdon was consecrated Bishop of Rochester by Archbishop Henry Chichele (age 59).

On 21 Feb 1435 Bishop Thomas Brunce (age 47) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 01 May 1435 Bishop Thomas Brunce (age 47) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

In 1468 Archbishop Thomas Rotherham (age 44) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 08 Jan 1472 Bishop John Alcock (age 42) was nominated, and on on 08 Jan 1472 was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 22 Sep 1476 Bishop John Russell was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 07 Jun 1480 Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 37) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 07 Jul 1480 Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 37) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 01 Oct 1480 Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 37) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 02 Jan 1497 Bishop Richard Fitzjames was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 21 May 1497 Bishop Richard Fitzjames was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 14 Oct 1504 Bishop John Fisher (age 34) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 04 Oct 1535 Bishop John Hilsey was appointed Bishop of Rochester following the execution of Bishop John Fisher.

On 18 Jun 1541 Dean Walter Philips was appointed Dean of Rochester.

In 1544 Bishop Henry Holbeach (age 67) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

In 1547 Bishop Nicholas Ridley (age 47) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

In 1551 Bishop John Scory (age 41) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

In 1554 Bishop Maurice Griffith (age 47) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

1554 Consecration of new Bishops

Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Apr 1554. [The first day of April my lord chancellor (age 54) did consecrate six new bishops at St. Mary Overy's [Map], before the high altar; and a goodly mass was said. And when all] was done thay yede unto my lord ch[ancellor's,] for ther was as grett a dener as youe ha[ve seen.] Thes be the bysshopes names that wher consecrated, [doctor] Whyt (age 44), warden of Wynchastur, the bysshope of Ly[ncoln]; doctur Borne, bysshope of Bathe; doctur Morgan, bishop of sant Davys; doctur Brokes (age 41), bysshope of Gloss [ter]; doctur Cottes, bysshope of Westtchastur; bysshope of sant Asse changyd to be bysshope of Arfford; master [Griffith] (age 47) parsun of sant Magnus bysshope of Rochastur.

On 01 Apr 1554 the Lord Chancellor Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London (age 54), assisted by Bishop Stephen Gardiner (age 71), Bishop Nicholas Ridley (age 54) and Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall (age 80), consecrated seven bishops at Southwark Cathedral [Map]:

Bishop George Cotes was consecrated Bishop of Chester.

Bishop Gilbert Bourne was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Bishop James Brooks (age 41) was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester.

Bishop Maurice Griffiths (age 47) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

Bishop Henry Morgan was consecrated Bishop of St David's.

Bishop John White (age 44) was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.

Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton was consecrated Bishop of Hereford.

Before 27 Jul 1559 Bishop Edmund Allen (age 40) was elected Bishop of Rochester although he died before being installed.

In 1560 Bishop Edmund Gheast (age 46) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

In 1608 Richard Neale Archbishop (age 45) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

In 1611 Richard Milbourne was appointed Dean of Rochester and Chaplain to Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales (age 16)

In 1611 Bishop John Buckeridge (age 49) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 13 Nov 1637 Bishop John Warner (age 56) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 14 Jan 1638 Bishop John Warner (age 56) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

On 06 Feb 1639 Bishop Henry King (age 47) was appointed Dean of Rochester.

In 1660 Archdeacon John Lee was appointed Archdeacon of Rochester.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Apr 1661. After that back home, and there eat a little dinner. Then to Rochester, and there saw the Cathedrall [Map], which is now fitting for use, and the organ then a-tuning. Then away thence, observing the great doors of the church, which, they say, was covered with the skins of the Danes1, and also had much mirth at a tomb, on which was "Come sweet Jesu", and I read "Come sweet Mall", &c., at which Captain Pett and I had good laughter.

Note 1. Traditions similar to that at Rochester, Kent [Map], here alluded to, are to be found in other places in England. Sir Harry Englefield, in a communication made to the Society of Antiquaries, July 2nd, 1789, called attention to the curious popular tale preserved in the village of Hadstock, Essex, that the door of the church had been covered with the skin of a Danish pirate, who had plundered the church. At Worcester, likewise, it was asserted that the north doors of the cathedral had been covered with the skin of a person who had sacrilegiously robbed the high altar. The date of these doors appears to be the latter part of the fourteenth century, the north porch having been built about 1385. Dart, in his "History of the Abbey Church of St. Peter's, Westminster", 1723 (vol. i., book ii., p. 64), relates a like tradition then preserved in reference to a door, one of three which closed off a chamber from the south transept-namely, a certain building once known as the Chapel of Henry VIII, and used as a "Revestry". This chamber, he states, "is inclosed with three doors, the inner cancellated, the middle, which is very thick, lined with skins like parchment, and driven full of nails. These skins, they by tradition tell us, were some skins of the Danes, tann'd and given here as a memorial of our delivery from them". Portions of this supposed human skin were examined under the microscope by the late Mr. John Quekett of the Hunterian Museum, who ascertained, beyond question, that in each of the cases the skin was human. From a communication by the late Mr. Albert Way, F.S.A., to the late Lord Braybrooke.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Oct 1665. So to walk up and down the Cathedral [Map], and thence to the Crowne, whither Mr. Fowler, the Mayor of the towne, was come in his gowne, and is a very reverend magistrate. After I had eat a bit, not staying to eat with them, I went away, and so took horses and to Gravesend, Kent [Map], and there staid not, but got a boat, the sicknesse being very much in the towne still, and so called on board my Lord Bruncker (age 45) and Sir John Minnes (age 66), on board one of the East Indiamen at Erith, Kent, and there do find them full of envious complaints for the pillageing of the ships, but I did pacify them, and discoursed about making money of some of the goods, and do hope to be the better by it honestly.

In 1666 Archbishop John Dolben (age 41) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 14 Oct 1666 Bishop John Warner (age 85) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Bishop John Warner: On or before 17 Sep 1581 he was born. He was baptised at St Clement Danes on 17 Sep 1586. On 13 Nov 1637 Bishop John Warner was elected Bishop of Rochester. On 14 Jan 1638 Bishop John Warner was consecrated Bishop of Rochester. Pepy's Diary. 04 Oct 1660. This morning I was busy looking over papers at the office all alone, and being visited by Lieut. Lambert of the Charles (to whom I was formerly much beholden), I took him along with me to a little alehouse hard by our office, whither my cozen Thomas Pepys the turner had sent for me to show me two gentlemen that had a great desire to be known to me, one his name is Pepys, of our family, but one that I never heard of before, and the other a younger son of Sir Tho. Bendishes, and so we all called cozens. After sitting awhile and drinking, my two new cozens, myself, and Lieut. Lambert went by water to Whitehall, and from thence I and Lieut. Lambert to Westminster Abbey, where we saw Dr. Frewen translated to the Archbishoprick of York. Here I saw the Bishops of Winchester, Bangor, Rochester, Bath and Wells, and Salisbury, all in their habits, in King Henry Seventh's chappell. But, Lord! at their going out, how people did most of them look upon them as strange creatures, and few with any kind of love or respect.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Mar 1672. On the 30th heard a sermon in Rochester Cathedral [Map], and so got to Sayes Court, Deptford [Map] on the first of April.

Evelyn's Diary. 11 May 1672. Went to Chatham, Kent [Map]. 12th. Heard a sermon in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

1672 Battle of Solebay

Evelyn's Diary. 02 Jun 1672. Trinity Sunday, I passed at Rochester, Kent [Map]; and, on the 5th, there was buried in the Cathedral [Map] Monsieur Rabiniére, Rear Admiral of the French squadron, a gallant person, who died of the wounds he received in the fight. This ceremony lay on me, which I performed with all the decency I could, inviting the Mayor and Aldermen to come in their formalities. Sir Jonas Atkins (age 62) was there with his guards; and the Dean and Prebendaries: one of his countrymen pronouncing a funeral oration at the brink of his grave, which I caused to be dug in the choir. This is more at large described in the "Gazette" of that day; Colonel Reymes (age 58), my colleague in commission, assisting, who was so kind as to accompany me from London, though it was not his district; for indeed the stress of both these wars lay more on me by far than on any of my brethren, who had little to do in theirs. I went to see Upnor Castle, Kent [Map], which I found pretty well defended, but of no great moment.

The London Gazette 684. Rochester, 06 Jun 1672.

Yesterday was performed the solemn Enterment Monseur Rabiniere tres le boys, Rear-Admiral of the French Squadron who some days since dyed here of the Wounds he received in the late Engagement. The Corps was accomapanied by several persons of quality (his Pall being born up by Sir Johnathan Atkins (age 62), His Majesties Governor here, Colonel Rheyms (age 58), Mr Evelin (age 51), and a person of quality related to the Deceased) together with the Mayor and Alderman of this place in the Formalities, and all other solemnity we are here capable of, to the place of Enterment, which was in the Quire of our Cathedral Church [Map], where was pronounced an excellent Funeral Oration with an Elogy on the Deceased by Dr. God, one of the Prebends; the whole having been concluded by three Volleys of the several Companies of Guard, now here, who likewise assisted at this Solemnity in excellent order.

In 1673 Archbishop Thomas Lamplugh (age 58) was appointed Dean of Rochester.

On 12 Jun 1679 Archdeacon John Lee died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Archdeacon John Lee: In 1660 he was appointed Archdeacon of Rochester.

Evelyn's Diary. 14 Jan 1682. Dined at the Bishop of Rochester's (age 57), at the Abbey [Map], it being his marriage day, after twenty-four years. He related to me how he had been treated by Sir William Temple, foreseeing that he might be a delegate in the concern of my Baroness Ogle (age 14) now likely come in controversy upon her marriage with Mr. Thynn (age 34); also how earnestly the late Earl of Danby (age 49) [NOTE. The word 'late' suggest the Earl being dead but may refer to his downfall around 1678], Lord Treasurer, sought his friendship, and what plain and sincere advice he gave him from time to time about his miscarriages and partialities; particularly his outing Sir John Duncomb (age 60) from being Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir Stephen Fox (age 54), above all, from being Paymaster of the Army. The Treasurer's excuse and reason was, that Fox's credit was so over great with the bankers and monied men, that he could procure none but by his means, "for that reason", replied the Bishop, "I would have made him my friend, Sir Stephen being a person both honest and of credit". He told him likewise of his stateliness and difficulty of access, and several other miscarriages, and which indeed made him hated.

On 11 Nov 1683 Bishop Francis Turner (age 46) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester at Lambeth Palace [Map].

In 1684 Bishop Thomas Sprat (age 49) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

Evelyn's Diary. 26 Feb 1684. Came to visite me Dr. Turner (age 46), our new Bishop of Rochester.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Nov 1684. Dr. Turner (age 47), now translated from Rochester to Ely upon the death of Dr. Peter Gunning, preached before the King (age 54) at White-hall on 3 Romans 8, a very excellent sermon, indicating the Church of England against the pernicious doctrines of the Church of Rome. He challenged the producing but of five Cleargymen who forsooke our Church and went over to that of Rome, during all the troubles & rebellion In England, which lasted neere twenty yeares; and this was to my certaine observation a greate truth.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Apr 1686. The Abp. of York (age 61) died of ye smallpox, aged 62, a corpulent man. He was my special loving friend, and whilst Bp. of Rochester (from whence he was translated) my excellent neighbour. He was an unexpressible losse to yc whole church, and that province especialy, he being a learned, wise, stoute, and most worthy prelate; I looke on this as a greate stroke to ye poore Church of England, now in this defecting period.

On 04 Mar 1698 Lee Warner died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Lee Warner: he was born to Archdeacon John Lee.

On 21 Apr 1718 Bishop Samuel Bradford (age 65) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 01 Jun 1718 Bishop Samuel Bradford (age 65) was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.

In 1723 Bishop Samuel Bradford (age 70) was translated to Bishop of Rochester.

In 1732 Archbishop Thomas Herring (age 39) was appointed Dean of Rochester.

The London Gazette 10776. Whitehall, October 31 [1765]

The King has been pleased to grant unto Benjamin Newcombe, Doctor of Divinity, the place and dignity of Dean of the Cathedral Church of Rochester, void by the resgination of Dr. William Markham.

In 1774 John Thomas (age 62) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 22 Jul 1775 Benjamin Newcombe died. He was buried at Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Monument to Anne Major Baroness Henniker in Rochester Cathedral [Map] sculpted by Eleanor Coade Sculptor 1733-1821 in 1793.

Anne Major Baroness Henniker: she was born to John Major 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Dale. In 1747 John Henniker 1st Baron Henniker and she were married. In Jul 1800 John Henniker 1st Baron Henniker was created 1st Baron Henniker of Stratford upon Slaney in County Wicklow. She by marriage Baroness Henniker of Stratford upon Slaney in County Wicklow.

1806. Rochester Cathedral [Map]. Monument to John Henniker 1st Baron Henniker sculpted by John "The Younger" Bacon (age 29).

On 15 Jul 1827 Bishop Hugh Percy (age 43) was appointed Bishop of Rochester.

On 24 Nov 1827 Bishop George Murray (age 43) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 16 Jan 1886 Joseph Maas Singer (age 38) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map] sculpted by James Currie (age 50).

Joseph Maas Singer: On 30 Jan 1847 he was born in Dartford, Kent.

In 1887 Dean Samuel Reynolds Hole (age 67) was appointed Dean of Rochester.

In 1891 Dean Randall Davidson (age 42) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

On 27 Aug 1904 Dean Samuel Reynolds Hole (age 84) died. Monument in Rochester Cathedral [Map] by Frederick William Pomeroy (age 48) sculpted in 1905.

Dean Samuel Reynolds Hole: On 05 Dec 1819 he was born. In 1887 he was appointed Dean of Rochester.

On 19 Apr 1911 Bishop Edward Stuart Talbot (age 67) was elected Bishop of Rochester.

Monumental Effigies. on the West Front of Rochester Cathedral [Map].

Photographs of the interior of Rochester Cathedral [Map].