The Archdeacon of Dorset is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Salisbury, England. He or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the four area deaneries: Purbeck, Poole, Wimborne, and Milton & Blandford.

History

The role of archdeacons within the diocese of Salisbury originated around the time of the Norman Conquest; the first recorded archdeacon titled Archdeacon of Dorset occurs as an officer of that diocese from the mid-12th century. The archdeaconry was transferred to the diocese of Bristol upon its creation on 4 June 1542, and later returned to Salisbury diocese by Order in Council on 7 October 1836. In 1916, the Archdeaconry of Sherborne was created, which was divided out of the historic archdeaconry of Dorset. The post is currently held by Antony MacRow-Wood.

List of archdeacons

High Medieval

Late Medieval

Early modern

Late modern

Sources