List of Church Livings

The King is patron to 42 church livings in Right of His Duchy of Lancaster. The right to appoint a church living is known as an advowson.

The Duchy’s advowsons date from the time when the Duchy owned manors and lands in every county. Many manors were sold by monarchs to raise money – for example, by Charles I during the Civil War – but the advowsons were retained. They are mainly posts for parish priests. The livings are located in the northern, middle and eastern parts of the country, although, curiously, none actually fall within the County Palatine of Lancaster. The preliminary administration of new appointments is dealt with by the Chaplain of the King’s Chapel of the Savoy. Candidates are interviewed, and recommendations by the relevant Bishop are taken into account. Guidance is also taken from the local Parochial Church Council to ensure that the nature and wishes of the parish are established.  A recommendation is made to the Chancellor and, following this approval, the new incumbent is appointed and a ceremonial presentation made. The current incumbents and priests-in-charge of the Duchy livings are:

Living Diocese Incumbent
Ackworth
Leeds
The Reverend Karen Young
Ashen
Chelmsford
The Reverend Jonathan Lowe (Rector)
Ashley
Bristol
The Reverend Bob Molton
Barwick-in-Elmet
Leeds
The Reverend Jonathan Brennan
Beeston Regis
Norwich
The Reverend Jeremy Sykes
Castleford
Leeds
The Reverend Keith Freeman
Clare
St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich
The Reverend Mark Woodrow
Crofton
Leeds
The Reverend Louise Tinniswood (Vicar)
Dedham
Chelmsford
(vacant)
Easthorpe
Chelmsford
The Reverend Anne-Marie Renshaw (Team Rector)
Edingthorpe
Norwich
The Reverend David Warner
Gimingham (Trunch)
Norwich
(vacant)
Hertford
St Albans
The Reverend Canon Joan Loveridge (Team Rector)
Hertingfordbury
St Albans
The Reverend Canon Joan Loveridge (Team Rector)
Kirk Bramwith
Sheffield
The Reverend Jacqui Jones
Langham
Chelmsford
The Reverend Heather Wilcox
Long Bennington
Lincoln
(vacant)
Matlaske
Norwich
The Reverend David Longe (Rector)
Methley
Leeds
The Reverend Canon Dr Arun John (Team Rector)
Miningsby
Lincoln
(vacant)
Mundesley (Trunch)
Norwich
(vacant)
North Cotes
Lincoln
(vacant)
Northrepps (Poppyland)
Norwich
The Reverend Sian Reading
Owmby
Lincoln
(vacant)
Plumstead (Matlaske)
Norwich
The Reverend David Longe (Rector)
Poole Keynes
Gloucester
(vacant)
Rothbury
Newcastle
The Reverend Canon John Sinclair (Rector)
Rushden
St Albans
(vacant)
Sidestrand (Poppyland)
Norwich
The Reverend Sian Reading
Somercotes
Lincoln
(vacant)
South Thoresby
Lincoln
(vacant)
Southrepps (Trunch)
Norwich
(vacant)
Stambourne
Chelmsford
(vacant)
Stanford Rivers
Chelmsford
The Reverend Hazel Aucken
Stanhope
Durham
(vacant)
Stratford St Mary
St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich
The Reverend Manette Crossman
Swafield (Trunch)
Norwich
(vacant)
Thringstone
Leicester
The Reverend Darren Walker
Trimingham (Poppyland)
Norwich
The Reverend Sian Reading
Trunch
Norwich
(vacant)
Tutbury
Lichfield
The Reverend Phyllis Bainbridge
Whitwick
Leicester
The Reverend Darren Walker