The dean of the Chapel Royal, in any kingdom, can be the title of an official charged with oversight of that kingdom's chapel royal, the ecclesiastical establishment which is part of the royal household and ministers to it.

England

In England, the dean of the Chapels Royal was appointed by royal warrant and appointed its officers and staff. The office of dean (dating from 1312) has been by custom held by the bishop of London since 1748 (or 1723, see below). In practice, the chapel, its choir, and the various chapel buildings associated with it come under the oversight of the sub-dean, who is the king's residential chaplain.

As in 2019 the Chapels Royal in England consisted of: the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace; the Queen's Chapel; the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace; the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula (Tower of London); the Chapel of St John the Evangelist (Tower of London); and the King's Chapel of the Savoy.

Office holders

;Edward III (1327)

  • : John de Wodeford
  • : John de Leek

;Richard II (1377)

  • : Thomas de Lynton (canon of Windsor, 1378–1387)
  • : John Boor (canon of Windsor, 1389–1402)

;Henry IV (1399)

  • : Richard Kyngeston, Archdeacon of Hereford and canon of Windsor
  • : Richard Prentys, Archdeacon of West Ham and canon of Windsor

;Henry V (1413)

  • 1414: Edmund Lacey, canon of Windsor (became Bishop of Hereford, 1417)
  • 1417–1432: Robert Gilbert (later Bishop of London, 1436)

;Henry VI (1422)

  • 1432–1438: Richard Praty (became Bishop of Chichester, 1438)
  • 1438–1444: John Croucher, Dean of Chichester
  • 1444–1449 (d.): Robert Ayscogh as such he assisted at the Baptism of Prince Louis on 9 July 2018 and the traditional Epiphany service at the Chapel Royal on 6 January 2019. Chartres retired as Dean of the Chapel Royal in July 2019.

Office holders since revival

  • 1824–1841: William Bryce, minister of Aberdour
  • 1887–1910: Cameron Lees, Minister of St Giles' Cathedral until 1906 and Dean of the Thistle
  • 1910–1926: Wallace Williamson, Minister of St Giles' Cathedral and Dean of the Thistle
  • 1926–1969: Charles Warr, Dean of the Thistle and sometime Minister of St Giles' Cathedral
  • 1969–1973: James Longmuir, sometime Minister at Chirnside
  • 1974–1981: Hugh Douglas, Minister at Dundee until 1977
  • 1981–1991: Robin Barbour, New Testament professor, University of Aberdeen
  • 1991–1996: William Morris, Minister of Glasgow Cathedral
  • 1996–2006: James Harkness, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen
  • 2006–2013: John Cairns, Minister at Riverside Parish Church, Dumbarton
  • 2013–2019: Iain Torrance, Pro-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen and Dean of the Thistle
  • 2019–present: David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen and Dean of the Thistle

Ireland

The Chapel Royal (Irish: Séipéal Ríoga) in Dublin Castle was the official Church of Ireland chapel of the Household of the lord lieutenant of Ireland from 1814 until the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1831, the principal chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant was usually styled Dean of the Chapel Royal.

Office holders

  • 1831–1843: Charles Vignoles, Dean of Ossory from 1843
  • 1843–1860: Usher Tighe, Dean of Leighlin until 1854, then Dean of Ardagh until 1858 (became Dean of Derry)
  • 1860–1866: Charles Graves, Dean of Clonfert from 1864 (became Bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe)
  • 1866–1868: William Connor Magee, Dean of Cork (became Bishop of Peterborough)
  • 1868–1905: Hercules Dickinson (died 1905)
  • 1905–1913: Reginald Godfrey Michael Webster (Acting Dean from c. 1902)
  • 1913–1922: Charles O'Hara Mease (died 21st May 1922)

References

See also

  • List of deans in the Church of England
  • Ecclesiastical Household