Bishops of London

The Bishop of London is one of the most senior members of the Church of England, responsible for the Diocese of London, an area north of the River Thames that includes many royal palaces, Westminster and the City of London.

Once one of the most powerful positions in the country, the Bishops of London have played a major role in shaping British history. They have been involved in many important national and international events — from signing the Magna Carta to performing coronations and overseeing the church’s activities in the British colonies.

The development of Fulham Palace into what you see today reflects the Bishop of London’s historic role as patron, pastor and politician.

Patron

As the home of 120 Bishops of London over 1,300 years, Fulham Palace embodies their power, wealth and passions. The look of the Palace has changed dramatically over time as each Bishop made alterations to suit their own taste, commissioning leading architects and landscape designers to remodel the house and create spectacular gardens.

These changing fashions have resulted in the unique mixture of styles you see today. They have also been the cause of some tremendous losses, such as the removal of over 1,000 exotic plants that formed Bishop Compton’s world-famous garden in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Pastor

The Bishops of London were responsible for pastoral care across the Diocese of London, the Church of England abroad and the Fulham Palace estate. The Palace served as an administrative centre for this work, as well as a home. The house and garden took on another important role during World War I, when it was turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers.

The Bishops’ lasting impact on the community can be seen today by visiting our neighbours, Bishop’s Park and the allotments. Both were created using land donated by the Bishops from the Fulham Palace estate.

Politician

The London Diocese includes royal palaces and the Palace of Westminster, giving the Bishops strong links with both monarchs and politicians. The Bishops have played central roles in many important events in British history, from the divorce of King Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon — resulting in the creation of the Church of England — to the abolition of the slave trade.

Today the Bishop of London continues to play a role in state occasions such as royal weddings, serves as the Dean of the Chapels Royal and retains a seat in the House of Lords.

Meet the Bishops of London

Bishops before 1660

Parchment letter written by bishop waldhere in AD 704 © British Library

Etching of bishop bonner © National Portrait Gallery

portrait of bishop ridley © National Portrait Gallery

Etching of bishop grindal © National Portrait Gallery

portrait of bishop william juxon © National Portrait Gallery

Bishop Waldhere (Bishop of London AD 693 to AD 705 - 716) Bishop Waldhere acquired the Manor of Fulham from the Bishop of Hereford in AD 704. He also wrote the earliest letter on parchment that is still surviving from Western Europe. Letter of Bishop Wealdhere of London (fl. 694–704/5) to Archbishop Berhtwald of Canterbury (c.650–731) © The British Library Board, (Cotton MS Augustus II 18).

Bishop Edmund Bonner (Bishop of London 1539 to 1550 and 1553 to 1559) Bishop Bonner is the only person to serve as Bishop of London twice, first holding the position under King Henry VIII, then again under Henry’s daughter Queen Mary I. Bonner tortured Protestants in the great hall and orchard at Fulham Palace. He was sent to prison when Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne. Edmund Bonner by Unknown artist, stipple engraving, circa 1800 © National Portrait Gallery (NPG D19670)

Bishop Nicholas Ridley (Bishop of London 1550 to 1553) Bishop Ridley served as the Bishop of London between Bishop Bonner’s two tenures. Ridley did not support Henry VIII’s daughters’ claim to the English throne. When Henry’s daughter Mary become queen, Bishop Ridley was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake in 1555. Nicholas Ridley by Unknown artist, oil on panel, late sixteenth century © National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG 296)

Bishop Edmund Grindal (Bishop of London 1559 to 1570) Bishop Grindal was the first Bishop to be interested in botany and gardening. He sent grapes grown at Fulham Palace to Queen Elizabeth I every year. Bishop Grindal went on to become Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury. Edmund Grindal possibly by Magdalena de Passe, possibly by Willem de Passe, line engraving, 1620 © National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG D25197)

Bishop William Juxon (Bishop of London 1633 to 1649) Bishop Juxon was a trusted advisor of King Charles I. When the monarchy was overthrown during the English Civil War, the King requested Bishop Juxon attend him at his execution. When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, Bishop Juxon was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury. William Juxon after Unknown artist, oil on canvas, based on a work of circa 1640 © National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG 500)

Bishops after 1660

photography of bishop winnington-ingram in uniform

Bishop Henry Compton (Bishop of London 1675 to 1713) Bishop Compton was a keen botanist, importing plants from all over the world to grow at Fulham Palace. He also oversaw the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral after it was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Bishop Thomas Sherlock (Bishop of London 1748 to 1761) Bishop Sherlock took his role as politician seriously and spoke in the House of Lords on many issues. He also made many changes to Fulham Palace, adding the an elaborately decorated dining room, as well as greatly altering the great hall.

Bishop Beilby Porteus (Bishop of London 1787 to 1809) Bishop Porteus preached against slavery and worked with Hannah More and William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade. He was also so afraid of being buried alive, he asked for his coffin to be kept open for as long as possible.

Bishop Archibald Tait (Bishop of London 1856 to 1869) Bishop Tait and his wife Catherine undertook many charitable works to help the poor of London, including opening an orphanage for girls. He also commissioned the design and building of the current chapel.

Bishop Arthur Winnington-Ingram (Bishop of London 1901 to 1939) Bishop Winngton-Ingram is the longest serving Bishop of London. He was an active recruiter for the armed services during World War I, regularly giving sermons encouraging men to enlist. In 1918, parts of the house were turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers.

Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally (Bishop of London 2018 to present day) Bishop Mullally is the 133rd Bishop of London and is the first female appointed to the role. She is a member of the Church of England’s National Safe-guarding Steering Group, and before being ordained, was appointed as the Chief Nursing Officer for England in 1999.

Patron

Pastor

Politician

Meet the Bishops of London

Bishops before 1660

Bishops after 1660

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