The Convocation of 1563
J.C. Barry looks at how the Thirty-Nine Articles, defining the doctrine of the Church of England, were drawn up by a Convocation that met in London in the 16th century.
Foot hundred years ago, the Church of England held one of the most important synods in its history. During the early months of 1563—by the Old Style reckoning, in 1562—the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury met in London at the same time as the second Parliament of Elizabeth I. The Convocation of the Province of York also assembled, but “York would ever dance to the fife of Canterbury,” and it was in London that the outstanding issues were debated and the decisions were made.
In fact, three of the Northern Bishops—the Archbishop of York and the Bishops of Durham and Chester—joined the Southern Convocation and subscribed to the Thirty-Nine Articles. Thus this assembly, as far as the Upper House was concerned, had something of the character of a National Synod.
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