Archbishops of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the principle leader of the Church of England and recognised as primus inter pares (first among equals) in the Anglican Communion. As the diocesan bishop of the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury, they reside in the Old Palace in Canterbury as well as Lambeth Palace in London. With the Archbishop of York, they preside over many important committees and national ceremonies. Historically the position was chosen by cannons of Canterbury, the King and Pope. Today, the choice is made by the Queen, who is advised by the Prime Minister. The first person to be appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury was St Augustine, a Benedictine monk who was sent from Rome in 597 AD to convert the Anglo-Saxons in England by Pope Gregory the Great. Although the Archbishop of Canterbury does not have legal authority outside England they exert influence on international matters.