Bishops of London

The Bishop of London, appointed by Her Majesty the Queen (on the advice of the Prime Minister), has pastoral responsibility for the diocese of London. The post stretches back to the 4th Century when Roman-British Restitus was Bishop of London, with the appointment of Saint Mellitus in 604 more closely resembling the current establishment. As a Spiritual Peer, they sit alongside the 26 bishops of the established Church of England, who serve the House of Lords. Since 1748, the bishop has also been appointed to the post of Dean of the Chapel Royal and has historically had influence in both the Royal palaces and at Westminster. After the London area scheme of 1979, the Bishop of London has presided over the City of London and Westminster and is assisted by 4 area bishops across the capital.