The Archdeacon of Sarum is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the Diocese of Salisbury. As such he or she is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy within the five area deaneries (Alderbury, Chalke, Salisbury, Heytesbury and Stonehenge) of the Sarum archdeaconry.
The post is currently held by the Ven Alan Jeans.
History
The first recorded archdeacons in Salisbury diocese occur soon after the Norman Conquest (as they do across England) – there were apparently four archdeacons from the outset. However, no territorial titles are recorded until after c. 1139. The archdeacons at that time were (in order of seniority) the Archdeacons of Dorset, Berkshire, Sarum and Wiltshire. The position was redefined in 1843, having been previously generally known as the Archdeaconry of Salisbury; the role is now generally called Archdeacon of Sarum, but both names have been used very commonly throughout history.