The Archdeacon of Wilts (or Wiltshire) is a senior cleric in the South West England Diocese of Salisbury. The archdeacon is responsible for the disciplinary supervision of the clergy in its five deaneries; Marlborough, Pewsey, Calne, Bradford and Devizes.
Sue Groom has been the Archdeacon of Wilts since 22 February 2016.
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 role is now generally called Archdeacon of Wilts, but both names have been used very commonly throughout history.