convocations of Canterbury and York

These provincial assemblies, originally of bishops, date from Archbishop Theodore (668-90), though York's, smaller and historically less significant, only developed separately c.733. Representatives (proctors) of cathedrals, monasteries, and parochial clergy attended later (13th cent.). Initially sitting together, bishops and lower clergy split into upper and lower houses (15th cent.). Convocations normally legislated by canons, until compelled by Henry VIII to limit their powers drastically (Acts of Submission 1532/1534). Acrimonious altercations between the Whiggish upper and Tory lower house of the Canterbury convocation (1689 and 1700-17) led the crown to suspend both convocations. They met only formally until the evangelical and tractarian revivals inspired them to resume discussion (1852 and 1861).