ABSTRACT
In theory, the holder of the Crown was Supreme Governor of the Church of England, responsible, with the aid of both Parliament and Convocation *, for the doctrine and organisation of the Church. It was through the Crown that all bishops and deans were appointed, not to mention lesser officials within the Church hierarchy. Dispensations also came from the Crown, as for example when the layman Adam Newton was allowed to become Dean ofDurham in 1606. The Crown was the ultimate head ofall the Church courts, the highest of which was the prerogative court of High Commission (Causes Ecclesiastical) *.
