| Description | The administrative unit of the rural deanery was revived in 1811 by Bishop Fisher. Since its revival the deaneries have been subject to a number of changes: some deaneries have ceased to exist; some new ones have been created; others have moved out of the diocese. For further information on the dates of each deanery's existence see the notes at the beginning of each deanery section. It is important to note that from 1872 until well into the 20th century, rural deaneries in the diocese of Salisbury were known both as divisions or portions of their original rural deanery and by their later names; for example, Avebury deanery was divided into two portions, known confusingly as Avebury deanery and Cannings deanery.
In 1837 the deaneries of Cricklade and Malmesbury were transferred to the diocese of Bristol, so their records after that date are at the Bristol Record Office, the records of the Chippenham deanery (formally South Malmesbury) are in the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre (cat 4157). Records of Dorset deaneries have been transferred to the Dorset Record Office.
Meetings were either- chapter, ie clergy, or conference, ie clergy and lay representatives |