Synod of Hertford

The Council of Hertford was a synod of the Christian Church in England held in 673. It was convened, either at Hertford or at Hartford, Cambridgeshire, by Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury. It is regarded as a key milestone in the process by which the province of Canterbury became a clearly defined unit of Church organization, for the English bishops.

Besides Theodore, there were four other bishops present: Leuthere of Wessex, Putta of Rochester, Bifus of East Anglia and Winfrith of Mercia. A fifth bishop, Wilfrid of Northumbria, sent proctors to represent him. Some organizational changes were agreed to, including the subdivision of Mercia.

Delegate

The Council confirmed the adoption of the Roman dating of Easter (see synod of Whitby), the prohibition of episcopal interference from one diocese to another or in monastic orders, and imposed strictures on monks or clergy who wandered from diocese to diocese. The now current practice of requiring clergy to obtain permission to officiate from the diocesan bishop was introduced.

In view of the parlous state of the church in England, more regular synodical meetings were proposed, and the expansion of dioceses following growth through conversion. Finally, it ruled against divorce in most cases, allowing only exceptions under what were regarded as scriptural rules.

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