an assembly of the clergy of England, by their representatives, to consult of ecclesiastical matters. It is held during the session of parliament, and consists of an upper and a lower house. In the upper sit the bishops, and in the lower the inferior clergy, who are represented by their proctors; consisting of all the deans and archdeacons, of one proctor for for every chapter, and two for the clergy of every diocese, in all 1,43 divines; viz. 22 deans, 53 archdeacons, 24 prebendaries, and 44 proctors of the diocesan clergy. The lower house chooses its prolocutor; whose business it is to take care that the members attend, to collect their debates and votes, and to carry their resolutions to the upper house. The convocation is summoned by the king's writ, directed to the archbishop of each province, requiring him to summon all bishops, deans, archdeacons, &c.

The power of the convocation is limited by a statute of Henry VIII. They are not to make any canons or ecclesiastical laws without the king's licence; nor when permitted to make any, can they put them in execution, but under several restrictions. They have the examining and confining all heretical and schismatical books and persons, &c.; but there lies an appeal to the king in chancery, or to his delegates. The clergy in convocation, and their servants, have the same privileges as members of parliament.

Since the year 1665, when the convocation of the clergy gave up the privilege of taxing themselves to the house of commons, they seldom have been allowed to do any business; and are generally prorogued from time to time till dissolved, a new one being generally called along with a new parliament. The only equivalent for giving up the privilege of taxing themselves, was their being allowed to vote at elections for members to the house of commons, which they had not before.