User:The C of E/bish

The Bishop's Bench or Bishop's Benches are a number of benches in the House of Lords. These benches are occupied by the Lords Spiritual.

History
The Bishops' Bench has been in existence since the passing of the House of Lords Precedence Act 1539, where Henry VIII decreed that all of the 26 Bishops of the Provinces of Canterbury and York would sit at the right of and closest to the throne in the House of Lords in the Parliament of England.

Usage
The Bishop's Bench is occupied solely by the 26 ex officio senior bishops of the Church of England, known as the Lords Spiritual. These Lords Spiritual include the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Durham and the Bishop of Winchester along with the 21 most senior bishops. The Benches are located on the government side of the House of Lord's even though the Lords Spiritual do not make up part of the government. The Bishop's Bench is the only one that has an armrest in the Lord's to show that they are neutral.