Consistory

Consistory

in the Anglican Church, is the diocesan court of a bishop, in which are tried causes of voluntary jurisdiction, that is, affecting visitations, censes, institutions, and sequestrations; and contentious or judicial, touching probate of wills and hearing of cases to be decided, the former by a vicar- general, the latter by an official, but now by the chancellor of the diocese. Criminal clerks were committed to the bishop's prison by this court.