Arches

\L. Lat. curia de arcuhus:\ In English ecclesiastical law. A court of appeal, and also of original jurisdiction, belonging to tbe archbishop of Canterbury; so called from its baying been ancientiy held in the church of St. Mary-le-6of9, (Beata Maria de QTcuhus,) or Bow church, (literally tbe church of archer, so termed from the fnsbion of its steeple.)* Reg. Orig. 54 b.

8 Bl. Com. 65. 3 Steph. Com. 431. 4 Reeves' BistJBng. Law, 104. CoweU.

The judge of Ihis court is called the dean of the arches, and bis office is to receive and determine appeals from the sentences of all inferior ecclesiastical courts within the province.

3 BL Com. 65.

Many suits also are brought before him as original judge, the cognizance of which properly belongs to inferior jurisdictions within the province, but in respect of which the inferior judge has waived bis jurisdiction under a certain form of proceeding known in the canon law by the denomination of letters of request.

3 Steph. Com. 431. 2 Chitt. Gen. Fr. 496.

From the court of arches an appeal formerly lay to tbe Court of Delegates, but it now lies, by statute 2 & 8 Will. IV., c. 92, to the privy council.

3 Steph. Com. ub. sup.

This court is now held at Doctors' Commons.

2 Chit. Gen. Fr. 499. ARCHIJglPISCOPUS.

Lat. Anarchbishop. Arckiepiseopus Cantuar.; archbishop of Canterbury.

Archiepiscopus Ebor.; archbishop of York. Towns. Fl. 148.