2004 Boy Bishop Thomas Isaac Photo: Salisbury Cathedral Used by permission

Selecting Nicholas or Boy Bishops was once a popular tradition throughout Europe—from Italy to Scandinavia and the Hebrides, from Ireland to Hungary. Reaching its height in the 16th century, the practice continued in some places until the 19th. Being a Boy Bishop for the church is a bit like being "mayor-for-a-day" with a full staff of young officials. The motive is partly to impart religious values, partly a love of youthful pranks, and partly a bit of subversion of normally constituted authority. The ceremony is a lesson in humility and recognition of the wisdom of youthful innocence.

The young age at which Nicholas was selected to become a bishop forms the basis for the custom. During the Middle Ages, choristers would choose one of their number to be the Boy or Nicholas Bishop. By acting the part of a bishop, the boy was expected to learn all about the great ceremonies of the church. From St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, until Holy Innocents Day, December 28th, inversion became the order of the day. The boys, dressed in full episcopal regalia, led in solemn procession. The boy's regular roles, such as acolyte or altar boy, were filled by the reverend canons. The boys taking places of dignity in the higher choir stalls, with the Boy Bishop seated in the bishop's or dean's place. There was fun as well, for during his period in office, the "bishop" could declare holidays and treats as well as distribute sweets and gifts. In York the Boy Bishop and his attendants rode on horseback, visiting all the parishes in the diocese. On Holy Innocents' Day, the complete service was given over to the lads, with the Boy Bishop preaching a proper sermon. After the service he, and his entourage, called at homes, singing songs and giving blessings—receiving entertainments and money gifts in return.

Salisbury Cathedral Photo: J Rosenthal/Anglican World Used by permission

The custom spread the length and breadth of England—first in cathedrals, collegiate churches and schools, later in every parish church with enough choristers. The practice became more raucous and disorderly, until, by the time of the Reformation, there were calls to put a stop to the high jinks. The sometimes riotous and rude behavior wasn't limited to the boys--the clergy, as "choiristers" were also known to disrupt services. In England Henry VIII thought it a distraction from real worship and ended the custom. His Catholic daughter Mary revived it, but, under the influence of the protestant Reformation, Queen Elizabeth I put an end to it again. On the continent it survived the longest in Germany—until 1799 in Meiningen.

The custom of selectiing a youthful Nicholas Bishop has been revived and updated in some English cathedrals and parishes. Now, as before, the lad, or sometimes lass, is fully outfitted as a bishop, with cope and miter, and carries the Lord Bishop's crozier. At the words from the Magnificat, "He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly," the Nicholas Bishop processes through the Quire, taking the Bishop's seat; the adult Bishop then takes a lower place. In Salisbury and Hereford cathedrals, the installed Boy Bishop preaches a sermon he's written himself, leads the prayers, and asks for God's blessing on the people. At Hereford the young bishop, a retired chorister, is accompanied by two attendants, also retired choristers, who each read one of the biblical lessons.

English Cathedrals & Parishes That Have Nicholas Youth Bishops

• Hereford Cathedral, Herefordshire
• Newcastle Cathedral Church of St Nicholas, Northumberland, begun in 2006
• Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire
  in the north aisle of the nave there is also a memorial to the Boy Bishop, a diminutive effigy in stone dressed in full episcopal regalia
• Westminster Cathedral, London, revived custom in 2005 in honor of patron St Gregory the Great 
• St. Andrew Chinnor, Oxfordshire, revived in 1992 
• St George the Martyr, Waterlooville, Hampshire
• St John the Baptist, Claines, Worcestershire, revived in 1971
• St. Nicholas, North Walsham, Norfolk
• Wymondham Abbey, Norfolk, restored ceremony in 2002
• St Nicholas, Longparish, Hampshire, revived in 2000
• St Nicholas, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire
• St Nicholas, Gosforth, Northumberland
• St John the Evangelist, Clevedon, Somerset
• St Nicholas, Alcester, Warwickshire, begun in 2003
• St Nicholas, Newchurch-in-Rossendale, Lancashire
• St John the Evangelist, Forton, Gosport, Hampshire, begun in 2008
• St Nicholas Ecumenical Parish, Warndon Villages, Worcestershire
• All Saints Church, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, begun in 2008
• Oldham Parish Church of St Mary with St Peter, Oldham, Lancashire, begun in 2009
• St Mary the Virgin, Mendlesham, Suffolk
• All Saints Church, Putney Common, London

Saint Nicholas Girl Bishop Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, Cazenovia, New York Used by permission

Other Places with Nicholas Youth Bishops

• St. John's Anglican Church, East Malvern, Australia
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Waterbury Connecticut, USA
• Christ Episcopal Church, Woodbury New Jersey, USA
• St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Cazenovia, New York, USA, selects a Saint Nicholas Boy/Girl Bishop who takes part in Advent & Christmas services 
• Cathedral of All Saints, Albany, New York, introduced the custom in 1979, one of the first in the United States
• Christ the King Church, Sharpsburg, Georgia, USA
• St. Nicholas Parish, Sunman, Indiana USA
• St. Joseph's Catholic School, Greenville, South Carolina USA
• St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg, New York USA
• Graz, Austria
• Chavagnes-en-Paillers, France
• Village of Safe, Spain, where the boy bishop rides on a small native horse
• Zegama, Spain, where the young boy bishop, between three and six years old, is escorted by twenty of his classmates

Pictures of Youth and Boy Bishops Around the World

Boy Bishop Ceremony Orders of Service

Boy Bishop Sermons

• Hereford Cathedral 2005 
• Salisbury Cathedral 2004
• North Walsham 2004
• Salisbury Cathedral 2003

In Medieval England

• A Description of the Boy Bishop Ceremony at Salisbury Cathedral
• The Boy Bishop's Visitation in York, 1396
• Medieval Practice and King Henry VIII & Queen Mary
• Medieval Boy Bishop Tokens
• Inventory Listings with Medieval English Boy Bishop Vestments

Links
St Nicholas in Old England
Information on this custom in England and Europe (click 'cancel' at the login)
A summary of the tradition in England
Another summary
Historical Notices of the Office of Choristers at Magdalen College School, Oxford (PDF file, see pages 26, 28, 29)
Two Medieval Boy Bishop Sermons
One preached at St. Paul's, London, before 1496 and the other at Gloucester Cathedral in 1558.