Writ - Writ of Mandamus for the Installation of a Canon of Westminster Abbey [2026-01-30]

Writ - Writ of Mandamus for the Installation of a Canon of Westminster Abbey [2026-01-30]

Ecclesiastical

Royal Peculiars

Writ of Mandamus of King Charles III directing the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey to install Jennifer Adams-Massmann as a Canon.

King Charles III

FOI release

2026-01-30

Jason Loch

Westminster Abbey

CHARLES THE THIRD by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories King Head of the Commonwealth Defender of the Faith To Our beloved in Christ the Dean and Chapter of Our Collegiate Church of Saint Peter Westminster or to any others having or that may have authority in this behalf Greeting Whereas We by Our Letters Patent bearing even date with these Presents have given and granted unto Our beloved in Christ JENNIFER HELEN ADAMS-MASSMANN Clerk in Holy Orders Assistant Chaplain and Welfare Officer in Peterhouse College at the University of Cambridge the place and dignity of a Canon in Our said Collegiate Church We therefore Command you that ye assign or cause to be assigned to the said Jennifer Helen Adams-Massmann a Stall in the Choir and a Place and Voice in the Chapter in all respects according to custom In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at Westminster the thirtieth day of January in the fourth year of Our Reign

Printed in Times New Roman. Royal name and appointee's name are in all capital letters.

Wafer Seal?

The use of "By His Majesty's Command" as an eschatocol is unusual in a document which passes under the Great Seal. It's more commonly seen in connection with the countersignature of a Royal Warrant.

This use of a Writ of Mandamus may be unique to Royal Peculiars.