The Archdeacon of Canterbury has an additional role, traditionally serving as the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative at enthronement ceremonies for new diocesan bishops in his province.
At these services, the archdeacon reads the archbishop's mandate and, taking the new bishops by the hand, conducts them to their episcopal throne.
The archdeaconry and archdeacon of Canterbury have been in constant existence since the 11th century.
There was one short-lived attempt to split the role in the 12th century.
The archdeaconry covers approximately the north-east corner of the diocese.