The origin of the body known as the Old Chapter, dates from 1623, when after a period of more than half a century during which there was no episcopal government in England, William Bishop was at length created vicar apostolic.
He survived less than a year, but during this period he organized a form of Catholic ecclesiastical government, by means of archdeacons and rural deans, throughout the country.
They therefore argued that the chapter existed sciente et tacente sede apostolica (with the knowledge and silent consent of the pope) and that this was sufficient to give it a canonical status.
After his death the chapter assumed the right to rule the country in the vacancy of the episcopal office, and for thirty years all faculties were issued by the dean who claimed the verbal approval of Pope Alexander VII.
According to Bernard Ward, "The Chapter had, it appears, offended Rome by constantly refusing to receive a Vicar Apostolic and demanding an Ordinary.