Edward King, a bishop of the Church…

Edward King, a bishop of the Church of England in Lincoln, is called to account on June 2, 1888, for using ritualistic practices in Anglican worship.

A complaint by a churchwarden from Cleethorpes, funded by the Church Association, concerning a service conducted at St Peter at Gowts church in Lincoln, is brought against King.

He stands accused of tolerating six ritualistic practices.

To avoid King's prosecution in a lay court under the Public Worship Regulation Act 1874, Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, revives his own archiepiscopal court (inactive since 1699).

In his "Lincoln Judgment", he finds against King on two counts and also requires him to conduct the manual acts during the prayer of consecration in the service of Holy Communion in such a way that the people can see them.

Benson specifically allows the use of lighted candles, and mixing of elements, as well as the eastward position during the service.

The Church Association will appeal against the ruling to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, but will be denied in 1890.

King will loyally conform his practices to the archbishop's judgment.

Some consider the process a repudiation of the anti-ritualism movement, though it proves physically and emotionally taxing for King, whose physique has never been particularly robust.