The historic episcopal consecration in 1908 of the former Catholic priest, Dr Arnold Harris Mathew (1852-1919), marks the establishment of Old Roman Catholicism in England; but the active hostility of the Holy See and the Established Church of England, as well as internal schisms, left only a poor remnant at Archbishop MatthewÕs untimely death.
His loyal successor, Archbishop Bernard Mary Williams (1889-1952) possessed an unique and intimate insight into Archbishop MatthewÕs dealings with Archbishop Davidson of Canterbury; his union with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and Alexandria in 1912; and the circumstances leading to Archbishop MatthewÕs failed submission to the Holy See in 1915-16, which he desired to record for posterity; as well as a vigorous rejoinder to the posthumous attacks made by the 1920 Lambeth Conference.