The Archbishops of York are senior bishops in the Church of England, serving as the spiritual leaders of the northern province of the church. The position dates back to the early Christian church in Britain, with the first Archbishop, Paulinus of York, appointed in 625 AD. The Archbishop of York is second in rank to the Archbishop of Canterbury and plays a significant role in church governance and national religious matters. The Archbishop's responsibilities include overseeing the diocese of York, which encompasses several counties in northern England. They also participate in the House of Lords as a spiritual peer and engage in various social and charitable initiatives. The current Archbishop of York, as of 2023, is Stephen Cottrell, who was appointed in 2020.