He was nominated Bishop of Sodor and Man in January 1546 and consecrated at Old St Paul's Cathedral on 14 February 1546 by bishops Bonner, Chetham and Hodgkins.
A farewell party is held at the docks, and Thomas promises Hiro that Sodor will always be his home too.
Hildesley's tenure of the rectory of Holwell extended over thirty-two years (1735–67), and his work there recommended him to the notice of James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl, the Lord of Mann, who nominated him to the see of Sodor and Man.