English Episcopal Acta

This volume aims to provide a primary source for one of the wealthiest and most important sees in medieval England. It contains 199 acta, 84 of which are previously unpublished. The text covers the episcopates of four of the most important political bishops of the 12th century: William Giffard, once Royal Chancellor; Henry of Blois, the brother of King Stephen and pre-eminent in the English church for almost a generation; Richard of Ilchester, Henry II's great justiciary of Normandy; and Godfrey de Lucy, the important servant of both King Richard I and King John. The extensive introduction provides biographies of the bishops - including a full discussion of the political importance of Bishop Henry, of whom there is no English biography - together with a detailed diplomatic analysis of the charters.