Bishops, Clerks, and Diocesan Governance in Thirteenth-Century England
Reward and Punishment

'Burger's study provides a richly detailed examination of episcopal governance, revealing essential aspects of bishops' rule. He reveals the dark side of thirteenth-century diocesan administration concealed by previous institutional histories - the hunger for patronage, the inconsistencies of service, and the fickle fawning of clerics attempting to advance in the hierarchy. Scholars of medieval rule and its practice, both within and outside the church, will find much of interest in [this] book.' Robert F. Berkhofer, III, Western Michigan University

''Tenure', or a permanent employment contract, remains the aspiration of most employees. What role did such aspirations play in the medieval Church, and how did churchmen resolve the tensions between spiritual service and monetary reward? Could such rewards be diminished or even revoked if a churchman broke with his original patron? These are questions of great significance, yet they have never before been approached with the forensic mastery that Michael Burger brings to his task. [His] study of the benefice fills a major gap in our understanding of patronage. It tells many new and remarkable stories of masters and servants. Of the good, the bad, and the professionally litigious. It deserves to be widely read.' Nicholas Vincent, University of East Anglia

'… will be of interest especially to those readers already acquainted with medieval ecclesiastical administration, but this volume also offers much to those interested in medieval networks of patronage, in a range of relationships between superiors and subordinates, and in the economics and politics of medieval religious life. Though Burger's volume requires commitment on the part of the reader, it repays careful reading with a wealth of detail about one of the most important sets of relationships in the medieval church.' J. Patrick Hornbeck, II, Marginalia Review of Books

'A close investigation of how bishops rewarded, or disciplined and punished their administrative subordinates. Much of the book is prosopographical and examines the granting of benefices, security of tenure, pensions and other rewards (such as gifts, fees and property) before turning to punishments - bonds, excommunication, oaths, prison. Finally, the consequences are examined: patronage hunger, continuity of service, affection and devotion. The author draws on evidence country-wide, making particularly heavy use of the diocesan archives of Lincoln and York.' Northern History

'… this is a valuable and useful discussion of the career relations between English bishops and their dependent administrators. Its evidence may derive from the thirteenth century; but its analysis applies across the later medieval period.' The Catholic Historical Review

'Michael Burger's lucid and often entertaining book takes up the question of how English Bishops wielded power.' Katherine L. French, Sixteenth Century Journal