The position of the medieval diocese of London - situated at the heart of government - ensured that the bishops were involved in both pastoral care and politics. Volume 38 edits the extant documents of five bishops of London, from Roger Niger to John Chishull. It includes an extensive introduction, which considers the role of men such as Fulk Basset and Henry of Sandwich, both within their diocese and beyond, and examines in particular how, as bishops and lords, they were involved with the upheavals of the 1260s. It also provides insights into the development of their administrative practice and a discussion of the careers of men associated with the bishops' households. Volume 39 completes the episcopal documents and includes full itineraries for all the bishops, an appendix of episcopal documents relating to Bishop Gravesend's role in the papal taxation of 1301 to 1303, and full subject and name indexes.

Introduction