Parish histories do not come grander than this, but St Mary-le-Bow can easily justify its seeming indulgence both as a parish and a church. There is not only the world-wide fame of ‘Bow bells’ which provide the definition of a Cockney but it also accommodates the Court of Arches, the final appeal court of the province of Canterbury, as well as being the place where most English bishops receive confirmation of their election to their sees. Add to that its many historical associations. For starters: where the last pallium was conferred on an archbishop of Canterbury (Cardinal Pole) or the fact of its virtual destruction both in the Great Fire of 1666 and again in the 1941 Blitz. In the first instance Christopher Wren was called upon to produce one of his most distinguished churches. All this told in an attractive style by a well-chosen range of experts and introduced by the current archbishop of Canterbury. Skilful editing by the present incumbent and the convenor of the prestigious Boyle Lectures (which take place in the church) has avoided unnecessary repetition – the peril of multi-author works.