In thirteenth-century England there were twenty-two dioceses, each of which had at least one archdeacon who might themselves have administrative subordinates; archdeaconries in their turn were subdivided into rural deaneries, whose ‘rural deans [were] shadowy figures whose activities, and even identities, leave little trace in the sources’ (pp 5–6). This book, however, is not concerned with the day-to-day administration of the diocese but rather with the relationship between the bishop and his administrative officials. ‘Clerk’ in the context of the title refers to the ordained clergy rather than to any secretarial responsibility.

Especially in the absence of the bishop those administrators had great responsibilities, but by the beginning of the century the bishop was progressively unable to rely upon his cathedral chapter to provide the necessary support. By this time such chapters were often monastic and unsuited to providing prolonged administrative assistance, and secular chapters were often outside episcopal control. (Although canonries were often a reward for service, once appointed the canon was no longer an ex officio administrator.) Archdeacons were appointed by the bishop but, save in exceptional circumstances, were not thereafter removable by him. In these circumstances bishops appointed other administrators: sequestrators, officiales (later to become the vicars-general), officiales episcopi (the judges of the consistory courts), registrars (in charge of the episcopal registers), chancellors (in charge of the episcopal seal), proctors (who carried out legal and diplomatic duties), notaries and chaplains (who frequently also carried out secretarial duties). In addition there were clergy who carried out estate duties such as stewards and seneschals. Domestic chamberlains, too, were also often clergy.

Bishops were naturally concerned to reward good service and to discipline those who failed to give good service. It is these questions that this book addresses and, in so doing, the author provides a mine of fascinating examples and information. Perhaps unsurprisingly, episcopal administrators sought security of office and this was offered as a reward by collation to a benefice with or without the cure of souls. Another form of reward was the pension but, unlike the benefice, its benefit did not normally survive the decease of the granting bishop. Other rewards included enhancement of benefices already granted, fees, bribes and even extortion. In addition, of course, there was the exercise of episcopal patronage and the binding force in appropriate cases of genuine friendship or sentiment. Set against this, the possibility of discipline exercised by the bishop (such as sequestration, excommunication and public penance) seems to have been rarely exercised; even then, the oath of canonical obedience was a blunt instrument of enforcement (though the author does not consider the possibility that this may have been due to the restricted ambit of the oath itself). As Burger concludes, ‘the bishop's easier course was simply not to reach for the rod’ (p 166).

All this casts a fascinating glimpse into the church in the thirteenth century but one must be careful not to assume that the apparent similarities between diocesan structures then and now can give any insight into present-day diocesan administration. After all, the only rewards that are nowadays within the gift of a diocesan bishop (apart from the odd collation) are the appointment as a suffragan, to an honorary canonry and the giving of a glowing reference. Punishment, of course, has been closely circumscribed by Measure. One is left wondering how many present-day diocesans would like to return to the administrative circumstances of yesteryear.