English Episcopal Acta - v.16 : Coventry and Lichfield, 1160-1182 (Volume XVI)

This second volume of acta from Coventry contains the administrative output of a single bishop, Richard Peche.

It has previously been believed that Peche made little impact on ecclesiastical affairs, because of the low profile he assumed in the Becket controversy.

However, as is made clear in the introduction, Peche made his own contribution to the development of church government, in particular the vicarage system.

Over half the 111 documents in this volume have never before been printed.

Appendices discuss a report of an early miracle of St Thomas Becket, and the role of cathedrals as archive repositories.

This volume of "English Episcopal Acta" complements Volume XIV, which covers the period 1072-1159.

Volume XVII (1183-1208) will complete the publication of the acta of the bishops of Coventry and Lichfield.