The Register of Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln 1420-1431 - Volume III

This volume completes the edition of the register of Bishop Fleming, including licences and dispensations, letters dimissory, licences to clergy, oratories in private chapels, wills, and probate documents. The bishop also ordered special prayers to be said in all archdeaconries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

This volume completes the edition of the register of Bishop Fleming. The general memoranda include licences and dispensations familiar in such registers: letters dimissory permitting clerks to seek ordination in other dioceses; licences to clergy to celebrate anniversaries, to preach or to be non-resident, usually for the purpose of study; licences for oratories in private chapels; licences to hear confessions. Some clergy are reprimanded: the vicar of North Mimms is deprived for non-residence; a chaplain of Dingley is reported to have buried a suicide in consecrated ground. Wills and other probate documents are transcribed in full. There are commissions appointing vicars-general when the bishop was absent overseas. On four occasions the bishop ordered special prayers to be said in all archdeaconries: for the king and his army at war overseas, for the soul of King Henry V, for the soul of the bishop's sister and for the bishop's journey overseas on the king's business.

Bishop Fleming's Register: A Comprehensive Record

This volume concludes the publication of the register of Bishop Fleming, presenting a comprehensive collection of general memoranda and various licences and dispensations. Among these memoranda, one finds familiar licences and dispensations, such as those permitting clerks to seek ordination in other dioceses, granting clergy permission to celebrate anniversaries, preach, or reside outside their home parishes, often for the purpose of study. Additionally, there are licences for oratories in private chapels, allowing clergy to conduct religious services within these private spaces. Furthermore, licences are granted for the hearing of confessions, ensuring the spiritual care of the faithful.

However, within the pages of this register, there are instances of reprimands and disciplinary actions taken against certain clergy members. The vicar of North Mimms is deprived of his position due to non-residence, while a chaplain of Dingley is reported to have buried a suicide in consecrated ground, a violation of religious norms and ethical standards.

In addition to these administrative matters, the register includes full transcriptions of wills and other probate documents, providing valuable insights into the financial and legal affairs of the clergy and their families during the period. Furthermore, there are commissions appointing vicars-general when the bishop was absent overseas, ensuring the continuity of leadership and administration in his absence.

One notable aspect of the register is the bishop's emphasis on special prayers and devotions. On four occasions, he ordered the recital of special prayers in all archdeaconries. These prayers were directed towards various concerns and purposes, including the well-being of the king and his army engaged in warfare overseas, the soul of King Henry V, the soul of the bishop's sister, and the bishop's own journey overseas on the king's business. These prayers demonstrate the bishop's commitment to the spiritual welfare of his clergy and the broader community and his recognition of the interconnectedness of temporal and spiritual matters.

In conclusion, the register of Bishop Fleming serves as a valuable resource for historians, scholars, and anyone interested in exploring the historical and religious context of the late medieval period. It provides a wealth of information about the lives and practices of the clergy, the bishop's administrative responsibilities, and the broader social and cultural dynamics of the time. Through its meticulous transcription and analysis, the register sheds light on the complex and multifaceted world of late medieval Christianity and offers a glimpse into the lives and struggles of the clergy and their communities.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780907239864