Church/Politcs

Recently there has been more emphasis on the personalities involved in Edward II's reign rather than constitutional, administrative and particularly ecclesiastical matters. By contrast, this book offers an analysis of the role played by Adam Orleton, promoted successively Bishop of Hereford, Worcester and Winchester by a pope who paid no attention to the expostulations of the government at home.

In recent years Edward II's reign has attracted the attention of a number of scholars whose work has considerably modified the traditional picture. As a result, there has been a move away from the emphasis on constitutional and administrative theory and practice to a consideration of the personalities involved, notably Edward himself and the earls of Pembroke and Lancaster. Although medieval biography is difficult, such an approach has been highly successful - the actions of individuals are seen to be crucial in any analysis of events. However, since Kathleen Edwards's pioneer article in the mid-1940s, the Church's contribution has been largely neglected. In her view, after Archbishop Winchelsey's death the bishops cut sorry figures indeed. The time has come for a more sympathetic appraisal, in particular of the role played by Adam Orleton, promoted successively bishop of Hereford, Worcester and Winchester by a pope who paid no attention to the expostulations of the government at home.