Bangor Episcopal Acta, 1092-1306

A thorough examination of the acta of the bishops of Bangor in North Wales opens a revealing window into the administrative and legal life of the medieval church.

This volume provides a first edition of the acta (charters, indulgences, letters, petitions, professions of obedience etc.) of the bishops of Bangor in north Wales for the period 1092-1306. There are 102 acta in total, 24 of which survive as originals, 6 retaining their original seals. Latin transcriptions of the acta are provided in extenso with English summaries. Textual and historical notes follow the transcriptions, with an explanation of the date ascribed to each document. The structure of the edition is modelled on that of the English Episcopal Acta series, and the editions of episcopal acta for the twelfth- and thirteenth-century bishops of Llandaff and St Davids. The volume begins with an introduction to the medieval diocese of Bangor, its geographical extent, structure and the personnel responsible for its administration. There is also an examination of the native Welsh clas (which existed before a chapter was introduced at the end of the twelfth century) and from which the familia was initially drawn, as well as an examination of the bishops’ households of the thirteenth century. After a history of the ten incumbent bishops who held the see during the period covered by the volume, there is an analysis of the diplomatic of the acta, both internal and external features, including sealing arrangements. The volume concludes with the bishops’ itineraries.