It is difficult for the modern Englishman to realize, even remotely, the power of the medieval clergyman in his parish. Theoretically it was almost unlimited, and practically it was even greater if possible than that which Mr McCarthy reveals in his Priests and People in Ireland. In 1287, Bishop Quivil, of Exeter, published a series of diocesan constitutions which not only summarize the most important points of English Church law, but also add very valuable illustrative comments. These detailed instructions, dealing simply with the pressing needs of the moment, and in no way concerned with a distant posterity, throw, perhaps, more light upon medieval parish life than any other document of equal length. Just as the good bishop has no doubt that Jews are born to be the servants of Christians, so also he does not hesitate to remind the laity very plainly of their filial subordination to the clergy, a subordination which aggravates the sin of every trespass upon clerical possessions or privileges.