Diocese

Bishops governed large Church areas called dioceses. They were often wealthy and politically influential, and some served on the Witan, the king’s council. Local priests served communities through parish churches.

Bishops supervised larger areas called dioceses, while archbishops held authority over groups of bishoprics. The Pope in Rome was the head of the western Christian Church.

Below the archbishops, bishops administered areas called dioceses. They supervised clergy, maintained discipline and managed Church land. Dioceses contained local parishes, where priests served their communities.