Episcopal Visitations in Bedfordshire, 1706-1720

William Wake, while Bishop of Lincoln from 1705 to 1716, invented a new way to conduct his triennial visitations: he sent round to the clergy a printed list of questions which needed written answers. William Wake, while Bishop of Lincoln from 1705 to 1716, invented a new way to conduct his triennial visitations: he sent round to the clergy a printed list of questions which needed written answers. His enquiries covered not just clergy incomes and church services, but also a wide range of aspects