The 532 letters that are published in this volume come from the extensive correspondence that was received from people in Lincolnshire parishes by John Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln between 1827 and 1853. They are important because they express the opinions and reflect the attitudes of lay people as well as clergymen: Kaye's correspondents ranged from members of the landed gentry to people who would usually have little direct contact with the bishop. They included a 'troublesome', 'deceptious' and 'pugnacious' village carrier disputing the fees charged for burial in his local churchyard, as well as...