A major role of the Bishop was to ensure that certain activities or roles were carried out appropriately. It was necessary to obtain a licence to marry without banns, to work as a schoolmaster or curate, and to administer the estate of someone who died without leaving a will. The issuing of such licences was recorded in registers. The licences and paperwork themselves do not always survive.

The Bishop also ensured that people complied with rules and regulations relating to church buildings and policed their moral behaviour.