Even as early as the eleventh century the bishops all belonged to noble families, generally to those possessing lands in the neighbourhood; only too often the bishopric was administered for the benefit rather of the bishop's family than of the Church.
Juba 11. sajandil kuulusid kõik piiskopid aadliperedesse, üldiselt nendesse, kes naabruses maid omasid; liigagi sageli hallati piiskopkonda pigem piiskopi perekonna kui kiriku kasuks.