Corruption in the medieval Church was widespread and, it seems, generally accepted. The bishop in question here, however, appears to have been spectacularly hypocritical even by the standards of his day. The colourful and biased Chronicle of Lanercost was compiled at Lanercost Priory, in the English Borders, from oral and written material, and covered the period of the Scottish Wars of Independence.
And so in the year of the Consecration of this Pope [Gregory X], there arose, as is reported, a great dispute in the [Papal] Curia over the election of William Wishart [to the see of St Andrews in 1271] many of them raising so many objections that the Head of the Church himself, having examined the objections set forth in writing, vowed by Saint Peter that if a moiety [a fraction] of the allegations were brought against himself, he never would seek to be Pope. At length, by intervention of the grace and piety of Edward he [Wishart] was consecrated under the Pope’s dispensation. For the sake of example I do not hesitate to insert here what befell him later when he applied himself to his cure. Indeed, it is an evil far too common throughout the world that many persons, undertaking the correction of others, are very negligent about their own [conduct], and, while condemning the light offences of simple folk, condone the graver ones of great men.
There was a certain vicar, of a verity lewd and notorious, who, although often penalized on account of a concubine whom he kept, did not on that account desist from sinning. But when the bishop arrived to his ordinary visitation, the wretch was suspended and made subject to the prelate’s mercy. Overcome with confusion, he returned home and beholding his doxy [mistress], poured forth his sorrows, attributing his mishap to the woman. Enquiring further, she learnt the cause of his agitation, and became bitterly aware that she was about to be cast out. ‘Put away that notion,’ quoth she to cheer him up, ‘and I will get the better of the bishop.’
On the morrow as the bishop was hastening to his [the vicar’s] church, she met him on the way laden with pudding, chickens and eggs, and, on his drawing near, she saluted him reverently, with bowed head. When the prelate enquired whence she came and whither she was going, she replied: ‘My lord, I am the vicar’s concubine, and I am hastening to the bishop’s sweetheart, who was lately brought to bed, and I wish to be as much comfort to her as I can.’ This pricked his conscience; straightaway he resumed his progress to the church, and, meeting the vicar, desired him to prepare for celebrating. The other reminded him of his suspension, and he [the bishop] stretched out his hand and gave him absolution. The sacrament having been performed, the bishop hastened away from the place without another word.