The medieval diocese of Norwich was densely populated – and it was crowded with churches as well as being home to a number of important religious houses. The earliest bishop’s register to survive is that of John Salmon, bishop of Norwich from 1299-1325. The document has eluded publication so far – perhaps because it is ‘only’ a record of institutions. Yet, such institutions were at the heart of the work of the medieval bishop, and this detailed record is full of interest. It represents an interweaving of the rights and responsibilities of all those involved in the appointment of clergy in the period, and reveals the interplay between influence and law. This paper will explore the potential of the record to enhance our understanding of the distribution of patronage and the character of the clergy in medieval East Anglia – and of the bishop himself.