Church courts were introduced into England after the Norman Conquest to deal with heresy, marriage, sexual immorality and disputes over wills, and other disputes concerning the human soul. Generally these courts were held under the auspices of a bishop, or his archdeacon, but sometimes an archbishop or pope. Anyone who could prove the *benefit of *clergy came under these courts' jurisdiction.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.