the concept dates from anglo-saxon times, when a church could ally itself with the monarch and thereby not be subject to the bishop of the area. later, it reflected the relationship between the norman and plantagenet kings and the english church. most peculiars survived the reformation but, with the exception of royal peculiars, were finally abolished during the 19th century by various acts of parliament and became subject to the jurisdiction of the diocese in which they were, although a few non-royal peculiars still exist. the majority of royal peculiars that remain are situated within the diocese of london.