It publishes scholarly editions of English medieval (pre-Reformation) ecclesiastical records, notably episcopal registers.
[1] Its name was taken from those of the two provinces of the Church of England, Canterbury and York; and its joint presidents are the two current Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
The great majority of its publications are editions of the registers of bishops and archbishops (of which it has published over fifty, some in several volumes); but other types of ecclesiastical record also fall within its remit.
The Society holds an annual meeting, which includes a lecture on an aspect of English church history by a leading scholar.
In return for an annual subscription, the member receives that year's volume and the right to purchase back volumes at a discount.