Iniunctions giuen by the most reuerende father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archbishop of Yorke primate of England, and Metropolitane, in his Metropoliticall visitation of the prouince of Yorke, aswell to the clergie, as to the laytie of the same prouince. Anno do. 1571. — Visitation articles. 1571

Iniunctions giuen by the most reuerende father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archbishop of Yorke primate of England, and Metropolitane, in his Metropoliticall visitation of the prouince of Yorke, aswell to the clergie, as to the laytie of the same prouince. Anno do. 1571. — Visitation articles. 1571

Table of contents

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Title page

Iniunctions giuen by the most Reuerende Father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archebishop of Yorke, &c.

❧ For the Clergie.

¶ For the Laytie.

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Title page

Articles to be enquired of, within the prouince of Yorke, in the Metropoliticall visitation of the most reuerent father in God, Edmond Archebishop of Yorke, Primate and Metropolitane of England.

The tenor of the othe, ministred to the Church-wardens and sworne men.

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Iniunctions Giuen by the most reuerende father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archbishop of Yorke, primate of England, and Metropolitane, in his Metropoliticall visitation of the Prouince of Yorke, aswell to the Clergie, as to the Laytie of the same Prouince. Anno do. 1571.

Imprinted at London, by William Seres.

Cum priuilegio.

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Iniunctions giuen by the most Reuerende Father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archebishop of Yorke, &c.

❧ For the Clergie.

INPRIMIS, you must trauel diligently and painefully to set forth Gods true religion, and adourne the same with example of godly life, being circumspect, that you offende no man eyther by light behauiour, or by light apparell.

2 Item, vpon euery Sunday and Holyday, yee shall in your Churche or Chappell, at conuenient howers, reuerently and distinctly say, or sing the Common prayer, appointed by the lawes of this Realme, both in the forenoone and afternoone, standing in a pulpit, or seate appointed for that purpose, and so turnyng your face towards the people, as they may best heare the same, and vpon euery Wednesday and Friday in the forenoone (not beyng holy day) ye shall in like manner saie the Letanie, and other Praiers appointed for the daie, and likewise the euenyng, Praier euery Saterday & holy Euen, and shall also at all times [Page] requisite and conuenient, duely and reuerently minister the two holy Sacraments, that is to say, Baptisme and the Lordes Supper, commonly called the holy Communion, accordyng to such order, as is set forth in the booke of Common prayer, and administration of the Sacramentes.

3 Item, ye shall minister the holy Communion euery moneth ones at the least in euery of your Churches, & Chappels, where ministration of the Sacramentes is permitted: And to the intent that the people may better vnderstande theyr dueties, and come the better prepared to the holy Communion, ye shall monethly exhort your Parishioners to come to the same, and alwaies giue them warnyng therof, the next Sunday before yée ministre the same, declaring vnto them, that by the lawes of this Realme, euery person of conuenient age is bound to receiue the holy Communion, at the least thrée times in the yéere, and namely at Easter for ones.

4 Item, that at all times when yée minister the holy Sacramentes, and vpon Sundaies and other holy daies, when ye say the Common prayer and other diuine seruice in your Parishe Churches and Chappelles (and likewise at all Mariages & Burials, ye shal (when ye minister) weare a cleane and decent surples with large sléeues) and shall Minister the Holy communion in no challice, nor any prophane cup or glasse, but in a Communion cup of Siluer, and with a couer of Siluer, appointed also for the ministration of the Communion bread: ye shall not deliuer the Communion bread vnto the people into their mouthes, but into their handes, nor shall vse at the Ministration of the communion any gestures, rites or Ceremonies, not appointed by the booke of Common prayer, as crossinge or breathing ouer the Sacramentall▪ bread and Wine, nor any shewing or liftinge vp of the same to the people, to be by them worshipped and adored, nor any such like, nor shall vse any Oile or Chrisme, Tapers, Spattle, or any other Popishe ceremony in the ministration of the Sacrament of Baptisme.

5 Item, ye shall euery Sunday and Holy day openly in [Page] your Church or chappell, call for, heare, and instructe the children and seruantes, both menkinde and womenkinde, that be of conuenient age within your Parishe (at the least so many of them at once by course, as the time will serue, and as you may well heare and instruct for an hower at the least) before Euening praier in the ten commaundementes, the articles of the Beliefe, and the Lordes prayer in Englishe, and diligently examine and teache them the Catechisme set forth in the booke of Common prayer. And to thintent this thinge may be more effectually executed, ye shall take the names of all the children, yong men, maydens and seruantes in your Parishe, that be aboue six yeres of age and vnder twentie, which can not say the Cathechisme, & shall call by course certaine of them by name, eeuery Sunday and euery Holy day, to come to the Catechisme, whereby you may easily note and obserue what Parentes or Maisters be negligent in sending their children, and seruantes to be instructed and take occasion thereof, both priuately and openly to exhorte them to sende their youth, as they are appointed, and shall present the refusers to the ordinarie.

6 Item, you shall not admitte to the receiuing of the holy Communion any of your Parish, which be openly knowen to liue in any notorious sinne, as Incest, Adulterie, Fornication, Drunkennes, much Swearing, Bawderie, Usurie, or suche like, without dewe penaunce firste donne to the satisfaction of the congregation, nor any malicious person that is out of Charitie, or that hath done open wrong to his neighbour by woorde or déede, without dewe reconciliation firste made to the partie that is wronged or maliced.

7 Item, you shall not admitte to the holy Communion any of your Parishe, men or women being aboue fower and twentie yéeres of age, that can not say by heart, at the least the tenne Commaundementes, the articles of the Faith, and the Lordes praier in English, nor any being fouretene yéeres and aboue, and vnder fower and twentie yéeres of age that can not say by harte the Catechisme, that is set forth in the saide booke [Page] of common Praier.

8 Item, for that purpose ye shal before Easter and al other times of the yeare, when the holy Communion is to be by you ministred, giue warning before vnto your Parishioners to come vnto you, either in the afternoone of some Sunday or holy daie, or the daie before they purpose to receiue, or at some other times before, as necessitie shall cause you to appointe, if there be any multitude, or (if the numbre be but small) in the morning at the farthest, before they shall receiue, so that it be before the beginning of Morning prayer, so many of them, as intende to receiue, & not onely to signifie vnto you their names, to the intent ye may kéepe a Register or note of all suche persons as from time to time shall communicate, but also to be by you examined, whether they can saie by heart the tenne commaundementes, the Articles of the Faith, the Lordes prayer, and the Catechisme, according as after the diuersitie of their ages is aboue required, and such of them as either can not, or will not recite the same by harte vnto you, ye shall repell and put backe from the holy Communion, vntill they shall be able & willing to learne, and can by harte recite the same vnto you: for your better assistance wherin, ye shall call vpon and require the Churchwardens and Sworne men of your Parishe to be present (one of them at the least) at euery such examination, to thintent they may helpe to put this good order in practise, and ye shall take a note of such wilfull and negligent persons, as ye shall finde faultie in this behalfe, and so presente the same, and the Churchwardens, and Sworne men also, to the Ordinarie if they shall refuse so to assiste you.

9 Item ye shall not marry any persons, or aske the Banes of Matrimonie betwene any persons which before were single, vnlesse they can saie the Catechisme by harte, and will recite the same vnto you before the asking of the Banes. And ye shall not marry any persons without the Banes be thrise on thrée seuerall Sundaies or Holydayes first openly asked, without any impediment or forbidding. Neither shall ye marry any persons [Page] within the degrées of affinitie or consanguinitie by the Lawes of God forbidden, so set out for an admonition in a table lately appointed to be affixed in your parishe Churche. For the better knowledge of which degrées ye shall reade vnto your Parishioners the saide Table euery yéere twise at the least.

10 Item, ye shall not admitte to aunswere as Godfathers or Godmothers at the Christening of any Childe, any person or persons, except he, shée, and they, haue before receiued the holy Communion, and can saie by hearte the articles of the Christian Faith in Englishe, and will recite the same before you at the time of Ministration of Baptisme, or before the Minister, if he, she, or they be therevnto required: And being yong folkes, except he, shée, and they can say by hart the whole Catechisme, and will recite the same before you, as is aforesaide.

11 Item, ye shall not Church any vnmaried woman which hath bene gotten with childe out of lawfull Matrimonie, except it be vpon some Sunday or Holy daie, and except shée either before her childebirth haue done dewe penaunce for hir faulte, to the satisfaction of the congregation, or at hir comming to be Churched, shée doe openly acknowledge hir faulte before the congregation accordingly, and shewe hir selfe to be very penitent for the same: Leauing it frée for the Ordinary to punishe hir further at his discretion.

12 Item, ye shall euery Sunday when there is no Sermon in your Church or Chappell, distinctly and plainely reade in the pulpit, some one of the Homelies set forth by the Quéenes Maiesties authoritie, or one parte thereof at the least, in such sorte as the same are deuided and appointed to be read, by the two bookes of the Homelies. And euery Holy day when there is no Sermon, ye shall immediatly after the Gospell, plainely and distinctly recite to your Parishioners the Lordes praier, the Articles of the faith, and the tenne Commaundementes in Englishe, and being not admitted by the Ordinary or other lawful auctoritie, ye shall not expounde any Scripture or matter of doctrine, by the waie of exhortation or otherwise, and thereby [Page] omitte and leaue of the reading of the Homelies.

13 Item, you shall plainely & distinctly reade in your Church or Chappel vnto the people betwene the Letanie and the Communion, the forme of commination againste sinners, with certaine praiers following the same, set forth in the later ende of the booke of common Praier, thrée times at the least in the yéere, that is to saie for orders sake, yéerely vpon one of the twoo Sundaies next before Gaster, for the first time, vpon one of the twoo Sundaies next before the feaste of Pentecoste for the seconde time: and for the thirde time vpon one of the twoo Sundaies next before the feaste of the birthe of our Lorde, ouer and besides the accustomed reading thereof vpon the firste day of Lente.

14 Item, you shall reade openly in your Church in these of diuine seruice, twise euery yéere vpon some of the Sundaies within one Moneth, next after the feastes of Easter and sainte Michaell the Archangel, plainely, without addition or chainge: a declaration of certaine principall Articles of Religion sette foorth by both the Archebishoppes, and the reste of the Bishops of this Realme for the vnitie of Doctrine.

15 Item, ye shall not proclaime, bid or obserue, nor willingly suffer your Parishioners to obserue any Holy daies or casting daies heretofore abrogated, or not appointed by the newe Kalender of the Booke of common Praier, to be vsed or kept as Holy daies or Fasting daies, nor giue the people any knowledge thereof by any indirect meanes.

16 Item, ye shall kéepe well the Registers of al Weddings, Burials and Christeninges within your Parishe, according to thorder prescribed in the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions▪ and shall present a coppie of them euery yéere once, by Indenture to the Ordinarie or his Officers.

17 Item, you shall Preach or by suche as are lawfully licenced, shall cause to be Preached in the Churches where you are Persons or Uicars, one Sermon euery quarter of the yeare at the least.

[Page]18 Item, no Minister or Priest shal serue twoo cures at one time, nor say common seruice in any priuate mans house, without special license vnder the Ordinaries seale. Nor any Curate shall serue any one cure within this Prouince, without letters testimonial of the Ordinary of the place, from whence he came, testifiyng the cause of his departinge from thence, and of his behauiour there, nor onles he shall first obteine and haue speciall license in writing vnder the seale of the Ordinarie of the place whereunto he commeth, for his admission to such a cure, and shall shewe the same to the Churchwardens: before he enter to serue any such cure.

19 Item, ye shall reade openly in your Churches & Chappels, in time of diuine seruice the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions euery quarter of a yéere once: And these our Iniunctions concerning aswell the Clergie as the Laytie, euery halfe yéere once.

20 Item, for the putting of the Churchwardens and sworne men, better in remembrance of their dewtie, in obseruing and noting all such persons of your parishe, as doe offende in not coming to Diuine seruice, ye shall openly euery Sunday after ye haue read the second Lesson, at Morning and Euening praier, monishe and warne the Churchwardens and Sworne men of your Parishe, to looke to their Othes and charge in this behalf, and to obserue who contrary to the Lawe doe that day offende, either in absenting them selues negligently or wilfully from their parishe Church or Chappell, or vnreuerently vse them selues in the time of Diuine seruice, and so note the same to the intent they may either present such offenders to the Ordinary, when they shalbe required therevnto, or leuye and take by way of distresse to the vse of the Poore, suche forfeitures as are appointed by a Statute, made in the first yéere of the Quéenes Maiesties Reigne in that behalfe, and if the Churchwardens and Sworne men be negligent, or shall refuse to doe their dutie that way, ye shall present to the Ordinarie both them, and all such others of your Parishe as shall offende either in [Page] absenting themselfes from the Church, or by vnreuerent behauiour in the Church contrary to the same Statute.

21 Item, ye shall from time to time diligently call vpon & exhort your Parishioners to contribute and giue towardes the reliefe of the Poore, as they may well spare, and specially when ye visite them that be sicke, and make their Testamentes, and for your owne partes also, ye shall charitably relieue the Poore to your habilitie.

22 Item, ye shall daily reade at the least one chapter of the Old Testament, and an other of the Newe, with good aduisement, and such of you as be vnder the degrée of a maister of Arte shall prouide and haue of your owne, according to the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions, at the least the New Testament both in Latine and English, conferring the one with the other, euery daie one Chapter thereof at the least, so that vpon the examination of the Archedeacon, Commissary or their Officers, in Synodes and Uisitations, or at other appointed times it may appeare, how ye profite in the studie of holy Scripture.

23 Item, ye shall not kéepe or suffer to be kept in your personage or Uicaridge houses, any Alehouses, Tipling Houses, or Tauerns, nor shal sell Ale, Béere or Wine, nor any of you shal kéepe any suspected woman in your house, or be an incontinent liuer, giuen to Drunkennesse or Idlenesse, nor any of you beyng vnmaried, shall kéepe in your house any woman vnder the age of thréescore yéeres, excepte shée be your Daughter by former Mariage, or be your Mother, Aunte, Sister, or Niece, and such an one as ye shall kéepe, shalbe of good name and fame, nor any of you shalbe a haunter of Tauernes, Alehouses, or suspected places, or a Hunter, Hawker, Dicer, Carder, Tabler, Swearer, or otherwise giue any euill example of life, but contrarywise at all times when ye shall haue leysure, ye shal heare or reade some parte of holy Scripture, or some other good Authours, or shall occupie your selues with some other honest studie or exercise, & oftentimes giue your selues to earnest praier, and shalbe diligent in visiting the sicke & comforting of them.

[Page]24 Item, you shall exhorte your Parishioners to obedience towardes their Prince, and all other that be in authoritie, and to charitie and mutuall loue amongst themselues, helping to reconcile thē which shall happen to be at variance at any time, and if ye can not Preache, ye shall teache children to reade, to write, & to know their dueties towards God, their Prince, Parentes, and all others: and by all meanes ye can, ye shall endeuour your selues to profite the Common Wealth, hauing alwaies in minde that ye ought to excell all other in puritie of life, and should be examples to the people to liue well and Christianly, not giuing any way iuste cause of offence.

25 Item, all Proprietaries Parsons, Uicars, and Clerkes, hauing Churches or Chappels within this prouince, shall cause the Chauncels or Quéeres of their Churches or Chappels to be from time to time, accordinge to the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions in that behalfe, sufficiently repaired and mainteined in good estate, and all Parsons, Uicars and other Clerkes, hauing Mansion houses belonging to their promocions, shall likewise repaire and kéepe the same in good estate, and vpon the same Chauncels or Quéeres, and Mansion houses with buildinges therevnto belonging, being in decaye, shall yéerely bestowe according to the same Iniunctions the fift parte of that their benefice, till they be fully repayred, and being repaired, shall mainteine the same in good estate and order▪

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¶ For the Laytie.

FIrst wée doe enioyne and straitly commaunde, that from hencefoorth no parish Clerke nor any other parson, not being ordered at the least for a Deacon, shall presume to solemnize Matrimonie, or to Minister the Sacrament of Baptisme, or to deliuer to the Communicantes the Lordes Cuppe at the celebration of the holy Communion. And that no person not being a Minister, Deacon, or at the least tollerated by the Ordinarie in writing, doe attempt to supplie thoffice of the Minister in saying of Diuine seruice openly in any Church or Chappell.

2 Item, to thintent that the people may the better heare the Morninge and Eueninge Prayer, when the same by the Minister is saide, & be the more edified thereby, we doe enioyne that the Churchwardens of euery parishe, in places aswell exempt as not exempt at the charges of the Parishe, shall procure a decent low Pulpit to be erected and made in the body of the Church out of hande, wherein the Minister shall stande with his face towardes the people, when he readeth Morninge and Euening prayer. Prouided alwaies that where the Churches are very small, it shall suffise that the Minister stande in his accustomed stall in the Quéere: So that a conuenient deske or lecterne with a rowme to turne his face towardes the people be there prouided by the saide Churchwardens at the charges of the parishe. The iudgement and order whereof and also the forme and order of the Pulpit or seate aforesaide in greater Churches, wée doe referre vnto the Archdeacon of the place or to his Officiall. Prouided also that the prayers and other seruice appointed for the Ministration of the holy Communion, be saide and done at the Commūion table, except the Epistle and Gospell, which shalbe read in the saide pulpit or stall, and also the tenne commaundementes when there is no Communion.

3 Item, that the Churchwardens according to the custome of euery parishe shalbe chosen by the consent aswell of the Parson, Uicare, or Curate, as of the Parishioners, otherwise they [Page] shall not be Churchwardens, neyther shall they continue anye lenger, than one yeare in that office, except perhappes they shal be chosen againe: They shall not sell or alienate any Belles or other church goodes, without consent of the Ordinarie, in writing first had, nor shal put the money that shall come of any such sale, to any other vse than to the reparations of their Churches or Chappelles, or for prouiding of necessaries for the same Churches or Chappels. And all Churchwardens at the ende of euery yeare shall give vp to the Parson, Uicare, or Curate, and their Parishioners a iuste accompte written in a booke to be prouided at the charges of the Parishe for that purpose, of al suche money, ornamentes, stocke, rentes, or other Churche goodes, as they haue receiued, during the time they were in office, and also shall particulerly shewe, what coste they haue bestowed in reparations & other thinges for the vse of the Church. And going out of their offices they shall truely deliuer vp in the sight of the Parishioners to the next Churchwardens, and note in the saide Churche booke, whatsoeuer money, ornamentes, stocke, or other Church goodes shall remaine and be in their handes at the time of giuing vp of their accomptes.

4 Item, that the Churchwardens in euery Parishe shall at the costes and charges of the Parishe prouide (if the same be not already prouided) all thinges necessary & requisite for common Prayer and Administration of the holy Sacramentes, on this side the .xx. day of next ensuyng, specially the booke of Common prayer, with the newe Kalender and a Psalter to the same, the English Bible in the largest volume, the two Tomes of the Homelies, with the Homelies lately written against Rebellion, the table of the tenne Commaundementes, a conuenient Pulpitte well placed, a comely and decent table, standing on a framefor the holy Communion, with a faire linnen clothe to lay vpon the same, and some couering of Silke, Buckram, or other such like, for the cleane kéeping thereof, a fayre and comely Communion cuppe of siluer, and a couer of siluer for the same, which may serue also for the ministration of [Page] the Communion bread, a decent large Surplesse with sléeues, a sure Coffer with two lockes and keyes, for kéeping of the Register booke, and a strong chest or Boxe for the almose of the paire, with thrée lockes and keyes to the same, and all other things necessarie in and to the premisses. And shall also prouide before the sayde day, the Paraphrases of Erasmus in English vpon the Gospels, and the same set vp in some conuenient place within their church or chappell, the charges whereof, the person or proprietarie and Parishioners shall by equall portions beare according to the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions, all which bookes must be whole and not torne or vnperfit in any wise. And the Churchwardens also shal from time to time, at the charges of the Parish, prouide bread and wine for the Communion. And for that purpose shal take some order among the Parishioners, that euery one may pay such a reasonable summe towards the same, as may suffice for the finding of breade and wine for the Communion throughout the whole yeare, so as no Communion at any tyme be disappoynted for want of bread and wine.

5 Item, that the Churchwardens shall sée that in theyr churches and chappels, all Aultars be vtterly taken downe and cléere remooued euen vnto the foundation, and the place where they stoode paued, and the wall wherevnto they ioyned, whited ouer, and made vniforme with the reast, so as no breach or rupture appeare. And that the Aulterstones be broken, defaced, and bestewed to some common vse. And that the Roode loftes be taken downe, and altered so, that the vpper bordes and timber thereof both behinde and aboue, where the Rood lately did hang, and also the soller or loft be quite taken downe vnto the crosse beame, wherevnto the particion betwéene the Quéere and the bodie of the church is fastened, and that the sayde beame haue some conuenient creast put vpon the same. And that all the bordes, beames, and other stuffe of the Roode loftes, be solde by the churchwardens to the vse of the church, so as no part thereof be kept and reserued.

6 Item that the churchwardens shall from time to time, sée [Page] that their churches and chappels, and the stéeples thereof be diligently and well repayred, with leade, tyle, slate, or shingle, lyme, stone, tymber, glasse, and all other necessaries, and that their churches and chappels be kept cleane and decently, that they be not lothsome to any, eyther by dust, sande, grauell, or anye filth, and that there bée no feastes, dinners, or common drinkings kept in the church, and that the churchyardes be well fenced and clenly kept, and that no folkes be suffered to daunce in the same.

7 Item, that the Churchwardens and Minister shall sée, that Antiphoners, Masse bookes, Grayles, Portesses, Processionals, Manualles, Legendaries, and all other bookes of late belonging to their church or chappell, which serued for the supersticious latine seruice, be vtterly defaced, rent, & abolished. And that all Uestments, Albes, Tunicles, Stoles, Phanons, Pixes, Paxes, Handbelles, Sacringbelles, Senscers, Crismatories, Crosses, Candlestickes, Holy water stocks or Fattes, Images, and all other reliques and monuments of superstition & ydolatrie be vtterly defaced, broken & destroyed, & if they cannot come by any of the same, they shall present to the Ordinary what they cannot come by, and in whose custodie the same is, to ye intent further order may bée taken for ye defacing therof.

8 Item, when anye man or woman dwelling néere to the church in any Citie, Borough, or great towne, is in passing out of this life, the Parishe clarke or Sextan shall knoll the bell to mooue the people to pray for the sicke person. And after the time of the departing of any christian bodie out of this life, the churchwardens shall sée, that neyther there be any more ringing, but one short peale before the buriall, and another short peale after the buriall without ringing of any handbels or other superfluous or supersticious ringing, eyther before or at the time of the buriall or at any time after the same, nor any other forme of seruicesayde or song, or other ceremonies vsed at any buriall, than are appointed by the booke of common prayer. And also that neyther on all Saints day after Euening prayer, [Page] nor the day next after, of late called all Soules day, there be any ringing at all other then to common prayer, when the same shall happen to fall vpon the Sunday. And that no Moneth myndes or yearely commemorations of the dead, nor any other supersticious ceremonies be obserued or vsed which tende to the maintenaunce eyther of prayer for the deade, or of the Popishe Purgatorie.

9 Item, that the Churchwardens shall not suffer any ringing or tolling of Belles to be on Sundayes or holydayes vsed, betwéene the morning prayer, Letanie, and Communion, nor in any other tyme of common prayer, reading of the Homelies, or of preaching, except it be one Bell in conuenient time to bée rong, or knolled before a Sermon, nor shall suffer any other ringing to be vsed vpon Saintes euens or festiuall dayes, sauing to common prayer, and that moderately and without excesse, nor the Minister shall pawse or stay betweene the morning prayer, Letanie and Communion, but shall continue and saye the morning prayer, Letanie, and communion, or the seruice appoynted to be sayde, when there is no Communion, togither without any intermission, to the intent the people may continue togither in prayer, and hearing the worde of God, and not depart out of the church, during all the time of the whole diuine seruice.

10 Item that all fathers, mothers, maysters and other gouerners of youth, shall in euery parish, cause their children and seruaunts both menkinde and womenkinde, being aboue seuen yeares of age, and vnder twentie yeares, which haue not learned the Catechisme, or at the least such and so many of them as the Minister shall appoynt, diligently to come to the church, euery Sunday, and euery holy day at the time appoynted, and there diligently & obediently to heare, learne, and be ordered by the Minister, vntill such time as they haue learned all the sayde Catechisme by heart, and shall giue to the Minister the names of all their children and seruauntes both men kinde and women kinde, being aboue seuen yeares, and vnder twentie yeares of [Page] age, to the intent he may call for them to be examined and instructed in the sayde Cathechisme. And if any of the sayde fathers, mothers, maysters, or other gouernours of youth shall refuse or neglect so to sende their children or seruauntes vnto the Minister to be examined, and instructed at the tymes appoynted, or to giue theyr names, as is aforesayd, or if any of the sayd yong folkes shall refuse to be examined and instructed, that then the Minister and Churchwardens shall present such negligent persons, and refusers, to the Ordinarie, to be by him punished accordingly.

11 Item, that all men and women of fourtene yeares of age, and vpwardes, shall (as by the lawes of this realme they are bounde) receyue in their owne parishe Churches or Chappels, the holy communion thrise at the least euery yeare, and namely at Easter, or there aboutes for once, and yearely before Easter at conuenient times (and namely on Sundaies in Lent at after noone, or in some of the workedayes next before Easter) as the person, vicare, or curate, shall appoynt, they shall, before they receyue, come to the Minister, and recite to him, such of them as be of fouretene yeares or aboue, and vnder .xxiiij. yeares of age, the whole Catechisme by heart, and such of them as be of .xxiiij. yeares of age and vpwardes, the Catechisme, or at the least, the Lordes prayer, the articles of the fayth, and the tenne commaundements, likewise by heart in Englishe, and whosoeuer eyther cannot, or wilfully and stubburnely shall refuse to recite and say the same by heart before their Minister, shall be repelled and put back from the Communion Table. And the churchwardens and Minister shall present all such refusers, and all others that shall not receyue thrise a yeare the holy Communion, vnto the Ordinarie yearely at the next visitation after Easter.

12 Item, the Churchwardens shall not suffer any Pedler or others whatsoeuer, to set out any wares so sale, eyther in the Porches of Churches, or in the Churchyardes, nor any where else on holy dayes or Sundayes, whiles any part of diuine seruice [Page] is in doyng, or whiles any sermon is in preaching.

13 Item, that no Inkéeper, Alehousekéeper, Uictualer, or Typler shall admit or suffer any person or persons in his house or backeside, to eate, drinke, or play at cardes, Tables, Bowles, or other games in tyme of common prayer, preachings, or reading of Homelyes on the Sundayes, or holy dayes, and that there be no shoppes set open on Sundayes or holydayes, nor any Butchers or others suffered to sell meate or other thinges vppon the Sundayes or holy dayes in lyke time of common prayer, preaching, or reading of the Homelyes. And that in any fayres or common Markets, falling vpon the Sunday, there be no shewing of any wares before all the Morning seruice and the Sermon (if there be any) be done. And if any shall offend in this behalfe, the Churchwardens and sworne men, after once warning giuen vnto them, shall present them by name vnto the Ordinarie.

14 Item, that the laye people of euery Parish (as they bée bounde by the lawes of this Realme) and especially housholders hauing no lawfull excuse to be absent, shall faythfully and diligently endeuour themselues, to resort with their children and seruaunts to their parishe Church or Chappell on the holye dayes, & chiefly vpon the Sundayes, both to Morning and Euening prayer, and other diuine seruice, and vpon reasonable let therof, to some other vsuall place where common praier is vsed, and then and there abide orderly and soberly during all the time of common prayer, Homelies, Sermons, and other seruice of God there vsed, reuerently and deuoutly giuing themselues to prayer, and hearing of the worde of God. And that the churchwardens and sworne men, aboue all others, shall be diligent in frequenting and resorting to their parishe churches or chappels vpon Sundayes and holy dayes, to the intent they maye note and marke all such persons as vpon any such dayes shall absent themselues from the Church, and vppon such absence shall exami ne them of the cause thereof.

15 Item, that the churchwardens and sworne men shall not [Page] suffer any persons to walke, talke or otherwise vnreuerently to behaue themselues in any church or chappell, nor to vse any gaming, or to sitt abrode in the stréetes or churchyardes, or in any Tauerne or Alehouse, vpon the Sundayes or other holy dayes, in the time of diuine seruice, or of any Sermon, whether it bée before noone or after noone, but after warning once giuen, shall punishe both them and all others that negligently, or wilfully shall absent themselues from diuine seruice, or come very late to the church vpon Sundayes or holy dayes, hauing no lawfull let or hinderaunce, and those also that without any iust cause shall depart out of the Church before the diuine seruice or sermon be done: according to a statute made in the first yeare of the Quéenes Maiesties reigne, printed and set forth in the beginning of the booke of common prayer: that is to saye, the Churchwardens shall leuie and take of euery one that wilfully or negligently so shall offend, the forteyfure of xij▪ pence for euerie such offence, and shall also present them to the Ordinarie: which forfeytures they shall leuie, according to the same statute by distrayning the goodes, landes and tenements of such offenders, and shall (as by the same statute they are appoynted) deliuer the money that commeth thereof to the Collectors, for the vse of the poore people of the same parishe.

16 Item, that no person or persons whatsoeuer, shall weare Beades, or pray eyther in Latine or in English vpon Beades or knottes, or any other like supersticious thing, nor shall pray vpon any popish Latine or English Primer, or other like booke, nor shall burne any candels in the church superstitiously vpon the feast of the purification of the virgin Marie, commonly called Candlemasse day, nor shall resort to anye popishe priest for shrift or auriculer confession in Lent, or at any other time, nor shal worship any crosse, or any Image or picture vpon the same, nor giue any reuerence therevnto, nor supersticiously shal make vpon themselues the signe of the crosse, when they first enter into any church to pray, nor shall say De profundis for the dead, or rest at any crosse in carying any corps to burying, nor shall [Page] leaue any little crosses of wood there.

17 Item that yearely at Midsommer, the person, vicar, or curate, and churchwardens, shall choose two Collectors or more for the reliefe of the poore of euery Parishe, according to a statute made in that behalfe, in the fift yeare of the Quéenes Maiesties reigne, intituled an art for the reliefe of the poore, and renewed in the last Parliament, which collectors shall wéekely gather the charitable almose of the Parishioners, and destribute the same to the poore where most néede shall be, without fraude or partialitie, and shall quarterly make vnto the person, vicar, or curate, and churchwardens, a iust account thereof in writing. And if any person of habilitie shall obstinately or frowardly refuse to giue reasonably towardes the reliefe of the poore, or shall wilfully discourage others from so charitable a déede, or shall withdrawe his accustomed almose without iust cause, the churchwardens and sworne men shall present to the Ordinarie euery such person so refusing to giue, discouraging others, or withdrawing his accustomed almose, that reformation may be had therein.

18 Item, that for the retayning of the Perambulation of the circuite of euerie Parishe yearely, the person, vicar, or curate, and churchwardens, with certaine of the substanciall men of euerie Parishe, such as the Minister and Churchwardens shall thinke méete to require, shall in the dayes of the Rogations commonly called the crosse wéeke, or gang dayes, walke the accustomed boundes of euerie Parishe, and in the same perambulation, or going aboute, the Minister shall vse none other ceremonie, than to say in Englishe the two Psalmes beginning Benedic anima mea domine: that is to say, the Ciij. Psalme, and the .Ciiij. Psalme, and such sentences of scripture as be appoynted by the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions, with the Letanie and Suffrages following the same, and reading one Homelie alreadie deuised & set forth for that purpose, without wearing anye Surplesses, carying of Banners, or Handbels, or staying at Crosses, or such like popish ceremonies.

[Page]19 Item, that the Minister & churchwardens shall not suffer any Lordes of misrule, or Sommer Lordes, or Ladies, or any disguised persons, or othexs in Christmasse, or at May games, or any Minstrels, Morice dauncers, or others, at Rishbearings or at any other times, to come vnreuerently into any Church, or Chappell, or Churchyarde, and there daunce, or play anye vnseemely partes, with scoffes, ieastes, wanton iestures, or rybaulde talke, namely, in the time of diuine seruice, or of anye sermon.

20 Item that no schoolmayster shall teach either openly or priuately in any Gentlemans house, or in any other place, vnlesse he be of good and sincere Religion and conuersation, and be first examined, allowed, and licenced by the Ordinarie in wryting vnder his seale: he shall not teach any thing contrarie to the order of Religion nowe set forth by publike authoritie, hée shall teach his schollers the Catechisme in Latine lately sette forth, and such sentences of scripture (besides prophane chaste Authours) as shall be most méete to mooue them to the loue and due reuerence of Gods true Religion nowe truely set forth by the Quéenes Maiestie, and to induce them to all godlinesse and honest conuersation.

21 Item, that no parishe Clarke be appoynted agaynst the good will, or without the consent of the person, vicar, or curate, in any Parishe, and that he be obedient to the person, vicar, and curate, especially in the time of celebration of diuine seruice, or of the Sacraments, or in any preparation therevnto. And that he be able also to reade the first Lesson, the Epistle, and the Psalmes, with aunsweares to the Suffrages as is vsed, and that he kéepe the bookes and ornaments of the church fayre and cleane, and cause the Church and Quiere, the Communion table, the Pulpet, and the Font, to be kept decent, and made cleane agaynst seruice time, the Communion, Sermon, and Baptisme, and also that he endeuour himselfe to teache yong children to reade, if he be able so to doe.

22 Item, that the Churchwardens and sworne men of euerie [Page] Parishe shall halfeyearely from time to time present to the Ordinarie the names of all such persons of their Parishe, as be eyther blasphemers of the name of God, great or often swearers, adulterers, fornicators, incestuous persons, bawdes, or receyuers of naughtie and incontinent persons, or harbourers of women with childe, which be vnmaryed, conueying or suffering them to go away before they do any penaunce, or make satisfaction to the Congregation, or that be vehemently suspected of such faultes, or that be not of good name and fame, touching such faultes and crimes, or that be drunkardes, or rybauldes, or that be malicious, contentious, or vncharitable persons, common slaunderers of their neighbours, raylers, scolders, or sowers of discorde betwéene neighbours. And also all such as be Usurers, that is to say, all those, that lend money, corne, ware, or other thing, and receyue gaine therfore, ouer and aboue that which they lende.

23 Item, that the Churchwardens, and sworne men of euerie Parishe, shall likewise halfeyearly present to the Ordinarie all such persons as eyther heretofore haue maryed, and bée not diuorced, or hereafter shall marie within the degrées of affinitie, or consanguinitie, by the lawes of God forbidden, so set out for an admonition in a Table lately appointed to be affixed in euerie Parishe church of this prouince, or that being diuorced or seperated for the same, do yet notwithstanding cohabite, and kéepe companie still togither. And also all persons being maryed without those degrées, that haue vnlawfully forsaken theyr wiues, or husbands, and maryed others, and if any man haue two wiues at once, or any woman two husbands at once, or if any being diuorced or seperated asunder, have maried againe: If any be maried that haue made a precontract. If any haue maryed without banes thrise solemnely asked in the Church. If any cooples be maryed that liue not togither, but slaunderously liue apart, or if any haue maryed out of the parish church where they ought to haue solemnised mariage, the churchwardens and sworne men shall likewise present the same halfeyearely to [Page] the Ordinarie.

24 Item, the Churchwardens and sworne men of euerie parish shall likewise halfeyearely present to the Ordinarie the names of all such persons whatsoeuer, eyther of the Clergie or Laytie, that be fauourers of the Romishe and forreyne power, letters of true Religion; hearers or sayers of Masse, or of any Latine seruice, Preachers or setters forth of corrupt and popish doctrine, mainteyners of sectaryes, disturbers of diuine seruice, kéepers of any secrete conuenticles, preachings or lectures, receyuers of any vacabonde popishe priestes, or other notorious mislikers of true Religion, or mainteyners of the vnlearned people in ignorance and error, encouraging and moouing them rather to pray in an vnknowne tongue than in English, or that stubburnely refuse to conforme themselues to vnitie and godly Religion nowe established by publike authoritie.

25 And finally, the Churchwardens and sworne men of euery Parish shall likewise halfeyearely present to the Ordinarie, whether all these Iniunctions giuen as is aboue, aswell to the Clergie, as to the Laytie, be duely obserued and kept, and if they be not, then which and howe many of the sayd Iniunctions be not kept, and by whom, and in what poynt any person or persons doe violate and breake the same.

All which Iniunctions we doe charge and commaund to be inuiolably performed and obserued of all persons whome they shall concerne within our prouince of Yorke, vpon paine of contempt, and of excomunication, and other censures of the church by the ecclesiasticall lawes of this Realme in such like cases limitted and appoynted.

FINIS.

God saue the Queene.

§

§

§

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Articles to be enquired of, within the Prouince of Yorke, in the Metropoliticall visitation of the most reuerent father in God, Edmonde Archbishop of Yorke, Primate and Metropolitane of Englande.

In the .xiij. yeare of the raigne of our most gracious soueraigne Ladie Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Quéene of England, Fraunce and Irelande, defender of the fayth. &c.

¶ Imprinted at London, by William Seres.

Anno. 1571.

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Articles to be enquired of, within the prouince of Yorke, in the Metropoliticall visitation of the most reuerent father in God, Edmond Archebishop of Yorke, Primate and Metropolitane of England.

WHether common prayer be song or sayde, by your person, Uicar or Curate in your seuerall Churches or Chappels, distinctly and reuerently, & in such order, as it is set forth by the lawes of this Realme, without any kinde of alteration, and at due and conuenient houres. And whether your Minister so turne himselfe and stande in such place of your Church or Chauncell, as the people may best here the same. And whether the holye Sacraments be likewyse ministred reuerently in such maner, as by the lawes of this realme is appoynted. And whether vpon Wednesdayes, and Fridayes, not béeing holydayes, the Letanie and other prayers, appoynted for the day, be sayde accordingly?

2 Whether you haue in your parish Churches and Chappels, all things necessary and requisite for common prayer▪ and administration of the Sacraments, specially the Booke of common prayer with the newe kalender, a Psalter, the Englishe Bible in the largiest volume, the two Tomes of the Homelyes, the Paraphrases of Erasmus translated into Englishe, the table of the ten cōmaundements, a conuenient Pulpit well placed, a comely and decent table, standing on a frame, for the holy Communion, with a fayre lynnen cloth to lay vpon the same, and some couering of [Page] silke, Buckram, or other such like, for the cleane kéeping thereof, a fayre and comely Communion cup of siluer, and a couer of siluer for the same, which may serue also for the ministration of the communion bread, a decent large surplesse with sléeues, a sure Coffer with two locks & keies for the kéeping of the Register booke, and a strong chest or boxe for the almose of the poore with thrée locks and keyes to the same, and all other things necessary in and to the premisses?

3 Whether the forme of commination agaynst sinners, with certaine prayers following the same, set forth in the latter ende of the booke of common prayer, to be vsed at diuers tymes in the yeare, be by your Minister plainely and distinctly red in your Church or Chappel vnto the people, betwéene the Letany, and the cōmemoration or ministration of the holy cōmunion, thrée times at the least in the yeare, that is to say for order sake, yearely vpon one of the thrée Sundayes next before Easter, for the first tyme, vpon one of the two Sundayes next before the feast of Pentecost for the seconde tyme. And for the thirde tyme, vpon one of the two Sundayes next before the feast of the birth of our Lord, ouer and besides the accustomed reading therof vpon the first day of Lent?

4 Whether in your churches and chappels, all Aulters be vtterly taken downe and cleane remooued, euen vnto the foundation, and the place where they stoode, paued, and the wall, wherevnto they ioyned, whited ouer, and made vniforme with the reast, so as no breach or rupture appeare. And whether your Roodlofts be taken downe, and altered so, that the vpper partes thereof with the soller or loft be quite taken downe vnto the crosse beame, and that the sayde beame haue some conuenient creast put vpon the same?

5 Whether your Churches and Chappels with the chauncels thereof be well and sufficiently repayred, and kept without abuse of any thing. And whether your churchyardes be well fensed, and clenly kept. And if any part thereof be in decay, through whose default it is so?

6 Whether all and euery Antiphonars, Masse bookes, Grailes, [Page] Portesses, Processionals, Manualles, Legendaryes, and all other bookes of late belonging to your Church or Chappell, which serued for the supersticious Latine seruice, be vtterly defaced, rent, and abholished, and if they be not, through whose default that is, and in whose kéeping they remaine. And whether all Uestments, Albes, Tunicles, Stoles, Phanons, Pixes, Paxes, Handbelles, Sacringbelles, Senseres, Crismatories, Crosses, Candlestickes, Holy water stocks, Images, and such other reliques and monuments of superstition and Idolatrie be vtterly defaced, broken, and destroied. And if not, where & in whose custodie they remaine?

7 Whether your person, vicar, curate, or minister, doe weare any cope in your Parish church or chappell, or minister the holy Communion in any Chalice heretofore vsed at Masse, or in anye prophane cuppe or glasse, or vse at the ministration thereof anye gestures, rites, or ceremonies, not appoynted by the booke of common prayer, as crossing or breathing ouer the sacramentall bread, and wine, or shewing the same to the people, to be worshipped and adored, or any such lyke, of vse any Oyle and Chrisme, Tapers, spattle, or any other Popish ceremonie in the ministration of the Sacrament of Baptisme?

8 Whether any holy dayes or fasting dayes heretofore abrogated, or not appoynted to be vsed, as holy daies, or fasting daies, by the newe Kalender of the booke of common prayer, be eyther proclaymed, and bidden by your Person, Uicar or Curate, or be superstitiously obserued by any of your parish, and what be their names, that so doe obserue the same, and whether there be anye ringing or tolling of Belles to call the people togither vsed in any of those dayes, more or otherwise, then commonly is vsed vpon other dayes, that be kept as workedayes?

9 Whether, when anye man or woman is in passing out of this lyfe, the Bell be tolled, to mooue the people to pray for the sicke person, especially in all places, where the sicke person dwelleth néere vnto the Church, and whether after the time of his or hir passing out of this worlde, there be any more ringing, but one short peale before the buriall, and another short peale after [Page] the buriall, without any other superfluous or supersticious ringing. And whether on all Saintes daye after Euening praier, there be any ringing at all, or any other supersticious ceremonie vsed, tending to the maintenaunce of Popishe purgatorie, or of prayer for the deade, and who they be, that vse the same. And whether there be any ringing, or knolling of belles on sundayes or holy dayes, betwene morning prayer, and the Letanie, or in any time of the common prayer, reading of the Homelies, or of preaching, except one Bell in conuenient time to be rong or tolled before the Sermon, or any other ringing vsed vpon Saintes éeues or festiuall dayes, sauing to common prayer, and that without excesse, and who doth ring or knolle otherwise?

10 Whether your Person or Uicar, haue preached, or cause to be duely preached in your Church, his quarterly, or monethly Sermons, as by the Quéenes Iniunctions he is bounde, and what be the names of such, as haue preached for him, and whether he hath admitted any man to preach, not hauing sufficient licence, or hath inhibited or letted anye from preaching, hauing sufficient licence?

11 Whether any Person or Persons, not being ordred at the least for a Deacon, or licenced by the Ordinarie, do say common prayer openly in your Church or Chappell, or anye not being at the least a Deacon, doe solemnise Matrimonie, or administer the Sacrament of Baptisme, or deliuer vnto the Communicants the Lordes Cup, at the celebracion of the holye Communion, and what he, or they be, that so doe. And whether the Person, Uicar, or Fermer of your benefice, do cause or suffer, any Curat or Minister to serue your Church, before he be examined, and admitted by the ordinarie, or his deputie in writing, and doe shewe his licence to the Churchwardens, and whether any Curat doe serue two Cures at one time, without the speciall licence of the Ordinarie, or his deputie in that behalfe, in writing first had?

12 Whether your Person, Uicar, or Curat, doe euerie Sunday, when there is no Sermon, reade distinctly and playnly some parte of the Homilies, prescribed and set forth by the Quéenes [Page] authoritie to be read, and euery holy day, when there is no Sermon immediatly after the Gospell, openly, plainely, and distinctly, recyte to his Parishioners, the Lordes prayer, the Articles of the fayth, and the tenne Commaundements in english, and whether anye Minister not admitted by the Ordinarie, or by other lawfull authoritie, doe erpounde any scripture, or matter of doctrine, by the way of exhortation, or otherwyse, and thereby omit and leaue of the reading of the Homelies?

13 Whether your Person, Uicar, or Curat doe euery Sunday and holy day, openly in the Church call for, here, and instruct all the Children, Apprentises, and seruaunts of both sexes, that be of conuenient age within your Parish, or at the least so many of them by course, as the time will serue, and as he may well heare and instruct, for halfe an houre at the least, before or at the euening prayer, in the tenne Commaundementes, the Articles of the beliefe, and the Lords prayer, and diligentlye examine and teach them the Catechisme, set forth in the booke of common prayer. And whether for that purpose, he doth take the names of them all, and by course call certaine of them by name euery sunday, & holy day, to come to the teaching of the same Catechisme?

14 Whether all fathers and mothers, maysters, and dames of your Parishe, cause their children, seruauntes and apprentises, both mankinde and womankind, being aboue seuen yeres of age, and vnder twentie, which haue not learned the Catechisme, to come to the Church on Sundayes and holydayes, at the tymes appointed, or at the least such and so manye of them, as your minister shall appoynt, and there diligently and obediently to heare and to be ordered by the minister, vntill such tyme, as they haue learned the same Catechisme, and what be the names of those, that doe not cause their children, seruaunts, and apprentises, so to come to the church, to be instructed and examined, and howe many of the sayde children, sruaunts, and apprentises be in your Parish, which being aboue seuen yeares olde, and vnder twentie yeares of age, can not saye by heart the sayde Catechisme, and what be their names and age, and with whom they dwell.

[Page]15 Whether your Person Uicar, Curate, or other Minister in your Church or Chappell, hath admitted to the receyuing of the holy Communion, any open and notorious sinner, or euill liuer, by whom the congregation is offended, without due penance first done, to the satisfaction of the congregation, or any malicious person, that is out of charitie, or that hath done any open wrong to his neighbour by worde or déede, without due reconciliation first made to the partie that is wronged?

16 Whether your person, vicar, curate, or minister, hath admitted to the holy Communion any of his Parishe, being aboue twentie yeares of age, eyther mankind or womankind, that cannot say by heart the ten Commaundements, the Articles of the fayth, and the Lordes prayer in English, and what be the names of such, as cannot say the same, or being aboue fourtéene yeares, and vnder twenty yeares of age, that can not say the Catechisme, set forth in the sayde booke of common prayer. And whether he marry any persons, which were single before, that cannot say the Catechisme. And whether he vseth to examine his Parishioners at conuenient tymes before he administer vnto them, and namely before Easter yearely, to the intent he maye knowe, whether they can say by heart the same, which is required in this behalfe, or no?

17 Whether your Priestes and Ministers be peacemakers, and no brawlers, or sowers of discorde, and exhort their Parishioners to obedience towardes their Prince, and all other, that be in authoritie, and to charitie and mutuall loue among themselues, whether they be diligent in visiting the sick, and comforting them, and doe mooue them earnestly, especially when they make theyr Testaments, to consider the necessitie of the poore, and to giue to their boxe or chest, their charitable deuotion and almose?

18 Whether they neglect the studie of the holye Scriptures and of the worde of God, and whether such of them as be vnder the degrée of a mayster of Arte haue of their owne, at the least the newe Testament, both in English and Latine, and whether they doe euery day with good aduisement conferre one Chapter of the [Page] Latine and English togither at the least. And whether they haue giuen due accompt thereof, and to whome?

19 Whether anye of your persons, vicars, curates, or ministers be fauourers of the Romishe or forreyne power, letters of true religion, preachers of corrupt and Popishe doctrine, or mainteyners of sectaryes, or doe set forth and extoll vaine and supersticious religion, or be mainteyners of the vnlearned people in ignoraunce, and errour, encouraging or moouing them, rather to pray in an vnknowne tongue, than in Englishe, or to put their trust in a certain number of prayers, as in saying ouer a number of beades, Ladie Psalters, or other like?

20 Whether any doe preach, declare, or speake any thing in derogation of the booke of common prayer, which is set forth by the lawes of this Realme, dispraysing the same, or any thing therin contained?

21 Whether your persons, vicars, & curates, haue twise in the yere vpon some Sundaye within one Moneth next after Easter and Michaelmasse, read openly in the church, after the gospell be said, plainly without addition or chaunge, a declaratiō of certaine principall articles of religion set forth by both the Archbishops, and the reast of the Bishops of this realme for vnity of doctrine?

22 Whether your person, vicare, curate, minister, or reader, doe church any vnmaried woman, which hath bene gotten wyth childe out of lawfull mariage, & say for hir the forme of thankesgiuing of women after childbirth, except such an vnmaried woman haue either before hir childbirth, done due penaunce for hir fault to the satisfaction of the congregation, or at hir comming to giue hankes, doe openly acknowledge hir fault before the congregaion, at the appoyntment of the Minister, according to order prescribed to the sayde Minister, by the Ordinarie or his Deputie, the same churching to be had alwayes on some Sunday or holye day, and vpon none other day?

23 Whether any of your Persons, Uicars, Curates, or Ministers, or any other Priest, or any lay man or woman, doe wilfully maintayne, or defende any heresies, false opinions, or popish [Page] errours, contrarie to the lawes of almightie God, and true doctrine, by publique authoritie in this realme nowe set forth, and what be their names. And whether any kéepe any secret conuenticles, preachings, lectures, or redings contrarie to the law. And what be their names?

24 Whether there be any in your Parish, that openly, or priuatly say Masse, or heare Masse, or any other kinde of seruice, or prayer, than is set fourth by the lawes of this Realme.

25 Whether any popish Priestes, or runnagat persons, mislikers, or deprauers of true religion, that doe not minister, or frequent common prayer now vsed, nor communicate at tymes appoynted by the law, doe resort secretly or openly into your Parish, and to whome, and of whome be they receyued, harbored, and releeued, and what be their names and surnames, or by what names are they called?

26 Whether your Persons and Uicars, be resident and dwell continually vpon their Benefites, doing their dueties in preaching, reading, and ministring the Sacramentes, and whether they kéepe hospitalitie, according as their lyuinges will extende, And whether their houses and Chauncelles be well repayred and vpholden?

27 Whether they or any of them haue mo Benefices than one, how many, and in what countries they be, and what be the names thereof?

28 Whether they, when they be absent from their Benefices, doe leaue their cures to a rude and vnlearned Person, and not to an honest, and well learned expert Curate, which can, and will teach the people wholsome doctrine, and whether in their absence they doe procure learned men to Preach in their Churches, and Cures, at least one Sermon euery quarter of a yere?

29 Whether such Persons and Uicars as be not resident, neither kéepe hospitalitie, doe reléeue their poore Parishioners, and what giue they yerely to them, and if they be not resident, and may dispende yerely twentie poundes or aboue, eyther in this diocesse, or else where, whether doe they distribute euerie yeare [Page] among their poore parishoners, at the least the fortieth part of the fruites of their benefices, where they be not resident?

30 Whether your Persons, Uicars, Curates, and Ministers, kéepe well their Registers of all Weddinges, Buryinges, and Christnings within your Parishe, and doe present a coppie of them once euery yere, by Indenture to the ordinarie, or his officers. And whether they rede the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions euery quarter of a yere once, or no?

31 Whether they, or any of them, kéepe any suspected women in their houses, or be incontinent persons, giuen to Dronkennesse, Idlenesse, or be haunters of Tauernes, Alehouses, or suspected places, or be hunters, haukers, dicers, carders, Tablers, Swerers, or otherwise suspected of any notorious crime, or giue any euill example of lyfe, and whether they (as they ought to doe) occupie themselues in the reading, or hearing of some part of the holy scripture, or other good Author, or in some other godly or laudable exercyse, méete for their vocation?

32 Whether they, or any of them, doe kéepe or suffer to be kept in their Personage or Uicarege houses, any Alehouses, Tippling houses, or Tauernes, or doe sell Ale, Bere, or Wine?

33 Whether your Persons or Uicars, haue bought their Benefices, or come to them by Simonie, fraude, or deceit, or by any colourable pact, or other vnlawfull meane whatsoeuer, or be vehemently suspected or diffamed thereof. And whether they kéepe in their owne handes, or haue dimised, and let to ferme their Personages, and Uicareges, or their Glebe lande, or Tithes, or any part thereof, and whether any such lease be made for the perfourmaunce of any Simoniacall pact, made directly or indirectly, betwéene the Incumbent and the patrone, or betwéene the Incumbent and anye other person, for the presenting of the same Incumbent to that Benefice?

34 Whether any patrone of any Benefice, or other Person or Persons, hauing Thaduousion, or gift of any Benefice within this Dioces, haue couenaunted & practised with any priest or Minister, presented by him to any benefice, to haue of him, or his [Page] friende, any somme of readie money, for presenting him to the same, or haue exacted by promyse or bonde any lease, eyther of the whole benifice, limitting the rent farre vnder the iust value, or of the Mansion house, Glebe landes, or any portion of the Tithes, and fruites of the same Benefice, paying lytle or nothing therefore, or hauing reserued their owne Tythes, within the Benefice, frée vnto themselues, or else haue extorted some yerely pension, or other yerely commoditie to him, his childe, seruaunt, or friend, for preferring any to the same Benefice, or otherwise haue made againe by any colour, deceit, or Simoniacall pact, in bestowing the saide Benefice, and whether any such patrone or other Person be vehemently suspected or defamed of any such Simonie, or Simoniacall pact?

35 Whether the Church of your Parishe be now vacant, and destitute of an incumbent, or no, and if it be, howe long it hath béene vacant, and who is the Patrone, and whether he suffereth the benefice to lye vacant, and occupieth the glebe lande, and taketh the tythes, and other fruites to himselfe, during the time of the vacation, or who else occupieth and taketh the same?

36 Whether there bée any lay or temporall man, not béeing within orders, or any childe that hath, or enioyeth any benefice or spirituall promotion?

37 Whether any Priest or Minister be come into this Dioces, out of any other Dioces, to serue any cure here, without letters testimoniall of the Ordinary, from whence he came, to testifie the cause of his departing from thence, and of his behauiour there?

38 Whether for the reteyning of the perambulation of the circuite of your Parishe, the person, vicar, or curate, churchwardens and certaine of the substanciall men of the Parish, in the dayes of the Rogations, commonly called the gang dayes, walke the accustomed bounds of your Parish, and whether in the same perambulation, and going about, the curate doe vse any other rite or ceremonie, then to say or sing in English, the two Psalmes, beginning, Benedic anima mea domino, that is to say, the .Ciij. psalme, and the .Ciiij. Psalme, and such sentences of Scripture, as be appointed [Page] by the Quéenes Maiesties Iniunctions, with the Letany, and Suffrages following the same, and reading one Homilie, alreadie deuised and set foorth for that purpose, without wearing any Surplesses, carying of Banners, or Handbelles, or staying at Crosses, or other such like Popish ceremonies?

39 Whether anye Parishe Clarke be appoynted agaynst the good will, or without the consent of the person, vicar, or curate, whether he be not obedient to the person, vicar, or curate, especially in the time of celebration of diuine seruice, or of the Sacraments, or in any preparation therevnto. And whether he be able, and readie to read the first Lesson, the Epistle, and the Psalmes, with aunswere to the suffrages as is vsed, and whether he kéepe not the bookes, and ornaments of the Church, fayre and cleane, and cause the Church and Quéere, the Communion Table, the Pulpet, and the Font to be made decent and cleane, agaynst seruice time, the communion, sermon, and baptisme?

40 Whether there be any man or woman in your Parish that resorteth to any Popish priest for shrift or auricular confession, or any that within thrée yeares now last past, hath béene reconciled vnto the Pope, or to the church of Rome, or any that is reputed or suspected so to be, and whether there be any, that refuse to come to the Church to heare diuine seruice, or to communicate according to the order now established by publicke authoritie, and what be their names?

41 Whether there be anye person or persons, ecclesiasticall or temporall within your Parish, or else where, within this Dioces, that of late haue retayned, or kept in theyr custodie, or that read, sell, vtter, disperse, cary, or deliuer to others anye Englishe bookes, set forth of late yeares at Louain, or in any other place beyonde the seas, by Harding, Dorman, Allen, Saunders, Stapleton, Marshall, or any of them, or by any other Englishe Papist, eyther agaynst the Quéenes Maiesties Supremacie in matters ecclesiasticall, or agaynst true religion, and catholicke Doctrine now receyued, and established by common authoritie within thys Realme, and what their names and surnames are?

[Page]42 Whether there be any in your Parishe, that vseth to pray in English, or in Latine, vpon Beades, or other such like thing, or vpon any superstitious popishe, Primer, or other like booke, and what be their names?

43 Whether the people of your parish, especially housholders, hauing no lawfull excuse to be absent, doe faythfullye, and diligently endeuour themselues, to resort with their Children and Seruauntes, to their parish Church or Chappell, on the holye dayes, and chiefly vpon the Sundayes, to Morning and Euening prayer, & vpon reasonable let thereof, to some vsuall place, where common prayer is vsed, and then and there abyde orderly and soberly, during the time of common prayer, Homelyes, Sermons, and other seruice of God there vsed, reuerentlye, and deuoutly giuing themselues to the hearing thereof, and occupying themselues at times conuenient in priuate prayer, & who they be that eyther negligently or wilfully absent themselues, or come very late to the Church, vpon the Sundayes especially, or that walke, talke, or otherwise vnreuerently behaue themselues in the Church, or vse any gaming abrode, or in any house, or sit in the Stretes, or Churchyarde, or in any Tauerne or Alehouse vpon the Sundaye, or other holy day, in the time of common prayer, Sermons, or reading of the Homelies, eyther before noone, or after noone?

44 Whether the forfeyture of twelue pence, for euerye such offence, appoynted by a statute, made in the first yere of the Quéenes Maiesties raigne, be leuied and taken according to the same Statute, by the Churchwardens of euerye person that so offendeth, and by them be put to the vse of the poore of the parish, and if it be not, by whose default it is not leuied. And what perticuler sommes of money haue béene forfaited that way, and by whome since the feast of Easter in the yere of our Lorde. 1570. vntill the day of giuing vp the presentment concerning these Articles. And so from time to time, as the said Churchwardens and swornemen shall be appoynted to present in this behalfe, and how much of such forfeitures haue bene deliuered to the vse of the [Page] poore of the parish, and to whome the same hath béene deliuered?

45 Whether ye knowe any, that in the time of the reding of the Letanie, or of any other part of the common prayer, or in the time of the Sermon, or of reding the Homelies, or anye part of the Scriptures to the parishioners, any person haue departed out of the Church without iust and necessarie cause, or that disturbeth the Minister, or preacher any maner of wayes in the time of diuine seruice, or Sermon. And whether any in contempt of their parish Church or Minister doe resort to any other church or no?

46 Whether there be any Inkéepers, Alewiues, Uitailors, or Tipplers, that suffer or doe admit any person or persons, in their houses to eate, drinke, or play at Cardes, Tables, or such lyke games in the time of common prayer or Sermon, on the Sundaies or holy daies. And whether there be anye Shoppes set open on Sundayes or Holy dayes, or any Butchers or others, that commonly vse to sell meate, or other things, in the time of common prayer, preaching or reding of the Homelies. And whether in any Faires or common Marketes, falling vpon the Sunday, there be any shewing of any wares before the diuine seruice be done? And whether any Markets or selling of any wares be vsed or suffred in any Church yardes?

47 Whether for the putting of the Churchwardens and Swornemen the better in remembraunce of their duetie in obseruing and noting such, as offend in not comming to diuine seruice, your Minister or reader doe openly euery Sunday, after he haue red the seconde Lesson at morning and euening prayer, monish and warne the Churchwardens and swornemen to looke to their charge in this behalfe, and to obserue who contrarie to the sayde Statute offende in absenting themselues negligently, or wilfully from their parish Church or Chappell, or vnreuerently (as is aforesaide) vse themselues in the time of diuine seruice?

48 Whether the Churchwardens of the last yeare haue giuen to the parish a iust accompt of the church goodes and rentes that were committed to their charge, according vnto the custome that hath béene afore time vsed, and what church goodes they or [Page] any other haue solde, and to whome, and whether to the profite of your church or no? And what hath béene done with the money thereof comming?

49 Whether the churchwardens, and swornemen of the last yere, haue of any priuat corrupt affection concealed any crime, or other disorder in their time done in your parishe, and haue not presented the same to ye Bishop, Chauncelor, Archedeacon, Commissarie, or such other as had authoritie to reforme the same, and whether they or any of them, at any such time, as they shoulde haue béene at diuine seruice on Sundaies, or Holy dayes, and shoulde there haue obserued others, that were absent, haue béene away themselues at home, or in some Tauerne, or Alehouse, or else about some worldly businesse, or at Bowles, Cardes, Tables, or other gaming, without regarde of their office and duetie in that behalfe?

50 Whether any man hath pulled downe or discouered any church, chauncell, or chappell, or any part of anye of them, any church porche, Uestrie, or Stéeple, almose house, or such like, or haue plucked downe the Belles, or haue felled or spoyled anye wood or timber in any church yarde?

51 Whether your Hospitals, Spittles and almose houses be well and godly vsed according to the foundation and auncient ordinances of the same, whether there be any other placed in them, than poore impotent and néedie persons, that haue not wherewith, or whereby to liue?

52 Whether haue ye Collectors for the poore of your Parish, whether doe they their duetie in gathering and distributing the almose of the parishoners, according to a statute thereof made in the fift yeare of the Quéenes Maiesties raigne, and make a iust accompt thereof quarterly, what sommes of money the Churchwardens or sworne men of the last yeare haue leuied, and delyuered to the sayde Collectors of the forfeytures of such persons, as haue not duely resorted to their Parishe Church or Chappell, vpon Sundayes and Holydayes, during the time that they were in office, bringing a true certificate in wryting therof [Page] from the sayde Collectors, at such time as ye giue vp your presentment?

53 Whether there be any person or persons in your Parishe of habilitie, that obstinatly or frowardly refuse to giue reasonably towards the helpe and reliefe of the poore, or doe wylfully discourage others from so charitable a déede, and what be their names, and what sommes doth anye of them withdrawe, which he or shée before was wont to giue, there being no iust cause so to doe?

54 Whether there be any in your Parishe, that minister the goodes of those that be dead, without lawfull authoritie, or anye that suppresse the last will of the dead, or any executors, that haue not fulfilled their testators will, specially in paying of Legacies giuen to the Church, or to other good and godly vses, as to the reliefe of pouertie, to Orphanes, poore Scollers, poore Maydes mariages; high waies, Scooles, and such lyke?

55 Whether there be any, which of late haue bequeathed in their testaments, or otherwise anye Ordinarie hath appoynted any Iewels, Plate, Ornamentes, cattle, or graine, or other mooueable stocks, Annuities, or sommes of money for the erection or finding of any obittes, diriges, trentales, torches, lights, Tapers, Lampes, or any such lyke vse now by lawe forbidden, which are not payde out of any landes, and wherevnto the Quéenes Maiestie, is not entitled, by any Acte of Parliament, and if there be any such Legacie or appointment, what is the names of such testators, and of the executors of their Testamentes, what is the quantitie and qualitie of the gift, and to what godlye and lawfull vse is the same conuerted and employed?

56 Whether there be any money or stocke appertayning to your Parishe Church or Chappell, or to the poore of your Parishe, in any mans handes, that refuseth or deferreth to pay the same, or that vseth frawde, deceit or delay to make any accompt in the presence of the honest of the Parishe for the same. And whether any such stock be decayed, by whose negligence, and in whose handes. And whether the store of the poore mens Box be [Page] openly, and indifferently giuen where néede is, without partiall affection?

57 Whether the Schoolemasters which teach within your Parish, eyther openly or priuately in any Noble or Gentlemans house, or in any other place there, be of good and sincere religion, and conuersation, and be diligent in teaching and bringing vp of youth, whether they be examined, allowed, and licenced by the Ordinarie or his officer in that behalfe, whether they teach the Grammer set forth by King Henry the eyght of Noble memory, and none other, whether they teach any thing contrarie to the order of religion now established by publick authoritie. And whether they teache not their Schollers the Catechisme in Latine, lately set forth, and such Sentences of Scripture, as shall be most expedient, and méete to moue them to the loue and due reuerence of Gods true religion, nowe truely set forth by the Quéenes Maiesties authoritie, and to induce them to all godlinesse and honest conuersation, and what be the names and surnames of all such Schoolemasters and teachers of youth within your Parish, as well of such as teach publikely, as those that teach in the houses of Noble men, Gentlemen, or other priuate men?

58 Whether there be anye among you that vse Sorcerie, Witchcraft, or inchauntment, Magick, incantations or Nigromancie, or that be suspected of the same, and whether anye vse any charmes or vnlawfull prayers, or inuocations in Latine, or otherwise, and namely Midwiues in the tyme of womens trauaile of childe, and what be their names?

59 Whether there be among you anye blasphemers of the name of God, great or often swearers, adulterers, fornicators, incestuous persons▪ Bawdes or receyuers of noughtie and incontinent persons, or harborers of women with childe which be vnmaried, conueying or suffering them to go away before they doe any penaunce, or make satisfaction to the congregation, or any that be vehemently suspected of such faultes, or that be not of good name and fame touching such crimes and faultes, any dronkards, or ribalds, or any that be malicious, contentious, or vncharitable [Page] persons, common slaunderers of their neighbors, raylers, scolders, or sowers of discorde betweene neighbors?

60 Whether there be any in these partes, that haue maried within the degrées of affinitie or consanguinitie, by the lawes of God forbidden, so set out for an admonition, in a table nowe appointed to be affixed in euerie Parishe church within this Dioces, or any that being diuorsed or seperated for the same, doe yet notwithstanding cohabite and kéepe companie still togither, or any that being maried without those degrées, haue vnlawfully forsaken their wiues or husbands, and maried others. Any man that hath two wiues, or any woman that hath two husbandes, any that being diuorced or seperated a sunder, haue maried againe. Anye maried, that haue made precontracts. Anye that haue made priuie or secret contracts. Any that haue maried without baines thrise solemnly asked. Any cupples maried, that lyue not togither, but slaunderously liue apart. Any that haue maried out of the Parishe church, where they ought to haue solemnised their mariage?

61 Whether the Minister and Churchwardens haue suffered any Lordes of Misrule or Sommer Lordes or Ladies, or any disguised persons, or others in Christmasse, or at May games, or any Morice dauncers, or others at rishe bearings, or at anye other times, to come vnreuerently into the church, or churchyard, and there to daunce, or playe any vnseemely partes with scoffes, iestes, wanton gestures, or ribalde talke, namely in the time of common praier. And what they be that commit such disorder, or accompanie or maintaine them?

62 Whether the Archedeacon, Chauncelor, Commissarie, officiall or anie other vsing Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in this Dioces, their Registrares or Actuaries, Apparitors or Summoners, haue at any time winked at and suffered anye adulteries, fornications, incestes, or other faultes and offences, to passe and remaine vnpunished, and vncorrected, for money, rewardes, bribes, pleasure, friendship, or any other parciall or affectionate respect, or anie of them haue béene burdensom to anie in this [Page] Dioces, by exacting or taking excessiue fées, excessiue procurations, anie rewardes, or commodities, by the way of promotion, gift, contribution, helpe, redemption of penaunce, omission of quarter Sermons, obtaining of any benefices, or office, or anie other like wayes or meanes?

63 How many Adulteries, Incestes, and Fornications, are notoriously knowne to haue béene committed in your Parishe, since Easter. 1570. How many offenders in any such faultes haue béene put to open penaunce, and openly corrected, and how many haue béene winked at, and borne withall, or haue fined and payed money to the Archedeacon, Chauncelor, Commissarie, Officiall, or their deputies, or to the Deanes, Registrares, or Somners, or any of them, for to escape open punishment, and correction: And what their names [...]

64 Whether the Deanes Rurals, and Somners, [...] of them doe pay any annuall rent, fée, or pention for their offices, and what they pay, and to whome?

65 Generally whether therebe among you, any notorious euill liuers, or any suspected of any notorious sinne, fault or crime, to the offence of Christian people committed, any that stubbornely refuse to conforme themseues to vnitie and godly religion, now established by publike authoritie, or any that bruteth abrode rumors of the alteration of the same, or otherwise that disturbeth good orders, and the quietnesse of Christs Church, and the Christian congregacion.

The tenor of the othe, ministred to the Church-wardens and sworne men.

YE shall sweare by Almightie God, that ye shall diligently consider all and euery the Articles gyuen to you in charge, and make a true aunswere vnto the same in writing presenting all & euery such person and persons, dwelling within your Parish, as haue committed any offence or fault, or made any default, mentioned ni any of the same Articles, or which are vehemently suspected or diffamed of anye such offence, fault or default, wherein ye shall not present any person or persons, of any euill will, malice or hatred▪ contrarie to the truth, nor shall for loue, fauour, mede, dreade or anye corrupt affection, spare to present any, that be offendours, suspected or diffamed in any of these cases, but shal doe vprightly, as men hauing the feare of God before your eyes and desirous to maintaine vertue, and suppresse vice. So God helpe you.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

Iniunctions giuen by the most reuerende father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archbishop of Yorke primate of England, and Metropolitane, in his Metropoliticall visitation of the prouince of Yorke, aswell to the clergie, as to the laytie of the same prouince. Anno do. 1571.Visitation articles. 1571

Church of England. Province of York. Archbishop (1570-1576 : Grindal)

Edition statement

1571

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Date

2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A00267

ID [STC]

STC 10375

ID [STC]

ESTC S111863

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99847124

ID [PROQUEST]

99847124

ID [VID]

12141

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This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00267)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 12141)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 222:27)

Source

— Iniunctions giuen by the most reuerende father in Christ, Edmonde by the prouidence of God, Archbishop of Yorke primate of England, and Metropolitane, in his Metropoliticall visitation of the prouince of Yorke, aswell to the clergie, as to the laytie of the same prouince. Anno do. 1571., Visitation articles. 1571, Church of England. Province of York. Archbishop (1570-1576 : Grindal), Grindal, Edmund, 1519?-1583..

Extent

[44] p.

By [H. Denham for?] William Seres,. Imprinted at London :: [1571]. (In two parts. Part 2 has a separate title page that reads: Articles to be enquired of, within the prouince of Yorke, in the Metropoliticall visitation of the most reuerent father in God, Edmonde Archbishop of Yorke, Primate and Metropolitane of Englande. In the .xiii. yeare of the raigne of our most gracious soueraigne Ladie Elizabeth, by the grace of God, Queene of England, Fraunce and Irelande, defender of the fayth. [et]c. Register is separate.) (Printer's name and publication date from STC.) (At foot of title page: cum priuilegio.) (Second title page has same printer and publication date.) (Signatures: A-C⁴ ² A-B⁴ C² .) (Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.)

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Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.