Church courts: Consistory and Archdeacons' court books

Contains Consistory and Archdeacons' court books. These comprise Instance Acta books, sessions books, office acta, protectors appointments.

Act books record the judicial business of the court and the hearing of cases under Canon Law. They dealt with the moral standards and conduct of the clergy, church officials and parishioners, church attendance, payment of parish dues, and the state of church buildings and churchyards. Office causes were cases brought by the Office of the Judge against the defendant. The Instance causes were cases where cases were brought by one private individual against another. The proceedings were recorded by the Judge's Registrar in the act book, often some time after the case was heard, and included the parish, the names of the parties and often the charge against the defendant. Extracts from the evidence are rarely included.

This series includes papers relating to the case Lyon vs Cole (DCb/J/X/10.7 fos 93v-95r). This was a breach of promise case between Henry Lyons and Margaret Cole. Lyons believed that Cole had agreed to marry him. The case was heard in the court of the Commissary General, September 1560. The records include depositions from Agnes Page, wife of Henry Page, aged 30; Celestiana Dorman of Elmsted, aged 22; Joan Fuller, mayoress of Canterbury and wife of John Fuller, the Mayor; Margaret Cole, daughter of Valentine and Joanna Nott; Joanna Nott, mother of Margaret Cole and wife of Valentine, aged 40; Peter Kelsham, citizen and goldsmith of Canterbury, aged 45; Thomas Yeomanson, capper, Canterbury; Valentine Nott of Lympne; George Bett of Lympe, the go-between; and Richard Railton, citizen and alderman of Canterbury.

<p>For consistory act book 1385-1395, see U40 mofficid Deposits - white catalogue</p>