REGISTER OF NON-RESIDENT CLERGY

These registers contain lists of all incumbents, and, if non-resident, the reasons for their exemption, their present residence and other benefices held, and the value of the living.

Attached to many of the registers is correspondence between the Privy Council and the Bishop of Chichester, and the Bishop's Registry and incumbents, relating to the returns. The registers were prepared under the Act 43 Geo. III c.84 and subsequent legislation, all to enforce the residence of clergy in their benefices unless exempt or excused by episcopal licence. Clause 53 of the Act 57 Geo. III c.99 provided for an annual return to be made to the Privy Council giving the information contained in these volumes, which were compiled from the original returns. These Acts were repealed by the Pluralities Act of 1838 (1 & 2 Vict. c.106) which was particularly directed against the holding of benefices in plurality, but the form of the returns (see Ep/I/42a) and these registers was unchanged.