Records of the Vicars Choral

This collection comprises a list entitled 'A catalogue of writings concerning the collidge of Beddern and the subchanter and vicars chorall of the said collidge...' in a volume compiled by Anthony Wright in the 17th century; volume entitled 'A Book of Statutes and other matters relating to the Subchanter or Keeper of the House or College of the Bedern and his Brethren, the Fellows of the said College and Vicars-Choral of the Cathedral Church of York' 14th century-20th century; notorial certificates and other documents relating to the privileges and duties of the Vicars Choral 14th century-15th century; documents relating to disputes between the Vicars Choral and the executors of Richard de Cestria 1347; documents relating to disputes between the Vicars Choral and the Mayor and Commonalty of the City of York 1494-1495; documents relating to disputes between the Vicars Choral and the Dean and Chapter c1398-1399, 1821-1822 and 1826-1827; Statute Book containing early 15th century Rules for the conduct of the College, followed by scattered Memoranda 1359-1568 (with gaps), elections of Subchanters 1554-1821 and minutes of meetings 1822-1826; Kitchen Book including memoranda of meetings c1576-1644; meeting book 1835-1843; minutes and agenda of various meetings 1849-1850 in a notebook kept by H Richardson who was acting as clerk to the Vicars Choral; Resolution Book 1851-1878; letter book s1836-1857; letters and papers 18th century-20th century; answers to visitation articles c1663; deeds concerning properties in Aldwark, St. Andrewgate, Barkergate, Barker Hill, Bedern, Benet Place, Bootham, Bretgate, Castlegate, Clementhorpe and Bustardthorpe, Coney Street, Coppergate, Feasegate, Fishergate, Fossgate, Glovergail, Glover Lane, Goodramgate, Haymongergate, Hertergate, Hornpot Lane, Jubbergate, Layerthorpe, Micklegate and St. Martin's Lane, Monkgate, North Street, Ogleforth, Ousebridge, Ousegate, Patrick Pool, Petergate, Shambles, Skeldergate, Spen Lane, Stonegate, Swinegate, Tilehouses and Walmgate 12th century-16th century; leases of cubicles in Bedern and of a few other York properties 16th century-19th century; deeds concerning properties in Acaster Malbis, Askby, Bubwith, Carlton, Earswick, North Grimston, Huntington, Kibblesworth, Linton, Manfield, Scarborough, Selby, Shipton, Skelton, Skirpenbeck and Sutton on the Forest 12 thcentury-16th century; 'Royal Grants' concerning property outside York 1268-1496; 'Obligations' concerning property outside York 1371-1559; deeds relating to the churches of St. Sampson, Ferry Fryston, Huntingdon and Nether Wallop and the attempt to acquire that of Cottingham 1316-1651; cartulary c1260-c1370; cartulary relating to the acquisition of the benefices of Huntington and St. Sampson's 15th century; plans of Vicars Choral properties 19th century; rent and obituary rolls 1307-c1380; rentals 1609-1610, 1638 and 1709; rent account books 1629, 1634-1647, 1660-1685 and 1693; accounts of rents and pensions 1720; receipt book for rents and pensions 1664-1716; lease register and rentals c1760-1864; rental 1745-1771; accounts of rents and pensions 1744-1832; accounts of rents and pensions 1832-1934; lease books 1628-1865, containing receipt of rents and fines and the dividends among the Vicars Choral and other regular payments, from the mid 18th century these records become more detailed; valuation of the leasehold tithes of Huntingdon 1775; valuations of Strensall nd; valuations of the tithes of Thornton 1781; valuations of lands in Melbourne and Little Leak 1788; valuations of tithes in Topcliffe 1788; tithe rentals of Ferry Fryston 1830-1840; correspondence, notebooks and papers relating to estate administration 1580 and 18th century-19th century; accounts of the Subchanter c1369-1641; accounts of the Chamberlain 1304-1642; accounts of the Bursar c1360-1642; accounts of the Brasiator or Maltster 1393-1564; accounts of the Repairer or 'Reparelor' 1383-1648; building accounts 1362-1407; volume entitled 'The Reparelor's Office Book' of accounts 1709-1769; accounts of the Churches of Ferry Fryston and Huntington 1350-1514; accounts of the Church of St. Sampson 1405-1514; accounts of St. Edward's Chantry including payments for repair of the chantry properties 1391-1405; Bedern Cubicle rent accounts 1575-1585 and 1639; Kitchen Book containing household accounts and weekly dietaries of the Vicars Choral from 1563-1574; registers of baptisms of the Bedern Chapel (note these also contain the registration of two marriages) 1682-1868.

In 1252 Archbishop Walter de Gray and the Dean and Chapter agreed to constitute the Vicars Choral into a corporate body, which survived until its dissolution under the Cathedrals Measure of 1935. The records of the Vicars Choral have been studied at length but much work remains to be done in identifying and listing the documents.