WELWYN RURAL DEANERY RECORDS

Introduction

The office of rural dean is one of antiquity and until the Reformation, rural deans had extensive powers of administration and visitation (with the right to punish offenders). After the Reformation, the office fell into disuse though it was never abolished. From the first quarter of the 19th century, it was revived, though without its older visitational powers.

The records listed in this inventory are those which have so far been located and transferred to the custody of the Diocesan Record Office for safekeeping and relate to the rural deaneries of the 19th century and later.

The clergy within each rural deanery, under the chairmanship of the rural dean, meet periodically in chapter to consider matters of liturgy, church orgainsation and the church's attitude to social and moral problems of their day. Jointly with members of the laity, they meet in the ruri-decanal conference, usually held annually, where the same matters are discussed in a wider context. This organisation of chapter and conference is reflected in the records.

<p>The parishes forming each rural deanery are subject to frequent change. Some historical notes on the composition of rural deaneries in Hertfordshire, 1845-1907 will be found in Victoria County History of Hertfordshire, IV, 364. Later changes will be found in the St. Albans Diocesan Year Book.</p>