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.

Many of the causes relate to marriage such as that between Robert Glover and Dorothy Landall in March 1553 [DCb/J/Y/2/17 f108]. While others relate to moral standards such as failure to attend church as in the case of William Rose, who in 1639, "being newly come on shore from his boat or hoy ... delivered or caused to be delivered out the sprats or fish" on Sunday rather than attend church [DCb/J/Y/6/11 f90].