The Elizabethan Parish in its Ecclesiastical and Financial Aspects | Page 6

Hanningfield in the same archdeaconry is not
only complained of to the ordinary for not maintaining the book of
articles, and not using the cross in baptism, but he is also indicted on
the same occasion for not praying for the Queen "accordinge to hir
injunctions, viz. he leaveth out of hir stile the kingdome of
Fraunce."[64] The court's order was that the rector should acknowledge
his error on the following Sunday "coram gardianis." The wardens of
Wilton, Yorkshire, report to the commissary of the Dean of York that
their curate recites divine service "very orderlie," but not at a fit time,
for he holds service at eight in the morning and two in the
afternoon.[65] Finally, the rector of Pitsea is complained against to the
archdeacon of Essex for "that he is unsufficient to serve the cure ine
that theie are not edified by him...."[66]
If the parson neglected his duties it was incumbent upon the wardens to
exhort him to perform them.[67] When at the visitation of the bishop of

Chester in 1592 it was found that there was no surplice at Bolton
Church, Manchester Deanery, not only did the judge admonish one of
the Bolton wardens to buy the surplice, but he was instructed "to offer
hit to thee Vicar at the time of ministering the sacraments, and to
certify of his wearing or refusing of hit before the Feast of the Nativity
of our Lord next."[68]
By virtue of searching articles of inquiry administered to them,[69]
such as, Is your vicar a double-beneficed man, and, if so, is he lawfully
dispensated? Does he keep hospitality?
If non-resident does he give the fortieth part to the poor? Does your
minister wear a surplice at the appointed times, yea or no? Does he use
the cross in baptism and the ring in marriage?[70] Does your
schoolmaster teach without licence of his ordinary under seal, or no?
Do you know any person excommunicate in your parish who repairs to
church? Do you know anyone ordered by law to do penance, or
excommunicate for not doing the same, who still continues
unreformed?--by virtue of this strict questioning by the ordinary put to
them in written articles before each visitation, church wardens, and
their coadjutors, the sworn men or sidemen, were compelled to exercise
a continual supervision over their minister's conduct as well as over
that of the parishioners generally. This fact, coupled with the
circumstance that they were themselves liable to be reported to the
court and punished if they failed to indict, accounts for the cautious
presentments made by these Elizabethan wardens.
Those of Great Witchingham, Norfolk, for instance, inform the
chancellor that their parson "holdeth two benefices, but whether
lawfully dispensated they know not," and they add that a schoolmaster
in their parish "teacheth publicly, but whether licenced or not they
know not."[71] The wardens of Ellerburn, Yorkshire, present Jane
Gryme for fornication, and add "but whether the curate did churche hir
or no they cannot say."[72] And the following year they bring to the
court's knowledge "that their vicar ... is not resident upon his vicaredg,
but what he bestoweth upon the poore they know not."[73] Lastly, the
very prudent wardens of Pickering in the same peculiar bring in their
presentment in this fashion: "Qui dicunt et presentant there vicar for
that he for the moste parte, but not alwaies dothe weare a surplesse in
tyme of dyvyne service. They present there vicar for that they ar

vncerteyne whether his wif[e] was commended vnto him by justices of
peace, nor whether he was licenced to marrye hir according to hir
Maiestie's iniuncions."[74] The almost unseemly interest here
displayed by the wardens in their vicar's matrimonial relations is
explained by the provisions of article xxix of the Queen's Injunctions of
1559, which ordain that no priest or deacon shall wed any woman
without the bishop's licence and the advice and allowance of two
neighboring justices of the peace first obtained.
Other parish obligations enforced by the courts Christian through the
churchwardens were the keeping of annual perambulations (or, as we
should say today, beating the bounds of the parish) by parson, wardens
and certain of the substantial men of the parish, in the second week
before Whit-Sunday ("Rogation Week");[75] the exhibiting to the
official of the parish register, or the putting in of copies of it once a
year at Easter;[76] the choosing in conjunction with the parson of
collectors for the poor up to 1597, in most parishes at any rate;[77] the
levying of the 12d. fine on all those who absented themselves from
service;[78] the putting down of all "superstitious" rites in the parish,
such as the carrying of banners in perambulation week or the wearing
of surplices on such occasions;[79] the ringing of the church bells on