Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2009
King James I's reign was a landmark in the history of the Anglican Church. His religious settlement included the codification of the canons which gave definition and cohesion to the church and reformed her adminstrative machinery. But this touched off a pamphlet war as puritan propaganda sought to force a reappraisal of the settlement. They alleged that bishops harassed and deprived hard-working, conscientious, loyal clergymen who merely rejected the ceremonies. The bishops employed young apologists to discredit the opposition and plead for conformity. They claimed that only thirty to sixty puritan clerics were deprived.
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3. The evidence for the existence of such a committee is the Sloane MS, 271, British Museum, London.
4. See Kalu, Ogbu U., “The Jacobean Church and Essex Puritans,” pt. 2 (Ph.D. diss., University of Toronto, 1972),Google Scholar for a discussion of this topic. Cf. Jenkins, C. (ed.), The Act Book of the Archdeacon of Taunton, vol. 43 (Somerset Record Society, 1928)Google Scholar; Emmison, F. G. (ed.), Abstracts of the Act Book of the Archdeacon of Huntingdon's Court, vol 8 (East Hertfordshire Archeological Society, 1930)Google Scholar; Johnstone, Henry (ed.), Churchwarden's Presentments, Archdeaconry of Chichester, 1621–70, vol 49, pt. 1 (Sussex Record Society, 1947).Google Scholar
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8. The distinction is deliberately drawn between a court whose routine complied with canonical requirements but which failed to be effective in ferreting out nonconformists.
9. An operational definition of “puritans” includes those who wanted a church which was more spiritually alert, evangelical, extremely protestant, and bereft of ceremonies with Roman Catholic notions. Their cases could be sifted out of various considerations: (1) their plea to charge(s) of nonconformity; (2) evidence from extra-court sources, e.g., wills, assize files, parish registers, etc.; (3) the type of offence; (4) testimonies of others, puritans and parish officials; (5) frequent arraignment. See Kalu, Ogbu U., “Who is a Puritans,” “The Jacobean Church and Essex Puritans,” Appendix 5 (Ph.D. diss., University of Toronto, 1972).Google Scholar
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16. However, it is possible that some cases reached the Consistory Court earlier and are contained in GLRO, DL/C/618, Secundus Liber Actorum in negotiis pro Com. Essex et parte Herts. This volume is in an unfit condition for public examination.
17. GRLO, DL/C/304 f. 128v.
18. For Lynce, GLRO, DL/C/304 f. 354; for others, see DL/C/305 f. 206v, 189, 178, 196v, 211 in that order.
19. GLRO, DL/305 f. 158, 237.
20. Suspended Acquitted No Decision Arthur Grames Ralph Hawden Derrick Heldon William Negaa William Kettle Richard Car John Gawden Ezekiel Culverwell
John Huckles John Eaton Steven Beamont John Gulson Jeffrey Josselin
21. GLRO, DL/C/338 f. 203v.
22. Dr. Williams's Library, London (hereafter DWI1), Baxter MS 61.13.17.
23. SirHarrington, John, A Briefe Viewe of the State of the Church of England (London, 1608 [1653 edition]), pp. 29–31.Google Scholar
24. It is possible that some cases concerning laymen may be contained In GLRO, DL/C/307 (March 1607–1608-May 1609). This volume is in an unfit condition for public use.
25. This interrogation exposed “intruders”like John William of Nettleswell. Guildhall, London, MS 9537/10 f. 13.
26. Ibid., f. 16.
28. Winthrop Papers (Massachusetts Historical Association, 1929), vol. 1, pp. 155, 229–30, 234–5, 334.Google Scholar
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30. GLRO, DL/C/309 f. 50v.
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32. ERO, Assize Files 35/53A/T, f. 10; 35/54/H f. 38, 35/56/H f. 101, 35/45/T f. 35. Abbot confessed his failure with separatists in a letter to the Bishop of Norwich in 1612. See The Registrum Vagum of Anthony Harrison (Norfolk Record Society, 1964), vol 32 pt. 2, p. 267.Google Scholar
33. Murriel, curate of Cold Norton, who did not read the Book of Constitution, may not have been a puritan.
34. See Table 11A.
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36. Hacket, John, Sernia Reserata (London, 1692), pt. 2, pp. 45 ff.Google Scholar
37. DWL, Quick MS, “The Life of … Samuel Hieron of Modbury,”recounts how the bishop's fear for his popularity saved Hieron.
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