| Description | Ordination papers. They consist of testimonials from colleges and clergymen, of men seeking ordination as deacon (d) and priest (p). Up to the earlier part of the 18th century they also include testimonials to surgeons, physicians, schoolmasters and midwives, some of the former including descriptions of the cures effected. Besides testimonials there are many nominations to cures, also certificates of age (copies of baptismal certificates), letters dimissory (letters issued by bishops for candidates whom they are unable to ordain themselves) certificates of the publication in the parish church of the candidate of the intention to enter holy orders or of a teacher receiving holy communion (also known as Si quis) and other related documents. Some of the earlier bundles include what appear to be extraneous records, such as churchwardens' presentments, and certificates from churchwardens and incumbents that such and such a thing ordered by the bishop's court had been done. With the ordination papers has been put a small file of archbishop's dispensations to ordain, 1668-1670. |