Nominations for licences for secular roles

This sub sub sub fonds is divided into 3 series as follows:

• Schoolmasters, 1607-1883 [Nom.SM] (Some licences for schoolmasters are entered in the Faculty books, see [GB 193 FAC]).
• Midwives, 1662-1772 [Nom.M] (some licences for midwives are entered in the early faculty books, see [GB 193 FAC]. This series of nominations & testimonials precedes the earliest of these entries).
• Surgeons, 1660-1790 [Nom.Sur] (some licences for surgeons are entered in the early faculty books, see [GB 193 FAC]).

Under the Act 3 Hen VIII c.11 (1511) schoolmasters, midwives and surgeons (as well as physicians & apothecaries) required Episcopal licence before being allowed to practice their profession. Licenses were acquired through a system of nominations. The nominations, sometimes together with letters testimonial, were sent to the Archbishop.

A hard copy finding aid is available at the Borthwick Institute.