Relinquishment of Orders

This sub sub sub fonds is divided into 2 series as follows:

• Deed of relinquishment (office copies), notices to the archbishop and correspondence, 1870-1896. [C.Disab]
• Draft returns to Parliament of the number of persons executing deeds of relinquishment in the province 1871-1889; printed returns for the provinces of Canterbury and York 1874-1889 [C.Disab.Ret]

By the provisions of the Clerical Disabilities Act 1870, a priest or deacon, after having resigned his ecclesiastical preferment, could execute a deed of relinquishment of office and enrol it in the Chancery Division of the High Court. He was obliged to deposit an office copy of his deed of relinquishment with his diocesan bishop and to notify the archbishop of the province.

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