Records of Visitation

The archdeacon's annual visits to observe the spiritual and moral welfare of his flock, both ecclesiastical and lay, and the work of his court, produced voluminous visitation and court books. Files supplementing the main visitation records can include returns to articles of enquiry, presentments, correction citations, excommunications, penances and churchwardens' oaths and declarations. In addition, files of miscellaneous correspondence illustrating the whole range of archidiaconal responsibilities and duties survive in some cases.

The records have been divided into 16 series as follows:

• Court Books [C.V/CB]. 12 volumes. 1632-1787. Correspondence and certain other visitation documents (e.g., penance, excommunications) are often inserted in the volumes.
• Calls [C.V/C]. 8 boxes. 1788-1968. Unbound, except for 1816-28. Earlier calls may be found inserted in the court books.
• Exhibit Books [C.V/Exh.Bk]. 4 volumes. 1681-1820.
• Citation Mandates [C.V/Cit]. 3 boxes. 1670-1968.
• Surrogation Acts [C.V/SA]. 1 box. 1885-1968.
• Churchwardens' Presentments [C.V/Ch.P]. 1 box. 1769-1832.
• Articles of Enquiry [C.V/AE]. c.55 boxes. 1846-2000.
• Churchwardens' Oaths and Declarations [C.V/Ch.OD]. 8 boxes. 1802-1915. From 1916-68, these are included in the Articles of Enquiry.
• Correction Citations [C.V/Co.C]. 1 file. 1788-1823.
• Excommunications [C.V/Exh]. 1 file. 1706, 1787-92.
• Penances [C.V/Pen]. 1 item. 1808.
• Absolutions [C.V/Abs]. 1 item. 1796.
• Visitation Memoranda Books [C.V/MB]. 3 volumes (one for each rural deanery). 1829-30.
• Rural Deans' Visitation Returns [C.V/RD.Ret]. 1 box. 1919-58.
• Visitation Files [C.V/VF]. These are included in the Articles of Enquiry.
• Visitation Miscellanea [C.V/Misc]. 6 boxes. 17th-20th century.

The original purpose of church courts was to apply discipline to church members, and the process of visitation was the means by which such correction was administered. The process of visitation fell into four parts:

• the preliminary stage
• the citation to appear at a specified place on an appointed day
• the visitation proper
• the orders issued as a result of the citation

Whereas today the visitation is seen largely as a pastoral role, in previous centuries it was firmly viewed as a series of judicial proceedings. When the citation was issued, a Book of Articles was sent out to each parish. The Articles were a long series of questions to which detailed answers were required. By the eighteenth century, these fell into four distinct categories: the condition of the physical fabric of the church and churchyard; the conduct of public worship; church property (goods, lands and buildings); and the moral standard and behaviour of the laity.

The visitation proper took place on one day, usually in the parish church where the rural dean was incumbent. The clergy exhibited their Letters of Order and Constitution Papers, and the churchwardens their annual statement of accounts. New churchwardens took their oath of office. The visitation concluded with a sermon which outlined the policy to be followed over the coming year, and was swiftly followed up by an issue of orders and injunctions giving precise instructions for the rectification of all defects uncovered.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation and the wishes of the donors/owners.

Where indicated, hard-copy finding aids are available at the Borthwick Institute, and an online guide (to 1980) may be found at http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/bihr/Guidesandfindingaids.htm. Please note some of the document references listed here have been updated.

Parchment, bound volumes, loose papers.

A reprographics service is available to researchers. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute, University of York terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

• A.H. Thompson, 'Diocesan Organisation in the Middle Ages: Archdeacons and Rural Deans', Proceedings of the British Academy 29 (1943), 153-94.
• J. Addy, The Archdeacon and Ecclesiastical Discipline in Yorkshire 1598-1714: Clergy and the Churchwardens (St Anthony's Hall Publications 24 (1963)).
• C.C. Webb and D.M. Smith, 'Archdeacons' Records', in Short Guides to Records. Second series: Guides 25-48 (Historical Association, 1997), no. 31.
• L. Leeder, Ecclesiastical Law Handbook (London, 1997), 55-59.