The Protestation Returns, 1641-1642 & Other Contemporary Listings: Collection in Aid of Distressed Protestants in Ireland; Subsidies; Poll Tax; Assessment ... Vow and Covenant; Solemn League and Covenant Book

The Protestation--a form of oath of loyalty--was initiated by the House of Commons to determine the number of Roman Catholics in England and to defend the Protestant religion from all forms of "Popery." Taken in 1641-1642, these Protestation Returns are the nearest there is (for the next two hundred years) to a widespread census of adult males. Surviving Returns, located today in the House of Lords Record Office, exist for about one-third of all English parishes. In alphabetical order by county, and therein by parishes and hundreds, this book provides an exhaustive list of all such Returns, also giving a list of published Protestation Returns. In addition, other contemporary records are itemized here, including the following: The Collection in Aid of Distressed Protestants in Ireland; The Covenants and Petitions to Parliament; and Taxation Records (Subsidy, Poll Tax, and Assessment or Grant). Taking account of all the records covered, this is an extremely important guide to name lists of the early 1640s.Read More