Archdeaconry of Nottingham introduction

The archive of the historic Archdeaconry of Nottingham is one of the most extensive manuscript collections held at the University of Nottingham Library.

It is a major research resource in the primary context of ecclesiastical court history, and touches also on many issues of local church estates and property, parish and community concerns, family structure and individual lives. For particular periods - such as the mid-17th century - analysis of the documents can enable historians to see how local patterns reflected national changes in religious observance. Genealogists make use of the series of marriage bonds dated 1565-1884.

Between 2002 and 2004 the Presentment Bills Project was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Using the 'Archdeaconry Resources' webpages

These 'Archdeaconry Resources' webpages provide a range of supporting material to help researchers using the archive, and to enhance understanding of court procedure and the context in which the archdeaconry courts in Nottinghamshire and elsewhere operated. These resources do not, at the moment, provide direct access to digital versions of documents within the archive. Some items from the archive can be seen in the online exhibition The Bawdy Court.

Use the links at the side of this page to access each of the resources.