Among the records of the Bedford Archdeaconry deposited at the Bedfordshire County Record Office is a volume (cat. no. ABC 3) containing court proceedings for the archdeaconry in 1578. It contains also on pp. 3-13 and 206-215 the presentments of churchwardens at the archidiaconal visitations in April and October 1578, which are transcribed below.

[p3]

Detecta in Visitatione domini Archidiaconi Bedd’ 8 et 9 Aprilis anno 1578

Felmersham Richard Leache, Robert Rotham, and Thomas Leache have not receaved the Communion at Easter last. William Burye, Thomas Hodsone, Robert Otwaye & his wife for the lyke offence.

Bedford Cutbertes Carent multis necessarijs, vide billam.

Farandiche The chancell & parsonage are in decaye by the parson’s defalt. They have but one sermon this year.

Wooton The chancell is in decaye at the Quene’s defalte. William Borne of Marston detayneth a legacye of iijs iiijd by the yeare for the poore of Wotton. He is behinde for xx yeares.

Turvey Adre Cooper was gotten with childe in Turvey by Thomas Parkins of Hygham.

Patnam [Pavenham] Our chansell is in decaye & redye to faule downe, at the defaute of Trynitye College in Cambridge.

Bletsoo We present our parson for cuttinge tymber of all the parsonage grownds. Our chancell is a little oute of repayre.

Bidnam We doe present that we had no Communion but once this yeare, and that our last churchwardens dyd not make there accompte for the yere, Thomas Wryghte, Bartholomewe Brytten.

[p4]

Chellington Our chancell is in decaye at the parson’s defalte, but the parson hathe begone to mende hit. Our churche wyndowes want glasinge. Our parson hathe ij benefycyes.

Carelton Our cancell is in decaye at our parson’s defalte. Henrye Bytheraye & his wyfe doe lyve asunder, & that our parson hathe ij benefycyes & he is not resydent with us.

Kempstone Joanes A Hewe is suspected to lyve incontynentlye with a wydowe, she is called by the name of Williamsonne’s daughter, as the common fame goeth within the parish.

Bedford Sancti Petri [sic]There is no pulpitte in the littel churche. The x commandments are not on the walles. The chancell & churche are not paved in some places.

Bedford Peters [sic] Rafe Wylson kepte Davys Buckham his wyfe in his howse, he hathe had waminge to put hir awaye & wyll not.