10 - Archbishop Richard Bancroft's orders for Canterbury Cathedral, 1609.

Summary

Orders inioyned by the most reverend the Lord Archbishope of Canterbury in his metropoliticall visitation anno 1608 to be observed by the deane and chapter of the Cathedrall Church of Canterbury.

1. That the epistle and gosple be everie Sundaye and holie daye read, accordinge to the booke of common prayer in some convenient place neere the communion table, and in coapes.

2. That upon solempne feast dayes, the sermon be made before the communion: the moveable pulpitt beinge placed either in the presbyterie or quire: and everie afternoone of such dayes there be a sermon for the citie in the ordinarie place.

3. That the almesmen doe attend daily at the church, and that those who doe altogeither discontinewe, be payd noe wages till they have given a reason of that their discontinuance. That such among them as are either notorious drunckerds or infamous livers and are likewise negligent at divine service be severely admonished, and yf thereupon they be not reformed that then they alsoe have noe wages payd them.

4. That the poore singinge men, especially such as are cunninge, diligent and inoffensive, having but meane stipendes, maye have (for their better encouragment and sustinance) some more sufficient allowance appointed them, at the discretion of the deane and chapter, and that they certifie what they will allowe them.

5. That the choristers be not admitted upon their maisters allowance, but that the deane doe appoint them to be examined and approved by some others of the quier. And that their said master, doe not take of them a yeares wages at their first enterance.

6. That the said maister (under pretence of goeinge to the grammer or writinge schole) doe not suffer anie of his schollers to be absent in the afternoones, without the privitie and speciall licence of the deane. And that for playinge dayes he doth observe the order which is sett downe for the grammer schole.

7. That the register or chapter clerke be sworne, as are other members and officers of the church: with addition, de secretis capitali non revelandis.

8. That the usuall stocke of the church, be dulie kept in the officers handes, and that accompt be accordingly given of it at everie audite.