ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



maner of regimentes ' the diocese was divided ; whether the same be 

 archdeaconries, deaneries or such like ; how many there were with their 

 distinct names ; ' who occupieth the same roomes at this present and wher 

 they are to your understanding ? ' The bishop answered that the dio- 

 cese had but one archdeaconry, and that the archdeacon's name was 

 Mr. George Nevell, who was not resident within the diocese, but lived 

 at a place in Richmondshire called Well ; the diocese was divided into 

 one deanery of the cathedral church and four rural deaneries, viz. 

 Cumberland, Westmorland, Carlisle and Allerdale ; the dean of the 

 cathedral, who was always absent by dispensation as he alleged, had 

 under him four prebendaries of the same church, of whom none kept 

 residence there, but lay upon their benefices abroad in the diocese. In 

 reply to the third question he reported that as yet he knew not of any 

 ' exempte or peculiar places ' within the circuit of his diocese where he 

 had not full jurisdiction as ordinary. The fourth and fifth articles were 

 concerned with the number of churches within each archdeaconry, 

 deanery or other regiment, which of these churches were parochial, 

 how many of them had parsons, vicars or curates ; ' and wheras the 

 parishes are so large as they have divers chappells of ease which have 

 or ought to have curates or ministers in them, to certifie howe manye 

 be of that sort in everie suche parishe, with the names of the townes or 

 hamletts, where the same churches or chapells are so scituate,' and also 

 to state how many households were within every parish or member of 

 any parish that had such churches or chapels of ease. In the bishop's 

 return of over one hundred parishes, there is no indication that any of 

 the benefices were destitute of curates, or that there was any lack in the 

 supply of clergy. Extensive parishes like Crosthwaite, Holmcultram 

 and Kirkbystephen had the largest populations, exceeding those of the 

 two Carlisle parishes, and such places as Kirkandrews-on-Eden, Grins- 

 dale, Denton and RoclifFe were very sparsely populated. 1 



The attention of the second parliament of the Queen was turned 

 to the enforcement of the Royal Supremacy among the clergy and laity 

 alike. The chief provisions of the penal Act 2 of 1563 were concerned 

 with the repression of papal sympathy and the acceptance of the oath 

 of allegiance. Under this new legislation the justices of the peace were 

 directed to search out defenders of papal authority and certify the pre- 

 sentments into the Queen's Bench under penalty. Before the justices could 

 be employed on this delicate business, it was necessary to have satis- 

 factory assurances of their loyalty to the religious settlement and their 

 capabilities to administer the Act. From Bishop Best's return of the 

 justices, dated 18 November 1564, we get an insight into the condition 

 of conformity among the educated portion of the laity of his diocese. 

 As soon as the bishop had received the Council's letter he had a con- 

 ference with such ' grave wyttye men, good in relligion as favourers of 

 the policie of the realme nowe established,' but with men of contrary 



1 Harl. MS. 594, f. 9. Compare also ibid. 595, f. 85. 

 2 5 Eliz. cap. i. 



n 73 10 



