The Gild Register Of The Holy Cross The Blessed Mary & St John The Baptist Stratford Upon Avon 1406-1535

Step into Medieval Stratford-Upon-Avon: The Gild Register of the Holy Cross (1406-1535)

Journey back to a time before parish registers, to the very heart of medieval life in one of England's most historic towns. This is not just a list of names; it is the living, breathing record of the most powerful institution in Tudor

Stratford-upon-Avon: The Gild of the Holy Cross. For over a century, this religious fraternity was the centre of the town's religious, social, and commercial life—and now, its meticulously kept register can be a cornerstone of your research.

This exceptional volume provides a rare and intimate glimpse into the community that shaped the world William Shakespeare's own grandfather and father would have known. If you have ancestors in Stratford-upon-Avon or early modern Warwickshire, this register is an indispensable key to unlocking their lives during a period for which few other records survive.

What You Will Discover Inside This Unique Record:
Spanning from the reign of Henry IV to the dawn of the Tudor era, this register is a treasure trove of information that goes far beyond simple vital statistics. Within its pages, you will find:

Admissions of New Members: Discover the names of local men who were admitted to the Gild, often noting their trade or occupation. This is a direct line to your ancestor's professional life.

Fines and Payments: Gain insight into the daily workings of the Gild and the lives of its members through records of fines for transgressions, payments for obligations, and contributions to Gild funds.

Wills and Bequests: Read the last wishes of prominent townspeople who left legacies to the Gild, often mentioning family members and providing context for their wealth and status.

Names of Gild Officers: Trace the civic leaders of the town by identifying the Wardens, Stewards, and Clerks who were elected each year to manage the Gild's vast affairs.

Accounts and Expenses: See the Gild's role in the community, from maintaining the chapel and its priests to funding the town's bridge and almshouses.

Why This Register is an Indispensable Resource:

A Window into a Lost World (Pre-1538): This register covers the crucial period before the mandate for parish registers began in 1538. For many families, this is the only written record that places their ancestor in Stratford during the 15th and early 16th centuries.

Beyond Names and Dates: This is social history at its best. It reveals the intricate web of community, faith, commerce, and charity that bound medieval Stratford together, adding rich colour and context to your family tree.
T
he Direct Predecessor to Parish Records: The Gild of the Holy Cross performed many of the functions later taken on by the parish church, including maintaining a chapel and employing priests. This register is the direct forerunner to the parish records genealogists rely on.

Unparalleled Local Connection: For anyone with roots in Stratford-upon-Avon, this is the ultimate source. It documents the people, places, and events that defined the town for over 130 years.
Who Should Use This Book?

Genealogists with early Warwickshire and Stratford-upon-Avon ancestry.
Local Historians researching the governance and social structure of medieval towns.
Academics and students of medieval and Tudor history, religion, and economics.
Shakespeare enthusiasts seeking to understand the world that shaped his family and his future.

Don't let your Stratford-upon-Avon lineage remain a mystery in the pre-parish register era. Add this vital, authoritative, and captivating piece of history to your library and connect with the medieval ancestors who walked the same streets as a bard.