The Register Of Edmund Stafford Bishop Of Exeter 1395-1419

The Register of Edmund Stafford, Bishop of Exeter: 1395-1419

Please Note the register is in Latin

An Essential Primary Source for Medieval Genealogy and History in Devon, Cornwall & Dorset

Step back into the pivotal late medieval period—the turbulent end of Richard II's reign and the dawn of the Lancastrian dynasty under Henry IV. The Register of Edmund Stafford, Bishop of Exeter, is not just a book; it is a gateway into the lives of your ancestors living in Devon and the surrounding counties during this transformative era.

For genealogists, this meticulously compiled register is an indispensable resource, often containing the only surviving record of an individual's existence before the parish records began. This official journal of the Bishop's daily work provides a unique and intimate snapshot of ecclesiastical and secular life.

What you will discover inside:

Clerical Appointments & Careers: Trace the lives of ancestors who served the church. Find records of ordinations, institutions to benefices (the right to a church's income), licences, and resignations, naming both the cleric and often the patron.

Marriage Licences & Dispensations: Uncover vital family connections. The register contains requests for marriage licences, especially dispensations for couples who were related, providing direct evidence of relationships and family networks.

Wills & Testaments: The Bishop had authority to prove the wills of personal property (moveable goods). These records are genealogical gold, naming spouses, children, other relatives, and favoured friends, along with details of their possessions.

Court Cases & Disputes: Read the detailed accounts of everyday life. The register documents disputes over tithes, marriage contracts, inheritance, and land boundaries. These cases can name entire families, witnesses, and the specific manors or villages where they lived.

Land & Property Records: Pinpoint your family's ancestral home through records of land grants, leases, and the management of church-owned lands (glebe).

Guilds & Chantry Foundations: Discover ancestors who were members of religious guilds or who funded chantries to pray for their souls, with lists of members often included.
Why this Register is Essential for Your Research:

Fills a Critical Gap: This period is notoriously difficult for genealogical research. The register provides a dense, high-quality source of names and relationships for the years 1395-1419.
Geographically Specific: Centered on the Diocese of Exeter, it covers the historic counties of Devon and Cornwall, with frequent mentions of bordering parishes in Dorset and Somerset.
Primary Source Evidence: This is a direct transcription of the original documents, offering unparalleled authenticity and detail that secondary sources cannot match.