The Protestation Returns, 1641-1642, and Other Contemporary Listings

The Protestation--a form of oath of loyalty--was initiated by the House of Commons to determine the number of Roman Catholics in England and to defend the Protestant religion from all forms of "Popery." Taken in 1641-1642, these Protestation Returns are the nearest there is (for the next two hundred years) to a widespread census of adult males. Surviving Returns, located today in the House of Lords Record Office, exist for about one-third of all English parishes. In alphabetical order by county, and therein by parishes and hundreds, this book provides an exhaustive list of all such Returns, also giving a list of published Protestation Returns. In addition, other contemporary records are itemized here, including the following: The Collection in Aid of Distressed Protestants in Ireland; The Covenants and Petitions to Parliament; and Taxation Records (Subsidy, Poll Tax, and Assessment or Grant). Taking account of all the records covered, this is an extremely important guide to name lists of the early 1640s.