Records of the Stratford-upon-Avon Peculiar Court

Admin History

Administrative History For two years out of three the parish of Stratford was independent of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the bishop of Worcester, the Warden of the College (pre the Reformation) was entitled to hold a `peculiar' court concerning spiritual matters. Under the charter of 1553, this privilege was granted to the Vicar, whose stipend was paid by the new Corporation. In this way certain of the Court's records appear to have come into the hands of the Corporation, although the main series of wills passed to the Birmingham Diocesan Registry and are now to be found at DR148/1