Church affairs: Wheler Papers: Penance for Adultery

Description

Order of the Court of the Peculiar of Stratford-upon-Avon that Thomas Hudson, of Old Stratford, weaver, being guilty of adultery `shall performe a publick pennance in the parish church', namely `he shall... come to the said church and shall stand in the porch of the same from the toleing of the second Bell unto Morninge service haveing a White Sheet over his wearing apparrell and holding a White Rod of an ell long in his hand after the manner of a penitent sinner and shall aske forgiveness of all that pass by him and the second lesson being ended hee shall bee brought into the said church and shall bee placed in some convenient place near the Ministers reading deske, where hee shall stand (arrayed as before) all the tyme of Divine service and sermon, and after the reading of the Niscene Creed hee shall make an humble confession of his fault, saying after the Minister with a loud voice as followeth', etc. 23 January 1716/7. On the back is a certificate of the performance of the penance `before a very numerous congregation', 10 March 1716/17. Signed by Walwyn Meese, Vicar, and Avery Edwards and Richard Spiers, churchwardens. Folio 13.