• Media type: E-Article
  • Title: VI. Miscellaneous Observations on Parish Registers. Addressed to the Honourable Daines Barrington. By John Bowle, F.S.A
  • Contributor: Bowle, John
  • imprint: Cambridge University Press (CUP), 1787
  • Published in: Archaeologia
  • Language: English
  • DOI: 10.1017/s0261340900021160
  • ISSN: 0261-3409; 2051-3186
  • Origination:
  • Footnote:
  • Description: <jats:p>You do not want to be informed that the introduction of Parochial Registers was in consequence of the injunctions of Thomas Lord Cromwell. From whence he formed his resolution of bringing them into general use is not apparent; but their utility and advantage to posterity could not escape his sagacity and discernment. As he had lived abroad, and consequently had much intercourse with men of different countries, from these he might have formed his opinions, and at a fit season have carried them into execution. The known period when this was done makes the supposition no ways improbable; it being certain that in <jats:italic>Spain</jats:italic> it had been in use many years before. Very few years have elapsed since the place where, and time when, the famous Cervantes was born, and baptised, were known. Some Antiquaries of late among his countrymen have made it a point to investigate the matter with precision and indisputable certainty, by means of registers of churches still in being.</jats:p>