St Asaph Notitiae

One of the first tasks of William Lloyd as Bishop of St Asaph was to issue directions to all incumbents in the diocese regarding the compilation of a Notitia of each parish.

The notitiae were taken either to a Synod or Convocation held in July 1681. Similar instructions to those in 1681 must have been issued to clergy in subsequent years for compiling similar returns in connection with Convocations or Episcopal Visitations after 1681.

The directions issued in 1681 give details of the form in which the information was to be entered: in three columns, the names of 'housekeepers' (heads of household), the number of souls in each family, and the ages of all those in the household under the age of 18. The incumbents were also instructed to list the names of all Catholic recusants and of those under excommunication in each parish, as well as details of money given for charitable causes. The instructions also set out other information which was to be supplied and 'produced'. There is some variation, but this is the general format to be found in the returns.

The returns date from between 1681 and 1687.