¶ Interrogatories to be inquired of by the Churchewardens and Sworne-mennes within the Diocese of Lincoln, and the truth thereof to be by them upon their oaths duly presented unto the Bishop there or his Deputies, at his Visitation, now to be holden this present year of our Lord. 1580. with particular answer to every Interrogatory.  
Imprinted at London, by Ralph Newberie.   

from the Archdeacon's jurisdiction) exhibited a true Certificate in writing, under the hands of your Churchwardens, truly testifying, what he hath done for performance of the matter in the last said Interrogatory contained, and according to the form prescribed by the Laws of this Realm in such behalf.  
5▪ Whether your Parson, Vicar, or Curate, have at every of the said Synods and Visitations, or in places exempt from the archdeacon's jurisdiction, to the Commissary half yearly, made a true Certificate, how many sermons have been made in their Church or Chappel, and by whom, and when they were preached.  
6 Whether the Parson, Vicar, or Curate, have suffered any to preach and expound the holy Scriptures in your Church or Chapel, but such as be lawfully licensed thereunto under the hand & seal of me your Bishop, and shall then show the same, to your Parson, Vicar or Curate, unless it be such Preachers, as your Parson, Vicar, or Curate doth certainly know, to be authorized and licensed thereunto by me.  
7 Whether the Quarter's Sermons appointed by the queens Majesties▪ Injunctions, have been made upon those days, specially wherein the holy Communion hath been ministered (if it might so conveniently be:) and whether the said Sermons have been in some part directed to the setting forth of that action. And that, both, may the more easily concur: whether warning have been thereof given publicly in the Church by the Minister thereof, the sunday before the preaching of every such Sermon.  
8▪ Whether your Minister and Churchwardens have within one fortnight after the publication of my foresaid Injunctions, appointed and proportioned for every Sunday a certain number of householders, to send in their course, so many of their families as are not already known to the Minister, to have a good understanding in the Catechism, lately set out with certain additions, made by M. Alexander Nowell Deane of Paul's, to be in the Church one hour be●ore Evening prayer, publicly therein to be taught and examined. And whether this order and course hath been by the ●ayde Minister published in the said Church, before the first of August following the publication of my foresaid Injunctions. And whether the said Ministers have to their Archdeacon's in every of their Synods and Visitations, and in places exempt to the said Commissaries, yearly exhibited 〈◊〉 testimonial under the hands of their Churchwardens, ●f their attendance in this sort every sunday, and also 〈◊〉 true Certificate subscribed with his own hand, of such householders as have in their course failed to send their families, as is aforesaid.  
9 Whether that your Parson, Vicar, or Curate have admitted any to the holy Communion, since the time of publication of the course and proportion aforesaid, which have ●ot been before publicly examined, and instructed in the ●aide Catechism, or have admitted any to answer as Godfathers and Godmothers, at the christening of any child, except they have before received the holy Communion, and ●an well answer such matter, as is contained in the said Catechism, being required thereto.  
10 Whether for the avoiding of inconvenience, which sometimes groweth by licences to marry without the banes ask (which notwithstanding are oftentimes reasonably granted) any minister hath been suffered to marry any per●on or persons by such licence, but in the Church or Chapel, where he is Parson, Vicar, or ordinary Curate: and whether at any other time than is usual, for public and ●ommon prayer: & except he hath first showed his licence ●o the Churchwardens of the said Church or Chapel: ●nd either by his own knowledge, or by the knowledge of ●he said Churchwardens, hath been assured, that the parties ●o be married, have thereto had the assent of their parent's 〈◊〉 other governors.  
11 Whether any woman delivered of any child begotten in fornication, hath been admitted to her thanks giving in your Church, before she had publicly reconciled hirsel● in such order and form, as by the Archdeacon of the place or other officer to me the said bishop, hath been to 〈◊〉 prescribed.  
12 Whether your Parson, Vicar or Curate, or other Minister in your Church or Chapel, have admitted to the r●ceyuing of the holy Communion, any open and notorious fornicator, adulterer, or evil liver, by whom the congregation is offended, without due penance first done to the satisfaction of the congregation, or also any malicious pers●● that is notoriously known to be out of Charity, or that ha●● done any open wrong to his neighbour in word or deed, with out due reconciliation first made to the party that is wronged.  
13 Whether the form of Commination against sinners, with certain prayers following the same, set forth i● the latter end of the Book of Common Prayer, to be v●●● at divers times in the year, have been by your Minister plainly and distinctly read in your Church or Chappe● unto the people, between the Litany and the commemoration or ministration of the holy Communion, three times 〈◊〉 the year, that is to say, for order's sake, yearly upon o●● of the three Sundays next before Easter, for the first time upon one of the two Sundays next before the feast of Pentecoste, for the second time: and for the third time upon 〈◊〉 of the two Sundays next before the feast of the birth of ou● Lord: over and beside the accustomed reading thereof, upon the first day of Lent.  
14 Whether, to put your Churchwardens and Sworn-men the better in remembrance of their duty in observing and noting such as offend in not coming to divine service your Minister, or Reader, have openly every Sunday, after he hath read the second lesson, at Morning and Evening Prayer, monished and warned the Churchwardens 〈◊〉 sworn-men to look to their charge in this behalf, and 〈◊〉 observe, who contrary to the said Statute, offend in absenting themselves negligently or wilfully, from their Parish Church or Chapel, or unreverently (as is aforesaid) use themselves in the time of divine service.  
15 Whether within one fortnight after my last Visitation ended, every Minister upon some sunday or Holiday have openly read my said late Injunctions and Interrogatories, that the whole parish might know and understand, to what things as well the Ministers, as themselves, were bound by those orders, and accordingly, from time to time, have made complaint to the Ordinary of such, either Minister or Parishioner, as have offended in the premises.  
16 Whether Common prayer be sung or said by your Parson, Vicare, or Curate, in your several Churches or chapels, distinctly and reverently, and in such order, as it is set forth by the laws of this Realm, without any alteration, and at due and convenient hours. And whether your Minister so turn himself, and stand in such place of your Church or Chancel, as the people may best hear the same. And, whether upon Wednesdays and Fridays, not being Holidays, the Litany and other Prayers, appointed for the day, be said accordingly.  
17 Whether you have in your Parish Churches and Chapels, all things necessary for Common Prayer, and administration of the Sacraments, specially the Book of Common Prayer, with the new Calendar, a Psalter, the English Bible in the largest Volume, the two Tomes of Homilies, the Paraphrases of Erasmus translated into English, the Table of the ten Commandments, a convenient Pulpit well placed, a comely and decent Table standing on a frame for the holy Communion, with a fair linen cloth to lay upon the same, and some covering of silk, Buckram, or other such like, for the clean keeping thereof, a fair and comely communion Cup of Silver, and a cover of Silver for the same, which may serve also for the ministration of the Communion bread, a decent large Surplice with sleeves, a sure Coffer with two locks and keys, for the keeping of the Register Book, and a strong Chest or Box for the Alms of the poor, with three locks and keys to the same, and all other things necessary in, and to the premises.  
18. Whether when any man or woman is in passing out of this life, the Bell be tolled to move the people to pray for the sick person, especially in all places where the sick person dwelleth near unto the Church? And whether after the time of his or her passing out of this world, there be any more ringing than one short peal before the burial, and another short peal after the burial, without any other superfluous or superstitious ringing, and whether on all Saint's day at Evening prayer, there be any ringing at all, or any other superstitious ceremony used, tending to the maintenance of Popish Purgatory, or of Prayer for the dead, and who they be that use the same? And whether there be any ringing or knolling of Bells on Sundays or Holidays, between Morning Prayer, and the Litany, or in any time of the Common Prayer, reading of the Homilies, or of Preaching, except one Bell in convenient time, to be rung or tolled before the Sermon, or whether any other ringing be used upon Saints evens, or Festival days, saving to Common prayer, and that without excess: and who do ring or knoll otherwise.  
19 Whether your Parson, Vicar or Curate, do serve any more than one Cure, and whether that he have licence thereunto by me the Ordinary.  
20 Whether any do preach, declare, or speak any thing in derogation of the Book of Common Prayer, which is set forth by the Laws of this Realm, dispraising the same, or any thing therein contained  
21 Whether any popish Priests (either going as priests, or disguised in other apparel, or altering their names, for any cause) or any other, are runagate persons, mislikers, or depravers of true Religion, or of the Ministers of the same, or are such that do not minister or frequent Common Prayer now used, nor communicate at times appointed by the law and do resort secretly or openly, into your parish, and to whom, and of whom they be received, harboured and relieved, and what be their true names and surnames, and by what names they are called.  
22 Whether your own Parson, Vicar, or Curate, be any common resorter to open Games, Plays, or Assemblies whatsoever (in civil causes:) or do keep or suffer to be kept in his Parsonage, Vicarage, or other his dwelling house, any Alehouse, Tippling house, or Tavern: or that he do or have kept any suspected woman in his house: or that he being unmarried doth keep any woman in his house under the age of lx years, except their Daughter, Mother, Aunt, Sister, or niece, and those of good and honest name: or whether he himself be any haunter of Alehouses, Taverns, or suspected places, an hunter, hawker, dicer, carder, swearer, or any otherwise do give evil example of life, whereby the word of God and the form of Religion now used by the laws of England, is or may be any way evil spoken of: And generally, whether he behave not himself, soberly, godly, and honest, as becometh a Minister of Gods most holy word.  
23 Whether your Parson or Vicar be resident and dwell continually upon his benefice, doing his duty in preaching, reading, and ministering the Sacraments: and whether he keep hospitality according as his living will extende● and whether his houses and Chancels be well repaired and upholden.  
24 Whether such your Parson or Vicar as is not resident, neither keepeth hospitality, do relieve his poor Parishioners, and what he giveth yearly to them: and if he be not resident, and may dispend yearly twenty pounds or above, either in my Diocese or else where, whether then he do distribute every year among his poor Parishioners, at the least the fortieth part of the fruits of his benefices where he is not resident.  
25 Whether any Minister or Priest presented to any benefice within this Diocese, have covenanted, promised, or practised, to, or with the Patron thereof, or any other person or persons, that had the Aduousion, or gift of the same Benefice, or with any other person or persons, on his or their behalf, to give to his friend any sum of ready money, or money worth, for presenting him to the same Benefice: or have offered by promise or bond, any lease, either of the whole benefice, limiting the rent far under the just value, or of the Mansion house, glebelandes, or any portion of the Tithes and Fruits of the said benefice, receiving little or nothing thereof, either suffering the Patron that presented him, or any other person, who furthered him, to save his own Tithes within such your benefice, free unto himself: or else hath granted some yearly portion or other yearly commodity to him, his child, servant or friend, for preferring him to the same Benefice: or otherwise hath suffered him to make a gain, by any colour, deceit, or simoniacal compact, in bestowing the said benefice.  
26 Whether the people of your parish, especially householders, having no lawful excuse to be absent, do faithfully and diligently endeavour themselves, to resort with their children and servants to their parish Church or Chapel, or such usual place where Common Prayer is lawfully to be used, upon the Sundays and Holidays: and then, and there do abide orderly and soberly, during the time of the Common Prayer, Homilies, Sermons & other service of God, there to be used, reverently, and devoutly, giving themselves to the hearing and exercise thereof: and who they be that negligently, or wilfully absent themselves or come very late to the Church upon the Sundays especially, or that walk, talk, or otherwise unreverently behave themselves in the Church, or use any gaming or pastime abroad, or in house, or sit in the streets, or Churchyard, or in any Tavern or Alehouse upon the Sunday or other Holiday, in the time of Common Prayer, Sermons, or reading of the Homilies either before noon or after noon.  
27 Whether the forfeiture of twelve pence for eu●●● such offence appointed by a statute made in the first year of the queens majesties reign, be levied and taken according to the same Statute, by the Churchwardens, of every person that so offendeth, and by them be put to the use of the parish, and if it be not, by whose default it is not levied, and not so bestowed.  
28 Whether there be with you any Inkepers, Alewives, Victuallers, or tipplers, that suffer or do admit any person or persons in their houses to eat, drink, or play at the Cards, Tables, or such like games in the time of common Prayer, or Sermon, on the Sundays or Holidays: and whether there be any shop set open on Sundays or Holidays: or whether there be any Butchers, or others, that commonly use to sell meat or other things in the time of Common Prayer, Preaching, or reading of the Homilies: and whether in any Fairs with you, or common Markets, falling upon the Sunday, there be showing of any wares, before Morning Prayer be done: and whether any Markets be used or suffered in your Churchyards.  
29 Whether the Churchwardens of the last year have given to the Parish a just account, of the Church goods and rents that were committed to their charge, according to the custom that hath been aforetime used, and what Church goods they, or any other have sold, and to whom: and whether to the profit of your Church or no: and what hath been done with the money thereof coming.  
30 Whether the Schoolmasters which teach within your Parish either openly or privately, in any Noble or Gentleman's house, or in any other place with you, be of good and sincere Religion and conversation, and be diligent in teaching and bringing up of Youth: and whether they be examined, allowed, and licensed by the Ordinary or his officer, in that behalf: whether they teach the Grammar set forth by King Henry the .8. of noble memory, and none other, whether they teach any thing contrary to the order of Religion, now established by public authority: & whether they teach not their Scholars the Catechism in Latin, lately set forth, and such sentences of Scripture, as shall be most expedient and meet to move them to the love and due reverence of God's true religion, now truly set forth by the queens majesties authority, and to induce them to all godliness and honest conversation, and what be the names and surnames of all such Schoolmasters and teachers of Youth within your Parish, as well of such as teach publicly, as those that teach in the houses of Noble men, Gentlemen or other private men.  
31 Whether there be any among you that use Sorcery or Witchcraft, or that be suspected of the same: and whether any use any charms, or unlawful prayers, or invocations, in Latin or otherwise, and namely, Midwives, in the time of women's travail of child: & whether any do resort to any such for help and counsel, and what be their names.  
32 Whether there be any in your Parish, or have been, that have married within the degrees of affinity, or consanguinity, by the laws of God forbidden, and so set out for admonition, in a Table now appointed to be fixed in every Parish Church, within this Diocese: or whether any that being divorced or separated for such cause do, yet notwithstanding cohabit & keep company still together: or whether any that being married without those degrees have unlawfully forsaken their wives, or husbands, & married others: And whether there be with you any man that hath two wives, or any woman that hath two husbands, or any that being divorced or separated a sunder have married any: or whether there be any married that have made precontracts: any that have made privy or secret contracts: any that have married or contracted themselves without the consent of their Parents, tutors, or Governors: any that have married without Banes, thrice solemnly asked. Any couples married that live not together, but slanderously live apart: Any that have married out of the Parish Church, where they ought not to have solemnized their marriage.  
33 Whether your Minister & Churchwardens have suffered any Lords of Misrule, or summer Lords or Ladies, or any disguised persons in Christmas, or at May-games, or Morris Dancers, or at any other times, to come unreverently into the Church or Churchyard, and there to dance or play any unseemly parts, with scoffs, jests, wanton gestures, or ribald talk, namely, in the time of common Prayer: & what they be that commit such disorder, or accompany, or maintain them.  
34 Generally, whether there be among you, or have been since my last Visitation, any notorious evil livers, or any suspected of any notorious sin, fault, or crime, to the offence of Christian people, or any that stubbornly refuse to conform themselves to unity & godly religion, now established by public authority: or any that br●teth abroad rumours of the alteration of the same: or finally, any such which deserve to be punished by Ecclesiastical discipline, and are not particularly specified in the Interrogatories before.  

The Tenor of the Oath, ministered to the Churchwardens and Sworne-men.  
YE shall swear by almighty God, that ye shall diligently consider all and every the Articles given to you in charge, and make a true answer to the same in writing, presenting all and every such person and persons dwelling within your parish, as ●●ue committed any offence or fault, or made any default mentioned in any of the same Articles, or which are vehemently suspected or defamed of any such offence, fault, or default: wherein ye shall not present any person or persons of any evil will, malice, or hatred contrary to the truth, nor shall for love, favour, meed, dread, or any corrupt affection spare to present any that be offenders suspected, or defamed in any of these cases, but shall do uprightly, as men having the fear of God before their eyes, & desirous to maintain Virtue, & suppress Vice. So God help you.