1717 - Local Roman Catholics failing to take oaths

           of abjuration, allegiance and supremacy

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John Miller                   13 Apr 1717      Markington , Yorkshire

William Turpin              13 Apr 1717     Markington , Yorkshire

Christopher Wright      30 Apr 1717     Markington , Yorkshire

John Walker                  Abt     1717      Markington , Yorkshire

Henry Waddington       Abt     1717      Markington , Yorkshire

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About West Yorkshire, Roman Catholic Oath Records, 1714-1787

    This collection contains lists and certificates of Roman Catholics failing to take the oaths of abjuration, allegiance and supremacy which were a part of an act passed by parliament in 1715.

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    During this time, it was assumed that members of the state church were loyal to the realm, whereas members of the Roman Catholic Church were not. Under this act, Roman Catholics were required to register their names and real estates with the Clerk of the Peace of the county where they owned property in order to attest to their loyalty.

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     Those who refused to swear the oath were liable to be imprisoned. Convicted recusants were ordered to receive Anglican communion once a year or face a fine or seizure of their property. Recusants were also barred from office and professions including the military.

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      Informers were paid £50 for revealing a priest saying mass or persons attending mass. The obligation was repealed in 1791.