Part 2: Introduction to the Index

The Bede Roll of the Fraternity of St Nicholas. Originally published by London Record Society, London, 2004.

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Citation:

'Part 2: Introduction to the Index', in The Bede Roll of the Fraternity of St Nicholas, ed. NW James, VA James( London, 2004), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol39/pp284-284 [accessed 21 November 2024].

'Part 2: Introduction to the Index', in The Bede Roll of the Fraternity of St Nicholas. Edited by NW James, VA James( London, 2004), British History Online, accessed November 21, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol39/pp284-284.

"Part 2: Introduction to the Index". The Bede Roll of the Fraternity of St Nicholas. Ed. NW James, VA James(London, 2004), , British History Online. Web. 21 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol39/pp284-284.

In this section

Part 2: Introduction to the Index

INTRODUCTION TO THE CLASSIFIED INDEX OF NAMES

This index complements the first volume by listing alphabetically by surname the individuals who appear in the text of the Bede Roll of the Fraternity of St Nicholas.

The surnames of members of the fraternity which appear in bold at the beginning of each group of entries in the text have been standardised as far as possible to reflect modern usage. Where there is no clear modern equivalent the surname is rendered in bold as given in the text. In every case variant spellings appearing in the text are given in ordinary type. Kings of England have, exceptionally, been indexed under their Christian names within the alphabetical sequence.

In the same way as for surnames, the spelling of Christian names has been standardised. Variant spellings have not, however, been supplied. Where no Christian name is given in the text, this has been noted.

The following abbreviations have been used to classify individuals

A Anchorite
ALD Alderman
ALDW Alderman's wife
ALM Almsman
ALMW Almswoman
B Bishop
C Canon regular
CL Parish or choir clerk
CLW Clerk's wife
F Friar
KT Knight
KTW Knight's wife
LM Layman
LW Laywoman
M Member of a monastic house
P Priest

The highest known rank has been given except in the case of aldermen who were knighted, where the description 'alderman' has been preferred. The distinction in the text between canons regular and other members of monastic orders has been preserved. Classifications are derived from the column headings in the text or from other primary or secondary sources. The absence of a classification in an individual entry indicates a lack of positive information. The titles 'dominus', 'domina', 'magister' and 'sir' are ignored in the index but when the holder was a knight, this has been indicated. The term 'master' is used only to indicate senior and junior masters of the Fraternity of St Nicholas who are differentiated by the use of the numbers (1) and (2) respectively.

The dates of admission and death relate to the annual lists running from one Ascension Day to another, Ascension Day being the feast at which the masters for the year took office. Thus 'adm 1475' indicates that the admission of the individual is recorded for the period between 4 May 1475 and 22 May 1476. Dates for deaths must be used with caution. A number of deaths recorded under 1462 actually took place in the period between Ascension Day 1461 and Ascension Day 1462. Similarly the deaths recorded under 1469 include some at least which took place in the parish clerks' year from Ascension Day 1468. Beginning in 1470 a convention was established whereby deaths were entered in the parish clerks' year following that in which they had occurred. For a detailed explanation of the dating within the Bede Roll see the introduction to the text.

The bold numbers which appear after each date of admission or death relate to the numbering supplied for sections within the text.

Fragmentary or partially illegible names have been excluded. Individuals known only by their occupations and not identifiable by surname have equally been excluded. Thus Agnes 'doctrix puellarum' recorded among the deaths before 1449 (24) and the Prioress of St Helens of unknown name whose death is recorded among those for 1513 (540) have been omitted.

The names of monarchs, mayors or sheriffs included only in dating clauses have also been excluded.