Bedfordshire and the Lincolnshire Parish Clergy

Dr Nicholas Bennett answering questions after his 2016 lecture

Under this title, Dr Nicholas Bennett presented the 2016 BHRS annual lecture on 23 September.  The ecclesiastical connection between the two counties is centuries old as Bedfordshire parishes were in the Diocese of Lincoln until the mid-nineteenth century and many of their records are held by the Lincoln Diocesan Office, now on deposit at Lincolnshire Archives (opens in new window).

Dr Bennett is the author of Lincolnshire Parish Clergy  c1214-1968: A Biographical Register which is in the course of publication by the Lincoln Record Society (opens in new window). The first two volumes cover the deaneries of Aslacoe, Aveland, Beltisloe and Bolingbroke.

Drawing examples from these volumes, Dr Bennett’s lecture presented an overview of the clergy’s background and careers and showed connections with Bedfordshire parishes and clergy.  It is likely that more connections with Bedfordshire will emerge as his research continues.