Notes and Queries, Number 216, December 17, 1853

At this day they are called Churchwardens; all those names being expressive of the nature of the office, which is to guard, preserve, and superintend the rights, revenues, buildings, and furniture of the church. In an old churchwarden's book of accounts, belonging to the parish of Farringdon, in the county of Berks, and bearing date A.D. 1518, there is the form of admitting churchwardens into their office at that period, in the following words: 'Cherchye Wardenys, thys shall be your charge: to be true to God and to the cherche: for love nor for favor off no man wythin thys parriche to withold any ryght to the cherche; but to resseve the dettys to hyt belongythe, or else to go to the devell.'"

Your readers will observe that the last is a very summary kind of sentence. Any farther information relating to the institution of churchwardens[1] will be esteemed by

J. B. WHITBORNE.

[Footnote 1: On the institution of churchwardens consult