Search London Consistory Court Wills, 1548-1559

Each record includes a transcript and the option to view a digital image of the full entry which has been transcribed. While details can vary for each record, you can expect to find a combination of the following facts:

• Name
• Year
• Occupation
• Parish
• County

Each transcript also provides you with an archive reference for the original records which are held by The London Archives.

These records are brought to you thanks to the brilliant and extensive work of Cliff Webb.

This collection specifically documents wills proved in the Consistory Court of London, which was the principal court within the Diocese of London, between 1548-1559. A consistory court is a type of ecclesiastical court and from the early medieval period, the bishop was not only regarded as a spiritual leader, but also had jurisdiction over ecclesiastical matters. The Consistory Court of London was the largest ‘canon law’ court in the south of England and covered the City of London, parts of Hertfordshire, and the historic counties of Middlesex and Essex.

Although this collection focuses specifically on 16th century wills, cases that came before the consistory court varied widely. The court was also responsible for the discipline of its parishioners and clergy and would have dealt with cases relating to non-attendance at church and general non-conformity. Additionally, up until the middle of the 19th century, the court would have dealt with matters that would later be dealt with by a civil court, including the proving of wills, matrimonial cases including divorce and defamation.