Thank You everyone for your information and comments.
It's a subject which interests me. I do have a copy of the book by W.E Tate entitled 'The Parish Chest'. I have had this for some years - but just looked in it again for the subjects of excommunication and penance.
There are several examples quoted. In one Parish Register - 'Middleham, Yorks' in 1792 - the vicar has written;
'I enter under the head of burials, as spiritually dead, the names of.......................'
In another case in 1696, Thornton, Bucks;
- ' Francis Colman dyed March 3rd but was not buryed in thes paresh bec. he dyed excommunicate, and was fetched by some Anabapt. brethren to a Burying place of theirs at Stony Stretford.'
A penance example from Croyden, Surrey;
Margaret Sherioux was enjoined to stand iij market days in the town and iij Sabeathe dayes in the Church, in a white sheete, with a paper on her back and bosom showing her sinne.... She stood one Saurday and one Sunday and died the nexte'.
Isn't it interesting! I must return to this book more frequently to refresh my memory - as I fear my brain is turning into a sieve!
