Wells Act Book(s)

[Shirl_R]

In the online version of The History of Parliament, in relation to those elected from the constituency of Wells there are numerous references (footnotes) to Wells act bk. 2.

It seems these city act books were some form of record of the administration / government of the Borough of Wells.  However, I have not been able to learn anything about the records and I hope other researchers can enlighten me.

I am keen to know:

• the full or correct title of the record(s)
• the archives where they are held
• whether they have been published, either in book form or online.

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

[mckha489]

Could it be these

Records created by Wells City Council and its predecessor the Wells Corporation (e.g. the fine collection of Corporation Act Books, dating from 1378 to 1835)

https://www.wellsmuseum.org.uk/wells-city-archives

[Shirl_R]

Thank you very much, it looks like that might be it. I'll contact the museum to see if they can help.

[mckha489]

Do, please, report back. I am always fascinated by those sources in The History of Parliament which are so often not very obvious to we amateurs.

[Shirl_R]

I agree, some of it looks like secret code.  Apart from act bk, here's another that has stumped me; the bit in red.

P. H. Hembry, Bps. Bath and Wells, 1540-1640, p. 44; Wells act bk. 2, p. 541; 3, ff. 16, 20;

The semicolon seems to indicate another in the list of references but then ff. usually means 'and the following pages'.  I'm wondering if it means, 'act book 3, pages 16 & 20'? 

[mckha489]

I can’t think what else it could be.
But why isn’t there a p in front of 16 & 20

Unless it refers to reference number 3 on that same page in the History. Which it doesn’t, (have just found the page).

[Shirl_R]

Yes the museum confirmed those are the records.
Thanks again mckha489 for your suggestion.

[mckha489]

Thank you for letting me know. Another thing learned (just have to try not to forget it!)

[Bookbox]

The semicolon seems to indicate another in the list of references but then ff. usually means 'and the following pages'.  I'm wondering if it means, 'act book 3, pages 16 & 20'? 

In this sort of manuscript reference, ff. stands for folios.