For Skegby, Nottinghamshire
Between February and March 1641 (by the Julian Calendar), all men over the age of 18 were asked to swear the following oath. One reason for the oath was to identify Roman Catholics. A list of all the men who swore the oath was made, and note was also taken of any who refused. Many lists are dated 6 March 1641, which was a Sunday.
The Oath
"I, _________ do, in the presence of Almighty God, promise, vow and protest to maintain and defend, as far as lawfully I may, with my Life, Power, and Estate, the true Reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations, within this Realm, contrary to the same Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance, His Majesty's Royal Person, Honour and Estate, as also the Power and Privileges of Parliaments, the lawful Rights and Liberties of the Subjects, and every person that maketh this Protestation, in whatsoever he shall do in the lawful pursuance of the same; and to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppose and by all good Ways and Means endeavour to bring to condign Punishment all such as shall, either by Force, Practice, Councels, Plots, Conspiricies, or otherwise, do any Thing to the contrary of any Thing in this present Protestation contained: and further, that I shall, in all just and honourable ways, endeavour to preserve the Union and Peace betwixt the Three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland: and neither for Hope, Fear nor other Respect, shall relinquish this Promise, Vow and Protestation."
The following males in Skegby, over the age of 18 years, were listed as swearing the oath. None declined.