Chapter VIII (3)

[1162] BURN, _Parish Registers_, 17, 18. _Cf._ also
FRIEDBERG, _Eheschliessung_, 319, 320. The same
provision, with slight alteration, is contained in the injunction
of 1547, Edward VI. It is quoted by TOULMIN SMITH,
_The Parish_, 187, 188; BOHN, _Pol. Cyc._, IV, 625;
BURN, _op. cit._, 18, 19.

Thus in this, the most ancient English registration act, the parson or incumbent appears as the original registrar; and that the importance of keeping such record was keenly appreciated is shown by the anxious, almost painful, minuteness with which his duties are defined. The order of Henry VIII. was enforced or supplemented under Edward VI., Elizabeth, William III., and other monarchs; but, save during the Commonwealth, no material change was made in the mode of registration until in 1836 the present system was introduced.[1163]

[1163] For a review of the various proposals, acts, and
"visitations" to enforce them see BURN, _op. cit._,
18-39; FRIEDBERG, _op. cit._, 320-22; TOULMIN
SMITH, _op. cit._, 188, 189; BOHN, _op. cit._, IV,
625, 626.