PREFACE [to the original YPRS transcript, 1901] This volume contains a literal transcript of the earliest portion of the Bingley Register. The original manuscript will be found in two parchment volumes, both of them, but especially the older one, in a very good state of repair and legible throughout. "A" contains 97 leaves (12.5in. X 7.5in.) and deals with the period 20th December, 1577-25th March,1638. There are blank pages on fol. I V, 43 v, 56 r and v, 90 v, and 97 r. On the last leaf is a list of persons who, having died of a plague in 1631, were not buried in the church yard, and there are elaborate notes in connexion with the seats in the Church. "B" contains 100 leaves (12.5in. X 7.5in.) and 2 fragments, and continues the record from 26th March, 1638 to 22nd March, 1686. There are no entries of Marriages in 1654, 1655, nor from October 1659 till May 1663, and the Burial record is wanting from November 1653 till March 1663. The Burials in 1679 are out of place and follow those in 1675. There are blank pages on fol. 75 V and 86 r, and the recto side of the two fragments. These fragments and the flyleaf at the end of the book contain a list of persons excommunicated on various occasions. The Editor has only met with one word about which he is in any doubt. There is a series of entries of persons called Wood alias Rauss Raudese, Raudse, Rauds. This is obviously the same name spelt in four ways. But, while on some occasions it seems plainly to be Raus, on others it appears to be as certainly Rans. In the pages which follow, the former spelling has been adopted, but it may quite well happen to be the wrong one. The thanks of the Society are due to the Venerable F. C. Kilner, M.A., Archdeacon of Craverl, and Vicar of Bingley, for permitting these books to be published, to which the Editor would add his own, for the facilities afforded him in carrying out the work. W. J. S.