Poser 357 - Minutes of the Synod of Fife, 1627

This week's poser is from the minutes of the Synod of Fife in October 1627 (National Records of Scotland, CH2/154/1 page 317).

Synods are regional church courts and usually equate to a bishop's diocese. In Scotland, following the Reformation in 1560, synods occupied a level in the church court hierarchy between presbyteries and the General Assembly. As you might expect from a higher court, they heard very serious cases but they also exhorted presbyteries and parishes to act in matters of national or local emergency and to help certain individuals or groups of people in need of help.

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This is a short poser but you may find it tricky if you don't know your secretary hand letters. The hand is quite small and hastily written, so several letters are not distinct. Note the secretary hand a in the first word, with the 'attacking' diagonal stroke. Look out for the sectretary hand h and r.

This week's questions:

Who was in need of help, what had happened to him and which presbyteries were to help him?

Help:

For help with reading the poser, use our coaching manual. The following areas may be of particular assistance.

Letter a
Letter h
Letter r

Answer to this week's poser