sponsor

[andreabro]

Hi Could  anyone  tell me what a  sponsor  is  please.


12 Apr 1724 Esther, d. of James & Susanna Tomkis, of Forton heath (b. 05 Apr 1724 ); Humphry Speake, Anne Roberts, Martha Maddox, sponsores bap.

[CaroleW]

Probably todays equivalent of godparents

[stanmapstone]

The Book of Common Prayer requires that for every male child to be baptised there should be two Godfathers and one Godmother; and for every female one Godfather and two Godmothers. Godparents are also required for adult baptism, although they could be called 'sponsors'. Certain persons are  prohibited from acting as sponsors. They are: members of religious orders,  married persons in respect to each other, or parents to their children.
See http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,545704.0.html
Stan

[stanmapstone]

The 1662 Book of Common Prayer uses the English term Godparent, but such people had also been designated sponsores, offerentes, susceptores, fidejussores, and patrini. ( http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm ) In some early registers they are described as "Witnesses"

Stan