The meaning of an affirmation.
An affirmation rather than an oath was made when a person had no religious affiliations or their religion forbade the making of oaths. The affirmation was a declaration made by a witness that the evidence they gave was the truth. Finding that an affirmation was made, in documents such as the Letters of Administration, may indicate that they were Quakers who refused to take oaths. A right to give an affirmation has existed in English law since the Quakers Act 1695 was passed. Quakers refusal to take an oath stemmed from their belief in speaking the truth at all times and so taking an oath in court would imply that they lied in their everyday life.
