What's an indemnity bond?

[samesizedfeet]

Was having a look at the CDs published by Gloucestershire FHS to see if there was anything on there that may help Libby with her Bristol enquiry. There's a CD on there named as a Poor Law Index which mentions indemnity bonds.

Had a quick google which seems to suggest they are the same as Bastardy Bonds, but this CD lists Bastardy Bonds separately. Are they the same thing or something completely different?

[Mary from Italy]

There's a definition here:

Indemnity bonds

Bond between the parish officers and one or more guarantors. The guarantor agrees to indemnify the parish from any costs if a certain individual should become chargeable to the parish rates. Generally date from: mid 17th century to early 19th century.

Example of use: drawn up between a farmer of Peterborough and the parish officers of Crowland, shortly before the farmer moves to Crowland. Means that Crowland will not be responsible for paying for him and his family should the farmer fall ill or fail in business.

http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?sectiontype=listmixed&catid=8750