![]() ![]() Photograph of court rolls from the manor of North Wheatley (NWM 1/1-8)Īfter the heading, the business of the court was normally divided into distinct sections. Each 'roll' usually began with a heading which stated the name of the manor in question on the left, and would then record the type of court, the name of the lord or lady of the manor, where the court was held and when, and the name of the presiding official. From the sixteenth century onwards it was not uncommon for the rolls to be entered in a volume. The court leet was normally held every six months.Īs the name implies, early manorial court rolls were normally written on pieces of parchment (and later paper) which were stitched together and made into rolls. ![]() It might also deal with the election of local officials such as constables. It would also try offences such as assaults, obstruction of highways, or the breaking of the assize of bread and ale. This is often referred to as the 'view of frankpledge'. It inspected the working of the frankpledge - a system of mutual responsibility for the maintenance of law and order. The court leet was more concerned with the enforcement of law and order and represented the transfer of jurisdiction normally exercised in the royal courts to the local, manorial lord or lady. It dealt with various matters affecting the local community, such as the regulation of agricultural affairs, the enforcement of labour services, the administration of justice for minor crimes, and the election of local officials.Ī court baron would typically have been held every three or four weeks, although for some manors the gap between courts could have been much larger.Ĭourt roll of the manor of West Markham (Ne M 210), with detail below It also recorded the surrender and admission to copyhold land, held of the manor. It administered the customs of the manor and dealt with any offences against it. The court baron was the principal type of manorial court. The main record types are as follows: Court Rolls Manorial records are found in a number of different forms. ![]()
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