Eighteenth century manuscript manorial Court Leet 'Charge in the Court Baron', engrossed on vellum, giving instructions for an enquiry to be made by a land steward into matters 'that concen the Lord's Interest'.

Author: 
[Eighteenth-century Manorial Court Leet 'Charge in the Court Baron']
Publication details: 
Place and date not given. [English; mid-eighteenth century?]
£160.00
SKU: 12551

Engrossed on both sides of a long strip of vellum, 18.5 x 76 cm. Written in a neat clerk's hand. The vellum is worn, with slight damage at the head, and some passages, particularly at the start, are illegible. The heading appears to be 'Court Leet Charge', and the sub-heading 'Charge in the Court Baron' appears twice. The text is strongly reminiscent to the relevant sections in Giles Jacob's 'Complete Court-Keeper, or, Land-Steward's Assistant'. The conclusion of the item is representative: 'Also if any by any ways corrupt the Common Waters where Cattle Use to drink by Whitening by Lims or by flax hemp or Stuff laid in the Water by which the waters are corrupt is to be presented | Also any Tenant ought to grind in the Lords Mill whensover it is presentable | Also if any miller within this Lordship take excessive Touls or Charge the Corn or grain that is brought to him to grind without his name | And if there be anything else that concerns the Lord's Interest or anything unjustly done between Tenant & Tenant &c you are to have it in your Charge to Present It.'