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Series

Duchy of Lancaster: Special Commissions and Returns

Catalogue reference: DL 44

What's it about?

DL 44

This series comprises records relating to investigations undertaken into particular property-related matters that had come to the attention of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster.Apart from conducting numerous surveys of manors, castles and...

Full description and record details

Reference

DL 44

Title
Duchy of Lancaster: Special Commissions and Returns
Date

1558-1870

Description

This series comprises records relating to investigations undertaken into particular property-related matters that had come to the attention of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Apart from conducting numerous surveys of manors, castles and honors, special commissioners investigated property boundaries and concealed lands; the condition and repair of castles, parks and manor houses; considered encroachments and enclosures of lands; repairs of bridges, mills, weirs and sea banks; spoils of woods and sales of timber; treasure trove and the goods and chattels of felons and outlaws; and considered the misdemeanours and oaths of officers of the Duchy.

Each special commission normally consists of at least two documents attached together: the authorizing commission and the commissioners' reports.

The commission names the individuals authorized to undertake the investigation and the circumstances which lay behind the enquiry. The report details the information they uncovered and their recommendations for action. In some cases depositions made by witnesses are included too.

Related material

Further records on enclosure are in

Separated material

The maps and plans made during the special commissions are now in

DL 31

Held by
The National Archives, Kew
Former department reference

SAP, DOC files series

Legal status

Not Public Record(s)

Language

English and Latin

Creator(s)
Duchy of Lancaster, 1399-1399
Physical description

1382 papers

Access conditions

Open unless otherwise stated

Immediate source of acquisition

From 2021 Duchy of Lancaster

Subjects
Topics
Common land
Manors
Crown lands and estates
Forestry
Accruals

Series is accruing

Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C5997/

Catalogue hierarchy

Over 27 million records

This record is held at The National Archives, Kew

47,548 records

Within the department: DL

Records of the Duchy of Lancaster

You are currently looking at the series: DL 44

Duchy of Lancaster: Special Commissions and Returns

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