Piece
c 246-255
Catalogue reference: C 65/6064
Date: 62 & 63 Vict
c 246-255
Sub-series
MISCELLANEOUS WRITS
Catalogue reference: Sub-series within C 255
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Sub-series within C 255
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Full description and record details
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Reference (The unique identifier to the record described, used to order and refer to it)
- Sub-series within C 255
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Title (The name of the record)
- MISCELLANEOUS WRITS
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Note (Additional information about the record)
- This section comprises highly varied material which, while reflecting many of the subjects covered elsewhere in the Chancery files, bears little direct resemblance in form to other material among the major series of writs and warrants. Many of the pieces appear to be unique survivors of their type and a purely chronological arrangement has therefore been adopted in preference to further attempts at subdivision. The documents themselves are a microcosm of the daily routine of government, justice and finance at all levels. Ceremonial events, such as invitations to the funeral of Eleanor of Provence (File 1 nos. 18-19.) and affairs of state, including the temporary custody of the Great Seal, (File 5 no. 12.) mingle with the enforcement of the law and the implementation of justice between part and party, particularly in local courts. Petitions addressed to the king are delegated to officers on the scene for investigation, (Particularly File 2 no. 6 (to the Justiciar of North Wales); 2 no. 14 (to the Wardrobe); and 5 nos. 6, 8-10.) unless the matter complained of was clearly amenable to direct settlement on the king's warrant. Among these is a petition from the Chancellor of Oxford University, lamenting the pollution of the city and the health hazard to students. (File 2 no. 11.) This is not the only example of concern with the contemporary environment, particularly the purity of streams and rivers. (See also File 4 no. 8; 5 no. 3.) When it became necessary to settle a dispute by litigation, the king frequently had to intervene, even in such a basic issue as the venue of the county court. (File 5 no. 14, where the sheriff of Shropshire maintains an immemorial custom to hold the county court at Bridgnorth or Ludlow as well as Shrewsbury.) There are orders to prevent or supersede pleadings, (File 1 nos. 17, 21, 36; 2 no. 10; 3 no. 6; 4 nos. 1, 6, 12; 5 nos. 4, 13.) to admit attorneys to do suit of court in private courts, (File 5 no. 21.) and to secure or enforce a judgement. (File 1 no. 16; 3 nos. 12, 15, 19; 4 nos. 5; 5 nos. 5, 17.) Several items involve rights over property (File 1 nos. 6, 8; 4 nos. 9-10; 5 nos. 5, 11.) and some give respite where the crown's financial exactions fell hardest. (File 1 no. 11 (relief) and no. 4 (agistments in Sherwood Forest).) In one case help was to be given to a tenant in chief trying to raise his own aid for the marriage of his eldest daughter, (File 4 no. 2.) and a sterner reminder of the demarcations of society comes with references to the ownership of villeins and the unfree. (File 1 no. 34; 3 no. 3.) Affrays and disturbances were daily causes of concern, and while they might break-out almost anywhere (File 5 no. 1.) some places were particularly prone to such incidents. The men of Great Yarmouth were notorious for their repeated brawls with the inhabitants of rival ports in the early 14th century, (File 3 no. 10.) brawls reflected elsewhere in the Chancery records. A warlike spirit also fired the higher ranks of society, manifested at home in the tournaments which were illegal if held without royal licence. (File 1 no. 2.) Warfare itself impinges on this miscellaneous collection, with the sheriffs of London being ordered to have armaments made (File 2 no. 12.) and the abbot of Chester to provide a cart at York to carry the furniture of war to Scotland. (File 3 no. 9.) The crown was not exclusively concerned with violence and litigation, and was called upon to issue advice and instruction in a wide range of causes well illustrated here. In the section are instructions to the sheriff of Dorset how to deal with a whale washed ashore, (File 2 no. 5.) an order to the archbishop of Canterbury to keep a resident bailiff in Sandwich, (File 1 no. 14.) letters explaining to the bishop of Durham the absence of two men he was expecting to meet, (File 1 no. 10.) letters of commendation, (File 1 no. 3.) and a few writs for special jurisdictions including Chester. (File 1 no. 5.)
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Record URL
- https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/C64826/
Series information
C 255
Chancery Files, Tower and Rolls Chapel Series, Miscellaneous Files and Writs
See the series level description for more information about this record.
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1,513,583 records
Within the department: C
Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal...
134 records
Within the series: C 255
Chancery Files, Tower and Rolls Chapel Series, Miscellaneous Files and Writs
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MISCELLANEOUS WRITS
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