Exchequer: Writs, Original Series

This series contains writ files of the Upper Exchequer prior to the reign of Edward III (1327-77); the main series files of returnable writs of the King's Remembrancer's side of the Exchequer, c1327-1842; and a number of stray files and subsidiary documents both of the King's Remembrancer's Office and of other departments of the Exchequer.

Most writs were intended to produce at the Exchequer a Crown debt, some information about it, or the person of the debtor or accountant. The response was variable. The most useful for the historian are those returned writs to which an inquisition, inventory of goods, appraisement, return of information, survey, or other certificate was attached. On the files such returns may quickly be identified by the blue sewing cord which secured them to the originating writ. Even as late as the 18th century inventories of household goods, sometimes specifying also the rooms in which they were found, may provide useful evidence for the student of family or social and economic history. The survival rate of writ files for much of the earlier perod is poor.

For part of the reign of Edward II (1307-27) the writ files of the King's Remembrancer were divided into north and south. Under Edward III they were arranged in annual files in alphabetical order of counties. From the early 15th century, and with some regularity from the 16th century, the main file series divided into two or more parts per annum. By the reign of Elizabeth (1558-1603) the two parts had usually become term files. During the 18th century the files, now much reduced in size, appear to be in no particular order.

Topics

Debt