Caernarfonshire Quarter Sessions, records

XQS

Caernarfonshire Quarter Sessions, records

Arranged by year and session

<p>Related records are Caernarfon Record Office, Licensing records, XQA/L and County Gaol records, XQA/G.</p>

English, Latin

Some records are torn and faded

The records have been removed from their original rolls and some disturbance has taken place

The Court of Quarter Sessions in Caernarfonshire sat four times a year, attended by the Justices of the Peace of the county. Quarter sessions courts began in Wales after the Acts of Union, 1536-1543. The Quarter Sessions played a major role in the local administration of Caernarfonshire until the late nineteenth century, when many of its administrative functions were transferred to the County Council. However, the judicial role of the Courts continued until their abolition in 1971. The Court of Quarter Sessions heard a broad range of cases including burglary, assault, drunkenness, poaching, vagrancy, rioting, unlawful cutting of timber, and encroachment. Forms of punishment handed down by the justices were fines, flogging, imprisonment and transportation. The Court also heard disputes between individuals, such as non-payment of debts, and was responsible for the administration of the Poor Laws. There were numerous administrative matters overseen by the courts, including licensing alehouses, determining wage-levels, and controlling registration of charities and nonconformist meeting houses. In addition, the Court had responsibility for overseeing the upkeep of bridges, gaols and houses of correction.