PROMOTE : RECOVERY FILES

Until the late 16th century, the enrolments of common recoveries suffered in the Promote court are found in the Portmote court rolls. From 1601, however, they were filed separately. The first file, in addition to a few earlier enrolments of recoveries, also contains some enrolments of bonds of statute merchant and deeds, usually found in the Portmote court rolls, while the second file contains some proceedings of the Crownmote court.

The writs relating to common recoveries suffered in the Portmote court are usually found on the Mayor's Files, although some of these for the 16th century are found on the fine files, which also contain the writs of dedimus potestatem and the appointment of attorneys relating to common recoveries from 1601 awards.

Recoveries were abolished in 1833 by the Act for the abolition of Fines and Recoveries 3 and 4 William IV c. 74.

PLEASE NOTE

These documents are filed in large bundles still attached to the original leather thong. They are very dirty and impossible to consult without the possibility of damaging the documents.

They form part of the City Record Office Conservation programme but each file takes several months to repair. The City Record Office contains several hundred of these files and to complete the programme it will take some considerable time.

If you urgently need to consult the documents please speak to the Archivist about the possibility of some remedial conservation work being carried out.