History of Lordships
History of lordships
History of lordships
Lordships of Manors are the oldest titles in this country and many of them date back the eighth and ninth centuries. The manorial system was strengthened as a result of the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror in 1066 when, in an attempt to maintain and control his newly conquered lands, he developed strong councils throughout the country. These councils were ruthless and inflicted punishments on rebels and gave land to his followers in return for military service. This was known as the feudal system, from which the manorial lordship developed into today's local government. Lords of the Manor maintained justice through the Manorial Courts- the Court Baron and the Court Leet. Many of the records of these courts survive and examples of these are referred to in this website.
Lordships of Manors are the oldest titles in this country and many of them date back the eighth and ninth centuries. The manorial system was strengthened as a result of the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror in 1066 when, in an attempt to maintain and control his newly conquered lands, he developed strong councils throughout the country. These councils were ruthless and inflicted punishments on rebels and gave land to his followers in return for military service. This was known as the feudal system, from which the manorial lordship developed into today's local government. Lords of the Manor maintained justice through the Manorial Courts- the Court Baron and the Court Leet. Many of the records of these courts survive and examples of these are referred to in this website.
In 1086 William wanted to know the value of his kingdom and the distribution of lands held by his Normans, and this became known as the Doomsday Book. The Doomsday Book is a living historical record of 13,418 lordships. Land held direct from the king was in the hands of the Bishops, Abbots and Barons who were known as the Tenants in Chief, and they repaid the King with armed and mounted knights to fight. Some of the land was kept for their own use and the remaining land was sub-divided into small holdings which in turn were given to the knights and armed men in the form of Lordships of the Manor. In return for military service, the Lords of the Manor enjoyed the benefits of the land they were given. Knight service was abolished in 1662. The peasants also received strips of land within the Manor in return for working for their Lords.
In 1086 William wanted to know the value of his kingdom and the distribution of lands held by his Normans, and this became known as the Doomsday Book. The Doomsday Book is a living historical record of 13,418 lordships. Land held direct from the king was in the hands of the Bishops, Abbots and Barons who were known as the Tenants in Chief, and they repaid the King with armed and mounted knights to fight. Some of the land was kept for their own use and the remaining land was sub-divided into small holdings which in turn were given to the knights and armed men in the form of Lordships of the Manor. In return for military service, the Lords of the Manor enjoyed the benefits of the land they were given. Knight service was abolished in 1662. The peasants also received strips of land within the Manor in return for working for their Lords.
The duty of the Lord of the Manor was to control and administer the people in his Manor. He did this through his steward, whom he appointed, and through the Manor Courts. The main Manor Court was the court baron, this was the court of the main tenants of the manor. It was attended by all free tenants whose attendance at court was a condition of their tenure, and by customary tenants. These courts dealt with administration of the manor and the local community, including agricultural affairs, like the allocation of strips of land, the enforcement of bye-laws about common land, ditches, crops, petty crime etc. The chief officer of the Court was the bailiff, whose task was to supervise the Lord of the Manor and his affairs. The bailiff was also expected to give a full account of the income and expenditure of the Manor to the Court and he was often expected to balance any bad debts. The other type of court was a court leet, which dealt with minor offences like cattle straying, maintenance of hedges, the obstruction of highways and streams/rivers, and to receive notice of accusations of crimes.
The duty of the Lord of the Manor was to control and administer the people in his Manor. He did this through his steward, whom he appointed, and through the Manor Courts. The main Manor Court was the court baron, this was the court of the main tenants of the manor. It was attended by all free tenants whose attendance at court was a condition of their tenure, and by customary tenants. These courts dealt with administration of the manor and the local community, including agricultural affairs, like the allocation of strips of land, the enforcement of bye-laws about common land, ditches, crops, petty crime etc. The chief officer of the Court was the bailiff, whose task was to supervise the Lord of the Manor and his affairs. The bailiff was also expected to give a full account of the income and expenditure of the Manor to the Court and he was often expected to balance any bad debts. The other type of court was a court leet, which dealt with minor offences like cattle straying, maintenance of hedges, the obstruction of highways and streams/rivers, and to receive notice of accusations of crimes.
The land ownership system of Copyhold meant that it could only be transferred by a tenant paying an entry fine to the Lord of the Manor, usually through the steward, and receiving a copy of the entry of the new occupier's particulars recorded on the Manorial roll. Hence this was called a copyhold tenancy. In many manors these copyhold fines were often three guineas and provided the principal income of the Manor. Usually, the steward kept a guinea for his costs and sent the remainder to the Lord of the Manor.
The land ownership system of Copyhold meant that it could only be transferred by a tenant paying an entry fine to the Lord of the Manor, usually through the steward, and receiving a copy of the entry of the new occupier's particulars recorded on the Manorial roll. Hence this was called a copyhold tenancy. In many manors these copyhold fines were often three guineas and provided the principal income of the Manor. Usually, the steward kept a guinea for his costs and sent the remainder to the Lord of the Manor.