Nature of Source
Introduction
Manorial court records, such as those from the Court Baron, provide a detailed insight into the governance and daily life of medieval and early modern manors and are an important resource for understanding feudal society’s economic, legal and social structures. The manorial documents reflect an insular world where the lord of the manor held extensive authority over his tenants within a single administrative unit known as a manor. It is important to note that a manor might extend beyond a single contained area and could include lands not geographically connected and that manorial boundaries did not necessarily align with the parish boundary.
Types of Court
Manorial court rolls records relate to two distinct types of courts in medieval England, the Court Baron and the Court Leet each with specific roles and functions. The Court Baron was the principal manorial court with a focus on civil and feudal matters within the manor while the Court Leet handled minor criminal cases and local governance issues. The Court Baron was responsible for upholding the customs of the manor with a focus on land and tenant issues, primarily on a form of land tenure known as copyhold. The court was effectively the lord of the manor’s private court, enforcing feudal obligations owed to the lord. However, the lines of jurisdiction blurred over the years and often one court sitting would deal with matters previously dealt with by the separate courts. Over time their roles diminished as the power of the lord of the manor weakened together with an emerging centralised legal system. This resulted in land tenure and legal matters being handled by common law courts.
Roles and Functions of the Court Baron
The Court Baron’s functions included:
- Land tenure: The court managed the admission of tenants who held land under the copyhold system.
- Land Transactions: The court managed the surrenders and transfers of land, ensuring all transactions were recorded on the court roll.
- Inheritance: The court determined rightful heirs to copyhold property, often based on local customs.
- Customs of the manor: The court enforced customary law and manorial customs and judged in cases such as civil disputes between free and unfree (villein) tenants. Other offences were presented by the homage or jury and were usually of a trivial or minor nature and could be dealt with at a local level.
- Land management: Regulated the use of common land.
The Role of Copyhold Tenancy
Copyhold tenancy was regulated through the Court Baron. The court authorised the transfer of property to a named heir following the death of the original copyholder or the transfer or the sale or surrender from one tenant to another. These transactions were officially recorded in court rolls, detailing the names of tenants, descriptions of the land and payments due to the lord. A copy of the record was given to the tenant, hence the term copyhold.
This document was one of the most important possessions of a customary tenant as it legally established their rights to the land. Typically, property was inherited by the eldest son, although in some areas, local custom dictated that the youngest son would inherit. Establishing a rightful heir could sometimes involve extensive investigations and in some cases an extract from the deceased tenant’s will was entered into the court roll as support to a claim. If a transfer involved a widow’s remarriage, the marriage details would be recorded in the court rolls. While the exact date of the marriage was not noted, the marriage will have taken place around the time of the transfer. These detailed records hold significant value for genealogists, providing crucial insights into family histories, inheritance customs, and property ownership over generations. This chain of land transfer and surrenders and the accompanying documentation provide detailed insights into family histories, inheritance customs, and property ownership over generations.
The Role of the Jury or Homage
The jury often referred to as the homage, was sworn in at each court sitting, acting as both jurors and witnesses. Individuals serving on a jury were typically prominent persons within the manorial hierarchy, usually freeholders of franklin or yeoman status. A Franklin held a higher rank than a yeomen and as such may also appear in records of the Heraldic Visitations or be named as a manorial official such as the reeve (estate manager) or bailiff. The jury might also appoint local officials, such as the constable or the pinder who was responsible for rounding up and impounding stray animals.
Court Administration
The court sessions were held approximately every three weeks with the records written in Latin until 1734, following a standardized format. The court process followed a structured format with standard phrases used. The court opened with a roll call of attendees which was recorded in the call book and those with a valid excuse or essoin (historical legal term referring to an excuse for not appearing in court). The roll call also noted those who had died since the last session which should provide approximate dates of death. Court records contain presentments, formal declarations to the court, which often include death announcements, approximate dates of death and the names of the son and heirs. Over time, the Court Baron absorbed the functions of the Court Customary which had handled matters for unfree tenants rather than freeholders.
Additional Manorial Records
Expect to find named individuals in the following manorial records:
- Jury or homage lists: These include Freeholders (Individuals who land owned outright), Copyholders (Individuals who held land under a lease with certain rights based on the manor’s customs) and Leaseholders (Individuals who rented for a specified period under a lease agreement)
- Rent rolls/Rentals: Listing of tenants and their rent they owe.
- Manor accounts: Records detailing income and expenses of the manor.
- Presentments: Formal statements made during court sessions.
- Essoins: Formal excuses provided by individuals for nonattendance at court.
- Minute books: Records of court proceedings and sessions.
- Amercements: Records of fines imposed on individuals who violated the manor’s laws or customs.
- Steward’s papers: Documents detailing the administration of the manor.
- Estreat rolls: Summaries of fines imposed by the court.
- Surveys and maps: Documents showing land use, descriptions of lands held by tenants and boundaries.
- Surrenders: Documents recording the transfer of copyhold property.
- Fine books: Records of payments made to the manor as fines or for other transactions.
- Call books: Lists of individuals called to court.
- Suit rolls: Registers of tenants required to attend court.
These documents will help provide evidence of a person’s location at a given time.
By the mid-19th century most copyhold land had been converted to freehold. In 1922 copyhold tenure was official abolished and in 1925 all remaining copyhold land was converted to freehold, marking the end of the functions of the Court Baron and the centuries-old system of land tenure. For researching the history of a manor, consult the Victoria County History series which is an excellent resource and often indicates where surviving records may be found.
Also see
Court Leet Records
Estate & Family Records
Land and Property Records including Title Deeds
Maps & Gazetteers
Palaeography/Handwriting
Where Found
County Record Offices
Local archives hold a variety of manorial records such as Court rolls, Surveys and terriers, Maps and plans, Custumals and Manorial accounts.
Lambeth Palace Library
The manorial documents in Lambeth’s collection mostly relate to estates that have been owned by the central organisations of the Church.
Parliamentary Archives
The Archives holds petitions and other documents submitted to Parliament regarding land disputes or rights associated with manors as well as Acts of Parliament which may include provisions related to manorial rights, land purchases and disputes.
Bodleian Library
The Library houses a significant collection of manorial records such as the manorial records of Great Cressingham. The Library houses various estate collections from across Oxfordshire which often include manorial records such as deeds, terriers, household records, maps and plans. Other manorial records include court rolls and manorial accounts.
Durham University Library
Family and Local History Records: Bishopric and Cathedral Estates, 16th-20th centuries. Manorial records from the estates and manors in County Durham and Northumberland as well as in Allertonshire and some other parts of Yorkshire. The records include the property transactions of leasehold and copyhold tenants.
Period Covered
1280 – 1922
Genealogical Value
- Names of tenants and landholders
- Address of tenant
- Ages and birthplaces sometimes included in legal documents
- Occupation and status of tenant
- Family relationships
- Marriages records especially remarriages of widows
- Lists of individuals in the Roll calls
- Names those that died since the last court sitting
Further References
- Bailey, Mark. The English Manor c.1200 – c.1500: Manchester University Press, 2002 (Preview available from Google Books)
- Bennett, H.S. Life on the English Manor: A Study of Peasant Conditions 1150-1400: Cambridge University Press, 1937
- Chambers, Paul. Medieval Genealogy: How to Find Your Medieval Ancestors: Sutton, 2005
- Durie, Bruce. Documents for Genealogy & Local History: The History Press, 2013
- Ellis, Mary. Using Manorial Records: Public Record Office, 1997
- Franklin, Peter. Some Medieval Records for Family Historians: FFHS, 1994
- Harvey, P.D.A. Manorial Records: British Records Association, 1999
- Hone, Nathaniel J. Manor and Manorial Records: Methuen, 1906 (available to view online at the Internet Archive)
- McLaughlin, Eve. Manorial Records: McLaughlin, 1996
- Noble, Malcolm. A Practical Introduction to Medieval Genealogy: Bookcabin, 2026
- Oates, Jonathan. Tracing Your Ancestors from 1066 to 1837: Pen and Sword Books, 2012
- Palgrave-Moore, Patrick. How to Locate and Use Manorial Records: Elvery Dowers, 1985
- Park, Peter. My Ancestors were Manorial Tenants: Society of Genealogists, 2002
- Stuart, Denis. Manorial Records: An Introduction to Their Transcription and Translation: Phillimore, 2005
- Waller, Ian. Introducing Manorial Records: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Manor for Family Historians: The Family History Partnership, 2020
- Westcott, Brooke. Making Sense Of Latin Documents For Family And Local Historians: Family History Partnership, 2014
- Winchester, Angus J. L. and Straughton, Eleanor A. Sources in Local History: Finding and Using Manorial Records: The Local Historian, 2007
Websites
The National Archives Research Guide
How to look for records of Manors and manorial records. This is a guide to finding records of manors held by The National Archives.
The National Archives Research Guide
How to look for records of Manorial documents and lordships and how to use the Manorial Documents Register. Use this guide in tandem with the Manorial Documents Register to learn what the register is and how to make the best use of it. The guide includes a list of definitions for the types of documents you can find in the Manorial Documents Register.
Cumbrian Manorial Records
Department of History, Lancaster University. The project seeks to raise awareness and encourage the use of manorial records and offers practical guidance for using manorial records, particularly in Cumbria. The site has an introduction to manors and manorial rights and the various classes of manorial record; A guide to locating and using manorial records for family and local history; A guide to baronies and other superior lordships in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands and a quick guide to the meaning of specialist or obsolete terms encountered in manorial records.
Medieval English Genealogy
The site is dedicated to medieval English genealogy offering a wide range of resources for those researching medieval English families. It offers a variety of tools and information as well as research guides. It also provides links to various indexes and other medieval source material. It provides links to useful websites and resources.
Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
The Foundation was established in 2001 by a group of British genealogists and historians with a special interest in the medieval period. The Foundation promotes the study of medieval genealogy and prosopography focusing on the period before 1500 AD. The FMG publishes a journal titled Foundations, which includes articles and reviews related to medieval genealogy. FMG has established a specialised collection of books, journals and offprints relating to medieval genealogy, heraldry and prosopography kept at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Oxford. The Library Catalogue provides a bibliographic catalogue of secondary source material for medieval genealogy and heraldry.
University of Nottingham
Manuscripts and Special Collections. Types of manorial record. The site provides a summary of the main types of manorial records including Court Rolls, Surveys and Extents, Rentals and Rent Rolls, Terriers and Manorial Accounts.
University of Nottingham
Manuscripts and Special Collections. Glossary. The site provides a glossary for understanding manorial records and offers definitions and explanations of terms used in these records.
Family Tree
How to research medieval ancestors. Unlock centuries-old family history with this in-depth guide exploring medieval records across the British Isles. Discover how to trace local landowners, uncover hidden surnames, and navigate key feudal documents.
Manorial Society of Great Britain
The society, founded in 1906, promotes the study and preservation of manorial history and traditions. It publishes works related to manorial history and maintains archives and records related to manorial titles.
Manorial Society of Great Britain
Glossary of Manorial Terms.
The History of England
Glossary Of Medieval Terms.
Ancestry Solutions
Dictionary of terms found in Land Records.
Lords and Ladies
Feudalism. The article provides comprehensive information about the English and European feudal system and its effect on the vassals, serfs and the lords and ladies who lived on the manors. The site includes a Feudalism Pyramid showing the hierarchical structure of feudal society.
Saving Headington’s Heritage
The Court Rolls of the Manor of Headington. Part 1. A View of Frankpledge & The Headington Manor Court of 1388.
Bedfordshire Archives
Collection Guides. Manorial Court Rolls. Other guides include the Manor and its Court and Copyhold Tenure.
University of Sheffield
Conisbrough Court Rolls. Conisbrough was one of the important royal manors of Yorkshire. The Court Rolls provide a unique account of the working lives and relationships of its inhabitants. Discover the historic workings of a manor and learn more about Conisbrough and how its past has contributed to its present.
Norfolk Record Office
The manor and its courts. Manor records contain an enormous amount of information for people tracing their family tree, the history of their home or for those interested in the history of a locality.
Lambeth Palace Library Blog
The Manorial Documents Register: Celebrating 100 Years.
Leeds University Libraries Blog
Manorial documents: A glimpse of hidden lives.
Time Travel Britain
Finding Your Roots. Discovering Ordinary Folk in Manorial Records, by Lise Hull.
FamilySearch Research Wiki
English Manorial Court Records as a Source for Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Families, by Cecil Humphery-Smith.
Essex Record Office Blog
Explore articles discussing the variety of manorial records such as court rolls, surveys, maps, terriers and accounts.
Online Databases
Manorial Documents Register
The register is the official index to English and Welsh manorial records. It provides a catalogue and register of known surviving manorial court documents, identifying the nature and location of the records both in public and private collections. The MDR includes court rolls, surveys, maps, terriers, and various other documents related to manor boundaries, franchises, wastes, customs, and courts. The National Archives maintains the MDR on behalf of the Master of the Rolls.
CD Roms
Hathi Trust
Court Rolls of the Honor of Clitheroe in the County of Lancaster, 1377-1567. Translated and transcribed by William Farrer)
S & N Genealogy Supplies
Court Rolls of the Manor of Hornsey, Middlesex, 1603-1701.
