Catalogue

The period of these manorial courts 1831-37 covers a period of huge interest to the historian as not only containing wills, but death also etc. it moves on in 13 pages to describe properties that can be identified clearly where they once stood or still do. It also lists occupations, maltster, shop keeper, manufacturer etc. What’s interesting are the number of buildings included, The Grove, Elm Tree House, the old Parish Workhouse a public house. But not only are they identified but also what was there previously and the owner making the surrender to the courts. I have on a few made notes for the purchasers benefit in identification. This document will provide much evidence that can help to create a picture of the village of Penkhull at that time. Good for school projects or individuals with a keen interest on the history of Penkhull and early rural development.

The time of George 11, the court rolls become far more interesting and importantly in many cases recognizable to their location.
This record for the first time mentions Josiah Spode, the potter who was purchasing copyhold land in the centre of Stoke town with full descriptions of buildings and layout etc.
This applies to many other entries in this ten-page document and is a value for those who not only wish to trace the origins of the pottery industry, the development of the town of Stoke but also follow the lines in families.
This is certainly a worthy document which brings study right up the mid-8th century.

This extensive document containing twenty-seven pages was a huge project in extracting from the court rolls entries between the year 1414 and 1806.
The variety of court cases that appeared before the manorial courts – first at the castle at Newcastle and then at what is now the Greyhound Inn, Penkhull is fascinating and here just a few of the items covered as an example: Frankpledge Reports for each of the areas within the manor, names and details of the Open Fields within the former Manor of Penkhull, The Great Court entries, over-stocking the common, attempted murder, occupants of Shelton Mill, Village Stocks and the uses they were used for by law, The Commonwealth period and Maj. Gen Thomas Harrison and the rebel’s army and his home at Newcastle under Lyme, encroachment of cottages, the use of payne’s for fines for work not completed, Twyfords and the Greyhound in 1729.
This is not a complete list but illustrates just what is included and a perfect introduction for manorial studies for schools, colleges and universities.