Catalogue

This final folder under the heading of Manorial Records in many cases is the most important as without which manorial court rolls in many cases would just be a number of words in a foreign language.
If the Domesday Book had not been compiled a detailed insight into many hamlets, villages and towns would be denied to us. Domesday records the first documented evidence we have for many places in the UK as well as Penkhull and its importance with regard to its higher recorded monetary value than that of many other villages in North Staffordshire during that period. Penkhull, as we know it today, is a small rural suburb overlooking the town of Stoke, whereas for hundreds of years Penkhull comprised a huge slice of Stoke-on-Trent stretching from Parliament Row, Hanley to Hanford, and incorporated around half of what is today considered the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Without the necessary tools it would be totally impossible to understand just what the entry on 1086 meant. This also applies to all of the manorial court rolls listed on this site. They all use standard terms, that in time become familiar and easier to read and understand t exactly what was meant in the original documents.
Containing five sheets the documents give first illustrations of various documents you could well come across with examples there illustrating the importance of this fundamental tool.

From the outset for those readers who are not familiar with the term Manorial Court, its functions, and responsibilities it is necessary to first refer to its function as not to confuse any reader with the functions of a Crown or Magistrates court. I know that even some local amateur historians have failed to grasp the basic difference and as ‘fools rush in’ they have gone into print only to prove just how little they know of the subject. The manor court was the lowest court of law in England, feudal law and governed those areas over which the lord of the manor had jurisdiction
These courts dealt with copyhold land transfers, managing the open fields, settling disputes between individuals and manorial offences. There was, in addition, a twice-yearly court leet, held after Michaelmas and after Easter, which all residents of the manor were obliged to attend. Business included a view of frankpledge, at which all men over the age of twelve were bound to appear and make their “pledge” to keep the king’s peace.
I hope that this fraction of what is found within the transactions is sufficient to stimulate interest and like myself have gained an invaluable knowledge of the area. A great subject to study.