man 11 1483 – 1485 Richard III
£1.00Court record 1483-1485 Richard lll one page from original roll in Latin
man 10 1461 – 1483 Edward IV
£2.00court record 1461-1483 Edward lV six pages A4 transcrived from original Latin
man 9 1423 – 1461 Henry VI 25
£5.00Court Record 1423 – 1461 2p x A4 pages
All transcribed from Latin from the original rolls
man 0 How to understand the manor courts and how they operated with dates etc.
£3.00The use of manorial court records which most of them dealt with the transfer of messuages from one person or another. They provide a unique record of events, transactions, valuations, and surveys for a period extending over five-hundred years. The study over the centuries of these records stored in the National Archives has been limited to a few isolated quotations found within the Historical Collections of Staffordshire in addition to those found in Thomas Papes’ history of Medieval Newcastle-under-Lyme and John Ward’s history of Stoke-on-Trent.
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 or understand 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; it applied only to those who resided in or held lands within the manor. The manor of Newcastle-under-Lyme in which the Township of Penkhull stood was as such. The court was to meet every three weeks throughout the year, although meetings could be more irregular than this. This was the court baron or manorial court, which all copy holders, a term used to prove they had a copy of the original court records that recorded the transaction known as surrender and admittance. Within Penkhull, those were the current owners of the original seventeen ancient messuages listed at the time of Domesday. 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. A suit roll was kept for the homage sworn by tenants; if they were absent, a fine would be imposed. In addition, the court leet dealt with the election and swearing of the jury, election of constables and the presentment of offences, including those relating to matters of Crown jurisdiction franchised to the manorial lord (e.g., brewing and baking for sale). However, there was often an overlap in the type of business conducted in the court baron and court leet. In a large manor, the steward would summon the court by instructing manorial officers to fix a notice to the church door or have it read out in church. While in theory all men over 12 attended each court, it is likely that in practice only the manorial officers, offenders, jurymen, witnesses, litigants and pledges and those involved in land transfers came to the court.
Although the manor court was the lord’s court, and everything was done in his name, it was usually presided over by his steward, who was appointed by the lord, or the steward’s deputy. For those of Newcastle it was almost on every occasion the steward’s deputy. In addition to the steward, there were other officers of the court.
Before attempting to read any of the records it’s important that you first read this document containing five pages so there is a lot to understand. Once you have read and then apply this to one entry you will then understand how they worked.
Remember this are all my copyright. It has taken over twenty years to acquire this massive archive a little at a time because of the costs charged by the National Archives. In addition, all those prior to 1701 were in Latin so I have to have them transcribed at a further cost. I would not attempt to add up what it has cost me over two decades also with travel to the National Archives and pay for accommodation many times.
inn 6 The White Lion Inn, Honeywall
£3.00The White Lion Inn has at various times in its history has had the name Hotel tagged on. It commenced life as a coaching inn situated near the top of a steep hill called Honeywall commencing from the town of Stoke-upon-Trent, a road which dates from prehistoric times. The inn is shown on Yates’s map of 1775, and the 1777 Duchy of Lancaster Map on which it is recorded as in the occupation of Mr Thomas Appleton. Records for the Justices of the Peace at Stafford record the issuing of a licence to sell wines and spirits from the mid-18th century.
Thomas Appleton had established himself as a property owner as early as 1762 and was involved in numerous mortgage transactions over the following years, mostly concerning three cottages and stables, two of which were rented out while he occupied the other. Although no direct name is given to the property, I think it safe to assume that these three cottages would be the origins of what is now the White Lion Inn of today. The view from the front of the inn points to the conclusion that this could originally have been three cottages later converted into one.
In 1861 it was owned by Richard Stone who sold the plot of land at the rear of the inn to Frederick Bishop to enable a new road to be built from Honeywall to Princes Road, thereby opening up the area for housing development from 1865. Note the name Stone Street.
Probably as a direct result of the development of the nearby allotments housing estate towards the end of the 18th century, The White Lion was extended as can be seen from the red brick addition. By 1914, the inn was occupied by Harvey Howell, and owned by Burton Brewers, and described as the White Lion Inn with stables and garden. The annual rent paid by Mr Harvey amounted to £60, and the rates amounted to £48. If compared with those of The Beehive, it is obvious that The White Lion was a much more substantial establishment than The Beehive just across the road.
inn 9 The Terrace Inn, Penkhull New Road.
£3.00The origins of the old Terrace Inn were I suspect at the same time included in the old row of five cottages terraced properties, just below what was to become known as Commercial Row, the old narrow short street leading to The Views. The first documents relating to the properties are dated the 29th of July 1858, with the transfer of the cottages to Hester Till from her late husband John. This suggests that it was John that in all probability had inherited them from his parents who may have been there for several decades before 1858. By 1870, Hester had died, and the property was left to her daughter, Mrs Priscilla Scholes of Derby, and her son William Scholes. The property was promptly sold to Mary Ann Cliff on the 29th of December 1870 for the sun of £451. Mary Cliff, the licensee, was recorded as a widow but later married Mr Thomas Bratt.
For many years the old Terrace Inn was probably the most popular with the locals. Many stories still circulate of the old characters that frequented the pub. I recall my late friend Ernest Tew talking to me some thirty years ago of his memories of the 1930s and 40s when the back-room snug was often referred to as ‘The Third Programme’. The highlight of the pub was the little men’s smoke room where the conversation was brilliant, debating most things of the day from politics to religion. Sometimes they became very heated, especially after a few pints. Mugs were frequently picked up in anger but never actually thrown. It was here in this little room that everyone was an equal no matter what his position was. All were on Christian name terms and included many high-ranking officials from the council. It was truly a remarkable meeting place.
inn 7 The Marquis of Granby, St. Thomas Place.
£4.00This old established Inn has proved the most difficult to research its early history. I was always of the belief that the original Inn would date from the medieval period on the basis that Penkhull was situated on the main highway from the south to the north of Stoke-on-Trent before the current London Road, Stoke was laid. Here in Penkhull, an Inn was listed in the 15th century under the sign of Lord Wagstaff. The court rolls list a Thomas Bagnall, victualler of Penkhull in 1587. A Thomas Tittensor was licensed to sell spirits in 1606; James Bourne was named a victualler of Penkhull in 1775. Sadly, none of these identify the Inn by name.
In 1861, Charles Simpson, aged 34, and his wife Mary, aged 36, both from Hanley were running the Inn and by 1891 George Salt, aged 45, and Sarah his wife, aged 42, were in charge. They had two children, Florence, aged 15, and Eleanor, age 7. Apart from Charles’ mother and his sister-in-law living there, they had two male servants John Harris, aged 29, and Alfred Thomas, aged 23.
Throughout the decades, the Marquis had rather a fast number of landlords.
The property remained in the hands of Mary Ann Lees, until her death at Southport. She was buried at Hanford on the 19th of November 1894. By the terms of her Will dated, the 16th of May 1873, The Marquis of Granby was left in trust to her daughter Annie Crewe Lees and Mr William Challinor of Leek, earthenware manufacturer, until it should be deemed advisable to convert it into cash but should not be sold during the lives of her three daughters unless a major part of them should consent to such a sale. After her death it remained in the hands of the trustees.
On the 17th of May 1886, the trustees entered into an agreement to lease out the premises to Mr Henry Elshaw for a period of ten years at an annual rent of £82. It was recorded that the property had been in the occupation of Mr George Furnival for some time. The same document refers for the first time to the addition of a bowling green adjacent to the pub. On the same date Mr Elshaw assigned the lease by way of mortgage for security of £306 from Mr John Robinson.
The name The Marquis of Granby is interesting so many pubs of that name. John Manners, the eldest son of the 3rd Duke of Rutland, and known by his father’s subsidiary title of the Marquis of Granby, was a highly distinguished soldier and later a politician. He was known by his generosity as when his soldiers retired, John Manners helped many of his soldiers financially to set up public houses who all subsequently called new Inns or re-named existing Inns – The Marquis of Granby, out of respect and admiration of the former Major General. When he died in 1771 the Marquis left £60,000 of debts with assets of around £23,000 which could imply that he was most generous during his lifetime.
Here in Penkhull, an Inn was listed in the 15th century under the sign of Lord Wagstaff. The court rolls list a Thomas Bagnall, victualler of Penkhull in 1587. A Thomas Tittensor was licensed to sell spirits in 1606; James Bourne was named a victualler of Penkhull in 1775. Sadly, none of these identify the Inn by name.
The property remained in the hands of Mary Ann Lees, until her death at Southport. She was buried at Hanford on the 19th of November 1894. By the terms of her Will dated, the 16th of May 1873, The Marquis of Granby was left in trust to her daughter Annie Crewe Lees and Mr William Challinor of Leek, earthenware manufacturer, until it should be deemed advisable to convert it into cash but should not be sold during the lives of her three daughters unless a major part of them should consent to such a sale. After her death it remained in the hands of the trustees.
On the 17th of May 1886, the trustees entered into an agreement to lease out the premises to Mr Henry Elshaw for a period of ten years at an annual rent of £82. It was recorded that the property had been in the occupation of Mr George Furnival for some time. The same document refers for the first time to the addition of a bowling green adjacent to the pub. On the same date Mr Elshaw assigned the lease by way of mortgage for security of £306 from Mr John Robinson.
inn 6 The Greyhound Inn and a visit from King Charles II.
£3.00During the Commonwealth period 1649-1660 Cromwell was designated the Lord Protector and appointed Harrison as the head of the former Royal Manor thereby receiving all rents and court dues. He is frequently mentioned as attending as head of the manor in the court rolls.                                                After the Restitution of Charles II, Thomas Harrison was executed on Saturday 13th October 1660. He was dragged on a hurdle through the streets of London from Over the last thirty years I have acquired and transcribed what has become the only and largest collection in the world of the Manor Court Rolls of Manor of Newcastle-under-Lyme which included what is two thirds of Stoke-on-Trent from 1347 – 1927. It is from this extensive archive that an account appears of King Charles II visit to Penkhull.
Following the demise at the castle at Newcastle all manorial courts were held once every three weeks from c1530 in a large farmhouse in Penkhull and what is now known as the Greyhound Inn. No doubt many readers will know that Major General Thomas Harrison, the second in command under Oliver Cromwell was the son of a butcher and born in High Street Newcastle, the site of which is now occupied by the HSBC Bank. There is a brass plaque on the wall to this fact. It was Harrison with others who also signed the death warrant of Charles I.
During the Commonwealth period 1649-1660 Cromwell was designated the Lord Protector and appointed Harrison as the head of the former Royal Manor thereby receiving all rents and court dues. He is frequently mentioned as attending as head of the manor in the court rolls.
After the Restitution of Charles II, Thomas Harrison was executed on Saturday 13th October 1660. He was dragged on a hurdle through the streets of London from Newgate Prison to Charing Cross and executed by the most horrifying method of the time – hung, drawn and quartered