Records in United Kingdom

Court Records

For information about this topic, please read the entry, in this legal Encyclopedia, about: Court Records

Records and Medieval Law

Records and Legal History

Legal Materials

(Compiled by the University of South Caroline Gould School of Law) 1238 Devon

Summerson, Henry, ed. Crown Pleas of the Devon Eyre of 1238 . Devon & Cornwall Record Society, n.s., 28. Torquay, England : Devonshire Press, 1985.

Abstract: Contains the crown pleas… fully calendared in English from Public Record Office (now the National Archives) JUST/1/174 membranes 25 to 43.

1240 Bedfordshire

Fowler, George H., ed. Roll of the Justices in Eyre 1240. Bedfordshire Historical Record Society Publications, 9. London: Aspley Guise, 1925.

Abstract: English translation of the essoins and civil pleas for the 1240 Bedfordshire eyre, 75-146, together with Bedfordshire pleas from other rolls of the visitation of AD 1240-41.

1241 Oxfordshire

Cooper, Janet, ed. The Oxfordshire Eyre, 1241. The Oxfordshire Record Society, 56. Oxford : The Oxfordshire Record Society, 1989.

1243 Somerset

Chadwyck-Healey, , Sir Charles E. H., and Lionel Landon, eds. Somersetshire Pleas (Civil and Criminal), From the Rolls of the Itinerant Justices. 4 Vols. Somerset Record Society Publications, 11, 36, 41, & 44. London: The Society, 1897-1929.

Abstract: Vol. 1, The close of 12th century – 41 Henry III. Contains essoins, assizes, indictments and gaol delivery, amercements of the 1225 general sessions for assizes and gaol delivery, Somerset (nos. 102-398); civil and crown pleas, Somerset eyre, 1243 (nos. 421 – 1264); list of Somerset eyres, 1219-1243.

1244 London

Chew, Helena M., and Martin Weinbaum , eds. The London Eyre of 1244. London Record Society Publications, 6. Leicester: London Record Society, 1970.

Notes: Also available online at https://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=153Abstract: Parallel Latin text and English translation. Contains crown pleas only. Extracts from the relevant pipe rolls are printed in an index.

1248 Berkshire

Clanchy, M. T., ed. and trans. The Roll and Writ File of the Berkshire Eyre of 1248. The Selden Society (SS), 90 for 1972 and 1973. London: Selden Society, 1973.

Abstract: Latin text and English translation. “This volume containing the proceedings of a mid-thirteenth century eyre, is notable for the correlation of the plea roll of the eyre with the file of writs. The file for this eyre is the earliest eyre writ file now extant, and the third earliest collection of common law writs of any type. Part II of the introduction provides a description and history of the plea roll, its arrangements and contents, and a description of the writ file. The editor then relates the writs to the pleas. The plea roll is arranged in the order: Berkshire civil pleas, foreign civil pleas, juries of presentment, and finally Berkshire Crown pleas and kalendar. These are followed by the writ file.”

1249 Wiltshire

Clanchy, M. T., ed. Civil Pleas of the Wiltshire Eyre, 1249. Wiltshire Record Society Series, 26. London: Devizes, 1971.

Abstract: English translation.

Meekings, Cecil A. F., ed. Crown Pleas of the Wiltshire Eyre, 1249. Wiltshire Record Society Series, 16. Devizes: Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, 1961.

Abstract: English translation from the Latin text. Includes an extensive introduction on the functioning of the eyre in general and appendices including biographical notes on the justices.

1251-52 Yorkshire

Clay, Charles T, ed and trans. Three Yorkshire Assize Rolls for the Reigns of King John and King Henry III. Yorkshire Archeological Society. Record Series, 44 for 1910. Leeds: The Society, 1911.

Abstract: English translation. The earliest roll is dated 1202. Includes the civil pleas of the closing session of the 1251-52 Yorkshire eyre. Notable as exemplifying how trial by jury had become part of English law.

1256 Northumberland

Page, William, ed. Three Early Assize Rolls for the County of Northumberland, Saec. XIII. Publications of the Surtees Society, 88. Durham: Andrews and Co. for the Society, 1891.

Abstract: Text in Latin. Contains civil and crown pleas and kalendar of the 1256 eyre (40 Henry III (1256)), 1-133.

1256 Shropshire

Harding, Alan, ed. The Roll of the Shropshire Eyre of 1256. The Selden Society (SS), 96 for 1980. London: Selden Society, 1981.

Abstract: Text consists of the 966 entries from the roll of the eyre held at Shrewsbury in January and February 1256. This was a session of the general eyre of 1252-58, the seventh general eyre of Henry III’s reign. About half the entries are on the Crown side, mostly homicide cases. The bulk of the cases on the civil side are assizes. One fifth of the pleas were ‘foreign’ – adjourned from earlier sessions in other counties.

1258-9 Surrey and Kent special eyre

Hershey, Andrew H., ed. The 1258-9 Special Eyre of Surrey and Kent. Surrey Record Society Publications, 38. Woking: Surrey Record Society, 2004.

Abstract: Latin text with English translation and notes.

1261 Cambridgeshire

Palmer, William M., ed. and trans. The Assizes Held at Cambridge A.D. 1260 (Sic): Being a Condensed Translation of Assize Roll 82 in the Public Record Office. Linton: Eagle Printing Works, 1930.

Abstract: English translation of the crown pleas and kalendar of the 1261 Cambridgeshire eyre. Facsimiles from the 1261 and 1272 crown pleas rolls.

1262-3 Surrey

Stewart, Susan M., ed. An Edition of the Surrey Eyre Roll of 1262-3. London : University of London, 2001.

1263 Surrey

Stewart, Susan M., ed. The 1263 Surrey Eyre. Surrey Record Society Publications, 40. Woking : Surrey Record Society, 2006.

Abstract: Latin text with English translation and notes.

1269 Northumberland

Page, William, ed. Three Early Assize Rolls for the County of Northumberland, Saec. XIII. Publications of the Surtees Society, 88 . Durham: Andrews and Co. for the Society, 1891.

Abstract: Text in Latin. Contains civil pleas and attorneys for the 1269 eyre (53 Henry III (1269)).

1272 Staffordshire

Wrottesley, George, and William Salt Archaeological Society, ed. Collections for a History of Staffordshire. William Salt Archaeological Society, 3, 4, 5 pt.1, 6 pt.1, 7, 9 – 17; n.s., 3, 4, 6. London: Harrison and Sons, 1882-1996.

Abstract: Vol. 4, Plea rolls of Henry III; Includes selected civil and crown pleas from the 1227 Staffordshire eyre, 47-74; a small number of selected civil and crown pleas for the 1272 Staffordshire eyre, 191-215

1276 London

Weinbaum, Martin, ed. The London Eyre of 1276 . London Record Society Publications, 12. Leicester: London Record Society, 1976.

Notes: Also available online at https://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.asp?pubid=156Abstract: Crown and civil pleas, the former greatly predominating, and exchequer summons of the financial issues of the eyre. English version, but full Latin text of the summons. Two related pipe roll accounts are printed in an appendix.

1279 Northumberland

Page, William,

Bibliographies of English Law History

• Maxwell, William H. A Legal Bibliography of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Volume 1: English Law to 1800. London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1955-
• Beale, Joseph H. A Bibliography of Early English Law Books. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1926.
• Winfield, Percy H. The Chief Sources of English Legal History. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1925.

Resources

See Also

• Attainder (in this legal Encyclopedia)
• Trespass (in this legal Encyclopedia)
• Burglary (in this legal Encyclopedia)
• Torture (in this legal Encyclopedia)
• Uses (in this legal Encyclopedia)