Contents
Function of the Courts Leet
A Court Leet was concerned with matters affecting the whole community:
- highways,
- ditches,
- fences,
- hedges,
- nuisances,
- common pastures,
- assize matters,
- public order.
The last two have not appeared in records examined so far.
The Court Leet exercised part of the Crown’s jurisdiction. It was effectively a local criminal and police court, held because the lord possessed the franchise of leet, usually granted by the Crown or acquired by prescription. Unlike the Court Baron (or General Court), its authority depended upon residence or presence within the leet, not upon tenure of Manorial property.
Whilst it was possible for the Courts Leet to be held on separate occasions from the Courts Baron or General Courts, in Deopham they were always recorded as being held together. The sequence of the the two was variable.
There is a description of the requirements for holding a Court Leet in a work published in 1781 and reproduced here.
The Capital Leet
This was effectively the jury of the Courts Leet. Ideally, it would have been made up of twelve members of the community – the Capital Pledges who were the heads of tithing groups.
Deopham Courts Leet
Manor of Deopham of Canterbury
Courts Leet had been part of the power of this Manor from earliest times. The Court held on September 28th 1607 included a Court Leet which gave out penalties to offenders. This Court indicates how those within its jurisdiction were not only the tenants of the Manor, but all inhabitants of the village.
Manor of Deopham of Deopham Hall
The earliest Court of this Manor for which a complete record has been found was that held on October 28th 1691. This included a Court Leet, although its business amounted to little more than awarding penalties to those who had failed to attend, and the election of a Constable. The Dean & Chapter’s Court also elected a Constable for the village of Deopham at their Court on September 23rd 1691.
It seems likely that the Courts Leet for this Manor were more ceremonial than administrative, unlike those of the Dean & Chapter of Canterbury.
Manor of Shadwells otherwise Cockerells of Morley
None of the Court Rolls for this Manor have indicated that they had authority to hold Courts Leet.
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| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 19/7/26 | Published |
Deopham History 