MEDIEVAL COURTS —> PARISH COUNCILS

[South Kilvington, Court Leet:] Court leet book for the manor of South Kilvington, Yorkshire. South Kilvington, Yorkshire 1793[-1805].

Records of a manorial court of medieval origins, the court leet, as held in the village of South Kilvington, near York, at the turn of the nineteenth century. It once covered trading standards and some criminal matters, but, at this stage in its development, was concerned with issues of common upkeep within the jurisdiction. It could impose fines (two freeholders are recorded punished) and had a ceremonial: jurors are "sworn to enquire for our Sovereign Lord the King as the Lord of the Manor of South Kilvington", a constable is elected, there is a steward, and a formal oath, inscribed here on f.f.e.p.

The book names the court baron, the local lord of the manor. In 1802 this became John Batty Tuke, whom we know was a merchant and banker from Beverley. He was a member of the celebrated Tuke family of Yorkshire Quakers, merchants, philanthropists and bankers (co-founders of the modern Barclay's Bank). In 1806 Batty Tuke was declared bankrupt, and his property in South Kilvington sold - and it may not be a coincidence that our book stops in 1805.

Details

MS 4to., notebook, with text found on first pastedown and 59 further pages (including one at end). Bound in blind-ruled vellum boards with title on spine and front cover; binding darkened and soiled but good.

THIS MANUSCRIPT IS A MANORIAL COURT RECORD. THIS CATEGORY OF RECORD IS EFFECTIVELY UNEXPORTABLE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.