The local court through which the lord and tenants administered the affairs of the manor.
A manorial court was the legal and administrative forum through which the affairs of a manor were managed.
The court dealt with matters including changes in landholding, inheritance, tenant obligations, breaches of custom and disputes between members of the community.
The court was usually presided over by the lord’s steward, with tenants serving as jurors or presenting matters requiring attention.
The proceedings were recorded in court rolls, which are among the most valuable sources for understanding medieval and early modern rural communities.
See also:
Court Baron
Court Roll
Homage Jury
Steward
Tenant
