| Description | The Court Leet exercised the view of frankpledge, literally a peace pledge, and its attendant police jurisdiction. Its duty was not only to view the pledges, which were the freemen's oaths of peacekeeping and good practice in trade, but also to try by jury and punish all crimes committed within its jurisdiction. In practice it appears that within the town prosecutions were dealt with by the Court of Pleas and the administration of the two courts was interlinked.
The surviving records evidence that proceedings took place (twice yearly at Easter and Michaelmas), lists the name of Borough residents summoned as jurors, the election of constables and officers and hears complaints regarding paving, blocked drains and other nuisances. The principal officer of the court was the foreman of the jury. It is to him that the requests for admission are addressed.
The collection includes an order book 1836-1849, earlier examples are recorded within the Court of Pleas order books, CB/12/1/6-7; and court proceedings papers, 1836-1849. |