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CHAPTER IX.
Local Courts and hirings.
PETTY SESSIONS.
The Nottinghamshire magistrates formerly held a Petty Sessions Court at the Three Horse Shoes Inn, East Leake. The Sessions ceased in consequence of the improvement of manners in the district, but the exact date when they ceased is not certain. Mr. T. R. Potter, in “Walks Round Loughborough” (1840) says that the Court was then held. Mr. A. J. Raven, Clerk to the Nottinghamshire magistrates, in answer to a question, writes:—“I came into the Justices Clerk's Office for the Nottingham Division in 1847. At that time the Nottingham Division included the parishes formerly in the East Leake Division.” The Sessions were removed to the County town between 1840 and 1847.
In this Local Court, Grundy, the sheep stealer, and reputed murderer of a packman, was first tried. This man was transported for sheep stealing. His memory is kept green by the name given to the house in which he lived. Where there is one who knows the right name—Woodgate Cottage—there are many who know it as Mutton Hall.
“Hardy’s Parlour,” as the Courtroom was called, is still used for the Revising Barrister’s Court, and by the Inspector of Weights and Measures.
There can be little doubt but that this local Court was the successor of the ancient Manor Courts.
We get some interesting glimpses of the proceedings of these earlier Courts in the Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls. The following extracts from these Rolls not only illustrate the cases tried at these independent Courts, but also furnish a list of residents and freemen.
COURTS OF THE HONOUR OF TUTBURY.
“ Leek. View of frank pledge1 3 Oct 8 Hen iv. 1406.
“ Excused attendance2 John Humberston of Leek Magna, Robert in le Vree of the same, W“ Aleyn of the same, John Fleccher of the same, John Aleyn of the same, John Stevensone of the same . . . Walter Garton of the same Leek, Hugh Prokator, Richd del Wroo, Simon Thomasone, Margerote——”
The 12 pledgemen or jury were—
Willm atte Mylne, John Wright, Hugh Brette, Edward Fraunkileyne, John Taillour, Thomas del Hul, Robert Stevensone, Peter of Gotham, John Smyth senr, Simon of Cleybrook, John Banastre, John Smyth junr.
The cases are divided under the heads “Estur Leek” and “Westur Leek.”
“Estur Leek.
“John Smyth senr and John Legett, frankpledgemen present that3 John Leget, 2d., once, John Smyth, 24d., 12 times, Simon Claybroke, 8d., 4 times, Richard Beall, 8d., 4 times, Alice Dilepe, 4d., twice, Richard in le Wroo, 8d., 4 times brewed and sold4 contrary to the assize, therefore they are at the mercy of the Court. Also they present that a hen with a chicken was found stray5 worth 2d. and sold by John Smyth the younger."
“View of Frankpledge Nov 24 13 Hen iv 1411. Court at Leake—
“Excused for absence:—John Troweman, Symon Tho- masmon,6 Alured Henfrey, Hugh Brette, Thomas Brette, William Atte Milne the elder, Thomas Hebbe, Roger Jors (?), Richard Tailliour, Richard Marche, John Greyve.** “Estur Leke—Richard Bylle and John Leget, frank- pledghmen present that John Smyth, 8d., 4 times, Richard Bille, 6d., 3 times, John Leget, 4d., twice, broke the assize brewing (and selling beer). Also they present that a stray swarm of bees came and Henry le Par (Leper) sold it for 12 pence; and that John Pope assaulted Richard Cook hayward of the sheep, for which Richard raised the hue with a horn7 on John; 6d., and John is therefore at the mercy of the Court by pledge of the freemen, and John Humberston, and John Wryghte."
“Also that Richard Valeymon, 6d. paid, drew blood from Robert Gentyll,"
“From John Hunte, bailiff, is due for 1 bullock weakly and stray (impounded) 12d.”
"View of frankpledge 26 Ap : 13 Hen iv. 1412.
“Excused—John Humberstone, William atte Milne, John Fleccher, John Walton, Richd Megsane, William Hogge, Ralf Refayr."
"Esturleke—The frankpledgemen present . . . that the Hegstrete8 is muddy by default of the village, and therefore the village is at the mercy of the Court. Ordered to be amended before next Court under penalty of 15d."
“Leeke 18 July 9 Hen 5. 1421.
“Excused for absence Wm atte Milne, Willm Aleyn, Roger Jors, Richard Bill, Simon Cleybrok.”
The 12 jurymen—John Humberston, Tho. del Hull, Rob. Stevenson, John Smyth, Tho. Brett, Robt in le Wroo, John Aleyn, John and Richard in le Wroo, John Stevenson, John of Gotham, John Bond.
Fined for absence—John Wayt, Webster,9 John Bartram, Mag’ot10 Andrew; for brewing and selling beer John Legett, John Smyth, Agnes Biell, Simon del Cleybrok and Alice Dulep.
COURTS OF PLUMTREE WAPENTAKE.
“24 Nov 6 Hen iv. 1404
“Leek and Corthyngstock11 (Costock)
“William of Thrumpton frankpledgeman presents that Richard Eale, 6d., ought to be present and is not and therefore is at the mercy of the Court.”
“[ . . ] 9 Edw iv 1469-70
“The village of Leeke is at the mercy of the Court for default, because no one came to make presentments at this Court. Tho. Mylne frankpledgeman. Fine imposed 4½d.”
Other Courts—21 Oct 1 Rich iii 1483 Persons named Robt Boonde (Bonde) frankpledgeman, John Tervile “2 Hen viii 1510-1—Richd Mylner frankpledgeman— John Wheytley fined.
“5 Hen viii. 1513-4 Do.
“6 --------- 1514-5 Robt Bonde frankpledgeman presents the common fine 4½d. Also fine of the freemen, 6d. Also fine of William Mylner, 8d., Catherine Turvell, 12d., Robert Cosby, 8d., for non-attendances. And presents Robert Tonley as frankpledgeman for the next year.”
“22 Hen viii 1530-1 John Bryd and John Baldok frankpledgemen.”
COURTS OF TICKHILL HONOUR.12
“28 Hen viii 1536-7. Estur Leeke. Robert Smyth frank- pledgemen presents that Francis Leeke, esquire, 2d., & Ralf Shorley, Knight, 2d., ought to be present.”
“29 Hen viii 1537-8 Estur Leeke.” As last—with addition “ and that all else is well.”
“34 Hen viii 1542-3 Estur Leek. Godfrey Prate pledgeman presents that Thomas Leeke Gentleman, Richd Stevyson, Francis Cherley esquire, Gelian Crosby13 are free tenants and owe suit to the Court.”
There are similar entries—“7, Edw. VI., 1553; 1, Mary, 1553-4 ; 2, Mary, 1554.”
“2 and 3 Philip and Mary 1555-6 Ester Leek The Frank- pledgeman presents that John Sanders gentleman, George Swynynston Esquire, Hugh Esybrygge gentleman, and John Esterbye gentleman, are free tenants and owe suit, etc.”
“9 Elizabeth 1566-7—Ester Leeke William Burrows frank- pledgeman presents that Thomas Leeke (excused) Esqre and Francis Sherley esquire, the heirs of Robert Stevenson, the heirs of Godfrey Pratte, the heirs of Richard Sheffield are free tenants, and owe suit, etc.”
The same “ 9 Eliz : 1567.”
“2 April 24 Eliz: 1582.
“Court at Stanford. William Borrow chief pledgeman of East Leake states on oath that Thomas Leak Esquire Gabriel Stapleton gentleman Isabel Shefeld, the widow of Ralf Partrick and William Borrowes are free tenants of the Queen and owe suit to this Court. And that Tho. Mercer, Nicholas Swatman, Thomas Abbotson, John Hartshorne, William Gisborne, and William Willemot are residents and owe suit, etc. . . . ”
“1 Oct 24 Eliz 1582 ”—The same return.
“8 April 25 Eliz 1583.
“William Borrow chief pledgeman of East Leake states on oath that Thomas Leake Esquire, Gabrieli Stapleton and Ralf Partrick (excused) are free tenants of the lady, Queen (Elizab.) and owe suit to this Court and that each of them has made suit as appears by the note over his name; and that Simon Blankettre, Richard Lane, Thomas Mercer, Nicholas Swatnam, Thomas Abbotson, John Hartsorne (excused), William Gisborne, and William Willemot are residents and owe suit and that each of them has done it etc. . . . .”
THE HIRINGS.
This village was a hiring place for a long period, hirings being held four times in the year.14 It appears to have been a centre for a wide district, for the statement of a Wymeswold neighbour15 in 1840 is that there was “a great statute for hiring for servants.”
By 1844 the hirings were reduced to three in each year, viz., on Candlemas Day (February 2), and the first and last Fridays in November.
The hirings were at their height about 1848-50. Old residents relate that the crowd of servants waiting to be hired was so great, that the main street for more than 200 yards, the road from the Church to the School, and the West Leake Lane, were filled with them.
As late as 1864 Wright’s Directory gives three hiring days, but very soon after this date the hirings declined and ceased.
BROOKSIDE.(1) Frankpledge was the mutual bond of the freemen for the conduct of the community. The Lord of the Manor bad rights of “view of frankpledge" investigation of conduct and "assize of bread and ale," &c., i.e., the right to regulate the price of beer and bread, the chief food of the peasantry.
(2) The tenants had to attend at the Court. If absent It must be by permission, or fine was imposed.
(3) The sums following the names are the amounts of the fines imposed.
(4) No one might brew without the knowledge of the lord or his servants
(5) Strays and the profit of strays were due to the lord of the honour.
(6) Thomason—Man of Thomas.
(7) The lord had the right of “hue and cry,” to follow up felons and offenders. In cases of bloodshed the lord had the right of punishment, even by hanging.
(8) Hegstrete—probably from old High German, a town, and so means the town or village street.
(9) Webster, was John Wayt's trade and description.
(10) Mag’ot is apparently a local form of Margaret, Magerot.
(11) These villages are conjoined in each of the Plumtree Courts.
(12) These appear to be the successors of the Plumptree Wapentake Courts.
(13) i.e., Julian Crosby, Rector.
(14) Wright's Directory, 1832.
(15)
T. R. Potter.