1,707
edits
Assize Court Records: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(Added TNA leaflet links) |
Loisfowles (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
In the early years, most of the cases were heard in the courts in London. As their caseloads increased, a common practice was to fix a date for trial at one of the central courts, then add a note ''nisi prius'', meaning “unless before”. This meant the trial would be held in the central court unless the local circuit assize court was held before the central court date. Usually, a date was fixed in central court after they knew the next local circuit assize court would be held in order to save the central courts from the added burden. | In the early years, most of the cases were heard in the courts in London. As their caseloads increased, a common practice was to fix a date for trial at one of the central courts, then add a note ''nisi prius'', meaning “unless before”. This meant the trial would be held in the central court unless the local circuit assize court was held before the central court date. Usually, a date was fixed in central court after they knew the next local circuit assize court would be held in order to save the central courts from the added burden. | ||
The assize was held twice a year in the “rural” circuits, during Lent and Summer. By the mid-nineteenth century, as the criminal caseload grew, a Winter court was sometimes added. The Home “circuit” held court during the Winter. Judges would be involved in their court cases every winter, then many would travel to the other circuits during Lent and Summer. A few cases each year were referred from the outlying circuit to the Home courts. Most of the records are in Latin until 1733, and they are often abbreviated. | The assize was held twice a year in the “rural” circuits, during Lent and Summer. By the mid-nineteenth century, as the criminal caseload grew, a Winter court was sometimes added. The Home “circuit” held court during the Winter. Judges would be involved in their court cases every winter, then many would travel to the other circuits during Lent and Summer. A few cases each year were referred from the outlying circuit to the Home courts. Most of the records are in Latin until 1733, and they are often abbreviated. | ||
=== Content === | === Content === | ||
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
In addition to the above three sources, here is a select list of other sources for more information about assize records.<br> | In addition to the above three sources, here is a select list of other sources for more information about assize records.<br> | ||
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=154 “Assizes: Criminal Trials”.] London: The National Archives, 2009. Legal Records Information no. 13. | *[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=154 “Assizes: Criminal Trials”.] London: The National Archives, 2009. Legal Records Information no. 13. | ||
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=153 “Assizes: English, 1656-1971: Key to Series for Civil Trials”.] London: The National Archives, 2004. Legal Records Information no. 12. | *[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=153 “Assizes: English, 1656-1971: Key to Series for Civil Trials”.] London: The National Archives, 2004. Legal Records Information no. 12. | ||
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=156 “Assizes: English: Key for Criminal Trials, 1559-1971”]. London: The National Archives, 2004. Legal Records Information no. 14.<br> | *[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=156 “Assizes: English: Key for Criminal Trials, 1559-1971”]. London: The National Archives, 2004. Legal Records Information no. 14.<br> | ||
*Bevan, Amanda and Andrea Duncan, ''Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office''. Fourth Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1990. FHL book 942 A5p, no. 19, 1990. See Chapter 38, Sections 1, 3 and 4. | *Bevan, Amanda and Andrea Duncan, ''Tracing Your Ancestors in the Public Record Office''. Fourth Edition. London, England: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1990. FHL book 942 A5p, no. 19, 1990. See Chapter 38, Sections 1, 3 and 4. | ||
*FitzHugh, Terrick V.H., ''The Dictionary of Genealogy''. Third Edition. Totowa, New Jersey, USA: Barnes and Noble, 1991. FHL book 942 B2ff; see pages 40‑41, 118, 208 and 215. | *FitzHugh, Terrick V.H., ''The Dictionary of Genealogy''. Third Edition. Totowa, New Jersey, USA: Barnes and Noble, 1991. FHL book 942 B2ff; see pages 40‑41, 118, 208 and 215. | ||