407,336
edits
recognizance bonds
(akas for London and Middlesex courts) |
(recognizance bonds) |
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=== Content === | === Content === | ||
*'''Indictments--''' give the most genealogical information, but the user is cautioned about the false information given as fact. Indictments are set out the charge against the defendant, the depositions or witness statements, and the gaol or crown books, the latter listing the defendants, charges, verdict, and sentence. Ages are not given, and the alleged parish of residence is often given as the same as the place of the offence. Contemporary laws stipulated that each criminal be described as either a labourer or a yeoman. These were not their actual occupations. No details are given about family relationships, except in some cases where the victim was related to the accused. Other records filed with indictments include judges’ commissions, calendars or lists of the prisoners to be tried, jury panels, coroners’ inquests, and presentments of a variety of lesser offenses including neglect of roads and bridges, keeping unlicensed alehouses, and recusancy. | *'''Indictments--''' give the most genealogical information, but the user is cautioned about the false information given as fact. Indictments are set out the charge against the defendant, the depositions or witness statements, and the gaol or crown books, the latter listing the defendants, charges, verdict, and sentence. Ages are not given, and the alleged parish of residence is often given as the same as the place of the offence. Contemporary laws stipulated that each criminal be described as either a labourer or a yeoman. These were not their actual occupations. No details are given about family relationships, except in some cases where the victim was related to the accused. Other records filed with indictments include judges’ commissions, calendars or lists of the prisoners to be tried, jury panels, coroners’ inquests, and presentments of a variety of lesser offenses including neglect of roads and bridges, keeping unlicensed alehouses, and recusancy. Recognizance bonds, filed by the prosecutor (usually the person harmed by the crime), identify specific residences and occupations of that person. | ||
*'''Depositions--''' are sworn, written testimony of witnesses. The few which survive contain ages and places of residence of the deponents. Some are filed with the indictments instead of separately. | *'''Depositions--''' are sworn, written testimony of witnesses. The few which survive contain ages and places of residence of the deponents. Some are filed with the indictments instead of separately. | ||
*'''Gaol Books, Crown Minute Books and Agenda Books--''' list the names of the prisoners and record in outline form the cases heard or yet to be heard. They are annotated with the plea, verdict and sentence. | *'''Gaol Books, Crown Minute Books and Agenda Books--''' list the names of the prisoners and record in outline form the cases heard or yet to be heard. They are annotated with the plea, verdict and sentence. | ||