Court of Augmentations

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The Court of Augmentations was established during the reign of King Henry VIII of England along with three lesser courts (those of General Surveyors, First Fruit & Tenths, and Wards & Licenses) following his dissolution of the monasteries. Its primary function was to gain better control over the land and finances formerly held by the Roman Catholic Church in the kingdom.

The court was operated by a chancellor, treasurer, attorney, solicitor, 10 auditors, 17 receivers, a clerk, an usher, and a messenger. All were required to swear an "Oath of Honesty" to the king, and were generously compensated for their fidelity in dealing with the handling of so much wealth.

The first chancellor was Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich.

The court was re-instituted during the succeeding reign of Edward VI, but was promptly abolished by the Catholic Queen Mary I of England in 1553.