Manor court
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The manor court was the lowest court of law in England (and in other Western European countries such as France during the feudal period). It dealt with matters which the Lord of the Manor had jurisdiction over. Its powers extended only to those living in the manor or who held land in the manor.
The Manor has its own laws listed in a document called the Custamal. Anyone breaking those laws would be trialled in the Manor Court. The whole village must attend and it was held even without crimes, several times a year to proclaim new ownerships and resolve arguments. The ‘hue and cry’ is the warning that someone has committed a crime, and the whole village must give chase or be prepared to face charges as well. The Lord or his steward would be the chairman, whilst the Parish Clerk would write down the record on the ‘court rolls’. The Saxon method of trial was replaced by the decision of a jury made up of 12 locals. The criminal would then be punished or fined depending on the seriousness of the crime. If it is a serious crime the trial is then taken to the King’s court.
The Lord could be given a post in government such as sheriff or officers in charge of their county and receive a small payment. Most Tenants-in-chief would receive these posts.
Most of the those found guilty of offences at the Manor Court would be fined. Other types of punishments could include; having part of your tongue cut out for gossiping and being marked with a red hot poker for baking in a personal oven instead of using the lord's oven. A person found guilty of a felony could be dragged away immediately and executed by the lord's guards.
