Genealogy Chat

Can someone tell me what a Court Leet Suitor is/means please?

If you google this..some bits come up but you have to do a bit of reading to find it..You'll see what i mean lol

Court Leet Suitor old occupation uk

It sounds a lot more exciting than my Ag Labs & Miners!

I wonder if this will help

http://www.covkid.org.uk/1826%20Suitors%20List.html

It seems to be some sort of qualification to vote in some sort of local council before local councils were elected, (that's if I have understood this page):-

http://www.cwn.org.uk/heritage/family-history/john-russell/990221-1833-35.htm

Kath. x

I was reading about this in a local history book. And yes, it seems to be an early sort of magistrates court cum council. The Leet court seems to have been held at a local manor and was used for settling disputes etc.

Thankyou guys makes sence now
Sharon

Someone I know is connected with the Court Leet at Wareham.
I hope that this information and site below will be of interest.


Courts Leet were the more powerful courts of criminal jurisdiction, granted by the King to one of his trusted Tenants-in-chief In those days, law and order was also self-administered by the 'Frankpledge' system, where people were responsible for the conduct of one another in groups of ten householders (hence the word 'tithe' meaning a tenth); if one offended then the other nine were held responsible.

When necessary, the 'Hue and Cry' system aided in the speedy apprehension of offenders. With the establishment of democratic Parliament and local government control, the court leet system gradually lost its powers: After the I880s courts leet no longer imposed fines. In 1925 the 'Law of Property Act' abolished many manorial rights; and, finally In 1977 court leet functions were further reduced to their current level during local government reorganization

http://courtleet.awardspace.co.uk/index.htm

Shame they dont have the same system now, eh?

Thankyou Joy will take a look looks like he was more importnt than I thought

Sharon